THE HANGOVER REPORT – Electrifying vocals redeem Jim Steinman’s woefully uneven BAT OUT OF HELL

This week, a slightly downsized version of Jim Steinman’s London hit musical Bat Out of Hell opened at New York City Center for a limited run of five weeks (a bit shorter than … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Apocalyptic summer theater, outdoors: Shakespeare in the Park’s CORIOLANUS & Classical Theatre of Harlem’s THE BACCHAE

One of the many pleasures of living in New York is the opportunity to catch high quality outdoor performances (particularly of classical works) in one of its various outdoor parks, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Women of comedy defining their own rules: Hannah Gadsby’s DOUGLAS & Jacqueline Novak’s GET ON YOUR KNEES

Right now in New York, there are a pair of seriously talented comedians – Hannah Gadsby and Jacqueline Novak – who are redefining, as women, the rules of stand-up comedy with their … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Halley Feiffer’s MOSCOW MOSCOW MOSCOW MOSCOW MOSCOW MOSCOW irreverently updates Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to catch up with Halley Feiffer’s latest play Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow at Off-Broadway’s MCC Theater. Updating Chekhov plays has been … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Elaine Murphy’s lovely LITTLE GEM is held up by rich writing and a trio of strong performances

This past weekend, I caught the Off-Broadway production of Little Gem by Elaine Murphy. Ms. Murphy’s 2008 play was originally performed at the Dublin Fringe Festival to acclaim (it later transferred … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Soho Rep’s production of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s FAIRVIEW returns to New York enhanced and with a vengeance

I was stunned and left speechless when I first encountered Fairview, Jackie Sibblies Drury’s play about racial identity and perception, at Soho Rep’s tiny venue. Then, I was unprepared and left … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Al Blackstone’s FREDDIE FALLS IN LOVE falls short of its not-so-lofty aspirations

This weekend , I caught Freddie Falls in Love, Al Blackstone’s new rom-com “dansical” at the Joyce Theater in Chelsea (where it’s scheduled to run roughly two weeks). Director/choreographer Mr. Blackstone – … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Langston Hughes’ THE BLACK CLOWN is brought to theatrical life through explosive song and dance

Last week for just a few number of performances at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater, Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival presented the stage adaptation of Langston Hughes’ seminal 1931 poem The Black … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Encores! Off-Center’s revival of Sondheim’s ROAD SHOW makes a strong case for the musical

Last night at New York City Center, I caught the closing night performance of Encores! Off-Center’s hugely satisfying 2019 summer series, which concluded with a handful of performances of a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The exhilarating MOULIN ROUGE triumphantly makes the leap from screen to stage

This week, the highly anticipated film-to-stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, after a hugely successful out-of-town tryout in Boston. The iconic 2001 film took the jukebox musical … Continue Reading →