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
Playwriting
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
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
World Theatre Day
Today is World Theatre Day and you should do all you can to see a live theatrical performance. I see about one theatrical performance per week and living in New York City, often at steep discounts, sometimes free. I highly recommend spending a communal experience with a group of strangers in the dark watching talented … Continue reading World Theatre Day
Review – Sign in the Six O’Clock Sky – A Fable With Songs
Theater For The New City is a home for experimental and ambitious theater. It is fitting that Arnold Schulman's "Sign in the Six O'Clock Sky; A Fable With Songs" is currently playing there. The new play is aspirational, captivating but ultimately flawed. It is as if the author stood before a restaurant chef's cooktop with … Continue reading Review – Sign in the Six O’Clock Sky – A Fable With Songs
Review – Éléphant
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
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
Walter Thinnes 
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