VIEWPOINTS – The Top 10 Diva Moments at the Tonys

As a stage-struck kid living in upstate New York, I remember arming myself with a blank VHS videocassette prior to each of the annual Tony Awards broadcasts. Recording these broadcasts … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/28/14): Alan Ayckbourn Ensemble

Alan Ayckbourn Ensemble I spent all day this past Saturday with a series of inspired Alan Ayckbourn comedies under the umbrella the “Alan Ayckbourn Ensemble” at 59E59. The productions, which … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/26/14): A River to River Afternoon; “Fly by Night” at Playwrights Horizons

A River to River Afternoon I spent yesterday afternoon fully immersing myself in the LMCC’s River to River Festival, where I saw three performances over the course of four hours. … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/25/14): John Douglas Thompson in “Satchmo at the Waldorf”; “Tick, Tick… Boom!” courtesy of Encores! Off-Center

John Douglas Thompson in “Satchmo at the Waldorf” Better known as the theater critic for the Wall Street Journal, Terry Teachout is also the author of a number of plays. … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/24/14): NY Phil Rehearses More Beethoven; Robert Wilson’s “The Old Woman” at BAM

NY Phil Rehearses More Beethoven The NY Philharmonic’s open rehearsal yesterday morning was a bittersweet occasion in a number of ways. Firstly, it was the great orchestra’s final open rehearsal of … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/23/14): “Black Swan” moment at ABT’s “Swan Lake”

“Black Swan” moment at ABT’s “Swan Lake” Last night marked the opening of ABT’s weeklong run of “Swan Lake” at the Metropolitan Opera House. The wonderfully talented Gillian Murphy and … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – My 20 Pet Peeves When Attending Live Performances

We’ve all experienced it. You treat yourself to a Broadway show at $150 a pop. And then. The annoying cellophane candy wrappers. The theater patrons who chat amongst themselves as … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/22/14): Reimagined “Side Show” at the KenCen

Reimagined “Side Show” at the KenCen The cult favorite musical “Side Show” has been given a new lease on life via a co-production by the La Jolla Playhouse and the … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/21/14): Another “Private Lives”; “The Totalitarians” at the Woolly

Another “Private Lives” Out of all of Noel Coward’s plays, I’ve seen “Private Lives” most frequently. Hence, I wasn’t jumping at the opportunity to see it yet again (I caught … Continue Reading →

THE NOTEBOOK (6/20/14): Gate’s “Grounded” at Studio

Gate’s “Grounded” at Studio Last night, I caught the Gate Theatre’s (an excellent Fringe theatre in London) rare transfer of the brief but heavy-hitting solo show “Grounded” by George Brant at the … Continue Reading →