VIEWPOINTS – Nights at 54 Below: Veterans CHESTER GREGORY and LIZ CALLAWAY claim their spots in the Broadway pantheon

No doubt about it, Broadway is a tough business — competitive and often times subject to the inexplicable whims of a finicky public. Last week, I had the great pleasure … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jenn Kidwell’s deviously confrontational WE COME TO COLLECT questions the intrinsic merits of capitalism

Last week, Jenn Kidwell’s immersive and deviously confrontational fantasia we come to collect: a flirtation, with capitalism opened Off-Broadway at The Flea in downtown Manhattan. In short, the darkly vaudevillian … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – O Canada!: Assessing the unique wonders of the repertory model via the STRATFORD FESTIVAL and the SHAW FESTIVAL

Last week, I took a trip up north to Ontario, Canada to re-acquaint myself with two of North America’s remaining repertory theater companies, the Stratford Festival in Stratford and the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Public Works’ production of PERICLES is buoyed by Troy Anthony’s gloriously uplifting score and a starry cast

Last night, I had the great pleasure of attending Public Works’ presentation of Shakespeare’s Pericles, featuring a score by Troy Anthony. Given the ongoing performances of Free Shakespeare in the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nightlife roundup: SAMANTHA PAULY at Joe’s Pub, JOE ICONIS & FRIENDS at 54 Below, and an OSCAR PETERSON centennial celebration at Birdland

In recent weeks, I made the rounds and caught up with the latest offerings at some of New York’s premiere cabaret and jazz clubs. Here are my thoughts on these … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Solo shows that go beyond tickling the funny bone: Jeff Ross’s TAKE A BANANA FOR THE RIDE and Morgan Bassichis’ CAN I BE FRANK?

I recently had the opportunity to take in a pair of (ultimately) introspective solo shows that go beyond simply tickling the funny bone. As always, read on below for my … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – An exuberant battle of the sexes: A thoroughly satisfying TWELFTH NIGHT re-opens the rejuvenated Delacorte Theater

Last night — after a hiatus of what seemed like way too long — The Public Theater resumed its Free Shakespeare in the Park programming at the freshly rejuvenated Delacorte … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Strange bedfellows are the thing in Elizabeth McGovern’s AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS and Sophie McIntosh’s ROAD KILLS

Currently on the boards of New York, you’ll find two new Off-Broadway plays that bask in the dramatic fireworks that arise from strange bedfellows. As per usual, read on for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Here we go again: MAMMA MIA! returns to Broadway, once again spreading its bombast and balm

This August, one of musical theater’s most iconic jukebox musicals has returned to Broadway. That would be the megahit Mamma Mia!, which has re-opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Immersive summer musicals worth traveling to: Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s revival of OCTET and THE ROYAL PYRATE in Red Hook

Over the past week or so, I came across a pair of musicals that caught my attention with their genuine creativity and immersive presentation. Here are my thoughts on these … Continue Reading →