THE HANGOVER REPORT – Rouvali confidently leads the NY PHILHARMONIC in a program of works by Rachmaninoff, Bartók, and Nelson

This past week, maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali — principal conductor of London’s Philharmonia and honorary conductor of Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra — returned to confidently lead the New York Philharmonic in a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A pair of piercing documentary theater works look back at past crises: Daniel Fish’s KRAMER/FAUCI and Milo Rau’s HATE RADIO

This snowy and chilly February, theatergoers have been given two opportunities — courtesy of a pair of adventurous and highly curious auteur stage directors — to look back at past … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The gorgeous and glamorous VANESSA WILLIAMS intimately holds court at 54 Below

This week, multi-talented A-lister Vanessa Williams has taken a weeklong hiatus from her high profile theatrical stint across the pond as the iconic creature of fashion Miranda Priestly in the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance roundup: Anticipated debuts at City Ballet’s SLEEPING BEAUTY, commercial street dance animates 11 TO MIDNIGHT

Before New York dance aficionados are bombarded by the onslaught of offerings coming their way via the upcoming Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival, here are my thoughts … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Scrappy opera companies banking on the genre’s ability to speak to today: Heartbeat Opera’s MANON! and Off-Brand Opera’s 3PENNY OPERA

This winter also saw the arrival and departure of a pair of substantially revised versions of classic works of the operatic canon from two scrappy opera companies that are banking … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Uncompromising music theater to catch: Paul Pinto’s MANO A MANO and La Daniella’s GOOEY’S TOXIC AQUATIC ADVENTURE

If formulaic musicals on the Great White Way aren’t necessarily your calling card, then may I suggest that you check out some uncompromising works of new music theater that can … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A pair of Shakespeare tragedies arise this winter: KING LEAR at La MaMa and THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS at TFANA

This winter, a pair of Off-Broadway productions of meaty Shakespeare tragedies have arisen in robust, full-bodied manner. As per usual, read on for my thoughts on these revivals — one … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dramatizing the gradual act of disappearing: Jacob Perkins’ THE DINOSAURS and Erica Schmidt’s THE DISAPPEAR

As humans, our lives are largely constructed around the concept of permanence. It’s therefore fascinating that, currently Off-Broadway, we have a pair of fascinating new plays that, in their own … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nightlife roundup: MELISSA ERRICO celebrates love via the Great American Songbook, CONSTANCE HAUMAN falls into now

Over the past week or so, I was able to soak in the alluring performances of a pair of divas of New York’s storied nightlife scene. As always, read on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Storytelling takes center stage in Mary Kate O Flanagan’s MAKING A SHOW OF MYSELF and Simon Rich’s ALL OUT

Feel like curling up to a good yarn? You’re in luck, friend, because currently on the boards this winter, there are two notable shows that are attempting to win over … Continue Reading →