The Son (Peter Friedman) is at a loss. His mother, Ida Armstrong (Deanna Dunagan) has lived longer than she expected. Her husband Ron passed away, leaving her little money and now she is experiencing dementia. Cash strapped and frustrated, the son and his siblings sacrifice their own well beings to ensure that Ida maintains her pampered lifestyle. “My friends are in the Beaverbrook and I’m a Beaverbrook person,” she tells her son. Beaverbrook it is. Nothing is too good for this manipulative matriarch in Max Posner’s The Treasurer, which recently opened at Playwrights Horizons. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Life is Costly for “The Treasurer”
THEATRE
The Legendary Ann Reinking Honored at Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala
Legendary Broadway actress Ann Reinking was honored at the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation’s Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala this past Sunday night. Her resume alone is chock full of amazing performances over the past forty years, including legendary turns in Over Here!, Goodtime Charley, Dancin’ and of course Chicago, the latter of which she won a Tony award for. The NYU Skirball Center played host for the evening, which was packed with Broadway’s best to pay tribute to one of its biggest stars. [Read more…] about The Legendary Ann Reinking Honored at Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala
“The Violin” Scratches Out a Complex Tune at 59e59th Theatre
A song of tension and discord is currently emanating from 59 East 59th Street theatre in Dan McCormick’s world premiere play, The Violin. [Read more…] about “The Violin” Scratches Out a Complex Tune at 59e59th Theatre
Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre Cooks a Crazy Family Gathering
Family cook-outs often conjure a sense of dread, both for family members and outside observers. Polite small talk, Aunt Mary’s barely edible potato salad, and awkward pauses typically prevail under sweltering hot conditions and irksome insects. [Read more…] about Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre Cooks a Crazy Family Gathering
Broadway Superstars Andy Karl & Orfeh on Being “Legally Bound”
If there was a superlative for “Broadway’s Cutest Couple” it would easily be Orfeh and Andy Karl! Both are Tony Award nominees, both are superbly, talented, and both are incredibly good looking! What could get any better than that? I’ll tell you what: them doing an album together! Yes, this lovely couple has released their first album together called Orfeh & Andy Karl: Legally Bound – Live at Feinstein’s/54 Below, which shows the couple taking on some of the biggest standards from all types of music in an absolutely incredible way. [Read more…] about Broadway Superstars Andy Karl & Orfeh on Being “Legally Bound”
Theater Review: Kinsey Sicks “Things You Shouldn’t Say” Showers Soho with Sass
At first glance, the Kinsey Sicks appear to offer a typical, run-of-the-mill drag show. All of the expected elements are in place: mascara, beautiful dresses, high heels, perfectly quaffed, aquanet hair, eyelashes for miles, and—above all—witty quips and banter. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Kinsey Sicks “Things You Shouldn’t Say” Showers Soho with Sass
Theater Review: “For Peter Pan on Her 70th birthday”
I don’t often recall Geoffrey the giraffe in the middle of a play. If you’re a child of the eighties, you might remember this congenial ungulate as the mascot for Toys R’ us toy stores. I can vividly picture his star turn in the commercials from Saturday morning cartoons. Various happy children would embrace their joy-giving gadgets and sing, “I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R’ us kid. They gotta million toys at Toys R’ Us that I can play with.” As the commercial ended, Geoffrey sat silhouetted on a bench, staring at the sunset and granting a warm embrace to a child. The campaign was genius. It encouraged kids to put items on their wish list and supplied adults with a heaping dose of childlike wonder. [Read more…] about Theater Review: “For Peter Pan on Her 70th birthday”
“The Suitcase Under the Bed” Reveals Quite a Treasure
In my 3 plus years of experience covering productions at the Mint Theater Company, I have concluded that the barometer of their works range from good to great. I’m relieved to say that I’ve never walked away feeling as though my time had been wasted. If only I could give that same praise for every other production in this town, I’d be the happiest critic in Manhattan! [Read more…] about “The Suitcase Under the Bed” Reveals Quite a Treasure
“Curvy Widow” Proves That There is Life After Death
Who says dating in New York City is an impossible chore? For Bobby Goldman (Nancy Opel), Manhattan is a metropolis of endless, masculine opportunity. After her famous screenwriter husband passes away, Goldman seeks advice from her therapist (Alan Muraoka) who—in no uncertain terms—tells her that the best way to cope is by having sex…lots of it. Goldman follows orders and quickly creates multiple online profiles, all of which use the handle “Curvy Widow”. [Read more…] about “Curvy Widow” Proves That There is Life After Death
Historical Drama “Panic!” Sets High Stakes
Queen Elizabeth (Gina Stahlnecker) is not happy. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (Kevin Mejia) has commissioned a new performance of Richard II by William Shakespeare (Ryan Tramont). The play had been performed before, but only with 150 lines cut from it—lines which drew close parallels to the Queen herself.
[Read more…] about Historical Drama “Panic!” Sets High Stakes