Last night, RuPaul’s Drag Race fans were left absolutely stunned as one of the two favorites to win this season, Thorgy Thor, was sent packing after an amazing lip sync against Chi Chi Devayne. Whereas Chi Chi slayed the house down, we were all shocked as Thorgy has been consistently good throughout and no one saw this coming. That brings me to the point of this piece. [Read more…] about Top 10 Most Shocking Elimination in RuPaul’s Drag Race Herstory
THEATRE
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
New York Festival of Song’s Gala was Pure Fun
While spring continued to confound New Yorkers with its unusual chill, the charming warmth emanating from the stage at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall this past Tuesday night made lucky audience members temporarily forget the pesky grip of winter’s remain. [Read more…] about New York Festival of Song’s Gala was Pure Fun
Theater Review: Cagney The Musical
One would not ordinarily associate disco with tough guys, but the only song that came to mind after I left the Westside Theater recently was Donna Summer’s signature hit, “She Works Hard For the Money.” Swap the pronoun “They” for “She” and apply it to the hugely talented cast of Cagney, the new musical that has reopened to a slightly larger scale than its last incarnation at the York theatre. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Cagney The Musical
Theater Reviews: House Rules & The Humans
Fewer grounds are more fertile for theater than family drama and two new plays tackle all of the complexities that our next of kin can bring.
HOUSE RULES
Ma-Yi Theater Company’s off Broadway production of A. Rey Pamatmat’s House Rules takes us inside the homes of two Filipino-American families. Both live in the same building, (which presumably is New York, although it is not certain), and both are struggling to come to terms with strained relationships. [Read more…] about Theater Reviews: House Rules & The Humans
Head to the “Sack” to See Five Women Wearing The Same Dress
Escaping Manhattan to see a play at the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center sounds like the set-up for an April fool’s joke. In fact, it’s not. [Read more…] about Head to the “Sack” to See Five Women Wearing The Same Dress
Theater Review: Disaster! The Musical
The marketing campaign for Disaster! The Musical effectively showcases its dense Broadway talent. Adam Pascal (Chad), Roger Bart (Tony), Kerry Butler (Marianne), Faith Prince (Shirley), Kevin Chamberlain (Maury), Rachel York (Jackie), and of course, Mr. Broadway himself, the creator of this whole amusing mishegas, Seth Rudetstky (Professor Ted Scheider). Each of them have their moments to shine in this send up on disaster movies of the 1970s. But, there is one secret weapon at the Nederlander Theater that goes by the name Jennifer Simard. It is safe to assume, after watching this comedic genius tear up the stage as a gambling addicted nun that Simard will soon take her place alongside her venerable cohorts. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Disaster! The Musical
From Riches to Rags: An Interview with Bright Star’s Dee Hoty
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