Oslo

Oslo
Written by J.T. Rogers
Directed by Bartlett Sher
Lincoln Center Theater at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre
June 16, 2017
Production website
💉💉💉💉 out of 5.

This play took me to school in the most wonderful way.  I knew the play was a dramatization of a true meeting between the Israelis and the PLO in Norway that was responsible for a first real, although brief, truce between these long time enemies.  The history is vital for our country to understand – especially since we keep sticking our nose into the business often to the detriment of the peace. Continue reading Oslo

The End of Longing

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.

Indecent

Indecent
Written by Paula Vogel
Directed by Rebecca Taichman
Cort Theatre
June 14, 2017
Production website
💉💉💉 out of 5.

The visuals in Indecent were simply stunning.  It really was a textbook for directors.  From the moment we came in and saw a line of actors already on stage – – obviously Jews saddled with luggage on their high and left – we knew we were headed on a journey that wasn’t going to be easy!  Indecent is such an important part of history in both its exploration of censorship and Yiddish theatre – particularly in America. Continue reading Indecent

Sweat

Sweat
Written by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Kate Whoriskey
Studio 54
June 14, 2017
Production website
💉💉💉💉 out of 5.

Who actually are those people that voted for Trump as the President of the United States?  Who are those people?  Ironically in the liberal bastion that is New York we are given an answer.  Sweat focus on a small union-working collection of people in the heartland of the country. Their jobs are dependent on the manufacturing industry that is being so damaged by the NAFTA agreement that became such a contentious piece of legislation in the recent national election.   Continue reading Sweat

Doll’s House Part 2

Doll’s House Part 2
Written by Lucas Hnath
Starring Laurie Metcalf, Chris Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell, and Condola Rashad
Directed by Sam Gold
Golden Theatre
June 13, 2017
Production website
💉💉💉💉💉 out of 5.

This my readers THIS is a play!  90 minutes has never flown faster.  I was grabbed by my collar and whisked 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.  28 years of sophomores have walked through this story with me.  It bored some – – but the majority were really captivated by the blackmail and the sweet little skylark standing up and kicking some Torvald ass.  But what happened after the mighty door slam?  What happened to a woman who just gave it all up – – husband, children and station in society?  Where did she go?  What did she do? Continue reading Doll’s House Part 2