VIEWPOINTS – Solo shows that use song to work through grief and trauma: Rachel Bloom’s DEATH, LET ME DO MY SHOW and Thomas Sweitzer’s 20 SECONDS

This week, I encountered a pair of Off-Broadway solo shows that incorporated songs into the fabric their storytelling to work through grief and trauma. As always, here are my thoughts … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Over at 59E59 Theaters, Theresa Rebeck returns to form in her terrific new play DIG for Primary Stages

This week saw the Off-Broadway opening of Primary Stages’ production of the terrific new play Dig by Theresa Rebeck at 59E59 Theaters. Over the past few decades, Ms. Rebeck (best … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Invigorating leading actresses light up the stage: Mary Beth Fisher in SWING STATE and Kellie Overbey in NO GOOD THINGS DWELL IN THE FLESH

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend a pair of plays that were invigorated by performances from their leading actresses. Read on for my further thoughts. SWING STATEAudible … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Immersive alternatives for nightlife merriment: HYPNOTIQUE at The McKittrick Hotel and LIGHTHOUSE at SoHo Playhouse

If you’re looking for alternative entertainment experiences, I’ve got a pair of suggestions for you, both of which blur the lines between nightlife merriment and immersive theatrical presentation. Here are … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Annie Baker’s INFINITE LIFE is a strangely profound, stealthily harrowing meditation on pain and pleasure

Last night, Annie Baker’s highly anticipated new play Infinite Life opened Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theater courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company (in a co-production with London’s National Theatre). The play follows … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – SMALL & A EULOGY FOR ROMAN: A pair of solo shows at 59E59 Theaters that deal with the growing pains associated with male adolescence

Currently at Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters, you’ll find a pair solo shows that deal with the growing pains associated with male adolescence (both productions conclude their limited New York runs this … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Double Feature’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM & MACBETH: Exceedingly intimate, immersive revivals that create worlds within worlds

A night after attending Public Works’ large-scale musical adaptation of The Tempest at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, I ventured deep into Brooklyn ti a secret location (warning: brief spoilers here) … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In a farewell to the Delacorte as we know it, the luminous Renée Elise Goldsberry leads Public Works’ integrated adaptation of THE TEMPEST

Last night, I attended a performance of Public Works’ musical adaptation of The Tempest. Now in its second decade, these large-scale, city-embracing/promoting Public Works offerings have become an integral summer-capping tradition … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tawni O’Dell’s new drama PAY THE WRITER goes through the motions and misses the mark

Last night, Tawni O’Dell’s new drama Pay the Writer opened Off-Broadway. The play tells the fictitious story of a successful Black writer and his parallel relationships with his gay literary agent and … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Basketball Off-Broadway: Inua Ellams’ mythically-scaled THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL and Candrice Jones’s exceptional FLEX

This summer, a pair of plays with intrinsic ties to the sport of basketball graced the boards of two of New York’s premiere Off-Broadway stages. Luckily, I was able to … Continue Reading →