THE HANGOVER REPORT – Xian Zhang leads a solid outing with the NY PHIL, conducting works by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Chen Yi

This past weekend, Xian Zhang led the New York Philharmonic in a solid outing that included pieces by Schumann and Tchaikovsky — the concert’s featured soloist was the great veteran … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – GOING BACHARACH is a musically astute love letter to the legacy of the legendary pop songwriter Burt Bacharach

For those of you nostalgic for the less prismatic times we used to live in, I suggest you check out Amas Musical Theatre’s production of Going Bacharach: The Songs of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Carnegie Hall’s concert presentation of OKLAHOMA! scores big with its sterling cast and symphonic sound

Earlier this week, Carnegie Hall scored big with its one night only concert presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! One of the seminal musicals in history, the show is notable … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Inspired music-making at Lincoln Center: Noseda conducts the NY PHILHARMONIC and the Met’s new staging of I PURITANI

Last week at Lincoln Center, I was able to take in a pair of exceptional performances courtesy, respectively, of the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, two of the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A cabaret comparison: MATTHEW MORRISON digs deep for a message, while DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER plays it fast and loose

During the first week of the new year, I ventured out to catch a pair of cabaret acts, together proving the art form’s ability to extravagantly shape shift by performer. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A look back at the holidays at The Met: Breathing new life into AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS and the return of THE MAGIC FLUTE

This past holiday season, The Metropolitan Opera doubled down on the spirit of the season by presenting not one, but two family-friendly offerings — one a reliable staple at the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – THE BEST OF 2025: Theater, Music, and Dance

With 2025 now merely a memory, I’ve taken the time to look back upon the year prior and pick out the performances that distinguished themselves from the pack. Read on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – London roundup: A varied bounty of performances across the classics, new dramas, musicals, and beyond

A few weeks back, I was able to travel across the pond to take in an eclectic bounty of shows across the classics, new dramas, musicals, and beyond to satisfy … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A trio of jazz divas light up Birdland: JANE MONHEIT, GABRIELLE STRAVELLI, and The Hot Sardine’s ELIZABETH BOUGEROL

This past fall at Birdland, it was my pleasure to be enchanted by a trio of jazz divas, each of whom effortlessly regaled audiences with their distinct vocal prowess and … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – An overview of ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY FARE: From mildly off the beaten path, to the thoughtfully tangental, to the wacky remixes

For those of you looking for some alternative fare for your holiday entertainment, there are certainly options beyond the big guns (e.g., New York City Ballet’s production of Balanchine’s The … Continue Reading →