VIEWPOINTS – NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM and MAESTRO continue to prove the challenge of staging fully convincing bio-dramas

In my experience, when it comes to depicting historical figures, the genre of theater is at a unique disadvantage when compared to, say, books or cinema. Books have the benefit … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The overeager EMPATHITRAX falls short on theatrical know-how

I recently had a chance to catch Empathitrax, a new play by Ana Nogueira that’s currently closing out its run at HERE Arts Center. The premise is certainly fascinating – … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Excavating the truth of the matter through performance: THE BLACK CROOK and UNDERGROUND RAILROAD GAME

The Civilians (whose short run of The Undertaking at BAM ended last weekend) aren’t the only ones in town who are interested in “investigative” theater. Two ambitious Off-Broadway productions are … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Taryn Simon’s arresting AN OCCUPATION OF LOSS explores the act of mourning intimately, expansively

Last weekend marked the final days of An Occupation of Loss, Taryn Simon’s arresting and expansive exploration of the act of mourning – utilizing professional mourners from around the world – … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sarah Delappe’s THE WOLVES is ferocious, stunning theater

Yesterday afternoon, I was lucky enough to catch Sarah Delappe’s rightfully acclaimed stunner of a play The Wolves, courtesy of Playwrights Realm at The Duke on 42nd Street. Over the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Civilians explore death and mortality in THE UNDERTAKING in typical inquisitive style at BAM

Back at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival, I recently caught The Civilians’ latest piece, The Undertaking. I’ve been a fan of the company’s distinctive brand of investigative … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Three Bears and an Alien: Two quirky and inspired highlights of Origin’s 1st Irish Festival

At this year’s edition of Origin’s 1st Irish Festival (in its ninth year), two irrepressible offerings are proving to be the highlights of the festival. Despite their quirkiness, both productions … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Pearl opens its season with a curious revival of Shelagh Delaney’s rarely-performed A TASTE OF HONEY

The Pearl Theatre Company opened its season yesterday with a curious revival of Shelagh Delaney’s rarely-performed A Taste of Honey directed by Austin Pendleton. Written in 1958 when Ms. Delaney … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Richard Nelson’s WHAT DID YOU EXPECT? opens at the Public in a stealthily profound manner

The second installment of Richard Nelson’s “The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family” plays – What Did You Expect? – opened this weekend in a stealthily profound … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – This summer, investigating Leslye Headland’s world via a modestly-scaled BACHELORETTE and a sleek LAYOVER

This weekend in New York, two productions of plays by Leslye Headland will shutter, which has gotten me thinking about the merits of this provocative young playwright. In little more … Continue Reading →