VIEWPOINTS – City Center’s virtual New Adventures Festival showcases Matthew Bourne’s unmatched ability to conjure fully realized worlds for his dance creations

Over the last three decades or so, Matthew Bourne and his London-based company New Adventures have dominated the market for the fresh reinvention of classics (e.g., ballets, operas, literary works) … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Alexei Ratmansky and William Forsythe debut notable new works informed by the pandemic: BERNSTEIN IN A BUBBLE & THE BARRE PROJECT (BLAKE WORKS II)

This week, I streamed a pair of notable premieres from two of the dance world’s marquee choreographers, William Forsythe and Alexei Ratmansky. Here are my thoughts on their new pieces. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – No visuals, but strong points of view: Audio productions of ROMEO Y JULIETA and PARADISE BLUE

During these economically and logistically difficult times, theater companies have often sought out other institutions with which to continue to present work. One of the more fascinating types of collaborations … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – What a difference a full production makes: LCT’s VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE & Goodman’s HOW TO CATCH CREATION

After being primarily relegated to decidedly unflattering and minimally theatrical Zoom-type productions over the past year, it was refreshing to be able to stream a pair of fully-staged productions from … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Reimagined classics designed for virtual immersion: RSC’s DREAM & M-34 Productions’ LETTER TO MY FATHER

This weekend, I participated in an online doubleheader that together represents a fascinating step forward, through the exciting use of technology, in how virtual theatrical content can be live-streamed. Continue … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A miracle on 23rd Street: Street-side performances at the cell and ChaShaMa whet the appetite for the long-awaited awakening of the performing arts

Last weekend, as I roamed about Chelsea, I encountered a pair of short performances on West 23rd Street that gave me a jolt of excitement. Because of their pent-up, infectious … Continue Reading →

VIEWPONTS – Streaming Diary: Henry Filloux-Bennett updates DORIAN GRAY to the present moment & MTC’s satisfying reunion reading of Richard Greenberg’s THREE DAYS OF RAIN

As I patiently await the re-emergence of in-person performance this spring and beyond, I’ve continued to engage in various digital theater programming. Here are my latest thoughts. THE PICTURE OF … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Virtual dance programming during the pandemic: Ghostly reminders of past glories

Perhaps the most ephemeral of the performing arts is dance. Every moment in a dance performance reflects the dynamic, ever-changing intersection between music-making, dancer ability, and cumulative human experience. Additionally, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kathleen Chalfant effortlessly casts a spell in Joan Didion’s THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

This past weekend, I experienced Kathleen Chalfant take on the stage adaptation Joan Didion’s eloquent memoir The Year of Magical Thinking in a virtual benefit reading for Off-Broadway’s Keen Company. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Perusing the latest virtual Chicago theater offerings: Steppenwolf’s DUCHESS! DUCHESS! DUCHESS! and Court’s THEATRE FOR ONE

Having lived in Chicago for a good chunk of my early adult life, I’ve developed and continue to maintain a deep affection for the city and its top-notch theater companies. … Continue Reading →