Manhattan Digest

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THEATRE

One on One With Nickle Mines Performers Sophie & Emma Hearn

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Nickel Mines is a play that just wrapped at the New York Music Festival performed at Duke Theater. It is a very unique play in that it demonstrates not only forgiveness, but also empathy toward the local Amish community. The play is based off of the 2006 tragedy of ten Amish girls. Five were shot and five were injured by 32-year-old Charles Carl Roberts IV who later turned the gun on himself. [Read more…] about One on One With Nickle Mines Performers Sophie & Emma Hearn

Broadway Barks: 18 years of Howls and Whimpers

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Bernadette Peters and Gloria Estefan look terrific for stars who have been at it for over 80 years. Before the tabloids explode with untruths, allow me to clarify: This is in dog years. In reality, both of them appeared on Broadway’s famed Shubert Alley this past Saturday for Broadway Barks, an event that raises awareness and funds for local animal shelters and pet adoption agencies. [Read more…] about Broadway Barks: 18 years of Howls and Whimpers

Theater Review: Lincoln Center’s Smash Hit “Oslo”

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Poor Scandinavia. It is quite often the neglected child of Europe. Yet with low crime, free health care, social equality, extended maternity/paternity leave and other perks, it consistently ranks the highest on the world Happiness Index. Perhaps it is Scandinavia’s neutrality that causes oversight. Other countries do not seek fights with it, nor does it instigate feuds with other parts of the world. [Read more…] about Theater Review: Lincoln Center’s Smash Hit “Oslo”

Tony Winner Victoria Clark Directs Mother & Son Show for New York Musical Festival

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The New York Musical Festival is once again in full swing and one of the most talked about shows this year is Newton’s Cradle, the story about a young man, Evan Newton, who brings his family to their secluded Alaskan cabin to propose. The show’s predominant theme focuses on autism. [Read more…] about Tony Winner Victoria Clark Directs Mother & Son Show for New York Musical Festival

Theater Review: The Power of Punctuation at Davenport Theater

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It comes as no surprise to learn that Natalie Margolin, who both wrote and stars in The Power of Punctuation, was considered one of the funniest women at her Alma mater. The Kenyon College grad could easily be placed in the same category as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Amy Schumer. Margolin’s  drama thesis is currently being staged at the intimate Davenport Theater and is well worth the 60 minute investment.

[Read more…] about Theater Review: The Power of Punctuation at Davenport Theater

Theater Reviews: The Merchant of Venice & Ugly Lies The Bone

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 It may seem heretical to suggest that sitting through a play written by the Bard takes work. It might be even more preposterous to make such an observation when the play is being staged at a theater company that uses his name as their cornerstone, but let’s be honest:  If Shakespeare’s texts were easy to decipher, scholars would not spend countless hours wracking their brains over meaning and interpretation. While his influence is found in nearly every dramatic work that has ever been written, the source material can be a heavy lift and if not performed well, it can be downright dreadful. [Read more…] about Theater Reviews: The Merchant of Venice & Ugly Lies The Bone

Giving Voice to the Almighty: An Interview with David Javerbaum

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David Javerbaum might be a self-proclaimed “lazy person”, but it’s fairly erroneous to pin that label on a multiple Emmy award winner whose writing credits include The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, several books, and lyrics to the opening number of two Tony Awards shows. This, in addition to a stint as producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden. [Read more…] about Giving Voice to the Almighty: An Interview with David Javerbaum