THE HANGOVER REPORT – The supremely silly SPAMALOT returns to Broadway, lifted by inspired casting and the general public’s need for escapism

Earlier this fall, the supremely silly musical Spamalot returned to Broadway at the St. James Theatre. The revival arrives in New York by way of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., where … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Sacred music then and now: Trinity Wall Street’s soul-searching MESSIAH and an austere performance of David Lang’s THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL PASSION

On my continued pursuit to hear music in non-traditional spaces, I came across a pair of oratorios that are representative of sacred music — both then and now. These performances … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Awash in urgent music and dance, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB finds thrilling new life as a stage musical

Last night, the highly anticipated musical incarnation of Buena Vista Social Club opened Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theater courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company. As a storytelling-driven adaptation of the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met’s traditional staging of Wagner’s TÄNNHAUSER returns in a musically sublime revival

Earlier this week, I caught up with the Metropolitan Opera’s current revival of Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser. Written in 1845, the opera is a transitional work that appealingly straddles traditional grand … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Cabaret Roundup: MAMIE PARRIS sings her face of in an Andrew Lloyd Webber “Thrill Ride”, and BRANDON VICTOR DIXON gorgeously croons the night away

Over the past week or so — in between attending holiday and late fall offerings — I found myself basking in a couple of excellent cabaret acts. As always, here … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In their latest solo show LESS LONELY, comedian Jes Tom presents a slippery sense of self

Last night, Jes Tom’s Less Lonely opened Off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater. The new autobiographical solo show finds the transgender comedian updating audiences with the latest occurrences in their … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – For the holidays, Paper Mill stages a timely, generously performed revival of Bock & Harnick FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

For its annual holiday musical, Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ has programmed a revival of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s classic musical Fiddler on the Roof. For those of … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Emphatically appealing to mainstream Broadway, HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO introduces autistism to wider audiences

Last night, the new musical How to Dance in Ohio opened on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre. Based on Alexandra Shiva’s award-winning HBO series of the same name, the production … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Ruth Stage’s expanded LONE STAR brings depth to the material at the expense of satiric edginess

This weekend, I was able to catch Ruth Stage’s Off-Broadway revival of James McLure’s Lone Star at Theatre Row.  Set in the secluded back lot of a Texas bar, the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lesson learned: Lynette Wallworth serenely reflects on HOW TO LIVE (AFTER YOU DIE)

Last night at BAM Fisher, I took in the the latest offering of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s storied Next Wave Festival – Lyette Walworth’s solo show HOW TO LIVE … Continue Reading →