VIEWPOINTS – Two hugely entertaining productions return for encore runs: Mike Birbiglia’s THE NEW ONE and Jocelyn Bioh’s SCHOOL GIRLS

This fall, two hugely entertaining and rewarding productions returned to New York for encore runs – Mike Birbiglia’s The New One and Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play. Mr. Birbiglia’s The New … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The 2018 edition of INNER VOICES remains a unique and worthwhile musical theater sub-genre, despite being a mixed bag

It’s always a fascinating treat to watch the biennial Off-Broadway mounting of Inner Voices at TBG’s Mainstage Theatre. These one-act solo musicals function like soliloquies set to music, a format … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Samuel D. Hunter’s masterpiece LEWISTON/CLARKSTON is intimate theater on epic themes

Last night at Off-Broadway’s Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, I caught what may well be the best new American play of the year, Samuel D. Hunter’s Lewiston/Clarkston. The piece is actually comprised … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – TWO BY FRIEL: A pair of one-act plays about the potency and fragility of love from the Irish master quietly beguiles

It’s been a while since I’ve caught a Brian Friel play. The late great Irish playwright (he passed away in 2015 and is strongly missed), one of the indisputable masters … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Raul Esparza electrifies in John Doyle’s focused, relevant revival of THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI

This afternoon, I caught John Doyle’s exceptional revival of Bertolt Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui for Classic Stage Company. As translated by George Tabori, the episodic, eventful play tells the story of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Michael Bennett’s legendary, seamlessly constructed original staging of A CHORUS LINE remains a staggering achievement

Arguably the headliner of New York City Center’s 75th anniversary season is the gala revival of A Chorus Line, which I caught last night. No other show in my mind is … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Hansol Jung’s WILD GOOSE DREAMS is lost in translation in several respects

Last night, Hansol Jung’s Wild Goose Dreams opened Off-Broadway at the Public Theater. Largely set in Seoul, the play tells the story of a pair of unlikely star-crossed lovers – … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Glenn Close is majestic in MOTHER OF THE MAID, Jane Anderson’s effective, sturdy new play

Last night at the Public Theater, I caught Jane Anderson’s highly anticipated new play Mother of the Maid, headlined by legendary stage and screen icon Glenn Close. Ms. Anderson’s play tells the familiar … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Ngozi Anyanwu’s GOOD GRIEF explores the depths of young loss, richly and soulfully

This past weekend, I caught Ngozi Anyanwu’s rich, soulful new play Good Grief at the Vineyard Theatre. The play recounts a potent, budding romance between two childhood friends, Nkechi and MJ. When … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – WAITING FOR GODOT & THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING): Kindred spirits Beckett and Eno reflect an anxiety-ridden world

This weekend, it was fascinating to be able to take in Samuel Beckett’s seminal Waiting for Godot in back-to-back viewings with Will Eno’s Thom Pain (based on nothing) – both in superb productions. That’s because … Continue Reading →