VIEWPOINTS – He said, she said: Examining the nature of abuse in the return engagements of PRE-EXISTING CONDITION and THE FORD/HILL PROJECT

Abuse is a slippery topic, especially when you aren’t in the room when it occurs. When “he said, she said” hearsay testimonials become the primary evidence for determining the truth, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Hitting the ground running: Dudamel energetically leads the NY PHILHARMONIC in a busy first week of performances as music director

In his first week in the official capacity as the New York Philharmonic’s music director, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel generated considerable excitement as he energetically led the ensemble in a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Solo shows something extra to give: Roger Guenveur Smith in IN HONOR OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, Helder Guimarães in THE HOPE THEORY

These days, solo shows seem almost like a dime a dozen. With so many to choose from and the perceived limitations in how to stage them, they frequently can seem … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A big week for contemporary dance: SONYA TAYEH, BILL T. JONES, and SARAH MICHELSON unveil notable new works

This week was a big one for contemporary dance, headlined by the unveiling of new works — each performed in bespoke spaces — by major choreographers Sonya Tayeh, Bill T. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – The expansiveness of downtown nightlife on full display at JOE’S PUB: Rizo, Larry Owens, and Justin Vivian Bond bring their A-game

This September, Joe’s Pub has been abuzz with the excitement of a nightlife scene kicking itself into full gear (culminating this weekend at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park with … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dabbling in participatory theater: Audience agency drives Off-Broadway’s BECOMING HAMLET and GARRY STARR CLASSIC PENGUINS

This September, you’ll find a pair of participatory Off-Broadway shows that respectively endear audiences to play a meaningful role in determining how the theatrical experience unfolds. Here are my thoughts … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Fabulous nights at 54 Below: The legendary CHARLES BUSCH sings Johnny Mercer, the strapping CLAYBOURNE ELDER gets playfully candid

This past week, I had the great chance to catch a pair of worthwhile shows at 54 Below, that essential theater district supper club specifically catering to admirers of the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A tale of two LES MIZes: The popular mega-musical gets makeovers courtesy of an arena world tour and a revitalized regional Shakespeare festival

This summer, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s 1980s British mega-musical Les Misérables — based on Victor Hugo’s sprawling French novel of the same name — proved its continued immense popularity … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Ensconced in its stunning new permanent home, HUDSON VALEY SHAKESPEARE most satisfyingly continues to make the play the thing

This summer, I was also able to make the trek upstate to picturesque Garrison, NY to take in the theatrical offerings of Hudson Valley Shakespeare, which is in the process … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Gutsy acting more than buoys SAFE HOUSE, L.B. Browne’s contemporary riff on “Death of a Salesman”

Also during these waning days of summer, theatergoers have been privy to another grim, claustrophobic drama exploring notions of family and home. The piece in question is Safe House, L.B. … Continue Reading →