THE HANGOVER REPORT – The robustly-voiced matinee idol DEREK KLENA effortlessly appeases his fans at 54 Below

Over at 54 Below, Broadway’s Derek Klena recently concluded a week of sold out performances, to which many of his adoring fans flocked (I attended his final performance on Monday). … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In MINDPLAY, Vinny DePonto finds a human angle to deploy his impressive mentalist trickery

Earlier this week, Vinny DePonto’s immersive mentalist act Mindplay opened Off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater. In his latest solo show, DePonto — a relatable, down-to-earth, and imminently likeable talent … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – At 20, UNDER THE RADAR expands its reach with a blast of out-of-the-box theatrical experiences (Part 1)

January in New York means a plethora of Under the Radar goodness for performing arts enthusiasts (like myself) to immerse themselves in. This year celebrating its landmark 20th anniversary — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Met’s new AIDA aims to appease both traditionalists and woke audiences, to mixed results

This past weekend, I made a trip to the Metropolitan Opera to take in the company’s new production of Aida. Having glamorously premiered on New Year’s Eve, Michael Mayer’s anticipated … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Audra McDonald triumphs in a color-conscious GYPSY that exposes new nuances in the classic musical

Over at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway, you’ll find six-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald getting the daily opportunity to sink her teeth into one of theater’s most iconic roles — described … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – THE BEST OF 2024: Theater, Music, and Dance

With 2024 recently behind us, what better time to take stock of the year that’s just transpired to highlight the performances that have particularly distinguished themselves from the pack. Read … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – More holiday fare to end the season on a high: BIG APPLE CIRCUS, the NY POPS, and the tour of ANNIE muster good cheer

To close out the year, I attended a flurry of diverse performances that mustered good cheer, further ushering me into the holiday spirit. Here are my thoughts on the these … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Explosive, erotically-charged two-handers: Ken Urban’s A GUIDE FOR THE HOMESICK and Philip Ridley’s TENDER NAPALM

This fall/winter, New York theater audiences have been able to sink their teeth into a pair of explosive, erotically-charged Off-Broadway two-handers. These would be Ken Urban’s A Guide for the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jonathan Spector’s EUREKA DAY arrives on Broadway more relevant and pointed than when it first premiered

For my final performance of 2024, I chose to attend Manhattan Theatre Club’s Broadway mounting of Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The play has … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Ravishing music-making permeates the Met’s triumphant revival of DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN

Any chance to catch the rarely-performed opera Die Frau ohne Schatten is an opportunity well worth taking. The fourth of the stories collaborations between composer Richard Strauss and poet/librettist Hugo … Continue Reading →