THE HANGOVER REPORT The Leiber and Stoller jukebox musical SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE is revived by Joshua Bergasse, and it’s fast and furious

One of the forefathers of the jukebox musical returned to New York last night. That’s right, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, the 1995 musical featuring the immortal pop hits of the songwriting team … Continue Reading →

OUT AND ABOUT – THE LOST SUPPER, an immersive dining experience at the McKittrick Hotel, is extended through September 8th

The McKittrick Hotel is building a dynasty of immersive experiences that rely on sustained illusions. When Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More opened its doors, I never would have guessed that it would be … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The late Yukio Ninagawa’s legendary MACBETH is an emotionally-charged, gorgeous spectacle

Last night, I took in the late Yukio Ninagawa’s legendary Japanese adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, which was first staged nearly three decades ago in 1980. The remount that has made its way to … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – MUMMENSCHANZ’s puppetry and mime-fueled YOU & ME isn’t just pure enchantment, it’s high art

Last night, I had the opportunity to take in MUMMENSCHANZ’s latest production you & me, which has been running at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater since July 4th. At the performance I … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – David vs. Goliath: Revisiting WICKED and AVENUE Q 15 years on

I recently had a chance to relive one of the most exciting Broadway musical face-offs of the last two decades. That is, the unlikely but memorable race for the Tony … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Rinne Groff’s somewhat uneven FIRE IN DREAMLAND finds stability in its trio of fine performances

Last night, Rinne Groff’s somewhat uneven but enjoyable new play Fire in Dreamland opened Off-Broadway at the Public Theater. It tells the story of a frustrated young woman who is compelled … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The stage adaptation of TRAINSPOTTING is an excessive gross-out fest that’s ultimately harrowing stuff

Last night, the stage adaptation of Transpotting – based on the novel by Irvine Welsh, which was also turned into a cult favorite film by director Danny Boyle in 1996 – opened Off-Broadway at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Elizabeth A. Davis’s bluegrass musical MY NAME’S NOT INDIAN JOE is musically accomplished, but the book needs further attention

Elizabeth A. Davis – a Tony-nominee for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Once –  is one of the most beautiful and talented musical theater actresses working in New York … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Six Tall Women: Tracy Letts’ magnificent MARY PAGE MARLOWE astutely explores the nature of identity

There is no doubting that Tracy Letts is one of America’s great writers for the stage. His early career as a playwright – Mr. Letts is also a rather fine actor – … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Encores! Off-Center’s moving revival of GONE MISSING: Michael Friedman comforts us from beyond the grave

Last night, I caught a revival of The Civilian’s Gone Missing, the second offering of this summer’s wonderfully-curated Encores! Off-Center series at New York City Center (the first was a … Continue Reading →