VIEWPOINTS – No visuals, but strong points of view: Audio productions of ROMEO Y JULIETA and PARADISE BLUE

During these economically and logistically difficult times, theater companies have often sought out other institutions with which to continue to present work. One of the more fascinating types of collaborations … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – What a difference a full production makes: LCT’s VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE & Goodman’s HOW TO CATCH CREATION

After being primarily relegated to decidedly unflattering and minimally theatrical Zoom-type productions over the past year, it was refreshing to be able to stream a pair of fully-staged productions from … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Reimagined classics designed for virtual immersion: RSC’s DREAM & M-34 Productions’ LETTER TO MY FATHER

This weekend, I participated in an online doubleheader that together represents a fascinating step forward, through the exciting use of technology, in how virtual theatrical content can be live-streamed. Continue … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A miracle on 23rd Street: Street-side performances at the cell and ChaShaMa whet the appetite for the long-awaited awakening of the performing arts

Last weekend, as I roamed about Chelsea, I encountered a pair of short performances on West 23rd Street that gave me a jolt of excitement. Because of their pent-up, infectious … Continue Reading →

VIEWPONTS – Streaming Diary: Henry Filloux-Bennett updates DORIAN GRAY to the present moment & MTC’s satisfying reunion reading of Richard Greenberg’s THREE DAYS OF RAIN

As I patiently await the re-emergence of in-person performance this spring and beyond, I’ve continued to engage in various digital theater programming. Here are my latest thoughts. THE PICTURE OF … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kathleen Chalfant effortlessly casts a spell in Joan Didion’s THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

This past weekend, I experienced Kathleen Chalfant take on the stage adaptation Joan Didion’s eloquent memoir The Year of Magical Thinking in a virtual benefit reading for Off-Broadway’s Keen Company. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Perusing the latest virtual Chicago theater offerings: Steppenwolf’s DUCHESS! DUCHESS! DUCHESS! and Court’s THEATRE FOR ONE

Having lived in Chicago for a good chunk of my early adult life, I’ve developed and continue to maintain a deep affection for the city and its top-notch theater companies. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Reflecting on 25 years of RENT: Remembering a white hot performance and its lasting impact

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Rent changed my life 25 years ago, as it did for its legions of fans. I was a junior at a parochial high … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – BAD DATES & TYPICAL: Effervescent performances by Andréa Burns and Richard Blackwood elevate otherwise programmatic solo shows

This week, I streamed a pair of programmatic solo shows that benefited from effervescent turns. Here are my thoughts. BAD DATESGeorge Street PlayhouseOn-demand through March 14 First up was Bad … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: The artistry of Balanchine, Beckett, and Guettel bring much-needed texture to the austere latter days of this pandemic winter

This weekend, I streamed a diverse, truly exceptional trio of works by indisputable masters from the worlds of dance theater, dramatic theater, and music theater – George Balanchine, Samuel Beckett, … Continue Reading →