THE STATE OF THE ARTS – October 29, 2014

RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS

THE REAL THING – Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece returns to Broadway with a starry cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Cynthia Nixon, and they’re all more than up to the task under Sam Gold’s sensitive direction.
GENERATIONS – In its brief and magical 35 minutes, Debbie Tucker Green’s play completely transmits the joys and aches of inter-generational familial relationships.
JACUZZI – No one currently captures Pinteresque menace in New York more perfectly than the Debate Society. Their intriguing new play, which features an impeccable cast and a working Jacuzzi, proves why.
FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS (PARTS 1, 2 & 3) – Suzan-Lori Parks’ new play (the first installment of three) is a dazzling work of imagination and craft. The play’s world is beautifully realized by director Jo Bonney.
KONTACTHOF – Pina Bausch’s seminal dance-theater piece returns to BAM after an absence of 30 years. It’s a long haul that’s frequently frustrating, but the level individuality on display is astonishing, making Pina’s battle of the sexes truly extraordinary.

UPCOMING AND HOTLY ANTICIPATED

BLACKOUT – It’s allegedly one of the very scariest haunted house experiences around. I’ll be taking my first trip into the darkness to see what all the fuss is about.
THE LAST SHIP – Sting’s new musical docks on Broadway. Let’s hope he has the same success Cyndi Lauper did in that other musical.
LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART – The vintage Terrence McNally comedy returns to New York starring a young cast that includes the up-and-coming scene-stealer, Tracee Chimo.
PENNY ARCADE – The outrageous downtown legend shacks up at Joe’s Pub. I cannot wait to shack up with her.
SHOW BOAT – The New York Philharmonic plays Jerome Kern’s glorious score in a semi-staged concert of the landmark show. The sterling cast includes the likes of Vanessa Williams and Norm Lewis.

Interludes