THE HANGOVER REPORT – In robust voice, Tony-winner ALICE RIPLEY puts her unique visceral spin on the Broadway songbook

Last night, I had the pleasure of catching Alice Ripley — a musical theater actress who deservedly won a Tony Award for her searing turn as Diane in Next to Normal — … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The musically accomplished oratorio NUMBER OUR DAYS implores audiences to live life in the present moment

This past weekend, the Perelman Performing Arts Center — more succinctly known simply as PAC NYC — continued to prove its versatility both in terms of programming and as a … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Terence Blanchard’s powerful contemporary opera FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES returns to The Met

This week, the Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed production of Fire Shut Up in My Bones — a powerful contemporary opera by award-winning jazz musician Terence Blanchard (music) and Kasi Lemmons (libretto) — returned … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In her impressive NY PHIL debut, Karina Canellakis conducts with incisiveness and ample feeling

This week at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, conductor Karina Canellakis made a notable debut leading the New York Philharmonic. Currently the chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In its glorious Music Hall, maestro Ryan Bancroft leads CINCINNATI SYMPHONY with sensitivity and cohesion

This past Easter weekend, I ventured out west to attend a performance by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on its home turf. Led by American conductor Ryan Bancroft in his debut … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – A stellar cast ignites the Met’s cinematic new staging of Verdi’s LA FORZA DEL DESTINO

One of the Metropolitan Opera’s most anticipated offerings during the winter/spring months is its new production of Verdi’s eventful and unabashedly dramatic La Forza del Destino, which is currently concluding … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In her Carnegie Hall debut, frisky cabaret star MEOW MEOW conjures the Weimar Republic

Also this past weekend for one night only, I attended Meow Meow’s anticipated Carnegie Hall debut at the subterranean Zankel Hall. I’ve been following this frisky, subversive cabaret star’s career … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Led by Franz Welser-Möst, the venerated VIENNA PHILHARMONIC plays a triumphant rendition of Mahler’s Ninth

This past weekend, the mighty Vienna Philharmonic capped off three performances at Carnegie Hall with a performance of Mahler’s mammoth Ninth Symphony (the composer’s final completed symphony). Led by maestro … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Cabaret homages: AMY JO JACKSON spins the Annie Lennox songbook and an immersive GRAND HOTEL reunion concert

This week, after my regularly scheduled theatrical programming, I found myself at a pair of satisfying cabaret performances that paid homage to pop and theatrical icons. As always, read on … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali brings instinctive energy to NY PHILHARMONIC performances

This past weekend, Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali concluded a two-week residency leading the New York Philharmonic at David Geffen Hall. Although the second of his two programs that I attended … Continue Reading →