THE HANGOVER REPORT – In his intimate, storytelling driven new show, Tony-winner NORBERT LEO BUTZ gets into his feelings

This past Monday, Norbert Leo Butz unveiled his latest cabaret act at 54 Below. Entitled Norbert Leo Butz Sings Torch Songs for a Pandemic, the show finds the two time Tony-winner … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance Roundup: FALL FOR DANCE ignites City Center for its 20th iteration and BALLETX returns to The Joyce

Dance in New York is in full swing. Aside from New York City Ballet’s ongoing 75th anniversary season, I’ve also been taking in some of the city’s other dance offerings. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Style over substance: Emma Horwitz’s MARY GETS HERS and Abhishek Majumdar’s 9 KINDS OF SILENCE

Sometimes stylized storytelling gets in the way of a theatrical work’s underlying intent. This was the case with a pair of new Off-Broadway plays I recently caught. Read on for … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – On its journey to the Great White Way, MELISSA ETHERIDGE: MY WINDOW gains intimacy and a newfound confidence

This past week, Melissa Etheridge’s mostly solo theatrical memoir Melissa Etheridge: My Window opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The show arrives on the Great White … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Experimental theater is alive and well: PSYCHIC SELF DEFENSE at HERE and PROMETHEUS FIREBRINGER at TFANA

I’m happy to report that experimental theater is alive and well in New York. Setting aside Dmitry Krymov’s thoughtfully layered, highly anticipated Big Trip productions at La MaMa (which I’m … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – City Ballet brilliantly commences its landmark 75th anniversary season with a weeklong run of George Balanchine’s JEWELS

Last week, New York City Ballet brilliantly commenced its landmark 75th anniversary season by programming a weeklong run of George Balanchine’s incomparable Jewels (entitled The Foundation, City Ballet’s fall season … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Jonas Kaufmann gives a haunted performance in DOPPELGANGER, Claus Guth’s immersive staging of Schubert’s “Schwanengesang”

This weekend at the massive drill hall at the Park Avenue Armory, I was able to attend the opening night performance of Doppelganger, Claus Guth’s staged presentation of Schubert’s “Schwanengesang”, … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Solo shows that use song to work through grief and trauma: Rachel Bloom’s DEATH, LET ME DO MY SHOW and Thomas Sweitzer’s 20 SECONDS

This week, I encountered a pair of Off-Broadway solo shows that incorporated songs into the fabric their storytelling to work through grief and trauma. As always, here are my thoughts … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Over at 59E59 Theaters, Theresa Rebeck returns to form in her terrific new play DIG for Primary Stages

This week saw the Off-Broadway opening of Primary Stages’ production of the terrific new play Dig by Theresa Rebeck at 59E59 Theaters. Over the past few decades, Ms. Rebeck (best … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Invigorating leading actresses light up the stage: Mary Beth Fisher in SWING STATE and Kellie Overbey in NO GOOD THINGS DWELL IN THE FLESH

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend a pair of plays that were invigorated by performances from their leading actresses. Read on for my further thoughts. SWING STATEAudible … Continue Reading →