Joseph Verlezza

Broadway Review: “Death of a Salesman” at the Hudson Theatre (Through Sunday, January 15, 2023)

Some may say that Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman” may be the greatest play of the 20th century and there is evidence that supports that claim. It premiered on Broadway in 1949, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the TONY award for Best Play. The fifth Broadway revival is now playing at The Hudson Theatre starring Wendell…

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Broadway Review: “1776” at Roundabout’s American Airlines Theatre (Through Sunday, January 8, 2023)

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…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Los Otros” at A.R.T./New York Theatres – Mezzanine Theatre (Closed Saturday, October 8, 2022)

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…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Kinky Boots” at Stage 42 (Currently On)

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…

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Broadway Review: “Into the Woods” at the St. James Theatre (Currently On)

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…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Between the Lines” at the Tony Kiser Theater at Second Stage (Through Sunday, October 2, 2022)

“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…

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Off-Broadway Review: “The Bedwetter” at Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater (Closed Sunday, July 10, 2022)

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…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn” at Theater 555 (Closed Sunday, July 31, 2022)

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…

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Broadway Review: “Take Me Out” at Second Stage’s Helen Hayes Theatre (Closed on Sunday, June 11, 2022)

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…

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Off-Broadway Review: “Harmony” at the Museum of Jewish Heritage (Extended through Sunday, May 15, 2022)

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…

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