THE HANGOVER REPORT – In DOWNSTATE, Bruce Norris’s unflinching stunner of a play, audiences are confronted with uncomfortable questions

This past weekend, I attended Downstate, Bruce Norris’s latest play which is currently running Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. The production was previously seen in 2018 at Chicago’s revered Steppenwolf Theatre … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – On Broadway, a pair of impressive solo performances that grapple with mortality: Mike Birbiglia in THE OLD MAN AND THE POOL and Jefferson Mays in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

This fall on Broadway, theater fans have the opportunity to take in a pair of solo performances that grapple with mortality. I’m happy to report that both absolutely sing. Here … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Using first hand accounts to frame reactions against psychotherapy and organized religion: THE PATIENT GLORIA and THE UNBELIEVING

This past weekend, I took in a pair of investigatory works of theater that use first hand accounts to frame contemporary reactions against psychotherapy and organized religion. Here are my … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – David Cale’s SANDRA is a standard thriller with flashes of genuine insight into the human psyche

Last night just off of Union Square, David Cale’s new one-woman thriller Sandra opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The production reunites Mr. Cale and director Leigh Silverman, who scored a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The bittersweet musical adaptation of KIMBERLY AKIMBO arrives on Broadway led by the astonishing Victoria Clark

This week, I was able to catch up with the Broadway edition of Kimberly Akimbo, the diminutive but mighty musical adaptation of David Lindsay-Abaire’s play of the same name. The … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jill Sobule finally kisses a girl in her plucky rock concert memoir F*CK7THGRADE

Last night, I trekked to the East Village to see Jill Sobule’s autobiographical F*ck7thGrade, which is currently completing its extended run at the wild project. The self told and sung … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Broadway leading man SANTINO FONTANA charms his way through his solo 54 Below debut

Last night, I was back at 54 Below to catch the opening night of Broadway leading man Santino Fontana’s new cabaret act. Mr. Fontana’s show — his first solo act … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Excavating their pasts in search of their authentic voices: Quiara Alegría Hudes’ MY BROKEN LANGUAGE and Madeline Sayet’s WHERE WE BELONG

This past weekend, I attended a pair of autobiographical works by two female playwrights who use the form of the theatrical memoir to cathartically excavate their respective pasts in search … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met’s grim production of PETER GRIMES returns, featuring a shattering performance by Allan Clayton in the title role

This weekend, I was able to attend the final performance of the Metropolitan Opera’s fall run of Peter Grimes. With music by British composer Benjamin Britten and libretto by Montagu … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Mia Chung’s quietly tragic CATCH AS CATCH CAN is a family drama with newfound pertinence

Last night at Off-Broadway’s Peter Jay Sharp Theater, I caught Playwrights Horizons’ production of Catch as Catch Can by Mia Chung. The play tells the quietly tragic story of the … Continue Reading →