My favorite theatre of 2011
This year, it's easy to pick my favorite theatre. Tony Kushner's Angels in America, at the Signature Theatre, and Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, on Broadway, stood far above anything else I saw in...
View ArticleWhy I'm mad at Mike Daisey
I saw "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs" in October and I had my doubts about how much of it was true as I was sitting in my seat at the Public Theater in New York. (Which I noted in my...
View ArticleDeath of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman, at Broadway's Barrymore TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: **** out of ****I read the play in high school and a few years ago I watched a production taped for TV but until the...
View ArticleOnce
Once, at Broadway's Jacobs TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: **** out of ****One of the reasons I love going to the theatre is that it gives me a chance to keep the outside world at bay. It's tough to...
View ArticleNewsies
Newsies, at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre Gratuitous Violins rating: ***1/2 out of ****A plucky girl reporter and a story ripped from the pages of the history books. If the musical theatre gods came...
View ArticlePresident Obama's "We Shall Overcome" moment on gay marriage
President Obama finally had his "We Shall Overcome" moment today when he endorsed the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry the person they love.Congratulations, Mr. President. It's about time....
View ArticleEvita
Evita, at Broadway's Marquis TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: *** out of ****Years ago, someone loaned me a VHS copy of Evita - yes, it was that long ago - and I loved it. The story was fascinating,...
View ArticleEnd of the Rainbow
End of the Rainbow, at Broadway's Belasco TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: ** out of ****I'm old enough to remember when The Wizard of Oz was a highly anticipated television event. Before VCRs, that...
View ArticlePeter and the Starcatcher
Peter and the Starcatcher, at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: ***1/2 out of ****Sure, I like plays that weigh in on serious subjects. But every once in awhile, it's nice to...
View ArticleWoody Sez
Woody Sez, at the American Repertory TheaterGratuitous Violins rating: ***1/2 out of ****My introduction to Woody Guthrie came in elementary school. We took a class trip to the symphony and at the end...
View ArticleGetting Kindled and iPadded
I always said I'd never get an e-reader. I like the feel of paper in my hands. I spend enough time staring at computer screens as it is. Plus, browsing in bookstores and buying books is one of life's...
View ArticleThe Best Man
The Best Man, at Broadway's Schoenfeld TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: **** out of ****Usually I know way too much about a show going in, so I'm glad I restrained myself with The Best Man before...
View ArticleMy picks for the 2012 Tony Awards
The Tony Awards are Sunday night at 8 on CBS, hosted once again by the charming Neil Patrick Harris!Here are the nominees in (most of) the categories and my picks if I had a vote. I've marked in bold...
View ArticleSome thoughts on the 2012 Tony Awards
Watching the Tony Awards last night made me so happy that I braved a storm to see The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess before it came to Broadway, that Trinity Rep snagged Clybourne Park for a 300-seat...
View ArticlePlaywright Kirsten Greenidge takes on the man who said "Eh."
Clearly, Kirsten Greenidge would like a better calibre of people to come see her plays. You know, the kind who appreciate her talent and would give her the adulation she deserves. At least that's the...
View ArticleOreo celebrates Gay Pride Month
I'm not surprised that the haters came out in force when Oreo posted a picture on its Facebook page of a rainbow-themed cookie to celebrate Gay Pride Month. (Sadly it's only an illustration, not a real...
View ArticleTruth and truthiness in theatre marketing
Theatre companies love me - they call, they write all the time. I know it's because they miss me and they really, really want to see me again but some of the lines they use to lure me back are, shall...
View ArticleUncle Vanya
Uncle VanyaSydney Theatre Company at Lincoln Center FestivalGratuitous Violins rating: *** out of ****Before Uncle Vanya, I didn't think you could go into a play too cold - at least one that wasn't...
View ArticleRemembering my friend Saundra Smokes
A dear friend died this week. Saundra Smokes and I worked together for 11 years at the Syracuse Herald-Journal, where she was then a columnist and editorial writer. Sandi was a compelling voice for...
View ArticleMarried and Counting
Watching Married and Counting made me sorry that Stephen Mosher and Pat Dwyer have completed their wedding tour because I would love to have been a part of it. But I'm glad that I got to join them for...
View ArticleInto the Woods
Into the Woods, at the Delacorte Theater in Central ParkGratuitous Violins rating: ***1/2 out of ****For me Into the Woods was more than a show, it was a practically 24-hour experience that I can't...
View ArticleHarvey
Harvey, at Studio 54 on BroadwayGratuitous Violins rating: **1/2 out of ****Even though it closed earlier this month, I just want to say a few things about the Broadway revival of Harvey starring Jim...
View ArticleOne Man, Two Guvnors
One Man, Two Guvnors, at Broadway's Music Box TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: **** out of ****I always say it's easy to make me cry, harder to make me laugh.I've been to a few shows where everyone...
View ArticleTribes
Tribes, at the Barrow Street Theatre off-BroadwayGratuitous Violins rating: ***1/2 out of ****I love just about everything about Nina Raine's play Tribes, even the title.It made me think how we all...
View ArticleFollies
Follies, at Broadway's Marquis TheatreGratuitous Violins rating: **** out of ****Because my opportunities to get to New York City are limited, I almost skipped the Broadway revival of Follies. I'd seen...
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