A Sublime "King & I"

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

4/19/15, 12:42 AM The Lincoln Center revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The King & I" is, in a word, glorious, anchored by the breathtaking Kelli O'Hara who delivers another astounding performance. The cast, staging and direction are sublime.  Nothing here is radically revisionist, but the work is presented in a deeply felt, emotionally resonant way.  This is one of the finest revivals of classic musicals I have seen, joining the esteemed company of Lincoln Center's prior revivals of "Carousel" and "South Pacific."

A Chilly "Visit"

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

4/19/15, 12:36 AM Kander & Ebb's last show "The Visit" now on Broadway has a tuneful score and an excellent lead performance by the legendary Chita Rivera, but overall the work felt distant and left me cold.  Having said that, John Doyle has given this show a well edited Brechtian tinted gloss that is greatly improved from the prior incarnation of "The Visit" that I saw at the Goodman Theater quite a few years ago.  However, the underlying problem here is the source material that has been musicalized.

Leslie Manville Anchors a Superb "Ghosts" @BAM

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
4/5/15, 6:11 PM Richard Eyre's excellent adaptation of Ibsen's "Ghosts" now at BAM Harvey Theater features precise staging & a luminous performance by the astounding #LeslieManville.

"Wolf Hall" is a Long Haul

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
4/5/15, 10:50 AM RSC Broadway transfer of "Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2) starts out with a bang and a solid Part 1, but Part 2 becomes repetitive & tedious. The cast is uneven, but the staging is great.  Overall this is a serviceable adaptation and play, not an inspired one.

"Hand To God" is a Smashing Success

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

4/3/15, 10:51 PM "Hand To God" is a smashing success on Broadway.  It is funny, unique, fast-paced, surprising and engaging.  It tackles serious themes sensitively and thoughtfully.  With a perfect cast & stunning lead performance by  #StevenBoyer this play appears to be bringing a much needed youthful audience to Broadway.  Kudos to the producers for taking a chance on transfer from off-Broadway.

Lost in iOW@

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
4/3/15, 12:53 AM "iOW@" @PHnyc features hauntingly beautiful songs and a fine cast, but what's it all about?  Maybe that is the point?  Maybe there is no point?  Beats me.

Audience Pleasing, But One-Note, "Rotten"

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
4/2/15, 12:14 AM "Something Rotten" will likely be Broadway's next big hit, but this well cast meta-musical was rather one-note for me, excepting one great truly show-stopping musical number.

"On The 20th Century" Goes Off The Rails

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
4/1/15, 7:42 PM "On The 20th Century" at Roundabout Theater has little to recommend this wan musical beyond a terrific Kristin Chenoweth & a quartet of tapping train porters.