THE HANGOVER REPORT – Paper Mill Playhouse mounts a sturdy, traditionally-staged revival of WEST SIDE STORY

Perhaps with one of the few glaring exceptions being Ivo van Hove’s experimental revival that opened on Broadway just prior to the world-changing covid pandemic, Jerome Robbins’ singular vision permeates … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Nightlife roundup: ANGEL BLUE experiments with cabaret at 54 Below, ROBIN MCKELLE channels Ella Fitzgerald, et al. at Birdland

As per usual, I’ve been augmenting my primetime theatergoing with a fair number of nightlife outings, largely to get better acquainted with performers as their authentic selves. As always, read … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Classical music roundup: Maestro Janowski returns to lead the NY PHILHARMONIC, the great Marin Alsop conducts Beethoven and Marsalis via the PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Over the past week or so, I had the great pleasure of catching notable performances by the New York Philharmonic at its home base at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Intimate opera with high stakes impact: THE POST OFFICE gets philosophical (and political) at BAM, Heartbeat Opera’s stylish VANESSA packs a punch

Those of you looking to expand your opera-going experience beyond the Metropolitan Opera should turn your attention to the occasional intimate opera productions occurring across the city. In the past … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Uniquely immersive Off-Broadway shows exploring family legacy: Partying with the Guerreros in CANCIONES, slumming in a cluttered apartment in OBIT.

Over the past week or so, I’ve been able to delve into a pair of new Off-Broadway plays that deal with the notion of family legacy, particularly as it relates … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Breezy summer fare: The Main Stem outing of CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY and striking while it’s hot with a HEATED RIVALRY musical parody

Those of you looking for breezy summer entertainment without much emotional nor intellectual investment need not look further than a pair of options — the Main Stem outing of Celebrity … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Daddy Issues: Navigating girlhood adolescence in Eliana Theologides Rodriguez’s INDIAN PRINCESSES and Eliya Smth’s DAD DON’T READ THIS

Currently Off-Broadway, you’ll find a pair of plays of note that tackle the topic of girlhood adolescence. Likely inspired, at least in part, by the success and the widespread chord … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance roundup: Tony Waag’s celebratory TAP CITY returns to The Joyce, CITY BALLET unveils Tiler Peck’s latest and a Wheeldon premiere

This past week saw a number of notable happenings in the dance world, namely the return of Tony Waag’s celebratory Tap City to The Joyce Theater and a pair of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Joe’s Pub continues to be a hotbed of vital, unpredictable performances: American Sing-Song’s HOLE! and Varla Jean Merman’s THE DROWSY CHAPPELL ROAN

After many years of attending performances at Joe’s Pub, I’m happy to report that the venue continues to be a hotbed for vital, unpredictable performances of the distinctly downtown variety. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In a game effort, Classic Stage Company stitches together Thornton Wilder’s unfinished THE EMPORIUM

In a fascinating turn of events, you’ll find a production of Thornton Wilder‘s The Emporium at Off-Broadway’s Classic Stage Company, where it officially opened earlier this week. Perhaps best known … Continue Reading →