The new musical “Smash,” opening on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre, creates more than one bombshell, strategically detonating a multitude of explosive twists, turns, and powerful production numbers, to create a good old-fashioned musical. Never having seen the popular television show of the same name, there were no comparisons or expectations to be fulfilled, so this production seemed fresh and…
“The Last Five Years” featuring a book, music and lyrics, by Jason Robert Brown, has had a long journey since first opening in Chicago in 2001. It has had two off Broadway runs, two London runs (one West End), it was made into a film, and it has now finally arrived on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre. It is a…
One of the latest offerings to open on Broadway comes in the form of a tribute musical revue, dedicated to the incredible work of the iconic composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim. It is devised by producer Cameron Mackintosh, who has carefully selected songs from the musicals he produced in association with Mr. Sondheim. The two names that appear above the…
Yet another new production enters the current Broadway season boasting a well-known film and television star, a large movie screen, and several television screens that surround the proscenium to provide close-ups of the actor. It is an adaptation for stage, from a movie bearing the same name. The well-known star is George Clooney, making his Broadway debut, and the show…
The creative team for the musical “Buena Vista Social Club” have been hard at work making a few changes in preparation for its Broadway debut after a successful run at the Atlantic Theater. The most notable alteration is the transition from a small off-Broadway stage to the considerably larger stage of the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Although, at no fault of…
A star-studded production has found its way to Broadway from Sydney Australia, with an adaptation of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde. This transformation of the classic is written and directed by Kip Williams, and features one actor, Sarah Snook, playing all the roles, including the narrator. In this modern age of theater, it has become extremely common…
The latest import from London is a perfect example of the broad slapstick comedy that British audiences are fond of across the pond, and it joins the ranks of several similar shows that have invaded Broadway in the past few years. One of the reasons the new musical “Operation Mincemeat” is successful is the interesting and compelling storyline based on…
The new play by Matthew Lombardo titled “Conversations with Mother” now playing Off-Broadway at Theatre 555, is a lighthearted and comical evening of entertainment, mostly due to the extremely talented cast. This eighty-five minute two-hander stars Caroline Aaron and Matt Doyle, who make use of their perfect timing and comedic skills to bring as many laughs as possible to the…
The new musical “Redwood,” which recently opened at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway, certainly lives up to the title, featuring the magnificent giant redwood tree that seamlessly moves on and off-stage as needed. In fact, it may be one of the best characters, given the name Stella, in this long, tedious and banal musical which was conceived by its star…
The widely anticipated revival of “Gypsy “on Broadway has finally arrived, along with the reopening of the Majestic Theatre after a healthy renovation, requiring the theatre to be closed for nearly eighteen months. Most of the excitement was generated by the return of the renowned Broadway star Audra McDonald to the stage who would take on the iconic role of…