THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lisa Sanaye Dring’s dutifully written SUMO is a fascinating glimpse into the rarefied world of elite sumo wrestling

Last night, Lisa Sanaye Dring‘s Sumo opened Off-Broadway at the Public Theater’s Anspacher Theater in a co-production by the Public Theater, Ma-Yi Theater Company, and La Jolla Playhouse. In short, Dring’s new … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The New Age musical AVALONA is a vague, occasionally stirring re-consideration of the musical theater form

Then over at the Sanctuary at St. Paul and St. Andrew on the Upper West Side, you’ll find the New Age Off-Broadway musical Avalona: A Musical Legend. In essence, the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Stars take on Sam Shepard’s explosive but meandering CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS, still a relevant allegory for our times

This past weekend, I had the opportunity of attending The New Group’s starry Off-Broadway production of Sam Shepard’s 1978 play Curse of the Starving Class at the Pershing Square Signature … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Sit-com writing detracts from the credibility of D.A. Mindell’s ON THE EVOLUTIONARY FUNCTION OF SHAME

This winter season marks the beginning of a new era for Second Stage Theater — an evolution, if you will — with the opening of D.A. Mindell’s On the Evolutionary … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Rajiv Joseph’s espionage thriller DAKAR 2000 comes into focus in its larger philosophical musings

Earlier this week, Rajiv Joseph’s new two-hander Dakar 2000 opened Off-Broadway at New York City Center Stage I, courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club. In short, the work is a memory … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Samuel D. Hunter’s emotionally bruised GRANGEVILLE is another portrait of damaged souls from Idaho

Earlier this week, Signature Theatre‘a production of Grangeville by Samuel D. Hunter opened Off-Broadway. In essence, the new play tells the story of Arnold and Jerry, two estranged brothers — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Le Théâtre de l’Entrouvert’s ANYWHERE at HERE is oblique and ritualistic puppet theater

Also this past weekend, I attended a performance of Théâtre de l’Entrouvert and Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival’s presentation of Anywhere, courtesy of of HERE’s Dream Music Puppetry programming. First … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Mint Theater Company presents Harold Brighouse’s GARSIDE’S CAREER in the best possible light

This past weekend at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row, I also had the chance to take in Mint Theater Company’s rare revival of Harold Brighouse’s 1914 play Garside’s Career. The play tells … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Kate Gilmore disarms in SAFE HOUSE, Enda Walsh and Anna Mullarkey’s bleak, surreal song cycle

Last weekend, I ventured once again out to Brooklyn to catch the Abbey Theatre’s production of Safe House at St. Ann’s Warehouse. The unique show — which is being presented … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – TFANA’s luicedly-acted, single-evening HENRY IV emphases intimacy and full engagement with the language

This past week in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, I was able to catch up with Theatre for a New Audience’s production of Henry IV at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center. Despite … Continue Reading →