“Love,” as the song goes, “is a many splendored thing.” It’s also a many splintered thing, as depicted in Lucy Prebble’s incredibly sound play The Effect. Prebble’s play depicts how and why we love through its two leading players: Tristan (Carter Hudson) and Connie (Susannah Flood) are two strangers who meet in a clinical setting where a study, led by Dr. James (Kati Brazda), will determine the use and effect of anti-depressants. James’ mentor, Dr. Toby (Steve Key) is an advocate in the pharmaceutical field and supervises the study. We also learn that he was once romantically involved with Dr. James. [Read more…] about OBIE Award Winning Director David Cromer Talks About “The Effect”
Theater Review: Ike Holters’ Exit Strategy
The liner notes for Primary Stages’ Exit Strategy state that the play was first produced in Chicago after the city proposed a potential closure of 129 public schools, 54 of which were in low income neighborhoods. The announcement occurred in 2013, but three years later, the issues and conversations remain. While Ike Holter’s gripping drama is set specifically in this mid-western city, it could well be set in Anywhere, USA. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Ike Holters’ Exit Strategy
Concert Review: Lynda Carter at Lincoln Center
“Lynda Carter sings?!!?”, was the common reaction to the declaration that I was seeing Wonder Woman in concert last weekend for her Jazz at Lincoln Center show. The answer: Absolutely! Among the powers bestowed on her television character by the Greek Gods, she’s also been granted the real life gift of lovely vocals and commanding stage presence—not to mention her maintenance of eternal youth. [Read more…] about Concert Review: Lynda Carter at Lincoln Center
Review: Archer Hotel in Midtown West Makes the Grade
When Glen Coben and his design firm began work on the Archer Hotel, they attempted to break away from the traditional hotel space by incorporating a more residential feel to the boutique. Coben, along with Peter Poon Architects masterfully achieved their goal with this hip and charming haven in Manhattan’s Garment district. [Read more…] about Review: Archer Hotel in Midtown West Makes the Grade
Review: Times Square’s Famous Knickerbocker Hotel
In 1906, when The Knickerbocker Hotel opened its doors, weary travelers were able to experience top of the line luxury for an estimated $3.25 per night. Built by John Jacob Astor IV, the building tipped its hat towards French architecture with a stately Beaux Arts design. Fifteen years later, the party ended, presumably due to the onset of prohibition, and the hotel ceased operations. The lavish rooms were subsequently converted to offices, where Newsweek magazine housed their publication from 1940-1959. [Read more…] about Review: Times Square’s Famous Knickerbocker Hotel
Theater Review: Christopher Hampton’s “The Father”
Without heartbreak, it’s unlikely that a majority of our dramatic works would even exist. Then again, without some pain in the heart, own lives would not be fully realized. One current show on the boards reflect the anguish and pain that reality can bring, and yet it does it in such a superb manner that we feel a wave of catharsis and empathy long before the curtain falls. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Christopher Hampton’s “The Father”
Theater Review: Danai Gurira’s Powerful “Eclipsed”
Danai Gurira might be one of the strongest and most important voices in American Theatre today. The playwright’s production of Eclipsed gathered thunderous applause and approval from both critics and audiences when it premiered off Broadway at the Public Theater last year and subsequently, it moved to Broadway’s Golden Theatre, where it has received just as much positive buzz. This marks the second New York show in a year for Gurira, who also stars as Michonne in the AMC television series, The Walking Dead. Her other hit show, Familiar, received an extension at Off Broadway’s Playwright’s Horizons before closing on April 10th. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Danai Gurira’s Powerful “Eclipsed”
An Interview with DISASTER’S Jennifer Simard & Seth Rudetsky
There is a mutual admiration society meeting nightly at the Nederlander Theatre, home to the current hit, Disaster! The Musical. The show, which features a groovy blend of disco, is set on a floating discoteque casino where Broadway veterans parody all of the seventies disaster movies. Actor Seth Rudetsky gathered many of his long time stage friends including Roger Bart, Kerry Butler, Kevin Chamberlain, Adam Pascal, Faith Prince, and Rachel York to mount the much lauded Broadway laugh-fest. He also enlisted Jennifer Simard, a superb actor who is no stranger to the Broadway stage, but who is delivering a much talked about break-out performance as a nun with a gambling addiction. [Read more…] about An Interview with DISASTER’S Jennifer Simard & Seth Rudetsky
Experience Wall to Wall Stephen Schwartz This Saturday
If you wake up this Saturday April 16th and have nothing better to do than sit around contemplating your corner of the sky, then you’d better leave your cheese to sour, defy gravity, and prepare ye the way of the 1,2, or 3 train. Head to the extraordinary Upper West side for Wall to Wall Stephen Schwartz, a musical celebration of the famed Broadway composer’s works. The concert begins at 3 PM. [Read more…] about Experience Wall to Wall Stephen Schwartz This Saturday
The NY Pops Cinematic Season Finale
For once, I won’t complain about the sound. While my past reviews of the NY Pops Concert Series have exposed the poor imbalance between the orchestra and the vocalists, “Grumpy Grandpa” Leeds will refrain from any such criticism this time around. [Read more…] about The NY Pops Cinematic Season Finale