VIEWPOINTS – Epistolary plays that dramatize the lost art of letter-writing: Ken Ludwig’s DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE and Michael Griffo’s PEN PALS

Over the last week or so, I had a chance to catch up with a pair of epistolary plays that dramatize the dying art of letter-writing. As per usual, read … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Assessing New York City Ballet’s winter premieres: Justin Peck’s MYSTIC FAMILIAR and Alexei Ratmansky’s PAQUITA

In all the ways that really matter, New York City Ballet’s winter season has been, thus far, exceptional. Indeed, the relatively young company has been firing on all cylinders over … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The hugely entertaining Encores! revival of URINETOWN still tells a cautionary tale worth listening to

Earlier this week at New York City Center, I attended the anticipated Encores! revival of Urinetown. Featuring a score by Mark Hollmann and a book by Greg Kotis, the musical … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Camille A. Brown’s triumphant I AM celebrates Black joy and dance’s capacity for transcendence

Last night at The Joyce Theater in Chelsea, Camille A. Brown unveiled her latest full length work I AM to New York audiences. Altogether, it was a triumphant premiere from … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Generous, accessible storytelling (and star power) propel Simon Rich’s ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE

Earlier this week, I finally caught up with All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway (the show is now in the final two … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Irish Rep’s pristine production of BECKETT BRIEFS expertly navigates the playwright’s intentions and specifications

For its current main stage offering, Off-Broadway’s reliable Irish Repertory Theatre has mounted Beckett Briefs, a beautifully-calibrated collection of three short plays by Samuel Beckett. Appropriate fare for these dreary, … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – MasterVoices’ well-judged presentation of BLIND INJUSTICE powerfully makes its point

Earlier this week at the Rose Theater at Jazz Lincoln Center, I attended the first of only two performances of composer Scott Davenport Richards and librettist David Cote’s opera Blind … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The cheerful jukebox musical adaptation of MYSTIC PIZZA is fueled by nostalgia for the 80s & 90s

This past snowy Sunday, I took a field trip out to Millburn, NJ to attend the opening of the stage version of the 1988 flick Mystic Pizza at Paper Mill … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Cabaret roundup: Basking in the vocal stylings of LISA FISCHER at Birdland and the rock solid belt of KERRY ELLIS at 54 Below

This past week, I found myself taking in fantastic shows from a pair of highly established talents at two of New York’s most renowned cabaret and jazz venues. Read on … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Musings on the state of the arts, then and now: The Civilians’ RADIO DOWNTOWN and Louise Orwin’s FAMEHUNGRY

This past weekend, I encountered a pair of Off-Broadway shows that investigate the state of the arts — both now and in the past — in fascinatingly distinct manners. As … Continue Reading →