All stories by Robert Israel on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Theater Review: “Laughs in Spanish” — The Art of the Heart by Robert Israel

Is it possible for an outstanding actress to achieve similar heights as a playwright? The answer is yes, but with reservations.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 04:18PM
Friday, May 10, 2024

Theater Interview: Playwright and Director Lydia R. Diamond on “Toni Stone” by Robert Israel

"I believe folks coming to the theater will have a great time, they’ll learn about the Negro leagues and about a phenomenal woman."

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 07:18AM
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Theater Review: “A Case for the Existence of God” — Cry Hallelujah by Robert Israel

In terms of the joy that theater can provide, this Speakeasy Stage production sets the bar high.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 07:18AM
Sunday, December 3, 2023

Theater Review: “The Heart Sellers” — A Moving Homage to Friendship by Robert Israel

Dramatist Lloyd Suh takes us on an inner journey by weaving silences into his script that encourage his characters (and us) to reflect and pause.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:48AM
Saturday, November 4, 2023

Theater Review: Blue Man Group — A Sugar High, Spray-Painted Blue by Robert Israel

The "new" version of the Blue Man Group is all mayhem, all the time.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:06AM
Friday, September 15, 2023

Theater Review: “Prayer for the French Republic” — The Din of History by Robert Israel

"Prayer for the French Republic" is of interest because it raises significant questions about faith during a hate-filled time.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:19AM
Sunday, August 13, 2023

Book Review: August Wilson — Poet, Pugilist, and Playwright by Robert Israel

Patti Hartigan’s biography is a workmanlike portrait of dramatist August Wilson that never delves deep enough into his poetic soul.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:07PM
Thursday, June 29, 2023

Theater Review: “The Lehman Trilogy” — The Trials and Tribulations of the Mercantile by Robert Israel

The Lehman Brothers is epic in its proportion and ambitions, so it is ironic that it sacrifices opportunities to probe troubling topics.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 05:04PM
Friday, May 26, 2023

Theater Interview: Set Designer Sara Brown — Alchemy is Afoot by Robert Israel

Set designer Sara Brown creates theater wizardry through the assistance of digital tools, not a magic wand.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:18AM
Saturday, May 6, 2023

Theater Review: “Joy & Pandemic” — Smothered in Talk by Robert Israel

A talented cast does its best to add buoyancy to a script weighted down in palaver.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:02AM
Friday, April 28, 2023

Theater Review: “And So We Walked” — A Missed Opportunity by Robert Israel

And So We Walked is about the performer finding her roots and that quest is often meandering.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:18AM
Sunday, April 2, 2023

Theater Review: “Clyde’s” – An Exhilarating Food Fight by Robert Israel

The Huntington Theatre Company's co-production of Lynn Nottage's Clyde's is spirited and sassy.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:18AM
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Theater Remembrance: Trinity Repertory Company Director Adrian Hall by Robert Israel

During his career as the founder and artistic director of the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence (from 1964 to 1989), Adrian Hall achieved a lasting place in the American theater as a v…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:52AM
Sunday, January 29, 2023

Theater Review: “The Art of Burning” — Bonfire of the Vanities by Robert Israel

The domestic demolition in Kate Snodgrass's script is served au flambé.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:04AM
Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Theater Review: “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” — A Stirring Dramatic Experience by Robert Israel

Despite some missteps and miscasting bumps along the way, this staging faithfully captures playwright August Wilson’s searing poetic vision.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:37AM
Friday, October 21, 2022

Theater Interview: Performer Bill Irwin – Channeling Samuel Beckett by Robert Israel

"Samuel Beckett’s work speaks to me because he’s a very visceral writer. And, because I have training as a clown, I think of him as a natural clown."

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:25AM
Saturday, February 5, 2022

Theater Review: “The Bluest Eye” — Pieces of a Classic by Robert Israel

Dramatist Lydia R. Diamond makes an honorable effort to adapt Toni Morrison's novel to the stage, but with mixed results. The post Theater Review: “The Bluest Eye” — Pieces of a Classi…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:54PM
Saturday, September 4, 2021

Theater Review: “Hurricane Diane” — A Whimper Rather than a Whirlwind by Robert Israel

Madeleine George’s uneven 90-minte one-act comedy/drama borrows heavily on Greek mythology to zip up the misadventures of a cluster of suburban women in New Jersey, The post Theater Review…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:36AM
Thursday, September 2, 2021

Theater Interview: Tennessee Williams and Censorship by Robert Israel

"A lot of censorship in America has to do with the impulse to shut down what women have to say, literally hanging and burning them as witches to shut them up." The post Theater Interview: T…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:12AM
Sunday, April 25, 2021

Book Review: A Valuable Reminder of Lorraine Hansberry’s “Radical Vision” by Robert Israel

In the process of exploring the ideas that shaped Lorraine Hansberry's understanding of her art and the world, the volume confirms the writer's relevance during these troubled but potentiall…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:24AM
Saturday, November 9, 2019

Arts Commentary: MFA Boston — at 150 by Robert Israel

There have been times in the MFA’s past when it hasn’t lived up to its educational mission, when it has pandered to the whims of the wealthy -- particularly its fat cat benefactors. The …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:42PM
Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Book Review: “Protest! A History of Social and Political Protest Graphics” — Pavlovian Calls to Action by Robert Israel

Liz McQuiston writes that the posters collected in her book are meant to “pay tribute to the liberating concept of hard-won ‘freedom of speech’ throughout history." The post Book Revie…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:12PM
Friday, October 18, 2019

Author Interview: Boston’s Poet Laureate — Porsha Olayiwola by Robert Israel

"I wrote those poems because I think people need to read the truth and to hear the truth about romantic sensibilities between gay people." The post Author Interview: Boston’s Poet Laureate…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 04:48PM
Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Theater Review: Asian Delights from Yukio Mishima and Tennessee Williams by Robert Israel

Kudos for two short plays by Tennessee Williams and Yukio Mishma at this year's Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival The post Theater Review: Asian Delights from Yukio Mishima a…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 06:18PM
Sunday, September 22, 2019

Theater Review: “Choir Boy” — Musical Grace by Robert Israel

Few of the numbers in Choir Boy fails to astonish. The post Theater Review: “Choir Boy” — Musical Grace appeared first on The Arts Fuse.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:06AM
Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Theater Review: “Little Shop of Horrors” — A Fun Romp with an Appetite for Blood by Robert Israel

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is giving this nostalgic hokum a spirited production. The post Theater Review: “Little Shop of Horrors” — A Fun Romp with an Appetite for Blood appear…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:12AM
Monday, September 2, 2019

Theater Preview: “Buddy” Cianci’s Ghost Returns to Haunt Providence by Robert Israel

We are definitely feeling a sense of Buddy haunting us, to be sure. I mean, this theater is the place he visited. He attended many, if not most, of the shows here. The post Theater Preview: …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:18PM
Saturday, August 24, 2019

Theater Interview: Director Benny Sato Ambush’s Japanese Connection by Robert Israel

The highlights of this year’s gathering will be productions of newly discovered or rediscovered works by both Tennessee Williams and Yukio Mishima. The post Theater Interview: Director Ben…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:32AM
Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Visual Arts Review: MFA’s Arts of Islamic Cultures Gallery — Window into an Endangered World by Robert Israel

The MFA's Arts of Islamic Cultures gallery offers an impressive visual representation of a region's cultures, geographies, and histories. The post Visual Arts Review: MFA’s Arts of Islamic…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:24PM
Saturday, July 20, 2019

Book Review: “The Ministry of Truth” — Writing a Blueprint for Disaster by Robert Israel

Words from George Orwell to live by:  “To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.” The post Book Review: “The Ministry of Truth” — Writing a Blueprint for…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:18AM
Saturday, July 13, 2019

Jazz Concert Review: A Third Report from the 40th Montreal Jazz Festival —  Harmony Amidst Chaos by Robert Israel

This year's Montreal Jazz Festival Festival would have been more successful had it not been for all the construction ripping apart the city. The post Jazz Concert Review: A Third Report fro…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:54PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
TBA: Titanic