THE HANGOVER REPORT – The great CATHERINE RUSSELL returns to Birdland Jazz Club, regally holding court

Last week, Birdland Jazz Club welcomed back the great Catherine Russell for a weeklong residency. Anyone who has seen this artist knows that she’s the real deal — a vocalist … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Tony-winner Kara Young shines in TABLE 17, Douglas Lyons’ appealing new rom-com play

This weekend, Douglas Lyons’ new play Table 17 opened Off-Broadway courtesy of MCC Theater in Hell’s Kitchen. Headlined by the delectably charismatic Kara Young — a recent and deserved Tony-winner … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Profoundly visceral presentations of dance and music: Sharon Eyal’s R.O.S.E. and Caroline Shaw’s PARTITA FOR 8 VOICES

This week, I encountered a pair of uniquely immersive presentations that made live dance and music performances come alive in the most visceral of ways. Read on for my thoughts … Continue Reading →

Elizabeth Lail and Zane Phillips in Gage Tarlton's "Pretty Perfect Lives" at The Flea Theater (photo by Marc J. Franklin).

VIEWPOINTS – Cautionary tales for the here and now: PRETTY PERFECT LIVES and LIFELINE THE MUSICAL

This past week at the theater, I had the chance to catch a pair of cautionary tales, both tailor-made for the here and now. Read on for my thoughts on … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Emursive’s latest immersive epic LIFE AND TRUST seductively takes on the Faust legend via the banking industry

This week, I had the opportunity to catch Life And Trust, another large scale immersive theatrical endeavor from Emursive, the folks that brought New York Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Cary Gitter and Neil Berg’s THE SABBATH GIRL is a gentle rom-com musical that goes down easily

Over at 59E59 Theaters, you’ll find Penguin Rep Theatre’s production of the sweet and heartfelt new musical The Sabbath Girl by Cary Gitter (book, lyrics) and Neil Berg (music, lyrics). Adapted from … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Cabaret roundup: Nights of hilarity with JACKIE BEAT, CHRISTOPHER SIEBER, and SUSIE MOSHER

Over the past few days, I had the great opportunity to peruse the current offerings of some of New York’s iconic cabaret venues. What I encountered were nights of unadulterated … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The irrepressible Sutton Foster lifts the goofy but creaky ONCE UPON A MATTRESS to giddy heights

This summer, the Great White Way welcomes a delightful and extremely entertaining revival of the musical Once Upon a Mattress, which arrives at the Hudson Theatre after a successful Encores! … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Chris Thile’s personable THE MANHATTAN VARIATIONS champions the city and a good cocktail

On an absolutely gorgeous summer night earlier this week, I had the opportunity of catching Chris Thile’s stab at a solo musical — The Manhattan Variations — at “The Amph” on Little … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Phillip Howze’s unruly SIX CHARACTERS explodes with ideas, harnessing Pirandello and Beckett for its own aims

Over at Lincoln Center Theater’s Claire Tow Theater, you’ll find LCT3’s production of Six Characters by Phillip Howze. A spin on Luigi Pirandello’s 1921 play Six Characters in Search of an … Continue Reading →