Playwright Lucas Hnath is on a bit of a "what if" kick lately, following his recent "A Doll's House, Part 2" with a look into two of our most famous political figures. While I shied from his multiple universe framing device, he nails the insight inside one of the most famous marriages of all time. … Continue reading Review – Hillary and Clinton
New York City
FootNotes #2 – A terrific advantage with a broken ankle!
I am always an optimistic sort and just figured out the great advantage I have with my broken ankle. I only wear one sock at a time. Thus less wear, less laundry, less carbon footprint, better results for climate change. It does make it more difficult to track pairs after laundry, but hey, I'll take … Continue reading FootNotes #2 – A terrific advantage with a broken ankle!
FootNotes #1 – My latest ride, unplanned and hopefully for not long
Not very sporty but very useful and very necessary. See, I broke my ankle riding my motorbike this week and this little trolley gets me around while keeping the ankle cast elevated and stable. And a nice little basket for carrying the mail! I take it seriously. Warning label says right on it - Not … Continue reading FootNotes #1 – My latest ride, unplanned and hopefully for not long
Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Start with the "source material" - Shakespeare's bloodiest play "Titus Andronicus." This isn't really a sequel. Sure Taylor Mac's script starts by plucking three minor characters from Will's play to follow as they clean up all the corpses (and they are stacked high in Santo Loquasto's set). In theory they are here to clean up … Continue reading Review – Gary: The Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Review – Proof of Love
Audible, the company that brings you entertainment meant for ear buds, has teamed with the Minetta Lane Theatre by producing stage work that can be translated to their medium. I have seen a number of these works, most impressively "Harry Clarke" performed by actor Billy Crudup. To this point they have chosen existing one character … Continue reading Review – Proof of Love
My cousin’s trip to The Big Apple
I was thrilled that my cousin Kim and her husband Dennis traveled from Cincinnati to visit New York City last week. They were here for reasons beyond a tourist trip but they aced that part of it. They especially excelled in their show going expertise. They visited the box offices (strategically about 1-2 hours before … Continue reading My cousin’s trip to The Big Apple
National Veggie Burger Day
While now you will hear me celebrating many meat dishes, not many people know that I was a vegetarian for 13 years starting in my senior year of high school. It was based on my belief that if we avoided feeding animals grain combinations we could direct them to humans and seriously reduce hunger in … Continue reading National Veggie Burger Day
Review – Jack of Cups
Unlike the folks doing this work, I am old enough to have seen and worked around Experimental Theatre back in the 1970's and 1980's. Inevitable components included earnest monologues on how we need to come together, interpretive dance, and sounds and music made from unusual items and innovative instruments. Turtleneck shirts were optional but recommended. … Continue reading Review – Jack of Cups
National Rotisserie Chicken Day
There are few better treats than a freshly cooked, crispy skin, moist and juicy rotisserie cooked chicken. Many people pick them up for a quick meal from a shop and indeed this National Day was created by the Boston Market chain. (There is a terrific shop named Malecon here in Northern Manhattan that is worth … Continue reading National Rotisserie Chicken Day
Review – Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune
What happens when you combine a three decade old two hander by one of our greatest living playwrights with two of our finest stage actors? Magic at the Broadhurst Theatre, that's what. "Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune" is a passionate defense of reaching out for love against all odds. When co-workers from … Continue reading Review – Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune
Review – To She Who Waits
The American Renaissance Theater Company is presenting a new play at Theatre 54 at the Shetler Studios. It is the 2018 Jerry Kaufman Award winner "To She Who Waits" by Bob Clyman. The subtitle "God's Plan v. A Mother's Love; Winner Takes All" provides a clue to the plot. The play jumps back and forth … Continue reading Review – To She Who Waits
Review – Caroline’s Kitchen
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
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
Walter Thinnes 
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