VIEWPOINTS – A roundup of recent in-person performances: Derek Fordjour’s FLY AWAY, Brookfield Place’s ENCOUNTERS, and ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER

When it comes to live, in-person performances, New York continues to exhibit — albeit minimally — signs of life. Here’s a roundup of my thoughts on some recent, pandemic-friendly experiences. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – This fall, Joshua William Gelb’s THEATER IN QUARANTINE continues to churn out nuggets of wonderment

One of the most distinctive products of pandemic-era theater has been Joshua William Gelb’s Theater in Quarantine series. Shot almost entirely from the performance artist’s 2′ x 4′ x 8’ … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Remote immersive theater, a roundup: X (Part One: The Insidious), A THOUSAND WAYS (Part One: A Phone Call), and ESCHATON

Immersive theater need not involve physical contact with fellow human beings. Since the pandemic severely restricted in-person theater, proprietors of interactive entertainment have ingeniously adapted to the new normal, as … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Mentalist Jason Suran’s RECONNECTED focuses squarely on astonishment and the performer-audience connection

Last night, Jason Suran’s new virtual show Reconnected opened. Those of you who have been exposed to the mentalist experience probably know what to expect. Shows like Derren Brown’s Secret … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Re-engaging with Chicago theater via Steppenwolf’s WHAT IS LEFT, BURNS and the Roustabouts’ PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that it has made theatergoing more democratic. Indeed, the lockdown has allowed many theater fans the opportunity to sample – mostly … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: RUSSIAN TROLL FARM and a pair of past West End shows (FROM HERE TO ETERNITY & BEING SHAKESPEARE)

Here are my thoughts on recently-streamed theater content. RUSSIAN TROLL FARM: A WORKPLACE COMEDYTheaterWorks Hartford / TheatreSquared / The Civilians Just in time for last week’s U.S. presidential election was … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Robin Frohardt’s immersive THE PLASTIC BAG STORE is a playful but clear-eyed depiction of a bleak future

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to snag a coveted ticket to one of the final performances of The Plastic Bag Store, theater artist Robin Frohardt’s sneakily urgent cautionary … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Breslin & Foley’s CIRCLE JERK, Claudia Rankine’s NOVEMBER, and Sarah Kane’s CRAVE

This week, I found myself escaping Election Day anxiety by streaming a couple of plays online. Here are my thoughts on them. CIRCLE JERKFake Friends For hilarious but provocative escapism, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A roundup of recent in-person theatrical experiences: ELECTRIC FEELING MAYBE, TEMPING, GHOUL-A-RAMA, etc.

Happily, creatively rendered in-person theatrical happenings have continued to come out of the woodworks. Here is a roundup of my thoughts on some recent experiences. ELECTRIC FEELING MAYBETarget Margin Theater … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Revisiting the landmark “Warehouse” Shakespeare Trilogy: JULIUS CAESAR, HENRY IV, and THE TEMPEST

This Halloween weekend, I binge-watched the superb film captures of the landmark “Warehouse” Shakespeare Trilogy, which was originally staged by Phyllida LLoyd for the Donmar Warehouse in London. I had … Continue Reading →