The Fires written and directed by Raja Feather Kelly Soho Repertory Theatre June 13, 2024 Production website 💉 out of 5.
The story focuses on 3 black men who live in the same claustrophobic “shotgun apartment” (a very shallow apartment that spans the entire width of the stage). The time happens over three different decades- but rather than tell the stories in different acts the stories overlap and brush up against each other. The principal character, Jay, owns the apartment and shares it with his lover, Jay. This relationship and story is set in 1974 as Jay struggles with mental illness and fills mountains of journals with stories of love and other obtuse family matters.
Titanique book by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements by Nicholas Connell Directed by Tye Blue Daryl Roth Theatre April 9, 2024 Production website 💉 out of 5.
This piece was a TRUE let down! I came to the piece with high expectations and a handful of excellent recommendations from theatre friends and critics. Basically, Titanique is a spoof of the James Cameron movie in which Celine Dion re-writes the story with her as a participant and she sets out to poke fun at all of the classic scenes from the movie. It really could have been a workable premise for a fun evening but . . .
Days of Wine and Roses Book by Craig Lucas Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel Choreography by Sergio Trujillo & Karl Puno Garcia Directed by Michael Greig Atlantic Theatre Company July 9, 2023 Production website 💉 out of 5.
Days of Wine and Roses was truly a disappointment. It is so crazy to think that with the star-studded pairing of Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara could produce something so lame. First off, I think the story is too dated to be presented. The dynamics of addiction, and how you can’t change anyone and the advent of Alcoholics Anonymous just seems to be from old, old news – and nothing new is brought to the conversation.. What necessitate the retelling of the story? On top of that, the show had just terrible music. I always think that it’s a bad sign when you leave the theater and are not humming at least one song as you go. I can’t imagine the cast album!
55 Shades of Gay
Written by Jetron Neziraj
Directed by Leigh Silverman
Qendra Multimedia (Kosovo)
La Mama Theatre Workshop
March 15, 2019 Production website
💉 out of 5.
55 Shades of Gay has the very best of intentions.It sets out to be a burlesque production about LGBT politics in the Balkans. At its best, it is is an irreverent and satirical in look at the world the LGBT experience, systemic corruption, crippling unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure in Kosovo.
Shame or the Doomsday Machine
Written by Crystal Field
Directed by Mark Marcante
Theatre for the New City
August 5, 2018 Production website
💉 out of 5.
Here is where we are with this production. We entered the Theatre for the New City on 10th Street, and then were directed out back to the street where all was blocked off and a portable stage was erected. Music was blaring, sun barreling down, kids were running around screaming – my ideal theatre setting. This was not going to be a good show, I get it, by almost any standard. The performers were lost – some seem totally unprepared as they were just offstage discussing their lines, movements, exits/entrances and on and on. Performers were spending more time socializing with the audience then focusing on the stage. Non-professional, community generated, we’ll-take-everyone-who-shows-up kind of theatre. Continue reading Shame or the Doomsday Machine→
