THE HANGOVER REPORT – BALLET VLAANDEREN debuts at the Joyce with a savvily-programmed bill

This week, the Joyce Theater for the first time plays host to Ballet Vlaanderen, which began its residency at the Chelsea dance venue last night. It’s an important time for the Belgian dance company – also … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The music-soaked COAL COUNTRY is documentary theater of the highest order

This week saw the opening of yet another Off-Broadway show, the Public Theater’s production of Coal Country. The new play with music – written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen and … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Richard Greenberg’s new comedy THE PERPLEXED unfortunately lives up to its title

Last night, Richard Greenberg’s new drawing room comedy The Perplexed opened Off-Broadway at New York City Center in a production by Manhattan Theatre Club. The world premiere play by Mr. Greenberg – whose Tony-winning Take … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – For its new productions of Handel’s AGRIPPINA & Wagner’s DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER, the Met turns to a pair of tried-and-true directors

Over the last few weeks, the Metropolitan Opera unveiled two new productions. I’m happy to report that both are noteworthy and thought-provoking efforts, the result of two brilliant directors tastefully … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Hideki Noda’s ONE GREEN BOTTLE is an energetic but ultimately tiresome absurdist romp

This weekend, I caught Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre’s production of One Green Bottle by Hideki Noda. This English version of the play (translated by Will Sharpe) previously visited London’s Soho Theater in 2018 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Christopher Chen’s cool, puzzle-like THE HEADLANDS doubles as unassuming whodunit and astute psychological thriller

  It’s March, which means that the New York theater season is officially in full swing, as evidenced by the recent and upcoming string of back-to-back openings, particularly Off-Broadway. Among them … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Katori Hall’s sitcomish THE HOT WING KING coasts on the wave of raucous goodwill

Last night, Katori Hall’s new play The Hot Wing King opened at the Pershing Square Signature Center, courtesy of Signature Theatre Company. It’s been a busy year for Ms. Hall, who is also … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In Transport Group’s comprehensive revisal, Beth Malone irresistibly makes the role of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN her own

This week, Transport Group’s rare revival of Meredith Willson’s 1960 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown opened Off-Broadway at Abrons Arts Center. Actually, many have labeled the staging a “revisal” rather than a revival given … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The exquisitely campy but two-dimensional THE CONFESSION OF LILY DARE is vintage Charles Busch

This week, I was able to catch up with Charles Busch’s The Confession of Lily Dare, courtesy of Primary Stages. The production is playing at Off-Broadway’s classic Cherry Lane Theatre … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Young Jean Lee’s tuneful curiosity WE’RE GONNA DIE returns to New York in a slick new form

This week, Young Jean Lee’s We’re Gonna Die opened Off-Broadway at the Tony Kiser Theater courtesy of Second Stage Theater. The staging marks the return to New York of the … Continue Reading →