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. It is a gorgeous building. The lobby was good. But then I took my seat.
This play is such a huge f***ing mess. They go through hundreds of flash pods that blind the audience on a regular basis. 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. 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. Bad acting, bad story, bad delivery, and dreadful cliches. Clearly this play was written by a TV star because no scene could develop or sustain itself beyond eight or so minutes. Time that would be better spent on the commercial break.
You certainly do not care about these people. You do not take a journey. Truly you just get to spend time with a drunk convincing you he’s worth the 95 minutes. 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.
Engagements
Written by Leslye Headland
Directed by Trip Cullman
Second Stage Theatre
July 27, 2016 Production website
💉 out of 5.
This is a chick-flick without the “flick” – and what was left – wasn’t much. Theatre is a rather sacred space to me. It is place to do a kind of art that is unique to live performance and would never be able to successfully translate into film or TV. When you write for the stage, you should really want to USE THE STAGE. This play just didn’t need the stage. It could have done all it did with film or television. A live audience was not needed. Continue reading Engagements→
2 by Tennessee Williams
by Tennessee Williams
starring Katheryn Luce Garfunkel
directed by Marilyn Fried
St. Lukes Theatre
July 17, 2016 Production website
💉 out of 5.
I am caught in a vortex of bad theatre. I am rethinking my whole idea of checking tdf.com for discount tickets. “You get what you pay for.” >> I am truly learning it this week! The motivator to see this production was that I have taught the one act plays that are part of the collection of Tennessee Williams one act anthology, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton for over 20 years. It is my favorite group of short plays that teach good sound playwriting structure. The kids do NOT think they will love these “old” plays – but after a bit of study – they love them. I was excited to see these seldom done gems by pros! Continue reading 2 by Tennessee Williams→
1984
