Mike Birbiglia is an actor, comedian and monologuist who has had several off-Broadway shows in New York. But I had never seen one of his highly regarded performances. When his new one transferred to Broadway, I took the opportunity to see it. His "New One" is his new child. This is hilarious and Mike is … Continue reading Review – Mike Birbiglia’s The New One
Broadway
Review – King Kong
I LOVE King Kong. Not the musical, mind you, but the articulated title character at the center of it. The astounding puppeteers (named the King's Company) work out in the open, making many of the creature's moves in plain sight. They jump from heights with ropes connected to pulleys to make him stand using their … Continue reading Review – King Kong
Review – Bernhardt/Hamlet
Some plays I rave at, some plays I cringe at, other plays are comfort food for my soul. Bernhardt/Hamlet is just such a play. Steeped in history, theater lore and examinations of playwrights and plays - it felt nourishing just to be in the theater to watch it. Though it strays a bit in the … Continue reading Review – Bernhardt/Hamlet
New York Theater Grab Bag
First a reminder that my short play (poster above) is at the Players Theatre NEXT weekend. If you are in New York that weekend (October 25-28) we hope to see you there. Check the poster or footnote for more information and be sure to use the discount code when ordering on line or at the … Continue reading New York Theater Grab Bag
Good Eats RELOADED
Alton Brown is one of my favorite television cooking celebrities. His goofball antics and scientific cooking explanations have always thrilled me. While I have baked all my life I only did rudimentary main course cooking after I learned from Alton. I don't much like his competition game show programs but did enjoy his Broadway Show. … Continue reading Good Eats RELOADED
Review – The Nap
THE NAP is an odd bird at the Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. The first extended and endless scene is taken up with exposition, explaining the game rules of Snooker, the family connections to come into play and the meaning of the title (The Nap of a snooker table - the patterns of … Continue reading Review – The Nap
Be More Chill heading to Broadway
You may recall my review of BE MORE CHILL on August 27. I thought it was great and was excited it was rumored to be ready to transfer to Broadway. It will start previews at the Lyceum Theater on February 23, 2019 and will open on March 10. I am excited that it was discovered … Continue reading Be More Chill heading to Broadway
Mortal Coils Recently Shuffled Off
Three theater luminaries have recently passed on, respect should be paid. Barbara Harris is someone I never saw on stage but her voice is ever present in my head, The Apple Tree musical was written for her and I listen to that album frequently. I did see here in several movies, most especially in Robert … Continue reading Mortal Coils Recently Shuffled Off
Fall Broadway Spotlight
As usual Broadway comes back to life in the fall. The shows that opened this summer have gotten pretty bad reviews so we need some good new shows. The not-for-profits on Broadway kick off early. Roundabout has Bernhardt/Hamlet (about one of histories most famed actresses taking on Shakespeare's iconic role) with previews starting September 1 … Continue reading Fall Broadway Spotlight
Review – Gettin’ The Band Back Together
Gettin' The Band Back Together is a very funny show, high energy, expertly casted, energetically directed and keeps the audience laughing the entire time. It lights up the stage of the Belasco and animates the familiar themes of middle age angst, good versus evil, redemption and being true to yourself. So that is all I … Continue reading Review – Gettin’ The Band Back Together
NYC Restaurant Week Review – Chazz Palminteri Italian Restaurant
Posting this on a bittersweet day for Chazz. His show "A Bronx Tale" is closing today after a very healthy run and where he recently stepped in to play the role that he turned from staged monologue to a movie to a Broadway Musical. Way to go Chazz. We saw the show early in the … Continue reading NYC Restaurant Week Review – Chazz Palminteri Italian Restaurant
Review – Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope
The Encores! Off-Center Series is a revival of previous and oft forgotten musicals. I got to see the final performance of their limited weekend offering of Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope. When it appeared on Broadway it featured the first time on The Great White Way that a woman had written the music and … Continue reading Review – Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope
Review – Head Over Heels
Jukebox musicals can take many forms. Maybe you just play through the catalogue with no commentary (like Smokey Joe's Cafe currently revived at Stage 42 - highly recommended). Or marry it to a plot crafted to explain the sequence of songs (like Mamma Mia!, something I still unbelievably have not seen). Maybe you put it … Continue reading Review – Head Over Heels
New York Theatre Spotlight
Several Big Apple Theatre notes to catch up on. First two shows ending at the end of the month: "A Blanket of Dust" is a show I reviewed here on June 18. I had several disagreements with the script but found the performances riveting. Always be open to seeing points of view different from your own … Continue reading New York Theatre Spotlight
Post Tony Shake Out
Producers do all they can with tickets, parties and swag to woo voters and then hold their breath for the entire program (if you saw any people in the audience of the Tony Awards with blue faces - they were producers). Because some shows need the Tony boost to stay open the awards presentations are … Continue reading Post Tony Shake Out
This, That, and The Other Thing
THIS: Last night we tried the St. Louis Ribs again, but this time I cooked them at higher temp and for more time in the sous vide. As I had hoped they were even better this time. More experimenting to come for the Franken-Ribs! THAT: Tonight we have the tech rehearsal for my short play … Continue reading This, That, and The Other Thing
Two decades in the Big Apple
On June 1, 1998 I started a new job in Manhattan and have stuck around ever since. I loved this city from my first visit in 1975 (during the bad old rough and glorious days of this place) but always held out hope to be invited here. That happened 20 years ago and I have … Continue reading Two decades in the Big Apple
Review – Broadway by the Year 1956 & 1975
Broadway by the Year is essentially an show business cabaret in the 1500 seat Town Hall in midtown. Scott Siegel has put on nearly a score of these events but last night was the first time I had the chance to see one. It was terrific and I'll be looking to attend more going forward. … Continue reading Review – Broadway by the Year 1956 & 1975
Review – SpongeBob SquarePants the Broadway Musical
You may recall how distressed I am that as Broadway becomes more tourist dependent it also more closely resembles a theme park attraction where productions are geared to be flashy events that a city visitor must see on their vacation to the Big Apple. Indeed more than half the current Broadways venues are tied up … Continue reading Review – SpongeBob SquarePants the Broadway Musical
Review – Carousel
Rodgers and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL is one of the American Musical Theatre's seminal works and one of my favorite musicals. The current production at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway is a great (if dance heavy) work. They seem to have added extended dance breaks and while talented, the dance sections weigh down the show. In addition … Continue reading Review – Carousel
Review – The Iceman Cometh
Anytime I get the chance to see Eugene O'Neill on stage I am happy. This production of The Iceman Cometh is a terrific production, directed by wonderfully by George C. Wolfe. Amazingly the star turn by Denzel Washington is not a preening look at me self centered STAR guy. The script is the star and … Continue reading Review – The Iceman Cometh
Review – Saint Joan
We are fortunate in New York to have not-for-profits on Broadway to do Bernard Shaw's SAINT JOAN. The size of the cast alone would deter commercial producers as well as an earnest script by a playwright from early last century. Sure you can find this in regional theatre and university, but not on Broadway. I'm … Continue reading Review – Saint Joan
TONY Award Nominations
The 2018 TONY Awards were announced yesterday. With my love of theater and Broadway, I have seen a majority of the nominations but not all. There were no shocks or surprises this year. There were a number of great productions on the boards this season and the TONY Award show on June 10 should be … Continue reading TONY Award Nominations
Review – Lobby Hero
First note: Catch this play on Broadway soon as it closes on May 13. The production, performers and playwright all require your attention. Second note: Welcome Second Stage Theatre to Broadway. I have been a fan of your offerings for decades and now that you are bringing living American Playwrights to the Main Stem, I … Continue reading Review – Lobby Hero
Review – Travesties
Tom Stoppard is one of my favorite playwrights. The intellectual twists and turns come pouring at you as from a fire hose. His plays are incredibly crafted, carefully assembled tours de force that are a mental workout that I absolutely love. Travesties was written in the 1970's and sprang from Mr. Stoppard's discoveries that an … Continue reading Review – Travesties
