THE STATE OF THE ARTS – December 10, 2014

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

THE ELEPHANT MAN – The trio of Bradley Cooper, Alessandro Nivola, and Patricia Clarkson bring their A-game to the second Broadway revival of Bernard Pomerance’s popular drama. It’s directed with careful grace by Scott Ellis.
SWAMP JUICE – Jeff Achtem brings irresistible subversive charm to this ingenious hourlong family-friendly puppet show at the Barrow Street Theatre.
THE INVISIBLE HAND – Ayad Akhtar’s latest play, in an impeccable production at NYTW, is a combustible combination of speculative politics, religion, economics, and high finance.
THE MEETING – Justin Sayre continues to delight in the holiday edition of his “so wrong it’s oh-so-right” variety show at Joe’s Pub. Guests this time around included the likes of the sizzling Lady Rizo.
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO – The second cast of Mozart’s perennial opera compensated for the deficiencies of Sir Richard Eyre’s drab-looking production for the Met by delivering the goods with lively panache.

UPCOMING AND HOTLY ANTICIPATED

LOSERS LOUNGE – The upcoming holiday edition at Joe’s Pub is a tribute to the King of Rock & Roll. Fun times are sure to be had by all.
ANNALEIGH ASHFORD: LOST IN THE STARS – I’ve raved about the singular and hilarious Ms. Ashford and her cabaret show for a while now. I’m looking forward to revisiting it next week at 54 Below!
TEARS BECOME… STREAMS BECOME… – Canvases on the mammoth scale of the Park Avenue Armory don’t present themselves regularly to artists. Look for visual and musical artists Douglas Gordon and Helene Grimaud to take advantage.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – DC’s gleaming Arena Stage is presenting a 50^th Anniversary production of the classic musical. Starring Jonathan Hadary as Tevye.
DINER – Sheryl Crow’s highly anticipated new musical debuts at Virginia’s Signature Theatre this week; I’ll be in attendance at one of the early previews.

Interludes