THE HANGOVER REPORT – As led by Iván Fischer, the BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA satisfies the soul with deeply human music-making

Oh how I’ve missed Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Over the years, they’ve been responsible for some of the most revolutionary and profound experiences I’ve had at a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nightlife roundup: The endearing Frankenstein monster CHRISTEENE beguiles, the MINGUS BIG BAND continues a master’s legacy

Often to supplement my performing arts outings, I cap the night off with a late night performance palette cleanser at one of New York’s many nightlife entertainment venues. Over he … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – PROTOTYPE 2026 Roundup: Beth Morrison Projects continues to shape the aesthetic of contemporary opera

Aside from Under the Radar, January’s other marquee performing arts festival is Prototype, an undisputed nexus for the presentation of new and often times gutsy opera. For the festival’s 2026 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Xian Zhang leads a solid outing with the NY PHIL, conducting works by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Chen Yi

This past weekend, Xian Zhang led the New York Philharmonic in a solid outing that included pieces by Schumann and Tchaikovsky — the concert’s featured soloist was the great veteran … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – GOING BACHARACH is a musically astute love letter to the legacy of the legendary pop songwriter Burt Bacharach

For those of you nostalgic for the less prismatic times we used to live in, I suggest you check out Amas Musical Theatre’s production of Going Bacharach: The Songs of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Carnegie Hall’s concert presentation of OKLAHOMA! scores big with its sterling cast and symphonic sound

Earlier this week, Carnegie Hall scored big with its one night only concert presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! One of the seminal musicals in history, the show is notable … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Inspired music-making at Lincoln Center: Noseda conducts the NY PHILHARMONIC and the Met’s new staging of I PURITANI

Last week at Lincoln Center, I was able to take in a pair of exceptional performances courtesy, respectively, of the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, two of the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A cabaret comparison: MATTHEW MORRISON digs deep for a message, while DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER plays it fast and loose

During the first week of the new year, I ventured out to catch a pair of cabaret acts, together proving the art form’s ability to extravagantly shape shift by performer. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – THE BEST OF 2025: Theater, Music, and Dance

With 2025 now merely a memory, I’ve taken the time to look back upon the year prior and pick out the performances that distinguished themselves from the pack. Read on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – London roundup: A varied bounty of performances across the classics, new dramas, musicals, and beyond

A few weeks back, I was able to travel across the pond to take in an eclectic bounty of shows across the classics, new dramas, musicals, and beyond to satisfy … Continue Reading →