VIEWPOINTS – Winter nights at the Metropolitan Opera: Giordano’s FEDORA and Poulenc’s DIALOGUES DES CARMÉLITES

This past week, I had the chance to attend a pair of productions at the Metropolitan Opera before the company takes its newly-instituted February hiatus from performances. Here are my … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINT – PROTOTYPE 2023 continues to be a fertile incubator for the development of important new works of music theater

Last week, I immersed myself in the 2023 edition of Prototype, a weeklong festival of new operas (in the most forward-looking instances of the genre) presented by Beth Morrison Projects … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players brings back its charming and infectiously-pitched production of H.M.S. PINAFORE

Earlier this month at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players wrapped up its holiday run of H.M.S. Pinafore. The frivolous piece takes place … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – 2022 IN REVIEW: Theater, Music, and Dance

2022 saw live performances continue to emerge from Covid’s comprehensive grasp. In no particular order, here are my thematically grouped picks for the most notable happenings in the performing arts … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Classical music roundup: NY PHIL’s “Messiah” at the new David Geffen Hall and the mighty PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA at Carnegie Hall

This past week, I had the opportunity to touch base with two of the East Coast’s powerhouse orchestras, the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra at, respectively, the radically … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kevin Puts’s starry, much hyped opera adaptation of THE HOURS fails to mine the riches of Michael Cunningham’s novel

Last night at the Metropolitan Opera, I attended a performance of the starry, highly anticipated opera adaptation of The Hours by Kevin Puts (music) and Greg Pierce (libretto). Based on … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The fabulous Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway return to 54 Below with a crowd-pleasing “highlights” show

On Thanksgiving Eve, I attended the latest nightclub act from cabaret circuit favorites Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway, who have settled into 54 Below for a weeklong holiday run. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jill Sobule finally kisses a girl in her plucky rock concert memoir F*CK7THGRADE

Last night, I trekked to the East Village to see Jill Sobule’s autobiographical F*ck7thGrade, which is currently completing its extended run at the wild project. The self told and sung … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Broadway leading man SANTINO FONTANA charms his way through his solo 54 Below debut

Last night, I was back at 54 Below to catch the opening night of Broadway leading man Santino Fontana’s new cabaret act. Mr. Fontana’s show — his first solo act … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met’s grim production of PETER GRIMES returns, featuring a shattering performance by Allan Clayton in the title role

This weekend, I was able to attend the final performance of the Metropolitan Opera’s fall run of Peter Grimes. With music by British composer Benjamin Britten and libretto by Montagu … Continue Reading →