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Just $18 to see the really complete Hamlet-

2012-01-29T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hamlet: Uncut! - watching the American Theatre of Actors’ new uncut version of Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece,you may discover that the play you thought you knew like the back of your hand is more Hydra-headed.. . .

# new Curtainup reviews for Londoners

2012-01-29T08:26:00.001-08:00

Travelling Light- The inspiration for Nicholas Wright’s new play at the National Theatre is the shtetls of Russia and the many Jewish filmmakers who made Hollywood what it is today.. . .

The Madness of George III- From his very first line fromDavid we know how well he is cast as this likeable monarch, who lost us the Americas and who suffered from bouts of madness, now thought to be the illness porphyria. . . .

The Trial of Ubu- Simon Stephens has written an abridged version of the French play which is performed as a Punch and Judy puppet play. . . .

Even War Horse Star can't save this downtown premiere

2012-01-27T04:35:00.000-08:00

Seth Numrich and Kathryn Erbe in Yosemite

Yosemite- The set is the star of this otherwise thematically obscure play. . .

The Pultzer Prize Winning "Wit" Still a Winner

2012-01-27T04:32:00.000-08:00

Wit- While the indignities Cynthia Nixon's Doctor Bearing undergoes are indeed not easy to take, this is still an exceptionally rich play, a triple layered exploration not just of death but how we deal with life.

2012-01-23T05:26:00.000-08:00

Richard III- Kevin Spacey concludes The Bridge Project with a showboat performance as "The bottled spider"

2 new plays for Lond theater goers

2012-01-23T05:19:00.001-08:00

Constellations - Nick Payne’s latest play for The Royal Court is a two hander on the possibilities of alternative actions and parallel existences. . . .

Our New Girl-an exciting example of new and original writing on an old theme. . . .

No costume designer needed for this show. . .

2012-01-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

Untitled Feminist Show- the chief accomplishment of Young Jean Lee's show, in my mind, was to steal away any body shame or embarrassment, either on the part of the performers or the audience. . . .

a masterful musical theater hybrid. . .

2012-01-20T05:13:00.000-08:00

Audra McDonald & Norm Lewis as Porgy and Bess

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess- Diane Paulus and her collaborators have created a fantastically, even giddily entertaining Porgy and Bess that has enough merits to make all the controversy about ill-conceived tampering melt with the first glorious note of "Summertime." . . .

a tedious 1st act spoils Fugard revival

2012-01-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

Rosemary Harris a luminous Miss Helen --but even she can't speed up a tedious first act
The Road to Mecca- Athol Fugard is deservedly revered for having proved again and again that the pen can indeed be a mighty weapon against injustice. However, despite a stellar cast, this revival illustrates his tendency for obvious metaphors and saddlling his characters with overlong, monologues. . . .

2 new plays for London theater goers

2012-01-16T03:39:00.000-08:00

Fog- a very accomplished debut as joint playwrights, Task Fairbanks and Toby Wharton. . .

Lovesong- Writer Abi Morgan's play arrives in London as she is riding on the crest of a wave with her screenplay of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s political career and her acclaimed serial last year for BBC television of The Hour . . .

Overview of 2011 theater season

2011-12-24T10:14:00.000-08:00

A 2011 to 2012 overview: — a look back and forward by Curtainup's critic and editor in chief.

New pre-holiday musicals: 2 thumbs up, 2 thumbs down

2011-12-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

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4 Pre-Holiday Musicals: 2 thumbs up, 2 thumbs down

Of our 2 recent visits to new musical productions, our off-Broadway trips were by far the most fun and satisfying. Schlemiel the First is a rarely seen but well worth weeing revival-- Once is something of a master class on how to adapt a movie for the stage -- keeping its char but creating a new art form. If you don't get a chance to see it at NYTheatre Workshop in the East Village-- it is moving to the Bernard Jacobs Theater and ore likely to transfer successfully than the misguided revised revival of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever or the silly Lysistrata Jones which overreached by transferring its downtown run to the Great White Way.

Shlemiel the First- Besides being imbued with Klezmer this offers many lessons. And you don't have to be Jewish to appreciate them and enjoy the show . . .

Once - a rare screen-to-stage adaptation that retains the charms of their source but as a work of art in its own right .

Lysistrata Jones - the move uptown is a case of overreaching. It's still light-hearted and purposefully silly fun, but it's just too slight and limited in broad audience appeal . .

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever - if anyone can bring out the very best in a show and make a half-full cup of entertainment filled to the brim, Mayer's the man. At least I thought he was . . .

Once - a rare screen-to-stage adaptation that retains the charms of their source but as a work of art in its own right .

2011-12-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

Off Broadway News: The high profile War Horse, gets a low-budget-low-key sequel. For XMas fun, consider a kvetchy Jewish Scrooge and nostalgic Dylan Thomas Christmas concert
Farm Boy- a far more low-keyed but cleverly conceived sequel Michael Morpurgo’s 1997 novel than War Horse, the play or the soon to be released movie. . . .

Jackie Hoffman

A Chanukah Charol- Who better to give Dickens' famous holiday story a Jewish twist than Hoffman, the queen of side-splitting stand-up kvetch? Who indeed! After all, Hoffman's kvetching is a way of saying "Bah! Humbug." . . .

A Child's Christmas in Wales-Howard McGillin leads the five-member cast in Dylan Thomas's concertize d story that's as good as a striped and colored peppermint stick . . .

Recent NJTheater Reviews@curtanup.com

2011-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

Bakersfield Mist- an out-of-the-ordinary, almost out-of-the-blue —, but more importantly, outstanding— two-hander . . .

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol - this is definitely unlike any other version you have seen before. . . .

The Nutcracker and I- Despite its occasional treats, this needs a more amusing book if it wants to qualify as a traditional holiday entertainment. . .

Jill Paice &Meredith Patterson in White Christmas

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas- a better than ever dose of nostalgia awaiting

Recent London Theater Reviews@curtainup.com

2011-12-11T08:00:00.001-08:00

The Comedy of Errors- this traditional comoedia from the Greco-Roman tradition, and rests on the enjoyment of farce, slapstick and caricature and director Dominic Cooke wastes no time in getting into the action. . .

Cinderella- Over recent years, Hackney Empire has established itself as home to arguably the best pantomime in London, and this year’s offering only strengthens its reputation.. . .

Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull and Lauren Ward as Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical

Matilda the Musical- Matthew Warchus's delightful production for all ages about the precocious little girl who loves books and is born into a family of book hating telly addicts . . .

Collaborators- Simon Russell Beale gives an affectionate, quizzical and jokey portrait of Joseph Stalin in John Hodge's play. . .

Reasons to be Pretty- The last of Neil LaBute trilogy about how we look and relationships opens in London where it all started. . .

Judgement Day- Ibsen’s last play has a reputation for impenetrable symbolism, but in this new adaptation by Mike Poulton, the language takes on a hypnotic rhythm worthy of his earlier verse dramas.. . .

The Lion in Winter- Trevor Nunn’s production of James Goldman's play sadly fails to satisfy even as a historical pastiche comedy because it isn’t outrageous enough for 21st century humour. . . .

Juno and the Paycock- The National Theatre and The Abbey Theatre (Ireland's National Theatre) have come together for the first time with a co-production that must have taken great consideration to ensure that neither side of the Irish Sea felt excluded. . . .

Salt, Root and Roe- Tim Price’s enthralling second play, . . .

EX - This new ‘play with songs’ by Rob Young and Ross Lorraine seems something of a strange choice for the Soho Theatre with it's usually challenging and thought-provoking, political and cutting-edge. . . .

This fast-paced Cherry Orchard really is a comedy--

2011-12-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

John Turtorro and Juliet Rylance in The Cherry Orchard
The Cherry Orchard- The Classic Stage production has ratcheted up the comedy of Chekhov's last play more than any I've seen; it's also the trimmest

London gets a delightful new musical. . . and more

2011-11-30T10:47:00.000-08:00

London Theater: A delightful new family musical, a new play about Stalin, a new look at Ibsen's last play, and American playwright Neal LaBute . . .

Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull and Lauren Ward as Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical

Live Theater for $20 --Really!

2011-11-28T16:50:00.001-08:00

Suicide, Incorporated- Andrew Hinderakers’s modestly macabre but also humorously tender play is also an ironically good fit for the Underground series as it deals with the decision by people to end their unhappy lives above ground . . .

Tweet reviews of new London productions

2011-11-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

Collaborator- Simon Russell Beale gives an affectionate, quizzical and jokey portrait of Joseph Stalin in John Hodge's play. . .

Reasons to be Pretty- The last of Neil LaBute trilogy about how we look and relationships opens in London where it all started. . .

Judgement Day- Ibsen’s last play has a reputation for impenetrable symbolism, but in this new adaptation by Mike Poulton, the language takes on a hypnotic rhythm worthy of his earlier verse dramas.. . .

The Lion in Winter- Trevor Nunn’s production of James Goldman's play sadly fails to satisfy even as a historical pastiche comedy because it isn’t outrageous enough for 21st century humour. . . .

4-new curtainup reviews

2011-11-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

~~Sean McNall and Jolly Abraham~~

Richard II- the Pearl Theatre has deftly handled Shakespeare’s difficult (and long), history play, . . .

Wild Animals You Should Know- There's probably a good play in here somewhere. But it's been given a ready for prime time production somewhat prematurely. The producers would have been wise to followthe Boy Scout motto: "Be Prepared.". . .

Seminar- With copy editing jobs disappearing with other publishing jobs, writers wanting a sharp eye cast on their fledgling literary efforts may well need an expensive private teacher like the one in Theresa Rebeck's new comedy . . .

She Kills Monsters- Whether or not you ever played a heroic paladin or wise wizard, if you know true devotion when you see it, this is fun and worth seeing . . .

Something old, (Private Lives), something new (Horsedreams)

2011-11-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

Private Lives — Paul Gross, Kim Cattrai new Elyot is tall, dark and handsome, the sort of debonair leading man born to wear tuxedos and silk dressing gowns and he foxtrots divinely
Horse Dreams - Dael Orlandersmith's brutally frank play about a family decimated by drug addiction, written in a beautifully composed, essentially lyrical, narrative -driven style

on&off-Broadway curtainup reviews

2011-11-15T02:15:00.000-08:00

We were burning for Thomas Bradshaw's semi-pornographic Burning to end. . .but we succumbed to High Jackman's charm. .and found much to like (if not love) in the new concert-stand show about Gay Marriage. We were also pleased to see the Prospect Theatre Group's funy musical Iron Curtain get a second life. Our Shakespeare maven Deirdre Donovan sounded off on the film Anonymous about the Bard's identity.

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Burning -Thomas Bradshaw's new play overloads the play with two many ideas that don't work and sex scenes that more excessive and boring than titillating . . .

Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway- he's the current King of Broadway. For him, it’s home. For us, it’s a treat. . . .

Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays- A bunch of A-list authors and actors explore the joys and pitfalls of same sex nuptials . . .

Aonymous — Our Review of the film that challenges Shakespeare's authorship. . .

Iron Curtain - The Prospect Theater's delightful musical gets a welcome second life . . .

A not-to-be-missed off-Broadway show

2011-11-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

Jenn Gambatese with company members in Iron Curtaon

Iron Curtain - The Prospect Theater's delightful musical gets a welcome second life . . .

well acted and staged Inner City tragedy

2011-11-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

Tonya Pinkins and Angela Lewis

Milk Like Sugar- Kirsten Greenidge's slice of inner city life in which three teenagers make a pact that's sure to derail their already slim chances for escaping lives brightened only by short-term gratification . . .

A brisk well-cast Shakespeare play for the price of a movie!

2011-10-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

Reg E. Cathey as Don Armado in Love's Labor's Lost

Love's Labor's Lost- Karin Coonrod has chosen n a mode that embraces both the past and the present which works as well as any pseudo-historical time in the Public's wonderfully affordable LAB production. .

3 new reviews for London theatergoers

2011-10-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Death of a Maiden- BAFTA award winning actress Thandie Newton makes her stage debut inthe newly named Harold Pinter Theatre's revival of Ariel Dorfman's play. . .

The Last of the Duches- Nicholas Wright's excellent play set in 1980 about the last years of the Duchess of Windsor in Paris. . .

Britannicus- This accessible modern dress Natural Perspective production of Racine starts slowly but builds up a compelling momentum.. . .

Actor Jesse Eisenberg turns playwrght

2011-10-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

Asuncion- The chance for Jesse Eisenberg groupies to see him up close and personal in his first playwriting effort is likely to flll every seat at the Cherry Lane Theater

Groundbreaking musical at Godspeed Opera House

2011-10-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Burke Moses (top) and D.B. Bonds in City of Angels

City of Angels- The Tony-Award winning musical beautfully revved at Godspeed Opera House

Curtainup's news from London

2011-10-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Ths week's reviews from our London critic-- along with her take on the Evening Standard Drama Awards. . .

Evening Standard Drama Awards 2011 — Lizzie Loveridge comments on the long list. . .

Inadmissible Evidence- Douglas Hodge is quite simply superb in this revival of John Osborne's very personal play . . .

Jumpy- Tamsin Greig lends star power to this light social comedy. . .

66 Books- A monumental multi-author enterprise at the Bush. . .

Bang Bang Bang -Stella Feehily’s play is based on meticulous research with the workers of various NGOs and charities who are employed in Africa to monitor the situation and to provide economic or medical aid.. . .

An old-fashioned laugh fest by 3 comic writers

2011-10-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

Danny Hoch makes a welcome return in Relatively Speaking's curtain raiser

Relatively Speaking: Talking Cure by Ethan Coen; George is Dead by Elaine May, Honeymoon Motel by Woody Allen- The bookend pieces are strictly for laughs, the middle piece is as sad as it is funny. Taken together, the three pieces are a bit like having three desserts instead of a really substantial meal

A not to be missed new play from a fresh new voice

2011-10-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

Sons of the Prophet- This comedy about grief and pain will l indeed have you laughing often but it's also deeply touching and filled to the brim with serious issues.. . .

Mike Daisey's cautionary tale for Apple acolytes

2011-10-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs- Mike Daisey takes off his rose-colored glasses to tell his version of the Jobs story . .

Could this NJ premiere be Broadway bound?

2011-10-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

Jim Shankman, Kathleen Goldpaugh, Carol Todd

It Shoulda Been You- Brian Hargrove & Barbara Anselmi have put a Jewish mother with all her lovable flaws in the center of a delightfully ebullient, often hilarious, new musical comedy . . .

London Stages: Something old & something new

2011-10-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

On London Stages: Edward Bond's once again timely Saved, a nother class for the Pitman Painters and a new play by Conor McPherson

Saved - Lyric Hammersmith director Sean Holmes and his actors give us a fresh production of Edward Bond's groundbreaking play. . .

The Veil- Conor McPherson's gothic story receives a big production directed by the playwright himself. . . .

The Pitmen Painters- Lee Hall's unusual painting class resumes at the Duchess Theatre . . .

2011-10-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Mountaintop- Samuel L. Jackson makes an impressive Broadway debut Katori Hall's faction about Martin Luther King's last night on earth.

What do Linda Lavin and Times columnis Gail Collins have in Common?

2011-10-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

The Lyons- You wouldn't want a monster wife at your bedside, but you won't want to miss Linda Lavin's irresistibly funny and moving portrayal of her . . .

Actress Zoe Kazan dons playwritiing hat

2011-10-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Amy Irving and Jeremy Shamos in We Live Here

We Live Here- Actress Zoe Kazan's first major Off-Broadway play is an imperfect pleasure. . .

Rattigan play: fine actor, not to fine play

2011-10-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

Man and Boy- A timely but flawed Rattigan play, given the grand manner treatment by Frank Langella

Motherhood: A topic as universal as it can get

2011-10-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

The actors who bring motherhood in all its permutation to entertaining life at Primary stages . . .
Motherhood Out Loud- 4 actors, and a baker's dozen of playwrights contemplate motherhood in our "brave new world" .

Grunge specialist Rapp does a fancy dinner party. ..

2011-10-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling- Review of Adam Rapp's Albee haunted dinner party, plus a wrapup of Rapp's trajectory from downtown cult favorite to high profile by-line . . .

London does Synge classic & rock musical

2011-10-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

an early 20th play excitingly revived and a late in the century Broadway musical crosses the pond

The Playboy of the Western World- John Crowley’s exciting production of JM Synge’s 1907 classic has a modern feel. . . .

Rock of Ages- This American jukebox musical featuring the glam metal rock bands of the late 1980s comes to London recast with an English cast. . .

A beautifully staged revival of Lanford Wilson's early play

2011-09-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Lemon Sky - The Keen Company revival of Lanford Wilson's early play . . .

An entertaining if not always comfortable to watch new play

2011-09-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Submission - a young playwrights submission of his play under a more attention getting by-line turns into a case of "oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" .

A Disney flop now a musical hit in NJ

2011-09-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Jordan (center) and company membersin Newsies

Newsies- There is nothing quite like the excitement that accompanies the world premiere of a new musical, especially one that, like this Papermill Playhouse premiere, is the result of work by some of the most creative and lauded talents in the theater.

a fun take on a nce hot ticket melodrama. . .

2011-09-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

From Rags to Riches- Under Alex Roe’s intelligent direction, this old melodrama about economic stagnation is right on the money. . . .

The Invested: good theater for a small investment

2011-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Invested- the actors and the smart script make this behind the financial headlines play fun to watch. And at $18 a ticket, affordable even if your portfolio has taken a beating.. . .

Stagestruck filmmaker strikes out as playwright

2011-09-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Wood- Dan Klores's docu-drama about the late journalist Mike McAlary is too jumpy and maudlin . .

No folly to see this Follies at the Marquis

2011-09-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Follies- To paraphrase Samuel Johnson, "When you're tired of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, you're tired of musical theater" .
It's got Bernadette Peters and Ron Raines and that slinky blonde at the right none other than the very proper mother-in-law from hell in the Good Wife Mary Beth Peil

Ralph Fieenes is a riveting Prospero

2011-09-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ralph Fiennes as Prospero

The Tempest- Ralph Fiennes draws the audience into Prospero’s world and we are almost complicit in his wizardry . . .

The inventive Elevetar Repair grou tackles Hemingway

2011-09-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Select (The Sun Also Rises)- Less time consuming than Elevator Repair Service's Gatz, but still a hefty theatrical meal but its one that's nourishing and enjoyably brings Hemingway's novel to life. . . . . .

A financial thriller touching on the entire zeitgeist

2011-09-07T03:58:00.000-07:00

Other People's Money - theater buffs will love this terrific and timely comedy of manners that's all about a London bank scandal -- but also a backwater town's dying newspaper and local theater producer and playwright. .

Audra McDonald is a Bess for tee ages

2011-09-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - no matter what Stephen Sondheim may say this Porgy and Bess is most timely when it isn’t as worried about the running time, the times, or The Times. .

Another hit for the invaluable Mint Theater

2011-08-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Temporal Powers - The Mint's production of Teresa Deevy's long ignored play is certainly a cure for those in search of a good yarn . . .

south pacific not quite the big thrill in London

2011-08-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

South Pacific- a largely British cast needs extra concentration to maintain the American accents, in song as well as voice. . .

2011-08-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

Bluebird - Simon Stephen's beautifully written, tenderly sad play has finally crossed the Atlantic. Too bad that audiences here have been given such a short time to see it, especially since it stars the lauded actor Simon Russell Beale . . .

It's sold out but there's a standby line

Book of Mormon tix = hot auction item

2011-08-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Tickets for The Book of Mormon are fetching astronomical    prices and savvy fundraisers have not overlooked the hotter than hot show's potential for raising big bucks.
www.curtainup.com/bookofmormon.html

Debrorah Graussman,     recently put together one of the best    fund raising galas I've ever attended to raise money for the Lenox, Mass based Shakespeare & Company's    widely respected education program.    The enterprising and talented Graussman   arranged to bus a bunch of Broadway babies to spend their   "off" Monday night performing (pro bono) at the company's filled to the brim   Founders Theater.

To add to the $50,000 already collected from ticket sales, Graussman   joined host Chip Zien on stage and launched an auction for 2 prime Book of Mormon tickets for a Saturday matinee. The   bidding was brisk and   the winner ended up shelling out $1900.

Broadway in the Berkshires was so smartly organized, deliciously entertaining and indeed as close to a night on the Great White Way as you could get. Chip Zien was a delightful host who not only delivered lots of laughs and also performed, as did Graussman.

It was an evening of non-stop highlights such as Brian Charles Rooney's hilarious multi-persona (female as well as male) medley of Broadway hits, and a thrilling dance solo by young Peter Mazurowski, one of the three young actors currently starring as Billy in Billy Elliot.

The way this evening was organized could serve as a master class in ow to run a benefit that truly delivers what it promised. With a trio of musicians that included the Boston Symphony Orchestra's chef cellist, Owen Young, who could ask for anything more?

Bio of the Wendy Wasserstein we THINK we knew--

2011-08-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Wendy and the Lost Boys- Julie Salamon's "can't put it down" biography of Wendy Wasserstein. . .

Charles Bush's zinger-filled serio-comedy

2011-08-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Olive and the Bitter Herbs - A superb cast has been entrusted with the difficult burden of speaking a lot of funny lines while also behaving either irresponsibly or reprehensibly in Charles Bush's new play

A bad day for pit musicians in this new musical. . .

2011-08-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

Jessica Tyler Wright, Malcolm Gets, Lauren Molina in Ten Cents A Dance

Ten Cents a Dance— John Doyle's actor-musician take on Rodger and Hart's songbook in its American premiere at Williamstown

Ret is back

2011-08-12T04:55:00.000-07:00

Rent- the iconic musical's original director Michael Greif has attended to the show's needs with marked discipline as well as with some newly motivated impressions. . . .

Beautiful Cate Blanchett in beautiful Uncle Vanya

2011-08-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh in Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya- the Sydney Theatre Company's very special production of Chekhov's play at the Kennedy Center

an ultra-intimate theater experience

2011-08-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sarah Lemp in HotelMotel

HotelMotel-two plays in site specific setting for 20 viewers at a time only . . .

An Early less hopelessly sad Glass Menagery

2011-08-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Pretty Trap- there is the prospect of a happy ending in this early one-act version of The Glass Menagerie.

To be or not to be in a lower east side parking lot. . .

2011-08-02T09:25:00.001-07:00

Hamlet In The Park(ing) Lot- an urban setting with unanticipated noises, but it's free.

A terrific world premiere in the Berkshires.

2011-07-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

Aisha Hinds and John Bedford Lloyd

The Best of Enemies - a moving new drama by Mark St. Germain another winner for Barrington Stage Company

recently reviewed off-Broadway shows

2011-07-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

All New People- Put four people with major issues in a room and see what happens when they are fueled by alcohol, an assortment of drugs including cocaine and a script that is neither credible nor makes much sense. . . .

Romeo and Juliet- Theater 2020 bring Shakespeare's young lovers to Brooklyn. And for FREE! . .

The Patsy- An old play and a new monologue have been created as performance pieces, each allowing the wonderfully talented Greenspan to be ingratiating and impressive in different ways. . . .

TheShoemaker - this three-character play features a sequence of metaphors and symbols that too often get in the way of the inherent dramatic opportunities. . .

No Child-Nilaja Sun's acclaimed solo piece back briefly at its first hom . . .

If you're visiting the Berkshires. . .

2011-07-27T06:34:00.001-07:00

The Hound of the Baskervilles- A superbly executed spoof of Sherlock Holmes' novella. . .

Dutch Masters world premiere at Berkshire Theater Group's Unicorn Theater

Lily Rabe with Zinab Jab in a scene from A Doll's House

A Doll's House- Lily Rabe makes Sam Gold's production at Willimastown's Nikos Stageworth seeing even without a slam-bang ending

Hair' Roadcompan is Broadway Summer Feast

2011-07-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

Hair - the touring Tribe rocks again on Broadway. . .

Terrific Oklahoma back in DC for tthe summer

2011-07-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma!— Curtainup revisits this return engagement. and finds it better than ever .

A. R. Gurney's doggie romance still gets laughs. . .

2011-07-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

David Adkins and Rachel Bay Jones

Sylvia- A.R. Gurney's popular doggie romance at Berkshire Theatre Festival. . .

Kevin Spacey is a not-to-be-missed Richad III

2011-07-11T06:02:00.000-07:00

Kevin Spacey as King Richard III

Richard III- It is a role made for Kevin Spacey who surely would surely have been made a knight of the theatre if foreign nationals were eligible for the award of the royal "sword on shoulder" honour. . .

The evil Dr. Lecter sings in off-Broadway musical

2011-07-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

Silence the Musical- cheeky musical based on the famous film about Hannibal Lecter . . .

Still timely Robin Baitz play with Steven Weber

2011-07-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Steven Weber in Three Hotels

Three Hotels- Jon Robin Baitz's 1993 two-hander at Williamstown

Judy Gold's bio-standup is lots of fun

2011-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Judy Show - My Life As A Sitcom- Judy Gold's amusing solo show. . .

A stage version of a beach read at the Irish rep

2011-07-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

Tryst- an entertaining and suspenseful,a theatrical get-away. . .

Tyne Daly reinvigorates Master Class revival

2011-07-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

Master Class - You don't have to be a Maria Callas fan to empathize with the prescribed notes of poignancy or purpose of Tyne Daly's portrayal of the diva

Only on Sundays. . an ode to Neew York's "Village"

2011-07-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Greenwich Village Follies/- Musical celebration of New York's most beloved neighborhood . . .

The Berenstain Bears make for a lively kiddie musical

2011-07-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Berenstain Bears LIVE!

The Berenstain Bears LIVE! In Family Matters- The popular children's book series translates into a fun musical . . .

Cirque du Soleil remains more circus than rock opera

2011-06-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

Zarkana- Cirque du Soleil's biggest show yet is imperfect but who cares, if it means a visit to Radio City Music Hall .

Williamstown Theatre Festival's Streetcar -well-acted, oddly staged

2011-06-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

Jessica Hecht as Blanche DuBois and Same Rockwell as Stanley Kowalski.

A Streetcar Named Desire- David Cromer directs a fine Blanche and Stanley but his production is staged with too many blind spots. . .

All's well with the Central Park experience

2011-06-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Dakin Matthews & Annie Parisse in All's Well That Ends Well

All's Well That Ends Well- Even a less than perfect Shakespeare play leaves us to decide if it is sufficiently entertaining to justify spending a lovely evening in the park. The answer to that question is inevitably "yes". . .

A sad but true story, that's unmissable theater

2011-06-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

The company of Unnatural Acts

Unnatural Acts- a cautionary Never Again tale that's also a strikingly staged, entertaining theatrical experience. . . .

A moving and all too timely solo show

2011-06-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

Jeff Keys in Eyes of Babylon

Eyes of Babylon- a gripping monologue written by and starring Jeff Key, a gay man and former Marine, . . .

Yes you can see live theater on the Rialto for $20. . .

2011-06-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

Mary Louise Wilson and Gabriel Ebert in 4000 Miles

4000 Miles-Amy Herzog's new play revisits the feisty grandmother of her After the Revolution .

A political background adds a timely touch to this 2-actor marital blow-up

2011-06-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

Joely Richardson and Cotter Smith in Side Effect

Side Effects- Can this marriag be saved? And can Weller's play about it be saved from being a poor cousin to his Fifty Words?

London theater goers are Donmar bound. . .

2011-06-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Felicity Jones as Luise Miller

Luise Miller- Mike Poulton's translation of Schiller's play at the Donmar is a hot ticket

London loves Shrek the Musical

2011-06-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona, Richard Blackwwod as the Donkey and Nigel Lindsay as Shrek

Shrek the Musical- this musical's London run may well outlast New York as a genuinely funny musical for all the family. .

The $70 million dollar, long previewing Spider-Man finally

2011-06-14T19:16:00.000-07:00

Reeve Carney and Patrick Page >

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark- The long extended mega-million musical is officially out of rehab & our review of th 2.0 version includes a background on Spidey's Marvel Comic Book history.

A must-see Tennessee Williams rarity. . .

2011-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Claybourne Elder in One Arm

One Arm- a Tennessee Williams short story impressively adapted for the stage

We conclude our coverage of the EST 1-acters

2011-06-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

EST 2011 Marathon of One-Act Plays, Series B- Not overly long like Series A, but the best still comes last . . .

Ingar Bergman fans wont want to miss this screen-to-stage adaptation

2011-06-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Through A Glass Darkly- The terrific Carey Mulligan makes a strong case for theatricality of Ingmar Bergman's 1961 film

A 1918 play for a chance to take a Pullman Sleeper trip. . .

2011-06-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

A Little Journey- The name Rachel Crothers is unlikely to ring a bell with most modern theater goers, a situation once again changed with a mint revival by the Mint Theater . . .

A site specific fun new musical with classical roots

2011-06-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Patti Murin as Lysistrata Jones

Lysistrata Jones - For sheer synergy of story and place, you're not going to get much betPost Optionster than a musical about basketball staged in a gym. . .

Tony Kushner as his most romantic. . .

2011-06-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

Lois Smith as a majrestic magician
The Illusion- though "brevity is the soul of wit" is not an adage Tony Kushner tends to follow for his own plays, his take of Corneille's 5-act drama spins out over a fast-paced, easy to follow two hours and ten minutes . .

A novel. . .a puzzle. . .a Shakespeare sendup and bouquet. . .

2011-06-01T03:56:00.000-07:00

The Tragedy of Arthur - a Curtainup Book Review especially for Shakespeare fans. . .and those who are on the fence about all the Bardolatry. . .

A courtroom thriller at Arena Stage in DC

2011-05-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Dion Grahamand Sebastian Arcelus a in A Time to Kill
(Photo: Joan Marcus)

A Time to Kill - best-selling legal thriller novelis, John Grisham's first book is entertainingly adapted for the stage, . .

The kind of songs they don't write any more

2011-05-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Best is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman - Lillas White is the standout of this Ü jazzy musical revue. . .

Babies-- damned if you do/damned if you don't

2011-05-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

Cradle and All- Daniel Goldfarb's play views the to be or not to be a parent question as a damned-if-you do and damned-if you don't situation though he does stack the deck in favor of one . . .

At over 3 hours, this 1-act series demands patience

2011-05-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

A. Acuna and C. Hudson--EST 2011 Marathon of one-Acts

EST 2011 Marathon of One-Act Plays, Series A- a worthy series but in wrong order and overly long

Follies i prompts musical fan march to DC

2011-05-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

Ron Raines and Bernadette Peters in Follies
(Photo: Joan Marcus)

Follies-Bernadette Peters fillig the cavernous Eisenhower Theater is filled with her clear-as-a-bell voice is one of many delights of this revival