Friday, July 26, 2024

The Case for Funding Theater to Advance Social Justice by Lane Sugata, Lane Sugata

Theater has become an important vehicle for social justice not only because of the powerful stories it tells but also because it brings people together in community.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:35AM
Thursday, July 11, 2024

‘Oh, Mary!’ Is a Splendidly Nasty Farce You Will Not Want to Miss by David Cote

Cole Escola plays Mary Todd Lincoln in drag in this delightfully campy queer romp, which has moved uptown to goose a sleepy Broadway summer.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:31PM
Thursday, June 27, 2024

‘N/A’ Review: A Generational Clash That’s Short On Sparks by Rhoda Feng, Rhoda Feng

Thinly veiled characters based on Nancy Pelosi and AOC face off in this one-act, which is long on facts and bumper-sticker speeches.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:31PM
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Inside the Star-Studded Tony Awards Afterparties by Leigh Scheps, Leigh Scheps

After the individual parties wrap, everyone who’s anyone winds up at the legendary Rick Miramontez DKC/O&M and John Gore after-afterparty at the Carlyle Hotel.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:41PM
Monday, June 17, 2024

‘What Became of Us’ Review: A Soaring, Poetic Play You’ll Want to See Twice by Rhoda Feng, Rhoda Feng

Last week's performances of Shayan Lotfi's play were both a double feature—the same play twice, with different actors—and a revelation.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:09PM
Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Review: Women’s Work Is A Bloody Business In ‘The Welkin’ by David Cote

Sandra Oh leads a talented cast in this Lucy Kirkwood play—set in 18th century England—that's both a murder mystery and an exploration of the moral rot of misogyny.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:31PM

‘Titanic’ Review: Encores Raises The Ship of Dreams For The 21st Century by Harry Haun

New York City Center Encores! has done itself proud on with its revival of the Tony-winning Best Musical of 1997.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:56PM
Friday, June 7, 2024

Could Camille A. Brown Become the First Black Woman to Win a Tony for Choreography? by Caedra Scott-Flaherty, Caedra Scott-Flaherty

It was recently announced that Brown will choreograph the Broadway revival of 'Gypsy' starring Audra McDonald, set to open for previews in November.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Thursday, June 6, 2024

Review: At the Roundabout, A Luminous Revival of Samm-Art Williams’ ‘Home’ by David Cote

This rollicking memory play treats one man's life as an epic journey, and this production—starring Tory Kittles, Brittany Inge and Stori Ayers—is epic indeed.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:11PM
Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Review: In ‘Breaking the Story,’ Maggie Siff’s TV War Reporter Lives With Scars by David Cote

A talented cast outshines the material in this examination of a war correspondent's trauma and the ethics of journalism.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:00PM
Tuesday, June 4, 2024

André De Shields On Giving ‘Cats’ A New Life And Telling Stories at the Moth by Harry Haun

In addition to playing Old Deuteronomy in a radical reinterpretation of 'Cats' inspired by drag balls, De Shields is being honored by the Moth as Storyteller of the Year.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:49PM
Friday, May 31, 2024

Tony Nominee Jessica Stone on Her Journey From Actor to Director of ‘Water for Elephants’ by Harry Haun

After helming last year's Tony winning musical 'Kimberly Akimbo,' Stone brought seven-time Tony nominee 'Water for Elephants' to the Broadway stage.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:06PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Review: ‘The Lonely Few’ Mixes Bona Fide Rock Concert With Angsty Love Story by David Cote

This rock musical begins in glorious dive-bar grunge mode, and Lauren Patten and Taylor Iman Jones radiate so much charisma you may not care if the story feels a little generic.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 05:00PM

Kecia Lewis Makes Her Mark On ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ With a Tony Nominated Performance by Joe Levy, Joe Levy

Lewis made her Broadway debut at 18 in the original cast of 'Dreamgirls.' Now the dream continues with her role in the Alicia Keys' musical 'Hell's Kitchen.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:19PM
Monday, May 20, 2024

Review: Pandemic Meltdown Musical ‘Three Houses’ Finds Song in Solitude by David Cote

Dave Malloy juggles book, music, lyrics, and orchestrations in this musical triptych about Covid Times. The score is entertainingly eclectic, but the dramatic tension and character developme…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:01PM
Monday, May 13, 2024

Review: ‘Here There Are Blueberries’ Studies Holiday Photos from Hell by David Cote

This interview-based docu-play revolves around a mysterious photo album donated to the Holocaust Museum that showed the lives of those running Auschwitz.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:01PM

Will Keen On Playing Vladimir Putin On Broadway in ‘Patriots’ by Harry Haun

Keen says that Russia's invasion of Ukraine turned 'Patriots' — a play about the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky and the rise of Putin — into a show that's in "constant conversation"…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:34PM
Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Review: Flashy and Fake ‘Great Gatsby’ Caps a Weak Season by David Cote

The jazz-based score ventures into funk, Disney princess ballad, and a touch of Britpop. But none of the songs stick, and the staging is busy yet unfocused.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:53PM
Monday, April 29, 2024

Jessica Lange Finds New Ways to Melt Hearts in ‘Mother Play’ by Rex Reed

All of the characters are halfway to madness, but I had a ball going bonkers with them. 

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:01AM

Review: ‘Staff Meal’ Offers Seven Courses of Tasty Disorientation  by David Cote

It’s hard to describe exactly what happens in this show. Scenes zig and zag in dream logic. But the acting and staging are impeccable. Book a table now.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:00AM

Rachel McAdams Invigorates ‘Mary Jane’ (When You Can Hear Her) by Rex Reed

How do you write about a play you cannot hear?

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:23AM
Friday, April 26, 2024

Review: Steve Carell Is a Lovable Loser in a Fragmentary ‘Uncle Vanya ‘ by David Cote

Steve Carrell and a stand-out Alison Pill lead a strong cast in a modern-dress revival of Chekov's 'Uncle Vanya' that never quite gels.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:58PM
Wednesday, April 24, 2024

This ‘Cabaret’ Is the Worst ‘Cabaret’ by Rex Reed

I don’t like Eddie Redmayne; I love Eddie Redmayne. I have admired his work in all of his films and plays and consider him one of the few genuine icons in the world of acting. But not in …

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:11PM
Thursday, April 18, 2024

Theater Comes to the Former Bell Labs Complex by Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly, Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

The Bell Theater's programming for 2024 ranges from musicals and dance performances to concerts and film.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:31PM

Len Cariou On a Six Decade Career That’s Included Shakespeare, Sondheim, and Selleck by Harry Haun

The 84-year-old actor—currently off-Broadway in 'Tuesdays With Morrie'—looks for shows without a Wednesday matinee so as not interfere with the shooting schedule for 'Blue Bloods,' now i…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 01:57PM
Monday, April 1, 2024

Dorian Harewood Returns To Broadway In ‘The Notebook’ After Almost 50 Years by Harry Haun

The veteran film and TV actor on his role in 'The Notebook,' his first Broadway show in 46 years.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:37PM
Monday, March 25, 2024

Toby Stephens Returns to the New York Stage to Investigate the Media In ‘Corruption’ by Harry Haun

Toby Stephens talks about 'Corruption,' the new play about the UK phone hacking scandal. “We’re still living in the aftermath of all the stuff that came out," he says.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:55PM
Thursday, March 21, 2024

‘Water for Elephants’ Theater Review: “I’ve Never Hated Any Show More” by Rex Reed

Everything is so exaggerated and phony that it’s hard to believe the director is the same Jessica Stone responsible for the charming, imaginative Tony Award winner 'Kimberly Akimbo'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM

John Patrick Shanley Is This Theater Season’s King Dramatist by Harry Haun

The playwright talks about the revival of his Pulitzer Prize winning 'Doubt' on Broadway and his new show Off Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:54PM
Wednesday, March 20, 2024

‘Illinoise,’ a Newish Kind of Musical, Is Headed to Broadway by Caedra Scott-Flaherty, Caedra Scott-Flaherty

Justin Peck first suggested a staged adaptation of 'Illinois' in 2014, but it took several years for Sufjan Stevens to agree to it.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:26PM
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Theater Review: Broadway’s ‘The Notebook’ Is Shallow, Boring and Slow by Rex Reed

Maryann Plunkett and Dorian Harewood deserve a better showcase.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:29PM

All that Chat