Had some friends in town and we wanted to go out but for something fun, no ballet, no opera, not even theater. So we found this off-Broadway gem at New World Stages - a show held in their bar - The Imbible - A Spirited History of Drinking. Anthony Corporale, the writer and host for … Continue reading The Imbible – A Spirited History of Drinking
Hello Amelie, Goodbye Amelie
The movie that the Broadway new musical "Amelie" is based on must be one heck of a charming film based on the effort demonstrated last night at the Walter Kerr theatre. Lost on me, however, as I never saw that film and could not make heads nor tails of the muddled mess I saw on … Continue reading Hello Amelie, Goodbye Amelie
A terrific Bandstand on Broadway
What a rousing good time that has you crying one moment and cheering wildly the next. The new American Musical Bandstand is a terrific show. It helps that I like swing music and a whopping good story. The performances of the entire cast, especially Laura Osnes, Corey Cott and Beth Leavel, are first rate. The … Continue reading A terrific Bandstand on Broadway
“Always With Me” Invited to Short Play Festival
I am thrilled to announce that my play "Always With Me" has been invited to the Player's Theater Short Play Festival scheduled for dates to be announced in June 2017. The theme of the festival is "Only In New York" and we will be producing the play ourselves. More information as it becomes available! As … Continue reading “Always With Me” Invited to Short Play Festival
A Doll’s House Part 2 – one part too many
I mentioned in my last post that I had two contentious reviews and this is part 2. Lucas Hnath's "A Doll's House, Part 2" has opened to uniformly rapturous reviews. I'm sorry to say, I am a lone disagreer. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the night in the theater. Sam Gold has directed a … Continue reading A Doll’s House Part 2 – one part too many
The Little Foxes on Broadway
The next two Broadway reviews will be a little more contentious than usual. I had the chance to see "The Little Foxes" as part of my subscription to Manhattan Theater Club. This production is first rate with terrific direction and performances. Laura Linney is one of my favorite stage actresses of all time. She alternates … Continue reading The Little Foxes on Broadway
Six Degrees of Separation on Broadway
John Guare's script for Six Degrees of Separation has always been on of my favorites. I didn't live in New York when it premiered in 1990 and so did not see the original production. But I did buy a script and performed in a reading in Florida. And, of course, it established a meme that … Continue reading Six Degrees of Separation on Broadway
The Price on Broadway
Had the chance last night to catch "The Price" by Arthur Miller in its most recent Broadway revival. I've seen different versions of the play including the 2000 Broadway Revival. Arthur Miller is one of my favorite playwrights and this is among his best scripts. The cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Esther Franz, Tony Shalhoub and … Continue reading The Price on Broadway
Indecent on Broadway
Time to catch up on more show going observations as this Broadway season winds toward a close. Paula Vogel is a fantastic playwright and her Broadway debut is long overdue. Indecent tells the story of a play in the early 20th Century (God of Vengeance) that was innovative and original and thus branded sinful and … Continue reading Indecent on Broadway
“Your Turn to Watch Dad” is a Minnesota Shorts semi-finalist!
My short play "Your Turn to Watch Dad" has been selected as a semi-finalist in a playwriting competition in Mankato, Minnesota. The competition is Minnesota Shorts: A Festival of Short Plays. They will choose 7 plays from Minnesota writers and 7 from other writers. There were 407 scripts submitted and 77 were selected for this … Continue reading “Your Turn to Watch Dad” is a Minnesota Shorts semi-finalist!
Groundhog Day on Broadway
Groundhog Day was a earth shaking movie that turned an obscure weather predicting rodent into a cultural phenomenon. This was largely due to director and script doctor Harold Ramis though Bill Murray often gets the credit. My favorite scene: Phil: What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was … Continue reading Groundhog Day on Broadway
Present Laughter
The reason to see "Present Laughter" at the St. James Theatre is to personally experience Kevin Kline's mastery of physical comedy, wordplay comedy and facial expression comedy. He is an amazing treasure and well worth the price of admission. His supporting cast is deft and a suitable foil but make no mistake, this is Kevin's … Continue reading Present Laughter
A Meeting Without End Moment
I've written a number of short plays and they sometimes seem to go in and out of vogue as they are chosen or rejected by various theaters around the country. Recently I've had two pieces of good news about a ten-minute play "Meeting Without End." It sends up corporate speak and company meetings (I've had … Continue reading A Meeting Without End Moment
A surprising Oslo
Hmmmm. Let's write a three hour play about Middle East peace negotiations that sounded good at the time but have since unwound before our very eyes. For a policy wonk like me that sounds interesting but it is amazingly good theater. Who knew? I am admittedly a political junkie who was fascinated at the time … Continue reading A surprising Oslo
Lynn Nottage and Sweat on Broadway
The next daily catch up on my 2017 theater going brings me to the stage of Studio 54 and playwright Lynn Nottage's long overdue Broadway debut with her new play "Sweat." I have long been a fan of the work of Lynn Nottage, especially her "Intimate Apparel." She has a wonderful way with bringing fully … Continue reading Lynn Nottage and Sweat on Broadway
If I Forget – Roundabout Theatre
OK, back on the boards. Been busy lately and need to catch up. I will attempt to blog each day about recently seen performances in New York as I have been seeing a lot. Backlog to clear. "If I Forget" by Steven Levenson is presented by the Roundabout Theatre at their Laura Pels Theatre. It … Continue reading If I Forget – Roundabout Theatre
Plays and Prestidigitation #7 opens tonight!
I've been a very bad blogger. I've seen several Broadway shows and have several restaurant reviews to post but my energies have been taken by the production at Polaris North studios that opens tonight. We had tech/dress ;last night and it plays Friday and Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 3. It is a collection … Continue reading Plays and Prestidigitation #7 opens tonight!
Am I entering a post-critic age?
Before I moved to New York I would often vacation here, seeing several shows in a short period, usually a weekend. I would fly in on a Friday morning, see a Friday Evening, Saturday Matinee, Saturday Evening (often an off-Broadway show starting at 10 or 11 PM Saturday night), a Sunday Matinee, then catch a … Continue reading Am I entering a post-critic age?
Come From Away
There are some shows that I yearn for and others that I shudder at. And then there are others that sound like a perfectly nice but not impactful evening at the theater. Years ago that is how I was blown away by Having Our Say, that turned out to be exceptional. This year that title … Continue reading Come From Away
Significant Other on Broadway
Significant other has transferred to Broadway from the earlier run at Roundabout. Up and bursting into the big leagues Joshua Harmon has written quite the vehicle for actor Gideon Glick. The production is expertly acted and well mounted on the stage of the Booth Theatre, my favorite Broadway venue. The story of a gay man … Continue reading Significant Other on Broadway
A pretty darn good Comet
Recently took in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway. It has received raves from the critics and word of mouth and I largely, but not entirely agree. The transformation of the Imperial Theatre is astonishing. Bold and eye popping it tickles the brain and brings you into an immersive environment that … Continue reading A pretty darn good Comet
An exciting new The Glass Menagerie
This Broadway entry will be a little longer than my usual few lines of reaction because this is an absolutely extraordinary production. When The Glass Menagerie came up on one of my discount theater sites I hesitated. I've seen so many productions of this classic work and studied it in high school and in college … Continue reading An exciting new The Glass Menagerie
Meeting Without End at Mary Baldwin
I am delighted to announce that my short play "Meeting Without End" will be performed in mid-May at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA. It will be done by a member of a directing class as part of a project. I am confident it will be well directed because it will be led by a … Continue reading Meeting Without End at Mary Baldwin
Pitchers and Catchers Report!
Ah, such beautiful words. Spring is truly on its way. Throw and catch. Run and hit. Hope springs eternal. My beloved Cincinnati Reds will triumph this season. Of course, I've had that same refrain since 1991 but I believe it every year. Even without Brandon Phillips (we miss you already dude) I believe we can … Continue reading Pitchers and Catchers Report!
Discount Ticket Code
As noted in an earlier post, my short play HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEONARD will be part of The Player's Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival. Performances are: Thursday, February 23 @ 7:00 PM Friday, February 24 @ 7:00 PM Saturday, February 25 @ 7:00 PM Sunday, February 26 @ 3:00 PM You can catch the shows … Continue reading Discount Ticket Code
Walter Thinnes 
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