Sometimes there is no reason to try and improve or change something which would adhere to the adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Adjusting, tweaking, or trying to improve things when they already work well, can spell disaster. By altering the original parts or embellishing the simplicity of the original, it may in fact complicate or confuse the…
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the definition of “cycle” is a permutation of a set of ordered elements in which each element takes the place of the next and the last becomes the first. Using that definition, it seems safe to interpret the new musical production “Los Otros,” now playing at A.R.T., a song cycle. Two characters, Lillian (an enthralling…
Theatergoers who missed the successful Broadway production of “Kinky Boots” should make their way to Stage 42 for the Off-Broadway revival which will be sure to please. A more condensed version of the original does not compromise the structure or diminish any of the crucial themes of the story. It is actually quite a different experience because of the intimacy…
The most recent revival of the 1987 Broadway musical “Into the Woods” featuring music and lyrics from the late, great Stephen Sondheim is now making its triumphant return, playing at the St. James Theatre. It is without a doubt a fitting tribute to this musical theatre giant. Director Lear deBessonet has assembled an unrivaled cast of astute actors, who are…
“Fairy Tales” and “Happily Ever After” have been great fodder for musical theater usually targeting multi-generational audiences, being prudent to include visual and intellectual content that will entertain all ages. Disney has had remarkable success bringing their animated characters to the stage surrounding them with lavish sets, adorning them in gorgeous costumes, and infusing intricate stagecraft into the production that…
Comedy is usually a successful way to approach any discussion about a difficult and awkward situation and often eases the tension surrounding the stigma that might be associated with the uncomfortable problem. Comedy writers have used this technique for years creating some of the most successful sitcoms that deal with controversial social issues. It may be more difficult to implement…
There are times when a trip to the theatre should being nothing but fun and entertainment. A clever and ingenious musical performed by a remarkable cast is an additional bonus. One need to look no further than the stage of Theater 555 where the production of “Romeo and Bernadette” graces the stage and provides the audience a skillful and crafty…
The revival of “Take Me Out” by Richard Greenberg which opened at The Helen Hayes Theater, in many ways does not feel as if it were written twenty years ago, given the current political climate and the conservative challenges of LGBTQ+ rights. The story about a major league baseball star surprisingly coming out in a public arena, deals with the…
The Comedian Harmonists was an internationally famous all-male German singing group that was formed during the Weimar period and was forced to disband in the early 1930’s when the Nazi regime came into power. The group consisted of six males, three of whom were Jewish or of Jewish decent and one that had married a Jewish woman. The story of…
It has taken this reviewer a couple of days to contemplate the new stage version of the well-known children’s story “The Little Prince” penned by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which has taken up residence at the Broadway Theatre for its New York debut. At first, although mesmerized by the illusionary concept put forth by an impressive creative team, the question that…