“Other Desert Cities” in Previews at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater, Lincoln Center

A few days ago I attended a preview performance of Jon Robin Baitz's new play, "Other Desert Cities," at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in Lincoln Center.  Joe Mantello directs the cast of Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach, Linda Lavin, Elizabeth Marvel and Thomas Sadoski in a drama about an unusual family buffeted by the political winds of the late 20th century as played out in the first decade of the 21st.

As this was a … <Read More>


“Three Pianos”: A Work of Genius About a Work of Genius

I saw "Three Pianos" tonight at New York Theatre Workshop in the East Village (NYC).  This is a two-hour-plus meditation/dramatization of an impromptu performance of Franz Schubert's song cycle, "Winterreise" (Winter Journey), written, arranged and performed by Rick Burkhardt, Alec Duffy, and Dave Malloy, under the direction of Rachel Chavkin.  Set design is by Andreea Mincic, lighting design by Austin R. Smith, sound design by Matt Hubbs and Dave Malloy, costume design by Jessica Pabst, … <Read More>


A Musical on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Back in the 1980s, the filmmaker Pedro Almodovar created a movie called "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."  I've never seen the movie.  A few weeks ago, a new musical show open on Broadway, also titled "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," "based on the film" with book by Jeffrey Lane and Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek.  I saw last night's performance at the recently-restored Belasco Theatre.

One of the … <Read More>


“The Last Castrato,” by Guy Frederick Glass

Gay psychiatrist Guy Frederick Glass has written an interesting play probing the career of "the last castrato," Alessandro Moreschi, who sang in the Sistine Chapel Choir and is the only castrato to have actually made sound recordings – late in his career.  Glass's play was undoubtedly significantly aided by the advice and support of his partner, Dr. Lewis Baratz, a musicologist who contributed an interesting note on the castrati for the program book of the … <Read More>


Far, far, far off-Broadway with “Anna in the Tropics”

The winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "Anna in the Tropics" by Nilo Cruz, is being presented by the drama department at Daytona State College in Florida.  I happen to be in neighboring Ormond Beach, Florida, this weekend, visiting with my Mom and two nieces, so we hopped over to Daytona to catch the opening night.   This production is directed by Walter Kmiec, with set design by Scott Green, lighting by Trevor Aiello, … <Read More>


The new Broadway production of “La Bete”

I seem to be going to previews of revivals…  Yesterday afternoon, it was "La Bete" by David Hirson, previewing at the Music Box Theatre with a projected opening date later this week of October 14.  Mark Rylance, David Hyde Pierce and Joanna Lumley star in this talky but engaging modern creation of a French renaissance farce.

The premise is that the Princess, played exquisitely by Lumley, has cast her eye on an itinerant street performer … <Read More>


The New Broadway Production of “A Life in the Theatre” by David Mamet

Last night I attended a preview performance of the new Broadway production of "A Life in the Theatre" by David Mamet, starring Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight and directed by Neil Pepe.  As this was a preview, I shouldn't say too much about a production that may not yet be finalized, but I can say that it was funny and splendidly entertaining.  There is no plot, as such, but rather a string of vignettes involving … <Read More>