VIEWPOINTS – Beyond the proscenium: BABY, IN MANY HANDS, THE COURTROOM & THE TROJAN WOMEN prove to be profoundly compelling immersive theatrical experiences

In the last week or so, I coincidently encountered quite the lineup of immersive theatrical productions. Interestingly, each proved to be compelling yet very different experiences despite their fourth wall-breaking commonalities. Perhaps … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Maury Yeston’s career is zestfully, economically represented in ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN THE THEATER at the York

Although his musicals have won more than their fair share of awards over the years (quite a slew of Tonys were accumulated between Nine, Grand Hotel, and Titanic alone), Broadway composer/lyricist Maury Yeston still strikes … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Bedlam’s revival of THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller is visceral theater of the highest order

When I first heard that New York was getting yet another revival of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, I welcomed the news with mixed feelings. It wasn’t that long ago that Ivo van … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – HARRY CONNICK, JR.: A CELEBRATION OF COLE PORTER is an awkward tribute, but the music-making is sensational

This week at the Nederlander Theatre, Harry Connick, Jr.: A Celebration of Cole Porter opened on Broadway for a limited holiday season run. To say that the show is merely a concert would be … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Heady alternative holiday fare in Brooklyn: A VERY MEOW MEOW HOLIDAY SHOW & NUTCRACKER ROUGE

This past week in Brooklyn, I got in the holiday spirit by catching two alternative – and very adult – holiday shows. First up in Bushwick was Company XIV’s holiday show … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tony Kushner’s revised A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY, if still imperfect, radiates urgency

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with the Public Theater’s Off-Broadway revival of Tony Kushner’s 1985 A Bright Room Called Day, a work that’s notable for being the revered … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – THE ILLUSIONISTS return to Broadway, in the same generic form but slightly tweaked for the holidays

For about half a decade now, The Illusionists has been making an annual pilgrimage to Broadway during the holiday season. How apropos, therefore, that for the past two years – this time … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Stephen Adly Guirgis’s vital HALFWAY BITCHES GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN is unruly and overpopulated, as it should be

Last night, Stephen Adly Guirgis’s Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven opened Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theater via a co-production between Atlantic Theater Company and LAByrinth Theater Company (the playwright … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – BAM’s Next Wave Festival continues with two stimulating international productions: 32 RUE VANDENBRANDEN & BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES

In recent weeks, BAM’s Next Wave Festival continued robustly with two stimulating, stirringly-staged international productions at the Harvey Theater. First we have Gabriela Carrizo and Franck Chartier’s 32 rue Vandenbranden (RECOMMENDED), … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The stage adaptation of Alanis Morissette’s JAGGED LITTLE PILL is smart and ferocious

Thus far, it’s been an uncommonly good season for Broadway jukebox musicals. Moulin Rouge reached ecstatic heights I didn’t think possible, while Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is making a bona fide … Continue Reading →