VIEWPOINTS – Women rule the world at The Met: Anna Netrebko triumphs in MANON LESCAUT and Kaija Saariaho’s L’AMOUR DE LOIN mesmerizes

This past week, women certainly ruled the world at the Met, with Anna Netrebko triumphing in the title role of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, as well as the premiere of Kaija … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sutton Foster sparkles brightly in The New Group’s perfectly competent revival of SWEET CHARITY

I’m convinced that Sutton Foster can do almost anything. Over the years since her breakout star turn in the Tony-winning Thoroughly Modern Millie nearly fifteen years ago, Ms. Foster has … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Urgent political theater is the name of the game this fall at The Public Theater: SWEAT, WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE & PARTY PEOPLE

We live in uncertain times, with the fate of our nation far from clear. This fall’s programming at the red-hot Public Theater reflects this sense of political and social unrest. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Debra Barsha and Hollye Levin’s A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME at the York is pleasant, simplistic

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to catch Debra Barsha and Hollye Levin’s new musical A Taste of Things to Come, courtesy of the York Theatre Company. The show … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – New York City Opera’s FALLUJAH by Tobin Stokes makes an impact despite being didactic

The resuscitated New York City Opera continues to search for its artistic niche with its production of Tobin Stokes’ Fallujah, a new opera that attempts to depict the horrors of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Three solo performers at the height of their storytelling powers: Anna Deveare Smith (NOTES FROM THE FIELD), Sarah Jones (SELL/BUY/DATE) and Daniel Kitson (MOUSE)

This fall, three outstanding solo performers are at the height of their storytelling powers, giving New Yorkers some mighty fine theater a result. These performers – Anna Deveare Smith, Sarah … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER makes a rare appearance in New York, and they’re as sleek and impressive as ever

This past weekend, I attended a performance by the Nederlands Dans Theater, who made a rare appearance in New York at City Center last week. I first encountered the internationally revered … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A recent crop of divergent solo performances fearlessly peer into the soul the artist

Solo performances, particularly autobiographical ones, can be sacred experiences for all concerned. The act of opening oneself up so that others can observe one’s deepest fears and sensitive vulnerabilities takes tremendous … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Phantom Limb Company’s eco-focused MEMORY RINGS at BAM is whimsical, hypnotic

Last night, I attended a performance of New York-based Phantom Limb Company’s Memory Rings, an offering at BAM’s Next Wave Festival. In many ways, this multi-disciplinary defies categorization. Memory Rings, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Derivative theater: Hedging risk or inspired entertainment? A look at SPAMILTON and OTHELLO: THE REMIX

Much like the financial instrument that bears its name, “derivative theater” hedges the risk of total artistic failure of a theatrical adventure. Surely, a piece of theater deriving its very … Continue Reading →