Cardinal
Written by Greg Pierce
Directed by Kate Whoriskey
2nd Stage
January 14, 2018 Production website
💉 out of 5.
In all the plays in all the world – why would anyone chose to do this play?  I just don’t get it  I am not sure what someone in authority was about when they read this play and said, “This is what I need to commit valuable time and resources to.”  Why?  Why?  Why?  This was one of those plays that I sat in the middle of a full house and peeked out to my fellow audience members to see if anyone was getting more out of this play then I was – cause I wasn’t getting anything.  I was not interested in any of the characters or their struggles.  I didn’t believe them and certainly didn’t believe the “development” of the story. There wasn’t an ending moment (much less a climax) where everything came together except a gun shot that no one on stage seemed to care about and the concern on the freshness of hospital muffins. Continue reading Cardinal→
Party Face
Written by Isobel Mahon
Directed by Amanda Bearse
New York City Center Stage 2
January 13, 2018 Production website
💉 out of 5.
Before you judge – let me explain – I had an open slot – and this was a new play – and the tickets were $132 but only $28 on TDF so that was a seemingly good deal – and it was in previews, which is fun – and it did star Hayley Mills who was in Parent Trap so that’s good. Â Right?
I walked in the small theatre of Stage 2 at City Center – and the set looked great – close, intimate, elegant – but almost too good looking like they were hiding something. Â Then clue #2, I overheard the house manager talking to a friend saying “I hope you are okay with this – but she is so lovely to work with.” Continue reading Party Face→
1984
Written and Directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmilla
Hudson Theatre
June 20, 2017 Production website
💉 out of 5.
IN KEEPING WITH THE THE DELIVERY OF THIS PLAY, I WANTED TO TYPE THE ENTIRE REVIEW IN SCREAMING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS – – but I have better manners.
This was my first time in the beautiful Hudson theatre that just opened its doors a few months ago with Sunday in the Park with George. Â It is a gorgeous building. Â The lobby was good. But then I took my seat.
This play is such a huge f***ing mess. Â They go through hundreds of flash pods that blind the audience on a regular basis. Â It was as if they couldn’t think what to do with the actors in the scene – so let’s just blind the shit out of the audience. Â Then the blinding wasn’t enough. Continue reading 1984→
The End of Longing
Written by Matthew Perry
Directed by Linda Posner
Lucille Lortel Theatre
June 15, 2017 Production website
💉 out of 5.
There is nothing more uncomfortable then being trapped in a small space with a die hard alcoholic.  Nothing they say has any meaning. Nothing they say is funny.  They make you uncomfortable.  They are narcissistic.  They go no where.  They mean nothing – and most of all – the next morning your left with a headache and a desire to resurrect those lost hours.
This play is bad. Â Bad acting, bad story, bad delivery, and dreadful cliches. Â Clearly this play was written by a TV star because no scene could develop or sustain itself beyond eight or so minutes. Â Time that would be better spent on the commercial break.
You certainly do not care about these people. Â You do not take a journey. Â Truly you just get to spend time with a drunk convincing you he’s worth the 95 minutes. Â He is not.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Book by David Greig
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Scott Witty and Marc Shaiman
Directed by Jack O’Brien
Lunt-Fontain Theatre
June 12, 2017 Production website
💉 out of 5.
I am sitting in a sea of very young children and I a wondering why Broadway has so very few offerings on a Monday night of theatre going.  This is just not fun.  The moment I walked into the lobby and saw the concession stand pumping endless sugar candy into the mouthes of over-hyped children I panicked.