THE HANGOVER REPORT – The disjointed but beautifully produced MAESTRO is a two-for-one deal of theater and classical music

Yesterday afternoon at the Duke on 42nd Street, I caught Ensemble for the Romantic Century’s latest theatrical portrait of an artist. In this case, the life examined was that of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Elevator Repair Service’s rightfully legendary GATZ returns to New York

This weekend, I caught the rightfully legendary production of Gatz, Elevator Repair Service’s audacious, hugely theatrical (set in a drab, oppressive office space, of all places!) verbatim staging of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Roundabout’s Broadway revival of Sam Shepard’s TRUE WEST simmers when it should combust

This week, the Broadway revival of Sam Shepard’s classic play True West opened at the American Airlines Theatre courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company. Mr. Shepard’s seminal play – a Pulitzer Prize finalist in … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Théâtre de la Ville’s production of IONESCO SUITE viscerally uncovers our shared humanity through the art of clowning

Last night, I caught Théâtre de la Ville’s production of Ionesco Suite at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s BAM Fisher space. The staging is essentially a mash-up of five disparate works (not … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Amy Staats’ skin-deep EDDIE AND DAVE is playful but ultimately tiresome

Last night, Amy Staats’ Eddie and Dave opened Off-Broadway at Atlantic Stage 2 courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company. I was a big fan of Ms. Staats’ satire Miles for Mary – I saw both of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Calvin Trillin’s small-boned ABOUT ALICE is a tender, urbane love letter to his wife and muse

This week in Brooklyn, About Alice, the stage adaptation of humorist Calvin Trillin’s best-selling 2006 memoir/tribute to his wife and muse of the same name, opened at Theatre for a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – EST’s well-judged production of BEHIND THE SHEET by Charly Evon Simpson examines the unexplored intersection of medicine, slavery, and gender

This weekend, I was able to catch Charly Evon Simpson’s Behind the Sheet at Off-Broadway’s Ensemble Studio Theatre. Set in Alabama during the 1840s, Ms. Simpson’s new play tells the semi-fictitious … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – PROTOTPYE 2019 continues to aggressively push the boundaries of opera and music theater

As a lover of opera, theater, and unexpected modes of performative expression, it’s no surprise that I find Prototype to be an essential annual experience. Touted as a festival for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tarell Alvin McCraney’s CHOIR BOY makes a joyful noise, tinged with sorrow

In Choir Boy, Tarell Alvin McCraney has written hands-down his most joyful play. That’s not to say that Mr. McCraney (perhaps best known for co-penning the Oscar-winning film Moonlight) has written a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – UNDER THE RADAR 2019: Review Roundup 2

Last weekend, the Public Theater’s Under the Radar came to a close. Overall, after a pretty strong first half, my impression of the 2019 edition of this indispensable festival of cutting … Continue Reading →