I'm sure you've heard by now that legendary actor Kirk Douglas passed away this week at age 103. You can find plenty of obituaries recounting his storied career, including "Paths of Glory" and the amazing "Spartacus." But I will always remember a personal chance encounter. In May 2001 I purchased tickets to a Broadway revival … Continue reading In Memoriam – Kirk Douglas
Theatre
Review – Harry Townsend's Last Stand
The new play by George Eastman is about growing older and the consequences thereof. Harry Townsend (Len Cariou) is widowed, in his eighties and still living in the lake house he treasures. A visit from his son Alan Townsend (Craig Bierko) slowly wends its way to the easily anticipated question - shouldn't dad move somewhere … Continue reading Review – Harry Townsend's Last Stand
Come see Driving Miss Daisy this weekend at Polaris North
This weekend (Friday, January 24 @ 7 PM; Saturday, January 25 @ 7 PM and Sunday, January 26 @ 2 PM) you should stop by the Polaris North Studio (245 West 29th Street, 4th floor) here in New York. There you will find a very talented cast led by a very talented director and assisted … Continue reading Come see Driving Miss Daisy this weekend at Polaris North
In Memoriam – Buck Henry
The great Buck Henry died this week and he will be sorely missed. I saw him perform on Broadway earlier this century in a remounting of "Mornings at Seven" and he was terrific. But I will miss him for all that he created. He was the primary screenwriter for "The Graduate." He teamed with Mel … Continue reading In Memoriam – Buck Henry
In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
A couple of days ago we lost one of our greatest musical theater writers - Jerry Herman. He will be missed but he gave us so many great nights in the theater. All of the remembrances note his greatest works - "Hello Dolly"; "Mame"; and "La Cage aux Folles." They are all amazing and enjoyable … Continue reading In Memoriam – Jerry Herman
Review – The Sound Inside
Playwright Adam Rapp has made an auspicious Broadway debut but in a house that is too large for the work. The delicate yet driving work centers on writer and writing teacher Bella Baird, brilliantly acted by Mary Louise-Parker. The quiet touches Rapp provides for Parker provide a moving and touching portrait of a character that … Continue reading Review – The Sound Inside
Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Derren Brown is many things, but foremost in his current show at the Cort Theatre is a consummate entertainer. His easy, warm and confident manner comfortably holds the audience in his sway for the entire evening. He can be called a mind reader, mentalist or "psychological illusionist" but at heart he is a magician. Each … Continue reading Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Review – In a Dark Dark House
You have only one week left to catch the Knife Edge Productions performance of Neil LaBute's "In a Dark Dark House" at the A.R.T./New York Theatre at 53rd Street and 10th Avenue. Though it is a difficult subject, I recommend you get there to see it. The script is consistent with Mr. LaBute's reputation as … Continue reading Review – In a Dark Dark House
Footnotes #19 – The Next Stage
Another visit to the surgeon and more progress. I can begin weaning myself off the compression boot and moving to a cane instead of crutches. Not all at once but steadily as I can tolerate it and immediately at home, which is a relief. He is thrilled with the progress and I start physical therapy … Continue reading Footnotes #19 – The Next Stage
Summer Broadway Spotlight – Clearing the Boards
It is common that Broadway shows that were not winners at the Tony Awards shut down or close early. That certainly happened again this year but this summer feels a tad different. Yes, open end run musicals such as "Be More Chill," "The Prom," "The Cher Show," "King Kong," and "Pretty Woman" all could not … Continue reading Summer Broadway Spotlight – Clearing the Boards
Start of the Long Reach Long Riders 2019 adventure
Today is the start of the Long Reach Long Riders 2019 Altimeter Tour, plying the twisties and scenic routes of Colorado. This is a group of theatre technicians and motorcycle enthusiasts that gather annually to tour different parts of the country each summer. I joined them for the tail end of their New England ride … Continue reading Start of the Long Reach Long Riders 2019 adventure
Some Broadway Musings
My recent ankle injury will keep me from getting to the theatre for a while but that doesn't stop me from paying attention. This is not encyclopedic but a few comments... The shakeout from the recent Tony awards did not reward "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus" and "Hillary and Clinton" and quickly closed. Unfortunate, … Continue reading Some Broadway Musings
Review – Hillary and Clinton
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
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
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
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
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 – 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
