THE HANGOVER REPORT – The cheerful jukebox musical adaptation of MYSTIC PIZZA is fueled by nostalgia for the 80s & 90s

This past snowy Sunday, I took a field trip out to Millburn, NJ to attend the opening of the stage version of the 1988 flick Mystic Pizza at Paper Mill … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Musings on the state of the arts, then and now: The Civilians’ RADIO DOWNTOWN and Louise Orwin’s FAMEHUNGRY

This past weekend, I encountered a pair of Off-Broadway shows that investigate the state of the arts — both now and in the past — in fascinatingly distinct manners. As … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Khawla Ibraheem’s solo show A KNOCK ON THE ROOF is a fever dream spurred by the horrors of war

This past weekend, I ventured down to the East Village to catch New York Theatre Workshop and Under the Radar’s co-production of A Knock on the Roof, a fever dream … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Taking cues from the classics: Gregg Ostrin’s KOWALSKI and Matthew Gasda’s staging of VANYA ON HURON STREET

Over the last few days, I came across a pair of works that have clearly taken their cues from classics of Western drama. As always, read on below for my … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In the genre-defying MANY HAPPY RETURNS, Monica Bill Barnes and Robbie Saez de Viteri revel in our shared humanity

Last night at Playwrights Horizons’ Peter Jay Sharp Theater, I attended one of the extended Off-Broadway performances of Monica Bill Barnes and Robbie Saenz de Viteri’s Many Happy Returns (the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Relentlessly seeking validation Off-Broadway: Comedian Gary Gulman shows off his smarts in GRANDILOQUENT

Also earlier this week, Gary Gulman’s solo show Grandiloquent opened Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in the West Village. For those of you unfamiliar with Gulman, he’s carved a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – At 20, UNDER THE RADAR expands its reach with a blast of out-of-the-box theatrical experiences (Part 2)

My Under the Radar 2025 experience continued with a second week of full immersion. As before, read on for my thoughts on my excursions last week. SHOW/BOAT: A RIVERPresented by … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In MINDPLAY, Vinny DePonto finds a human angle to deploy his impressive mentalist trickery

Earlier this week, Vinny DePonto’s immersive mentalist act Mindplay opened Off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater. In his latest solo show, DePonto — a relatable, down-to-earth, and imminently likeable talent … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – At 20, UNDER THE RADAR expands its reach with a blast of out-of-the-box theatrical experiences (Part 1)

January in New York means a plethora of Under the Radar goodness for performing arts enthusiasts (like myself) to immerse themselves in. This year celebrating its landmark 20th anniversary — … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – THE BEST OF 2024: Theater, Music, and Dance

With 2024 recently behind us, what better time to take stock of the year that’s just transpired to highlight the performances that have particularly distinguished themselves from the pack. Read … Continue Reading →