If you see Dee Hoty on the street, don’t tell her how pretty she is; she knows. This isn’t to suggest that the three time Tony Award nominee is stuck on herself. Actually, quite the opposite rings true. Hoty, in a recent phone interview, is smart, warm, self-effacing, and funny- and also matter of fact about actors abilities to transform themselves. [Read more…] about From Riches to Rags: An Interview with Bright Star’s Dee Hoty
Theater Reviews: Familiar & Red Speedo
Danai Gurira is having a terrific year. The Zimbabwe raised playwright and actor has been met with critical acclaim after her play Eclipsed recently transferred from the Public theater to Broadway. Her recent off Broadway play, Familiar, should also please critics and audiences alike. [Read more…] about Theater Reviews: Familiar & Red Speedo
Theater Reviews: The Last Class; Starting Here, Starting Now
In the program notes, director and lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. expressed terror in the fact that his musical revue, Starting Here, Starting Now has become dated. The three person show, which he conceived with composer David Shire, started in 1976 at the cabaret space of the Manhattan Theatre Club. It was a huge success and was consequently staged in venues around the globe. [Read more…] about Theater Reviews: The Last Class; Starting Here, Starting Now
Concert Review: Carol Lipnik at Joe’s Pub
Attending a Carol Lipnik concert is like going to church that caters to society’s fringe. The Coney Island Native will end her three week residency at Joe’s Pub this Thursday night which celebrates her latest album “Almost Back to Normal”. Her genre is tough to define, although her covers and original songs favor a bohemian folk sound. Whatever she sings, she has an awe inspiring range and a stage presence that is otherworldly. [Read more…] about Concert Review: Carol Lipnik at Joe’s Pub
Theater Review: Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope
Instead of showering each other with yearly praise and admiration, Hollywood might have taken some lessons from the stouthearted York Theatre’s recent staging of Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope. The 1972 musical revival kicked off their Winter 2016 “Musicals in Mufti” series. Mufti, as noted on the program, is done “in street clothes; without the trappings of a full production”. Each of the cast members carries the complete script and score and they have a limited number of hours to rehearse before a live audience attends. They clearly put the time to good use and gave fresh voice to this rarely performed gem of a show. Even more impressive is that these dedicated artists rarely consulted their scripts throughout the night. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope
Theater Review: Eugene O’Neill’s “Hughie”
Most of us have an Erie Smith in our lives; the kind of friendly, but terribly needy soul who chatters incessantly at us rather than with us. We listen more out of kindness than interest- or maybe we halfheartedly tune in because we too, desire human connection and a reprieve from the monotony of life.
Smith is the roving vagabond portrayed by Forest Whitaker in Eugene O’Neill’s brief, but sad revival of Hughie. Erie, whose name derived from his native town in Pennsylvania, has just returned from a five day drunk binge and is greeted by the new night clerk (Frank Wood) in a dilapidated 1928 New York City Hotel. Christopher Oram’s hauntingly beautiful set is as cavernous and hollow as Smith himself. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Eugene O’Neill’s “Hughie”
Theater Review: Insignificance
Insignificance might be the title of Terry Johnson’s beautifully nuanced play, but thanks to Director James Hillier’s careful direction and a flawless cast, the impact it leaves is quite substantial. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Insignificance
Theater Review: Women Without Men
Women Without Men by Hazel Ellis premiered in Dublin, Ireland in 1938. It was met with much acclaim, especially from the Evening Herald which called it a play that “marks another step forward in Irish Drama.” Ellis left a strong imprint in the world of Irish Theater, but she became reclusive from it and instead chose the path of matrimony. It led to two difficult marriages and a battle with alcoholism. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Women Without Men
Theater Review: Angel Reapers
In our current age of technology, self-will, and instant gratification, it’s difficult to wrap our heads around the idea of a simplistic lifestyle. New Yorkers especially, are known for their jet paced lives. Even if you were to ask a contemporary resident of Oshkosh, Wisconsin what brings joy and meaning to their days, it’s highly doubtful that they would respond with: “furrowing fields”, “repairing the henhouse”, “reaping hay”, “laundering garments” or “gathering eggs”. Yet these activities translated to spiritual enlightenment for the Shakers, an 18th century group of men and women who lived communally in Colonial America.
Concert Review: Valentine’s Day with Megan Hilty and the NJSO
Unless you’re a commuter, it takes compelling incentive for a Manhattanite to leave the island. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is one such reason. Megan Hility is another. One would think then, that this musical marriage would be nothing short of perfect for the Valentine’s Day Weekend; lush orchestral tones, a Broadway bombshell, fine direction by guest conductor Todd Ellison, and romantic standards all seem to be the essential ingredients for a perfect concert. Yet after venturing to the recently restored but acoustically challenged Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey last Friday evening February 12th, I returned to New York with a minor sense of disappointment.
[Read more…] about Concert Review: Valentine’s Day with Megan Hilty and the NJSO