VIEWPOINTS – In the uncompromising pursuit of authenticity: Eisa Davis’ THE ESSENTIALISN’T and Robert Ashely’s CELESTIAL EXCURSIONS

This past weekend, I was able to sink my teeth into a pair of experimental music theater pieces in pursuit to authentically articulate nuanced aspects of the human experience. As … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS — Big-voiced chanteuses take to the cabaret stage: WENDY MOTEN at Birdland and RIZO at Joe’s Pub

This past week, I had the great pleasure of basking in the considerable talent of a pair of big-voiced chanteuses, both of whom took to the cabaret stage with the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT — ARIEL QUARTET gives a full-bodied account of Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 131 in the Green-Wood catacombs

Last week at the atmospheric catacombs of Green-Wood Cemetery, I had the opportunity to catch the acclaimed Ariel Quartet’s account of Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nights at 54 Below: Veterans CHESTER GREGORY and LIZ CALLAWAY claim their spots in the Broadway pantheon

No doubt about it, Broadway is a tough business — competitive and often times subject to the inexplicable whims of a finicky public. Last week, I had the great pleasure … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nightlife roundup: SAMANTHA PAULY at Joe’s Pub, JOE ICONIS & FRIENDS at 54 Below, and an OSCAR PETERSON centennial celebration at Birdland

In recent weeks, I made the rounds and caught up with the latest offerings at some of New York’s premiere cabaret and jazz clubs. Here are my thoughts on these … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA OF LINCOLN CENTER wistfully excavates the notion of displacement

Now that Summer for the City has begun striking its elaborate set up across Lincoln Center’s campus, I thought it would be a fitting time to look back at at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – At the fabulously rebooted Laurie Beechman Theater, RACHEL POTTER returns to her musical theater roots

Last night at the fabulously rebooted Laurie Beechman Theater, I had the privilege of catching Rachel Potter in her first New York solo show in approximately a decade. Having just … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Cynthia Erivo is transcendent in Hollywood Bowl’s amped up presentation of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Last weekend in Los Angeles, I had the great opportunity of attending the starry production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, which played … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – At 54 Below, the irrepressible BETH LEAVEL puts over the Sondheim songbook with her trademark sardonic wit

This past weekend at 54 Below, I was able to catch Beth Leavel’s final performance — at least for now — of her latest show Beth Leavel Sings Sondheim. As … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Bel canto summer: Teatro Nuovo mounts a charming LA SONNAMBULA and THE VERSAILLES ROYAL OPERA ORCHESTRA debuts

This summer, bel canto seems to be the genre of choice for classical music ensembles, particularly as exemplified by Teatro Nuovo’s 2025 season and the New York premiere performances of … Continue Reading →