THE HANGOVER REPORT – Bidding a bittersweet farewell to the original staging of RENT as it swings through Philadelphia

This weekend, I ventured down to Philadelphia to catch the 25th anniversary tour of Jonathan Larson’s Rent at the Merriam Theatre, where it plays only through this Sunday. The production, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Recent transcendent classical music performances: Lise Davidsen ravishes in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS and Yannick Nézet-Séguin completes his BEETHOVEN CYCLE

Over the last few weeks, I found myself in awe of the power of live classical music. In particular, I found two transcendent performances to be ones for the ages. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Aleshea Harris’s sprawling ON SUGARLAND takes a surreal, poetic look at a Black community under duress

Last night, Aleshea Harris’s On Sugarland opened Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop. There’s quite a lot to unpack in the new drama by Ms. Harris, whose revenge play Is … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Happenstance Theater’s BAROCOCO meticulously, playfully recreates late 18th century aristocratic manners

Last night, I attended a performance of Barococo at Theater B of Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters. Mounted by Washington, DC-based Happenstance Theater, the comedic piece depicts a group of French aristocrats … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In a refreshing move, Asian American actors over the age of 60 sagely animate OUT OF TIME

Last night, the National Asian American Theater Company (otherwise referred to as “NAATCO”) and the Public Theater’s production of Out of Time opened Off-Broadway. In essence, the production is a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – J2 Spotlight continues its season with a rare, charming revival of A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD / A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE

This past weekend at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row, I attended a rare revival of A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine. The production has been mounted by J2 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Julia Murney soulfully commands the cabaret stage at Feinstein’s/54 Below in SOOTHE MY SOUL

Last night, I caught the second of a pair of performances of Soothe My Soul, the great Julia Murney’s new cabaret show at Feinstein’s/54 Below (Friday’s performance was also live-streamed). … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Charly Evon Simpson’s episodic SANDBLASTED channels Beckett by way of Black culture

Last night, Charly Evon Simpson’s sandblasted opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The production – a co-presentation with WP Theater – represents the Vineyard’s proper return to in-person performances following … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Enda Walsh’s THE SAME at the Irish Arts Center is as mysterious as it is haunting

Last night at the new Irish Arts Center in Hell’s Kitchen, I attended a performance of The Same, Enda Walsh’s new two-hander which comes to New York courtesy of Ireland’s … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kyle Abraham’s casually striking AN UNTITLED LOVE beguiles as it chronicles Black love and community

Last night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater, choreographer Kyle Abraham and his dance company – now known as A.I.M by Kyle Abraham – presented the New York … Continue Reading →