THE HANGOVER REPORT – Aaron Posner’s DISTRICT MERCHANTS is a pointed reworking of “The Merchant of Venice”

This past weekend in Washington, DC, I had an opportunity to catch Folger Theater’s current offering, the world premiere of District Merchants, Aaron Posner’s pointed reworking of The Merchant of Venice. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A tale of two SHREWS

I recently had a chance to catch two productions of that most flawed and tricky of Shakespeare comedies The Taming of the Shrew – one in an all-female staging at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sofia Alvarez’s FRIEND ART is interesting but could use another draft

Luckily I was able to catch one of the final performances of Sofia Alvarez’s new play Friend Art, which closes today at the McGinn/Cazale Theater. Although Ms. Alvarez’s play, which … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – At 59E59, the prolific Alan Ayckbourn continues to cast his warm, knowing gaze on the human condition

Over the past week, I caught up with Brits Off-Broadway’s Alan Ayckbourn offerings, which this year is comprised of the Stephen Joseph Theatre productions of Confusions and Hero’s Welcome. Both … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Martin Creed’s WORDS & MUSIC performance celebrates human limitations

To accompany his current large-scale exhibition at the increasingly essential Park Avenue Armory, British artist Marin Creed (who won the Turner Prize in 2001) and his band are appearing in … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Paper Mill’s WEST SIDE STORY is exemplary

Jerome Robbins’ singular vision permeates every major production of West Side Story, that muscular, immortal musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by the venerated triumvirate of Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT –The Theatre of Nations’ SHUKSHIN’S STORIES soulfully exemplifies the vitality of the Russian spirit through life as lived

Last night, I had the great privilege of catching the first of four performances of The Theatre of Nations’ Shukshin’s Stories at New York City Center. I first encountered this … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – This spring, Ibsen’s legacy permeates New York stages

Late in this spring season, New York has come alive with plays by or inspired by Henrik Ibsen. Classic Stage Company is in the midst of a run of the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – SIGNATURE PLAYS haven’t lost their ability to provoke, move

Over the holiday weekend, I swung by the Pershing Square Signature Center to catch Signature Plays, a patchwork of three short, disorienting one-act plays about the human condition: Edward Albee’s … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – James Fritz’s slight ROSS & RACHEL raises unsettling questions at 59E59

Last night at 59E59 Theaters, I caught James Fritz’s Ross & Rachel, one of the offerings at this year’s Brits Off-Broadway Festival. The solo show, featuring a committed central performance … Continue Reading →