Caroline's Kitchen is a transfer of a British farce that was very popular there. Maybe they will cling to anything to divert them from Brexit. It is certainly a manic comedy with characters keeping secrets from each other running in and out of the set. The concept is that TV cooking show host Caroline (Caroline … Continue reading Review – Caroline’s Kitchen
New York City
Review – The Archbishop’s Ceiling
Great playwrights create some less than great works in their career. Even though I admire many works by Arthur Miller ("A View From the Bridge" is in my top ten plays of all time) I had never heard of "The Archbishop's Ceiling." I am glad I had the chance to see it, but it remains … Continue reading Review – The Archbishop’s Ceiling
Review – Curse of the Starving Class
Many directors and designers have chosen to tear apart a stage set as a physical mirror of the disintegration happening to characters on stage. This can happen as a steady erosion or a grand explosion. This production switches that up with the walls and shelves of the Tate family kitchen being rendered in one grand … Continue reading Review – Curse of the Starving Class
Chapstick EXPOSED! (or at least opened up)
I don't about you but I have never finished a Chapstick before it is used up. Those tubes always seem to disappear half used and I need to buy another. At the end of this cold weather season I realized the Chapstick I was using stopped pushing up that little beeswax stick. Time for an … Continue reading Chapstick EXPOSED! (or at least opened up)
Review – BLKS
It is very good to hear new voices in the American Theatre and the play BLKS at the new Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space certainly represents new outlooks. This is poet Aziza Barnes' first play script and she doesn't hold back. It is a full bore buoyant bounty of Brooklyn people of color that … Continue reading Review – BLKS
Review – Friendly’s Fire
In this blog I review lots of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. There are many readings and off-off-Broadway shows I attend and they must be addressed sightly differently. FRIENDLY'S FIRE by John Patrick Bray is just such a developing work. Productions like this are being formed and will hopefully develop into larger environments. This play addresses … Continue reading Review – Friendly’s Fire
Review – Sincerely, Oscar
Sometimes a theatre production makes an unfortunate decision that mars or hobbles a show. When a series of unfortunate decisions are made in one show you get "Sincerely, Oscar" at the Acorn Theater on Theater Row. It is certainly an earnest effort by Doreen Taylor, a singer with a strong set of pipes, who conceived … Continue reading Review – Sincerely, Oscar
Review – Pip’s Island – an entertaining place for children in NYC
If you have children between ages four and ten and will be visiting New York City (or live here already) you should pay a visit to Pip's Island. Located at 9th Avenue and 42nd Street on the island of Manhattan, it is very easy to find. An interactive group activity for child Explorers (and their … Continue reading Review – Pip’s Island – an entertaining place for children in NYC
Review – Nantucket Sleigh Ride
There is some self-indulgent frippery going on at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center. But as the playwright is John Guare, he has certainly earn the right to be indulged. And because the playwright is John Guare, his frippery is far funnier than most. The plot is far too complicated and intricate to … Continue reading Review – Nantucket Sleigh Ride
#ATOBTTR comes to New York City
My hometown Cincinnati Reds are in my dearly adopted New York City for a four game series against the Mets. I can't wait and will be watching closely. I will do all I can to help my Reds, including wearing their gear and joining them at CitiField Tuesday night. Of course, all will also be … Continue reading #ATOBTTR comes to New York City
Review – Ink
Who knew I would enjoy spending 2 1/2 hours with Rupert Murdoch? In this case it is a play by James Graham which dramatizes when Mr. Murdoch stormed Fleet Street to trash and revolutionize the august British newspaper trade in 1969. The now familiar themes and memes and methods of populist journalism are planted and … Continue reading Review – Ink
Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
I have done NYC restaurant reviews and Broadway show reviews, but now a review of someplace that is terrific but you are unlikely to ever visit. Broadway Souvlaki is a tiny trailer on the corner of Broadway and Bennett Avenue up here in Northern Manhattan. It is just a short walk from our home and … Continue reading Ultra-Local Endorsement – Broadway Souvlaki
Shakespeare’s Birthday?
NEW YORK - Statue of William Shakespeare by the American sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward was erected in the Central Park in 1872. We don't really know for sure. The later to be famous Bard was christened on April 26, 1564 and that is the first time he is recorded to be around. Scholars make … Continue reading Shakespeare’s Birthday?
Happy Earth Day
Earth Day has been with us since 1970 and small steps have been taken since then. Bigger things are necessary if we are to save our planet. So many people think of forests and pastures in connection with Earth Day but I think we should think of cities instead. The co-op where I live in … Continue reading Happy Earth Day
Review – Kiss Me, Kate
Director Scott Ellis and the Roundabout Theatre Company have a habit of putting together tremendous musicals. Their latest classic musical remounting is Cole Porter's "Kiss Me, Kate." But as we have recently observed many of these works come with problematic histories as we've recognized issues with misogyony and the patriarchy. Just look at "Carousel" (spousal … Continue reading Review – Kiss Me, Kate
Review – Burn This
Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS is a good script where what the heart wants the heart needs to get despite odds and likelihood. I saw a wonderful production of this work at Signature Theatre in 2002 with Edward Norton and Catherine Keener. It is not a good sign when that production is a more compelling memory … Continue reading Review – Burn This
The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
The Brant Foundation Art Study Center at 421 East 6th StreetNew York, NY The Brant Foundation is doing the art world a great favor. They acquired the building pictured at right and launched an inaugural exhibit of the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat. For Free. Incredible. The building was constructed as a Con Edison Substation in … Continue reading The Brant Foundation Basquiat Exhibit
Review – Classic Albums Live: The Beatles; Abbey Road
Interesting Concept. This group has been around for sixteen years and I have never heard of them. Their idea is to create live concerts with note by note, cut by cut. This is not a tribute band where performers play the parts in audio and appearances. It is not an interpretation of an artist's work … Continue reading Review – Classic Albums Live: The Beatles; Abbey Road
Review – Broadway by the Year; The Broadway Musicals of 1943 & 1951
Scott Siegel runs an excellent series of a musical cabaret program of Broadway hits from selected years at The Town Hall. Arguably 1943 and 1951 are slim pickings beside Oklahoma! but there are favorites from many sources. The performers were uniformly skilled but the stand outs were William Michals, Robert Cuccioli, and Oakley Boycott. The … Continue reading Review – Broadway by the Year; The Broadway Musicals of 1943 & 1951
Review – King Lear
Seeing a great work of art elevates the soul. William Shakespeare's KING LEAR is a very familiar and one my favorite's of the Bard's script. I was fortunate to see the great Christopher Plummer take up the mantle a couple of decades ago in what was a more traditional but powerful production. Controversial director Sam … Continue reading Review – King Lear
National Jeep 4×4 Day
Many of the National Days I feature here are set because of seasonal or traditional time frames (imagine strawberry shortcake day in summer and eggnog day near Christmas). Others are set because of arbitrary number and word play (remember pi day on 3.14 and Star Wars on May the Fourth be with you). Today is … Continue reading National Jeep 4×4 Day
Review – [title of show] 10 year anniversary concert
Last month I attended an Actor's Fund 10 year anniversary concert of [title of show]. Though I did not see the original run a decade ago I was aware of the premise. Essentially a writer and composer team up to enter a show in the first New York Musical Festival. The problem is they don't … Continue reading Review – [title of show] 10 year anniversary concert
Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 2
As promised I am here to preview Broadway opening nights in April as they vie to be eligible for this year's Tony Awards. If you are in or can travel to New York a good time is April as at least some of these shows will close after nominations are made. Yesterday I listed five … Continue reading Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 2
Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 1
April 25 is an important date on Broadway this year. It is the last possible opening day to be included in the 2019 Tony Awards. Thus many shows crowd into next month to be eligible. There will be 10 opening nights and I will give you a quick rundown in two parts. If you are … Continue reading Broadway Preview April 2019 – Part 1
Today is Opening Day of the Reds World Series 2019 Season. Really. I Mean It!
Today at 4:10 PM the first pitch is scheduled for for the Cincinnati Reds. Only one major league team still holds an opening day parade - The Cincinnati Reds. This is the 150th year anniversary of the first professional baseball team - The Cincinnati Reds. This is the last season that the best announcer in … Continue reading Today is Opening Day of the Reds World Series 2019 Season. Really. I Mean It!
