VIEWPOINTS – St. Ann’s Warehouse digs into its archives to shed light on Lou Reed’s legacy: SONGS FOR DRELLA & BERLIN

For two consecutive weeks, St. Ann’s Warehouse has dug into its archives to shed light on the late Lou Reed – whose storied career spanned decades and included fronting the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – A roundup of recent in-person performances: Derek Fordjour’s FLY AWAY, Brookfield Place’s ENCOUNTERS, and ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER

When it comes to live, in-person performances, New York continues to exhibit — albeit minimally — signs of life. Here’s a roundup of my thoughts on some recent, pandemic-friendly experiences. … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Joe’s Pub’s thoughtfully curated fall programming includes memorable performances by Kiki & Herb, Toshi Reagon, and Samora Pinderhughes

I miss Joe’s Pub. With its long and impressive track record of presenting the cutting edge in cabaret, the atmospheric supper club has established itself as one of the indisputable … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Composer Ellen Reid’s interactive SOUNDWALK through Central Park proves to be accomplished, accessible

Last weekend, on my walk from my apartment in Hell’s Kitchen to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I decided to give composer Ellen Reid’s innovative and dynamic Central Park-inspired Soundwalk … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: The Met’s hit production of PORGY AND BESS, Complexions’ rousing if repetitive BACH 25, and Richard Nelson’s eloquent finale to his APPLE FAMILY “Pandemic Trilogy”

Here are my latest thoughts on my online performing arts viewings. PORGY AND BESS Opera The Metropolitan Opera Last weekend, the Metropolitan Opera streamed, without charge, its hit production of … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Joshua William Gelb’s altogether astonishing FOOTNOTE, John Adams’ distilled but potent EL NIÑO, and Robert Battle’s thoughtfully-rendered NO LONGER SILENT

This past week, I streamed three particularly fascinating works in the performing arts disciplines of theater, classical music, and dance. Each took artistic risks for which they were rewarded handsomely. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – BROADWAY & BEYOND: Reliving Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley’s potent final concert at Feinstein’s/54 Below

One of the things I miss most dearly in pandemic life is the ability to unwind and cap off my day with a cabaret performance and cocktail at Feinstein’s/54 Below, a … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Week 2 of Manual Cinema’s retrospective, ROH’s Bryn Terfel-led “Dutchman”, and Robbie Fairchild beguiles in a short dance film

Here are my thoughts on the latest set of streaming adventures. Enjoy! THEATER Manual Cinema‘s 10th anniversary retrospective continued last week with The End of TV (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), which tells the initially … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Streaming Diary: Manual Cinema kicks off its retrospective, and the Met and Royal Ballet stream classic productions of DER ROSENKAVALIER and THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, respectively

Last week, I streamed an eclectic bunch of performances. Here are my thoughts. THEATER First up was the streaming of the original 1957 broadcast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s filmed-live-for-television version … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – ROMEO & JULIET three ways: As theater (Shakespeare), dance (MacMillan), and opera (Gounod)

Adaptations of iconic Shakespeare plays from into other genres of performing arts isn’t a new phenomenon. It is unusual, however, for these adaptations to attain the same classic status in their individual … Continue Reading →