THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lydia R. Diamond’s SMART PEOPLE lacks focus and, sad to say, smarts

Yesterday evening, I had a chance to catch Lydia R. Diamond’s Smart People, which opened last week at Second Stage. Ms. Diamond’s play, a meditation on love, race, and identity … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Encores! revival of CABIN IN THE SKY is a joyous, if curious, affair

I just got back from Encores! revival of Vernon Duke and John Latouche’s forgotten 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky at City Center, and boy, is it joyous stuff. The … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – MTC’s winter season gives us two personal, beautifully-acted portraits of unmoored, headstrong lives

This winter, Manhattan Theatre Club is offering audiences a pair of compelling, albeit flawed, plays from two of our most respected playwrights. What these plays have in common is that … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Economic hardships drive hard-hitting dramas, then and now

This week in our nation’s capital, I had the opportunity of catching two serious dramas – one a new work, the other an established classic. They were Lynn Nottage’s latest, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – THE WOODSMAN creates magic on its own intimate terms

This week, James Oritz’s The Woodsman opened at New World Stages after a successful run a few seasons back at 59E59 Theaters. Like Wicked, that inescapable mega-hit playing just down the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – La Mama celebrates 88 years of theater-making from Mabou Mines and Talking Band

Last week at La Mama, I was able to catch a pair of world premieres from two heralded downtown companies, Mabou Mines and Talking Band. Collectively, these two iconic companies, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Musicals also do sparkle far from the bright lights of the Great White Way

For most people, the term “musical theater” is synonymous with Broadway. Fair enough – for many, the only exposure to musicals comes in the form of advertisements for the latest … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Immersive theater takes a step forward with Third Rail Projects’ THE GRAND PARADISE

In recent years, New York has had its fair share of immersive theatrical experiences – some brilliantly conceived and executed, some ambitious yet flawed, and some quite dismal all around. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – A pair of disturbing Philip Ridley one acts takes us straight into the heart of darkness

I recently had a chance to catch a pair of harrowing one acts by Philip Ridley playing in repertory at HERE Arts Center – Tonight with Donny Stixx and Dark … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Boys will be boys in Charles Mee’s rousing, rowdy THE GLORY OF THE WORLD

Last night, I trekked out to Brooklyn to catch the Actors Theatre of Louisville’s production of The Glory of the World, written by Charles Mee and directed by Les Waters. … Continue Reading →