Joseph Verlezza

Broadway Review: “Yellow Face” at the Todd Haimes Theatre (Closed on Sunday, November 24, 2024)

Something old becomes new again with the current production of “Yellow Face” by Roundabout Theatre, which has been produced nationally, and internationally since it opened off-Broadway at the Public Theatre in 2007. That premiere production was directed by Leigh Silverman, who takes the helm in this current incarnation on Broadway. Penned by David Henry Hwang, it is difficult to decide…

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Broadway Review: “The Roommate” at the Booth Theatre (Currently On)

It has been a long journey for “The Roommate,” the dark comedy by Jen Silverman, to finally arrive on Broadway since its premiere in 2015 at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, Humana Festival. It was well worth the wait, since the current production now playing at The Booth Theatre stars Mia Farrow and Patti LuPone in a two hander that…

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Off-Broadway Review: “The Big Gay Jamboree” at the Orpheum Theatre (Through Sunday, January 19, 2025)

The Orpheum Theatre is hosting the newest campy musical “The Big Gay Jamboree,” with a book by Marla Mindelle and Jonathan Parks-Ramage. Ms. Mindelle, who is known for the cult favorite “Titanique,” also pens the lyrics and composes the music with Philip Drennen. The show is splattered with pop culture, musical theater, and gay social behavior references that are sure…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Table 17” at The Susan and Roland Frankel Theater at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space (Closed on Sunday, September 29, 2024)

The latest production to open at MCC Theatre is the world premiere of the new play “Table 17” penned by Douglas Lyons and under the direction of Zhailon Levingston. The title refers to a table that sits under a glimmering disco ball at Bianca’s, an upscale restaurant where the two main characters Jada and Dallas meet to review their past…

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Broadway Review: “Once Upon a Mattress” at The Hudson Theatre (Through Saturday, November 30, 2024)

The latest revival to open on Broadway is the classic “Once Upon a Mattress” with music by Mary Rogers, her first Broadway show, and an adapted book by Amy Sherman-Palladino, from the original by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer and Dean Fuller. As soon as the on-stage orchestra begins the overture, the audience is reminded of, or in many cases introduced…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Breaking the Story” at Second Stage’s Tony Kiser Theater (Closed on Sunday, June 23, 2024)

The newest offering at Second Stage’s Kiser Theatre is a production of a new play penned by Alexis Scheer titled “Breaking the Story” which centers around a war correspondent who is actively reporting from the front line. The production directed by Jo Bonney was a bit confusing for this audience member, finding the elements of magical realism not clearly defined….

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Off-Broadway Review: “The Lonely Few” at MCC Theater’s Newman Mills Theater (Closed on Sunday, June 2, 2024).

The most recent offering at MCC Theater is a new musical entitled “The Lonely Few” with music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak and a book penned by Rachel Bonds. Basically, it can be considered a rom com musical with a simple plot that takes a bit too long to develop especially since the predictability level is very high. The length…

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Broadway Review: The Who’s “Tommy” at the Nederlander Theatre (Closed on Sunday, July 21, 2024)

There are very few words not sung but spoken in the rock musical “Tommy,” but three that might be relevant are “Brilliant, wasn’t it?” spoken by a local lad that happens to be part of a larger audience, amazed, while watching Tommy play his first game of pinball in a pool hall. Unfortunately, they are not the three words that…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Dead Outlaw” at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre (Closed on Sunday, April 14, 2024)

Only in America, where greed, fame, crime and capitalism reign and members of a civilized society aspire to become part of the materialistic regime, can you discover the story of Elmer J. McCurdy, a futile outlaw who was gunned down in 1911. The new musical, which opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre with a book penned by Itamar Moses with…

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Broadway Review: “Doubt: A Parable” at the Todd Haimes Theatre (Through Sunday, April 21)

“Doubt” can produce several similar congenial feelings such as uncertainty, suspicion, uneasiness, apprehension, distrust and confusion. Usually there is a situation or event that occurs that may be the cause, or possibly misinformation that may initiate speculation and accusation. The striking Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley’s riveting drama, rightfully titled “Doubt,” now playing at the newly named Todd Haimes…

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