VIEWPOINTS – Perusing Provincetown entertainment: Comedy queens, crooning piano men, and musical theater divas

I spent last week in one of my favorite places in the world – that magical destination seemingly at the very tip of the world (i.e., Cape Cod) known as … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The sublime film adaptation of IN THE HEIGHTS improves upon the Tony-winning stage musical

On its opening weekend on the biggest possible screen (the IMAX theater at AMC Lincoln Square), I caught the sublime film adaptation of In the Heights, a hip-hop and and … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – What a difference a full production makes: LCT’s VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE & Goodman’s HOW TO CATCH CREATION

After being primarily relegated to decidedly unflattering and minimally theatrical Zoom-type productions over the past year, it was refreshing to be able to stream a pair of fully-staged productions from … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Reflecting on 25 years of RENT: Remembering a white hot performance and its lasting impact

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Rent changed my life 25 years ago, as it did for its legions of fans. I was a junior at a parochial high … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Andy Einhorn and company give a heartfelt salute to Jerry Herman in YOU I LIKE

Last night, glass of wine in hand, I had the pleasure of sitting back and enjoying You I Like: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Herman, Pasadena Playhouse’s entertaining and balanced … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – The spirit of the Broadway musical persists in RATATOUILLE: THE TIKTOK MUSICAL and JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

Although live/in-person theater is becoming an increasingly distant memory, the irrepressible spirit of the Broadway musical persists in other mediums. Here are my thoughts on two of these hybrid endeavors. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Highly anticipated stage-to-screen adaptations: A searingly acted MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM and a faithfully transcribed THE PROM

December was a big month for major stage-to-screen adaptations. Indeed, much to the delight of locked-down theater fans, the recent weeks saw the Netflix premieres of the highly anticipated film … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Wholesome holiday entertainment via NORM LEWIS’s Christmas show, the Old Vic’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and Irish Rep’s MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

For those of you seeking more traditional, wholesome holiday entertainment, I recommend that you check out the recently-viewed virtual Christmas treats below. NORM LEWIS: CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE!Feinstein’s/54 BelowOn-demand through December … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Catching up with some of Broadway’s favorite leading ladies: AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALD, LEA SALONGA IN CONCERT, and BROADWAY PRINCESS HOLIDAY CONCERT

Last week, I caught up with some of Broadway’s favorite leading ladies. Here are my thoughts on their recent virtual concerts. AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALDNew York City CenterOn-demand through … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: The late, great Brian Dennehy in a landmark DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Irish Rep’s A TOUCH OF THE POET, and Woolly Mammoth’s telephonic HUMAN RESOURCES

Here are my thoughts on two recent viewings and one interesting telephone call. DEATH OF A SALESMANGoodman Theatre One of the most impactful and influential experiences in all my theatergoing … Continue Reading →