Joseph Verlezza

Off-Broadway Review: “Swing State” at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre (Closed Saturday, October 28, 2023)

The latest production produced by Audible titled “Swing State”, which has transferred from Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and is now playing at the Minetta Lane Theatre, is not really what the recognizable phrase in the title may imply. It does not focus on the present political great divide, even though playwright Rebecca Gilman touches on many current troubling themes including grief,…

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Broadway Review: “Back to the Future” at the Winter Garden Theatre (Currently On)

The new musical “Back to the Future” is certainly a blast from the past, with Bob Gale penning a book that sticks closely to his original 1985 screenplay written with Robert Zemeckis. Those familiar with the film will once again enjoy the adventures of Marty McFly (an energetic Casey Likes), and his zany, eccentric friend Doc Brown (a loveable Roger…

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Broadway Review: “Here Lies Love” at the Broadway Theatre (Closed Sunday, November 26, 2023)

One of the best things about the new incarnation of the musical “Here Lies Love” which has recently opened at the Broadway Theatre, is that it does not rely on that common fact that Imelda Marcos had more than enough shoes. There are many other aspects of this production that make it an entertaining evening, including the cast, music, technology,…

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Broadway Review: “The Cottage” at the Helen Hayes Theater (Through Sunday, October 29, 2023)

The familiar post-TONY lull that usually occurs during the summer months of July and August, when everyone takes a break to flee the city for a bit of ocean breeze, doesn’t seem to be happening this theater season. So those theater going tourists and local homebodies can partake in a few new openings on Broadway, with the latest being “The…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Days of Wine and Roses” at the Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater (Closed Sunday, July 16, 2023)

Since the Atlantic Theater Company first announced that Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara would lead the cast of the new musical “Days of Wine and Roses” based on the book by JP Miller, it was evident why theater goers would rush to buy tickets. Add to that fact, the music and lyrics were written by Adam Guettel, who once…

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Musical and Dance Review: “Notre Dame de Paris” at the David H. Koch Theater (Closed Sunday, July 16, 2023)

“Notre Dame de Paris” is based on the novel by Victor Hugo and is adapted by author Luc Plamondon with music composed by Richard Cocciante. The musical and dance piece is billed as a musical spectacle and this current production at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater lives up to that righteous claim. Containing fifty-one musical numbers and little spoken…

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Off-Broadway Review: “The Gospel According to Heather” at Theater 555 (Closed Sunday, July 9, 2023)

“The Gospel According to Heather” a new musical which is now playing at Theater 555 fails to deliver any clear message let alone a gospel, constantly being sidetracked by insignificant subplots and ridiculous situations that try to reflect on the present socio-political turmoil. Just when the audience thinks it may get a grip on the proceedings, the musical switches gears…

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Off-Broadway Review: Defibrillator and M. Green Productions “Foxes” at 59E59 Theaters (Closed Sunday, July 2, 2023)

“Foxes” a new play by Dexter Flanders now having a run at 59E59 theaters is appropriately named since the two central characters Daniel (an earnest Raphel Famotibe) and Leon (a complex Bayo Gbadamosi) resolve their issue following the age-old idiom of being “clever as a fox.”  Mr. Flanders has penned a complicated story that deals with themes of sexual identity,…

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Off-Broadway Review: Prospect Theater Company’s “Lizard Boy” at Theatre Row (Closed Saturday, July 1, 2023)

“Lizard Boy” a new Indie-Rock musical with book, music and lyrics by Justin Huertas is currently playing at New World Stages presented by Prospect Theater Company. It can be described as an LGBTQ+ story but themes of identity, coming of age, acceptance and human kindness and forgiveness are relevant to all, regardless of gender, race, or political persuasion. It has…

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Off-Broadway Review: Audible Theater’s “Sorry For Your Loss” at Minetta Lane Theatre (Closed Sunday, June 4, 2023)

Audible Theater is currently presenting “Sorry For Your Loss” a solo show written and performed by Michael Cruz Kayne at The Minetta Lane Theatre, which approaches the subject of grieving with a touch of humor in an attempt to understand and absorb the process easier. The show straddles a line between stand-up comedy and storytelling, but delves a bit deeper,…

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