"Love Is Strange" is an uneven mix

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
8/23/14, 11:20 AM John Lithgow& Alfred Molina are great in Ira Sachs' "Love Is Strange," but some of the plot points did not ring true and seemed overly contrived.  Nevertheless, much of this film is very moving and has a quiet and contemplative beauty.  Recommended with some reservations.

A Clear But Uninspired Lear

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

8/18/14, 4:28 AM "KingLear" @PublicTheaterNY at the Delacorte in Central Park played its final performance last night.  This Lear, directed by Daniel Sullivan and starring John Lithgow was clearly articulated, unevenly acted, and largely uninspired, making for a long evening.  It is the first less than successful Shakespeare production that I have seen with Mr. Sullivan at the helm.  Part of the problem for me, was that this production failed to convey most characters' motivations which lie beneath the surface language of the play and need to be carefully mined by the director and actors.  It was, nevertheless, a beautiful summer's night in the Park.

Guirgis' "Riverside" is Crazy Good

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
8/16/14, 11:21 PM Stephen Adly Guirgis' "Between Riverside & Crazy" @AtlanticTheater is a well acted, funny & moving new play with complex,flawed and colorful characters who surprise and delight with sparkling dialogue.  Of special note is the indelible, bravura lead performance by Stephen McKinley Henderson.

Cate Blanchett Stuns in Compelling "Maids"

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

8/16/14, 6:56 PM Genet's #TheMaids @LincolnCenter is a hypertheatrical & hypercinematic fever dream of a play that's messy yet strangely compelling- much like a car crash from which you must struggle to avert your eyes.  Cate Blanchett is simply stunning in a role that requires her to move between emotional highs and lows in a nanosecond, and she does so convincingly and spectacularly.  Some of this production's bold and imaginative stage imagery I will never forget.