In a recent “New York Times” guest essay, Drew Lichtenberg writes that although “the American theater’s relationship to the Bard might be fraying” with “a long history of theaters running from Shakespeare during times of political division or uncertainty, we need Shakespeare, especially in moments of conflict and unrest.” Currently running at Circle in the Square, Sam Gold’s production of…
Something old becomes new again with the current production of “Yellow Face” by Roundabout Theatre, which has been produced nationally, and internationally since it opened off-Broadway at the Public Theatre in 2007. That premiere production was directed by Leigh Silverman, who takes the helm in this current incarnation on Broadway. Penned by David Henry Hwang, it is difficult to decide…
It has been a long journey for “The Roommate,” the dark comedy by Jen Silverman, to finally arrive on Broadway since its premiere in 2015 at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, Humana Festival. It was well worth the wait, since the current production now playing at The Booth Theatre stars Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone in a two hander that…
At first glance, Manhattan Theatre Club’s “Vladimir,” currently at New York City Center Stage I, might receive a “what’s new” reaction from the audience. But the importance Erika Sheffer’s well-constructed play takes us far beyond the boundaries of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s Russia. “Vladimir” focuses on the enduring themes of love and relationships, the dichotomy of freedom and oppression, and the…
The Orpheum Theatre is hosting the newest campy musical “The Big Gay Jamboree,” with a book by Marla Mindelle and Jonathan Parks-Ramage. Ms. Mindelle, who is known for the cult favorite “Titanique,” also pens the lyrics and composes the music with Philip Drennen. The show is splattered with pop culture, musical theater, and gay social behavior references that are sure…
Life secrets and surprises are somewhere on the menu at the way-upstate New York diner where Paul (a quiet, thoughtful, and intense Anthony Edwards) has “good coffee made with a bad machine” nearly every morning except Sunday. Paul and server Katie (a perceptive and secretive Susannah Flood) have exchanged what might be described as casual conversations for the past two…
“McNeal,” currently on at the Vivan Beaumont Theater, is playwright Ayad Akhtar’s exploration into the unexpected confluence of plagiarism, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the canon of western literature through the life and writing of renowned playwright Jacob McNeal (a cantankerous but magnetic Robert Downing Jr) who is, at the play’s onset, “badgering” Chat GPT on his iPhone to predict whether…
After its sold-out run at Brooklyn Academy of Music in winter 2024, the off-Broadway production “Our Class,” by Polish playwright Tadeusz Slobodzianek, and helmed by Ukrainian-born, Jewish director Igor Golyak, will transfer to Classic Stage Company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater (136 E. 13th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues) in Manhattan for a limited run September 12-November 3. It will…
In Jez Butterworth’s “The Hills of California,” the four Webb sisters gather in the summer of 1976 at Seaview the guesthouse on the outskirts of Blackpool, an English seaside resort on the Irish Sea, where their mother Veronica (a once demanding and selfish Laura Donnelly) lies dying upstairs in what was their childhood home. Jill (an angst-ridden and spinsterish Helena…
The timing of the opening of Stephen Sachs “Fatherland” at New York City Center Stage II could not be more auspicious. Based on the true story of the 18-year-old high school senior from the Wylie part of Dallas (the conflicted but committed Patrick Keleher) who turned his father (the fiery and grieving Ron Bottitta) over to the FBI because of his militant role in the January…