purpose
Only in America, where greed, fame, crime and capitalism reign and members of a civilized society aspire to become part of the materialistic regime, can you discover the story of Elmer J. McCurdy, a futile outlaw who was gunned down in 1911. The new musical, which opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre with a book penned by Itamar Moses with…
“Doubt” can produce several similar congenial feelings such as uncertainty, suspicion, uneasiness, apprehension, distrust and confusion. Usually there is a situation or event that occurs that may be the cause, or possibly misinformation that may initiate speculation and accusation. The striking Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley’s riveting drama, rightfully titled “Doubt,” now playing at the newly named Todd Haimes…
James T. Lane portrayed choreographer Paul Williams in the American tour of “Ain’t Too Proud” and his many Broadway roles have included “Chicago” (Billy Flynn), “Kiss Me Kate” (Paul), “King Kong,” “The Scottsboro Boys” (Ozie Powell and Ruby Bates), and “A Chorus Line” (Richie Walters). Lane’s movie and television credits are equally impressive including his recurring role on Peacock’s “The…
Mischief Theatre has returned to Broadway with another play that isn’t going exactly as planned, exactly the way the creative team wanted it to, now on stage at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, aptly titled “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” based on the play “Peter Pan” by JM Barrie. The book showcases everything, and in this case take that word literally, that…
Yann Martel’s 2001 novel “Life of Pi” is a coming-of-age story, the story of “one boy, one boat, one tiger.” Walker/Canongate published Martel’s Booker Prize novel in 2010 as a young adult novel which found its way onto school bookshelves across the United States (and beyond). It was a popular read in the high school where I taught. My colleagues…
It is difficult to believe that it has been a year since the death of Stephen Sondheim, one of the most prolific American composer and lyricists in the history of musical theatre. New York has certainly paid tribute to this theatrical icon by continuing to produce revivals of several shows from his vast repertoire, including the present production of “Merrily…
Playwright Mia Chung intends to raise a rich and enduring question in her play “Catch as Catch Can” currently running at Playwrights Horizons Peter Jay Sharp Theater: “What is inherent in our inheritance? What is universal?” Unfortunately, this question is not addressed nor answered in her character-driven play featuring Cindy Cheung, Jon Norman Schneider, and Rob Yang as Irish American…
Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” debuted on Broadway in 1959 and appeared in London’s West End five months later. The musical adaptation “Raisin” won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1973 and the play had two Broadway revivals in 2004 and 2014. This powerful and ground-breaking story of a financially strapped Chicago South Side Black extended family’s…
Sometimes there is no reason to try and improve or change something which would adhere to the adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Adjusting, tweaking, or trying to improve things when they already work well, can spell disaster. By altering the original parts or embellishing the simplicity of the original, it may in fact complicate or confuse the…
Anyone who might enjoy an evening at the theater and resides within a reasonable distance to New Hope, Pa., should definitely set aside some time to enjoy the current production of “Evita” at Buck’s County Playhouse. Director Will Pomeranz has transferred his production of this show from Bay Street Theater in New York, which is reimagined, placing dance front and…