Doll’s House Part 2
Written by Lucas Hnath
Starring Laurie Metcalf, Chris Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell, and Condola Rashad
Directed by Sam Gold
GoldenΒ Theatre
June 13, 2017 Production website
πππππ out of 5.
This my readers THIS is a play! Β 90 minutes has never flown faster. Β I was grabbed by my collar and whiskedΒ away and thrown out in the street later in numb silence to figure out what the f*** just happened.
I teach the good ‘ol Ibsen Dolls House every year to sophomores. Β 28 years of sophomores have walked through this story with me. Β It bored some – – but the majority were really captivated by the blackmail and the sweet little skylark standing up and kicking some Torvald ass. Β But what happened after the mighty door slam? Β What happened to a woman who just gave it all up – – husband, children and station in society? Β Where did she go? Β What did she do? Continue reading Doll’s House Part 2→
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Music, Lyrics, Book and Orchestration by Dave Malloy
Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Imperial Β Theatre
June 10, 2017 Production website
πππππ out of 5.
This musical was like a full exotic dinner with course after course of food that you could never imagine, served in a way you couldn’t anticipate, with a flavor that was both familiar and exotic. Β That is my best shot at describing the “experience” of seeing the Great Comet. Β The entire theatre had been gutted and made into a Russian beer hall. Β A similar attempt was made by Broadway’s Cabaret a few years ago – but this TRULY took the idea and ran with it, Β Food was served (or rather tossed) at the show’s beginning and much of the audience sat at candle lit tables. Continue reading Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812→
Wakey, Wakey
Written Β and directed by William Eno
SignatureΒ Β Theatre
March 22, 2017 Production website
πππππ out of 5.
Wakey, Wakey is just 5 πππππ brilliant!Β There is little more on stage then a wheelchair, a few cardboard boxes, a surface to display a few YouTube clips and the amazing Michael Emerson illuminating the quirky world of William Eno.Β Essentially Wakey, Wakey is a dramatic poem taking us through the final moments of a manβs life.Β What is so amazing here is that although you were very connected with the central character and certainly bought the stakes of the moment, you didnβt get swallowed up in sentimentality.Β You didnβt cry.Β I didnβt cry – – and I am a crier in plays like this!Β I was scared.Β I was dumbstruck – – but just not sad. Continue reading Wakey, Wakey→
Oh, Hello on Broadway
Written by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney Directed by Alex Timbers
LyceumΒ Theatre
January 4, 2017 Production website
πππππ out of 5.
I came to the theatre with so much prejudice.Β I came expecting precious little.Β I came hating the title of the play, the artwork of theΒ poster and even the overly amateurishness of the costumes. I knew these guys were hits on YouTube (although, my fault, I had never heard of them).Β I knew it was going to be a lot of Jewish jokes (obviously) and New York jokes (obviously, obvious). Β I was so dead wrong.Β Continue reading Oh, Hello on Broadway→
Heisenberg
Written by Simon Stephens
Directed by Mark Brokaw
Manhattan Theatre Club
October 15, 2016 Production website
πππππ out of 5.
This play just smoked!Β It was the real thing!Β From the first moment when the stage manager came out to give us our cell phone shaming, and the two actors came out to set up their chairs and looked at each other, I knew this thing was going to cook! Continue reading Heisenberg→