I’ve been instructed to enter GALA Hispanic Theatre from the roof of a neighboring grocery store. I’m on my way to a tech rehearsal for Landless Theatre Company’s world premiere of Richard Campbell’s Frankenstein, and the front door of the theater will be locked. I climb the stairs of Giant’s parking garage, and am loafing […]
Archives for June 2013
Source Artistic Blind Date: Momentum, Interrupted
“Good Christ, we need new forms, new passions, new work, new ideas,” Con rails in Stupid Fucking Bird. “New forms of theater that can actually make you feel like living better or fuller or…more!” Well. For the past five years, no one has done more to promote new forms, new passions and new ideas in […]
After Tony night, Actors Equity hands out the Richard Seff and Clarence Derwent Awards
June 11, 2013 — As is the custom, two days after the Tony Awards, Actors’ Equity Association gathers together its Council for a meeting in which policy is discussed. The “opening acts” of the session, held each June in the Council Room at Equity’s New York offices, are the presentations of The Clarence Derwent Awards […]
Behrman’s Biography, smart and witty at American Century
Sophistication, wit and a vivid leading female character are front and center in S.N. Behrman’s Biography. Thank you, American Century Theater for finding this forgotten gem. If you like your theatre smart and your characters fascinating, Biography is absolutely worth a look. This is high style, handsomely done.
Renee Calarco and Natascia Diaz at Adventure Theatre MTC next season
The Twelve Days of Christmas, Renee Calarco’s new play based on the world’s longest Christmas song, will highlight Adventure Theatre MTC’s 2013-2014 season. It will feature Deidra LaWan Starnes as a partridge who needs to put the Christmas season together despite warring turtledoves, missing golden rings, and geese who have defected to Florida. Forum Theatre’s […]
A champ of a new work – Approaching Ali from WNO
Washington National Opera has given us a “champ” of a new music-theatre work that is as approachable and inspiring as the great American Muhammed Ali himself. Its creators have bypassed taking a biographical approach, which wouldn’t have worked in this medium anyway, but have crafted something lean, impressionistic and emotionally powerful.
Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage
If you only have time this year to read one autobiography of an actor, make it Richard Seff’s book Supporting Player: My Life Upon The Wicked Stage. If you only have time to read one autobiography of a playwright, make it Richard Seff’s book Supporting Player. If you only have time for one autobiography of […]
A feathery, frolicksome Beaux’ Stratagem at Everyman
Restoration comedy or a leg of lamb jammed up my nose? Tough choice. With that personal disclosure out of the way, in spite of my bias, Everyman’s production of The Beaux’ Stratagem is feathery, frolicsome amusement, as refreshing as an ice cream soda mit schlag on a humid June afternoon.
Mint gives first class production to A Picture of Autumn
The Mint Theatre, under the artistic directorship of Jonathan Bank, produces worthwhile plays from the past that have been lost or forgotten. It’s an invaluable part of the New York theatre scene, for it gives us a look into the tastes and talents of a former generation or two; it reminds us what interested American […]
Broadway celebrates its biggest night with a spectacular Tony Awards
Last night’s Tony Awards show deserves its on Emmy. Right now. In case you missed it, here’s Neil Patrick Harris and the casts of nearly every musical on Broadway doing the opening number: Quick rundown: Kinky Boots won Best Musical and Pippin, Best Musical Revival. Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won […]
Becky Shaw
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a bonafide femme fatale onstage—the hard-boiled yet pliable dames who dupe guys and dolls alike without messing up their manicures. That’s why Gina Gionfriddo’s romantic comedy, Becky Shaw, seems retro and fresh at the same time.
Love means always hurling the F word in Grieving for Genevieve
If you want a sweet, quiet, sedate time at the theater, keep driving up the highway, because this ain’t it. Grieving for Genevieve is a shot of adrenaline where three rambunctious sisters are thrown back together, for better or worse, to deal with the middle sister’s upcoming wedding.