VIEWPOINTS – Processing life through song: Todd Almond’s I’M ALMOST THERE and Gabriel Kahane’s MAGNIFICENT BIRD / BOOK OF TRAVELERS

This fall, a pair of sensitive singer-songwriters — Todd Almond and Gabriel Kahane — have taken to the Off-Broadway stage, each armed with their own beguiling song cycle(s). Read on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Performance as literal acts of survival: Molissa Fenley’s STATE OF DARKNESS and Miet Warlop’s ONE SONG

Over the past week or so, I came across a pair of performances that were literal acts of survival, both requiring Olympic-level endurance to simply get through them. As per … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Classical music roundup: Assessing the anticipated premieres of Jeanine Tesori’s GROUNDED and Meredith Monk’s INDRA’S NET

This week, I had the chance to catch up with a pair of major premieres from two highly established and much loved female composers — Jeanine Tesori and Meredith Monk. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Musical theater lyricist and book writer BILL RUSSELL walks down memory lane with some of his favorite divas

Last night at Birdland Jazz Club, I had the great privilege of attending a delightful one-night-only show hosted by Bill Russell — the thoughtful musical theater lyricist and book writer … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nurturing artists past, present, and future: Reflecting upon the enduring legacy and ongoing impact of HERE

Over the course of the past week or so, I attended a number of performances that had me reflecting upon the enduring legacy and ongoing artistic impact of HERE, that … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Michael Tilson Thomas leads the NY PHILHARMONIC in a pronounced, nuanced rendition of Mahler’s mighty Fifth

This week, the New York Philharmonic launched headlong into its New York fall season at David Geffen Hall with a sturdy, terrifically contrasting program comprised of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Star countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo singlehandedly takes on THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

This past weekend at “The Amph” venue on Little Island, I had the opportunity to catch the delightfully scrappy new production of The Marriage of Figaro starring countertenor Anthony Roth … Continue Reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →