Friday, June 13, 2025

“CALL ME IZZY”: Smart Glows in Shabby Vehicle by Ron Fassler

Review by Samuel L. Leiter . . . No, Jean Smart, the star of Call Me Izzy, now at Broadway’s Studio 54, does not portray a Borough Park yeshivah boy in this one-woman play. The Izzy she p…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:15AM
Thursday, June 12, 2025

Video – Behind the Scenes of “House of Life” with Creator Ben Welch by Eyal Solomon

Ben Welch's "House of Life" combines elements of a sermon, a rebirth, and a party, all aimed at engaging with the audience to create a unique and euphoric experience.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:36AM
Wednesday, June 11, 2025

“All’s Well That Ends Well” in a Superb Outdoor Production by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . The recently closed Broadway production of Othello, which starred Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, had been charging the record-breaking top ticket price o…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:52PM
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

THE DE-LOVELY JEFF HARNAR AT BIRDLAND by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . If someone was in the mood this week on June 9th to celebrate Cole Porter’s birthdate, then if they headed to West 44th Street in Manhattan, their wish would ha…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:06PM
Monday, June 9, 2025

Judges for Sale! Americans for Prosparody Celebrate Launch of EvilPAC.org by Melissa Griegel

Photos and Video by Melissa Griegel Photography (NEW YORK, N.Y.) — Americans for Prosparody announced the launch of EvilPAC.org, a satirical website that “celebrates” how billionaires …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:01PM
Tuesday, June 3, 2025

“Lunar Eclipse”: An Elegy Play of the Heart by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . For more than forty years, playwright Donald Margulies has been delighting audiences with thought-provoking plays on a range of subjects and issues. The recipient…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:01PM
Monday, June 2, 2025

“The Imaginary Invalid” Proves Laughter’s the Best Medicine by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . Satirical comedy has been around a long time (Plautus, anybody?) which often means contemporizing Golden Oldies is essential so we can be in on the jokes. Of late, playw…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:01PM
Tuesday, May 27, 2025

“Lights Out” Shines Bright by Eyal Solomon

Review by Carol Rocamora… There are many ways to tell a life story on stage.  In this season alone, we have several bio-musicals devoted to show business superstars: A Wonderful Life, whi…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:47PM
Monday, May 26, 2025

Goddess Ascends while Singing by Eyal Solomon

Review by Adam Cohen... New Musical by Michael Thurber and Saheem Ali throbs with musical vibrancy thanks to Amber Iman

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:36AM

Leiter Looks at Books: “Notorious: Portraits of Stars from Hollywood, Fashion, Culture, and Tech” by Eyal Solomon

Book Review by Samuel L. Leiter Casual notes on show biz books, memoirs and studies, dust gatherers, and hot off the presses. Maureen Dowd, Notorious: Portraits of Stars from Hollywood, Fash…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:28AM

Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole: A Dreamy But Disjointed Tribute by Eyal Solomon

By Samuel L. Leiter... This jumbled fever dream undermines Nat King Cole’s legacy with tonal confusion, miscast mimicry, and emotional detachment.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:21AM
Thursday, May 22, 2025

Singer/Monologist Ben Jones Stirs Things Up at 54 Below by Ron Fassler

Performing in a cabaret setting can be accomplished successfully in a variety of ways. With someone like Marilyn Maye, who’s put in the hours and is still going strong at ninety-seven, you…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 03:07PM
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

CRACKED OPEN But Struggling to Hold it Together by Eyal Solomon

By Samuel L. Leiter... Cracked Open examines the emotional, social, and psychological fractures within a Brooklyn family when their high-achieving daughter suddenly exhibits signs of menta…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:01PM

Who Is Richard Skipper? An Interview That Might Supply Some Answers by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . For someone who has put themselves front and center entertaining audiences for nearly fifty years, the question “Who is Richard Skipper?” still has an air of mystery…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:27AM
Sunday, May 18, 2025

Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock Experience Opens at Chelsea Market by Melissa Griegel

By Melissa Griegel… Photos and Video by Melissa Griegel Photography Art, music, and technology come together in an explosive and immersive rock experience at ARTECHOUSE, NYC (Chelsea Marke…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:59PM
Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Verena McBee: Bird (S)wing at Chelsea Table + Stage by Andrew Poretz

Jazz singer Verena McBee unveiled her latest album, "Bird (S)Swing," at Chelsea Table + Stage on May 3rd.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:42PM
Thursday, May 8, 2025

The United States vs Ulysses – A Win for Civil Liberties and Readers by Jk Clarke

"The United States vs Ulysses" details how the James Joyce masterpiece, Ulysses, came to be published in the U.S. despite a high profile and precedent setting obscenity trial.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:57AM
Wednesday, May 7, 2025

2025 Chita Rivera Awards Nominees Celebrate at Nominee Reception by Melissa Griegel

By Melissa Griegel…Photos by Melissa Griegel Photography The Chita Rivera Awards celebrate dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway and beyond. Producer Joe Lanteri, the Founder and …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:39AM
Monday, May 5, 2025

Pirates! The Penzance Musical: A rollicking band of pirates they by Marilyn Lester

By Marilyn Lester . . . . In the words of W.S. Gilbert, librettist-lyricist of the comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance: “Oh, joy! Oh. rapture!” If audience reaction is anything to go by…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:55PM
Saturday, May 3, 2025

“Real Women Have Curves” Displays Charm for Days by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . For more than a few years now, scenic design on Broadway has been obsessed with video projections. And it’s here to stay, too. Sometimes the effects are tacky, …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 01:37PM
Friday, May 2, 2025

TP Chats with Singer Ann Kittredge by Ron Fassler

Interview by Ron Fassler . . . Though Ann Kittredge is well known as a consummate cabaret singer, she is also a lifelong performing artist who has performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway, …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:06PM

“IRISHTOWN,” FINDING WHAT MAKES A PLAY IRISH by Carole Di Tosti

By Carole Di Tosti... Dublin’s Irishtown Players get ready for their Broadway premiere when “all hell breaks loose” with riotous results.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 01:23PM
Thursday, May 1, 2025

WONDERFUL TOWN IS AN OVERCROWDED PLACE by Andrew Poretz

The City Center Encores! revival of the beloved 1953 musical is just too busy for its own good. By Brian Scott Lipton In the past few years, City Center Encores! has tried to make lightning …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:50PM

“GLASS.” “KILL.” “WHAT IF IF ONLY.” “IMP.”: THE METAPHORIC CARYL CHURCHILL by Carole Di Tosti

In a suite of four one-acts, Caryl Churchill threads themes about vulnerability, powerlessness and loss.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 07:54AM

New York Pops’ Gala Concert an Exciting Capper To A Great Season by Andrew Poretz

By Andrew Poretz . . . . The New York Pops closed its season back in March with a spectacular finish (see HERE). In the equivalent of a post-season bowl game, the Pops returned for its annua…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:29AM
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Ceremonies in Dark Old Men: The Rituals of Race and Redemption by Eyal Solomon

By Marilyn Lester... Elder’s story sharply reflects the calamitous American legacy of racism, seen through the lens of the struggling Parker family.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:16PM

The Wild, Surreal Teachings Of “Class Dismissed” by Eyal Solomon

By Yani Perez... La MaMa's premiere of Class Dismissed is a wild ride through the surreal world of academia and philosophy, serving up a mix of lecture, party, and fever dreams.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:30PM

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” Looms Large as a Broadway Hit by Admin

By Stuart Miller... The surefire crowd-pleaser offers everything fans of the TV series could want.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:17PM

Leiter Looks at Books: “Stages: A Theater Memoir” by Eyal Solomon

Book Review by Samuel L. Leiter . . . Casual notes on show-biz books, memoirs and studies, dust gatherers, and hot off the presses.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:56PM
Monday, April 28, 2025

The Billy Stritch Trio Soars at Birdland by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . On the wings of angels comes The Billy Stritch Trio for a six-performance engagement at Birdland Jazz Club. Joined by Michael O’Brien on bass and Eric Halvorson…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:26PM