THE HANGOVER REPORT – The musical adaptation of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is powered by sturdy storytelling and smart, poetic staging

Last night, the new musical Water for Elephants opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre. Adapted from Sara Gruen’s 2006 novel of the same, the musical tells the story of the Benzini … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Zach Zucker is the ineptly offensive JACK TUCKER, an unhinged comic creation that spares no one

Last night, I was able to experience Zach Zucker dissolve into his alter-ego — the ineptly offensive comedian “Jack Tucker” — in an act innocuously titled Comedy Standup Hour. Over … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Two theatrical legends masterfully take the stage Off-Broadway: Len Cariou in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE and Charles Busch in IBSEN’S GHOST

Over the past few days, I had the pleasure of catching two legends of the theater masterfully take the stage in a pair of Off-Broadway shows. As per usual, read … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – J.T. Rogers’ intermittently gripping CORRUPTION flags under the weight of its ambitions

Lincoln Center Theater scored big when it presented J.T. Rogers’ Oslo, which deservedly went on to win the 2017 Tony Award for Best Play. Unfortunately, the playwright’s latest work — Corruption at Off-Broadway’s … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – David Yazbek and Itamar Moses’ quirky renegade musical DEAD OUTLAW beguiles

One of the more beguiling entries in this busy spring theater season is the new Off-Broadway musical Dead Outlaw currently playing at the Minetta Lane Theater. Featuring a score by … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – Dance recap: Contrasting Shen Wei’s exquisitely cool DONGPO with the fiery passion of GALA FLAMENCA

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of taking in a pair of strikingly contrasting global dance performances. As always, read on for my thoughts. DONGPO: LIFE IN POEMSDavid H. … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Feeling the steps: Justin Peck’s ILLINOISE gloriously brings Sufjan Stevens’ iconic album to choreographic life

Over the last decade or so, Justin Peck has emerged as perhaps the pre-eminent American choreographer of his generation. Having primarily honed his considerable talent as a dance-maker with the … Continue Reading →

VIEWPOINTS – London theater notebook: A recap of a comprehensive theater trip across the pond

I recently had the opportunity to travel across the pond to London to indulge in the capital’s rich theater scene, immersing myself in a whirlwind itinerary of fifteen shows spread … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – At The Shed, auteur director Jamie Lloyd puts his indelible stamp on THE EFFECT by Lucy Prebble

How apropos that one of my first visits to the theater in New York after my trip across the pond would be the National Theatre’s production of The Effect at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – A company in continued evolution: HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO returns to The Joyce performing with game versatility

Last night, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago commenced its two-week run at The Joyce Theater, showcasing the diverse highlights from its 46th anniversary season in two separate programs. Overall, the opening … Continue Reading →