I recently had the great pleasure of seeing a reading of a play by Eva MeiLing Pollitt - Éléphant. Because it was a developmental and promotional reading I won't go into any depth but have several observations. The play is set in 1890's France in and around a bordello. It artfully blends French and English … Continue reading Review – Éléphant
Playwriting
Review – Alice by Heart
The team that brought you "Spring Awakening" has a new musical at the brand new MCC Theater complex on the west side. "Alice by Heart" is yet another retelling of the Alice in Wonderland tale with a different twist. The framing device occurs in the London Underground during the German bombing raids early in WWII. … Continue reading Review – Alice by Heart
Review – Fiddler on the Roof (in Yiddish)
I've seen a few productions of Fiddler on the Roof, but none quite like this. I saw the recent Danny Burstein Broadway production with the controversial emigrant framing method and provocative version of Matchmaker and enjoyed it. But the version currently at Stage 42 here in New York is something very special. It is performed … Continue reading Review – Fiddler on the Roof (in Yiddish)
Review – Merrily We Roll Along
Stephen Sondheim is one of American Musical Theatre's most treasured composer and lyricist and one of my favorites. I am a huge fan of many of his works including Company, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd. His famously "troubled" work, Merrily We Roll Along opened in 1981 and closed after only 16 performances. It … Continue reading Review – Merrily We Roll Along
Review – My Fair Lady
When I heard that director Bartlett Sher was bringing his musical hit-making formula to Lincoln Center Theater for a production of My Fair Lady, I knew I wanted to be there. My Fair Lady was one of my favorite musical from my youth when I was first learning about the musical theater oeuvre. I also … Continue reading Review – My Fair Lady
Review – The Cher Show
I am always skeptical about jukebox musicals (that mold a show from songwriters songbook or star selected song lists). Luckily for The Cher Show they have a terrific Book writer in Rick Elice (who wrote The Jersey Boys) and a compelling focus in Cher. Cher is such a rich subject that the show engages three … Continue reading Review – The Cher Show
Last Chance to Catch my new short play
I know I have peppered you with pleas to see my short play as part of the Players Theatre Short Play Festival for the last several days . I promise I will stop because today is the last day of the festival. Today's matinee is your very last day to catch this play. Come down … Continue reading Last Chance to Catch my new short play
First Red Spring Training Game today (come see my show)
The Cincinnati Reds first Spring Training Game for the year we will win it all starts today in Arizona against the team we share a training stadium with, The Cleveland Indians. I know that Spring Training Games are mostly workouts intended to prepare us for the long season ahead but I still like to win … Continue reading First Red Spring Training Game today (come see my show)
National Margarita Day (come see my show!)
Today is National Margarita Day, that popular tequila beverage. I take mine rocks/salt as below. What a coincidence (segue). After my shows are produced at the Players Theatre, as they will be tonight, we often gather at the Greenwich Village Tex-Mex classic Panchito's, just half a block away. They trumpet a long ago article in … Continue reading National Margarita Day (come see my show!)
OPENING NIGHT for Foreplay – The App
I'm very excited as tonight I will be part of a sex festival. Let me rephrase that. My new short play (Foreplay-The App) will be performed for the very first time for an audience at the Players Theatre Short Play Festival in Greenwich Village here in New York City. The theme of their February collection … Continue reading OPENING NIGHT for Foreplay – The App
My 500th Post!
Quick bit of log rolling as I contort my arm to pat myself on the back. This is the 500th post of my blog. And I'm still having fun. Still a micro-min influencer but enjoying the process. I focus on several topics in this blog:* My theater going with reviews and my theater making as … Continue reading My 500th Post!
Review – The Other Josh Cohen
Go see "The Other Josh Cohen." It holds two lessons I take to heart. Created by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen (who also star) it has gone through years of development and workshops and has come out in a sharp distinct performance that does not feel like it came from a committee but from the … Continue reading Review – The Other Josh Cohen
Happy Valentines Day – and a show update…
Hope you have a terrific Valentine's Day, whether your dear is close at hand or far away, send your love. Last night was a terrific rehearsal for our show next week. Details below. If you are in New York next weekend, grab a ticket, they go fast. Hope to see you there. Let me know … Continue reading Happy Valentines Day – and a show update…
Review – God Shows Up
I really wanted to like the new play God Shows Up, now at the Playroom Theatre in midtown through February 21. It is written by theatre reviewer and chronicler Peter Filichia. He is a member of one of my favorite podcasts (This Week On Broadway). I usually agree with his reviews and insight and find … Continue reading Review – God Shows Up
Next short play is in rehearsals!
Coming up later this month my new short play will be in the Players Theatre Short Play Festival in Greenwich Village. It is not profound but is a fun playful piece. The performers, Eric Diamond, Maera Daniel Hagage, Babak Mehrabi, Will Pierson, and Carly Ruda have been terrific in early rehearsals. We strongly recommend you … Continue reading Next short play is in rehearsals!
My new short play begins to take shape!
Quick note to let you know that my short play to appear in a festival in February has been cast and rehearsals begin soon. You can see the details below and I will have more information soon. Hope if you are in New York that weekend you will stop by to say hello. As always … Continue reading My new short play begins to take shape!
RIP Michel Legrand
Got the news last night that prolific composer Michel Legrand has passed away. I loved his work, especially after seeing his film "The Umbrellas of Cherborg." One lesson you should take from my love for Michel Legrand is that you should always take my show reviews with a big fistful of salt. I gave a … Continue reading RIP Michel Legrand
Review – Nassim
Long time readers of this blog know that I often give positive reviews to New York Productions. Not only is the talent pool top notch but the New York market tends to promote only the best. I am afraid this is not the case for this production. A couple of years ago Iranian playwright Nassim … Continue reading Review – Nassim
Review – The Ferryman
English playwright Jez Butterworth has created an amazing tale of an Irish family in the midst of the 1980's Troubles that is full and vital and fascinating. This is not a documentary of the struggles between the IRA and the British. This is a compelling family tale the will break your heart and confirm your … Continue reading Review – The Ferryman
Review – The Waverly Gallery
Kenneth Lonergan is having quite a time lately on Broadway. Widely respected as a writer of scripts for Off-Broadway and regional theatre and recognized as an expert screenplay writer, he has had three of his back catalogue brought to the Main Stem. The Waverly Gallery (as of this writing with only one week remaining at … Continue reading Review – The Waverly Gallery
Heads up for an upcoming performance of a new short play
Wanted to give you advance notice for one of my new scripts that will be featured in the Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival. Dates are tentatively scheduled for February 21-24. Pamela will direct and casting is underway. More details will be announced soon. I would describe this play as my take on George … Continue reading Heads up for an upcoming performance of a new short play
Review – How the Westons Won
The great part of living in New York is the plethora of innovative theater that can be found. The bad part is the options can be overwhelming and the runs relatively short. This show closes Sunday, December 23, and is very, very much worth a visit if you can make it. Go to the producer's … Continue reading Review – How the Westons Won
Review – Mike Birbiglia’s The New One
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
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
