THE HANGOVER REPORT – John Douglas Thompson gives a wrenching performance in Arin Arbus’s grim, probing production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Yesterday at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center, I caught the final performance of Theatre for a New Audience’s probing production of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Although technically classified as … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Angel Corella’s traditional SWAN LAKE for Philadelphia Ballet is inspired by the choreographer’s ABT roots but is also distinctly his own

Also down in Philadelphia this weekend, I had the opportunity to take in Philadelphia Ballet’s production of Swan Lake at the stunningly beautiful Academy of Music, one of the venues … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Bidding a bittersweet farewell to the original staging of RENT as it swings through Philadelphia

This weekend, I ventured down to Philadelphia to catch the 25th anniversary tour of Jonathan Larson’s Rent at the Merriam Theatre, where it plays only through this Sunday. The production, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Recent transcendent classical music performances: Lise Davidsen ravishes in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS and Yannick Nézet-Séguin completes his BEETHOVEN CYCLE

Over the last few weeks, I found myself in awe of the power of live classical music. In particular, I found two transcendent performances to be ones for the ages. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Aleshea Harris’s sprawling ON SUGARLAND takes a surreal, poetic look at a Black community under duress

Last night, Aleshea Harris’s On Sugarland opened Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop. There’s quite a lot to unpack in the new drama by Ms. Harris, whose revenge play Is … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Happenstance Theater’s BAROCOCO meticulously, playfully recreates late 18th century aristocratic manners

Last night, I attended a performance of Barococo at Theater B of Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters. Mounted by Washington, DC-based Happenstance Theater, the comedic piece depicts a group of French aristocrats … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In a refreshing move, Asian American actors over the age of 60 sagely animate OUT OF TIME

Last night, the National Asian American Theater Company (otherwise referred to as “NAATCO”) and the Public Theater’s production of Out of Time opened Off-Broadway. In essence, the production is a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – J2 Spotlight continues its season with a rare, charming revival of A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD / A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE

This past weekend at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row, I attended a rare revival of A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine. The production has been mounted by J2 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Julia Murney soulfully commands the cabaret stage at Feinstein’s/54 Below in SOOTHE MY SOUL

Last night, I caught the second of a pair of performances of Soothe My Soul, the great Julia Murney’s new cabaret show at Feinstein’s/54 Below (Friday’s performance was also live-streamed). … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Charly Evon Simpson’s episodic SANDBLASTED channels Beckett by way of Black culture

Last night, Charly Evon Simpson’s sandblasted opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The production – a co-presentation with WP Theater – represents the Vineyard’s proper return to in-person performances following … Continue Reading →