Playwrights Horizons Scores With "Dance Nation"; "Summer" Fails To Sizzle

The most inventive and entertaining off-Broadway show I saw on my recent visit to New York was "Dance Nation" at Playwright's Horizons.  Exploring the emotions and travails of 13 year-olds in a female competitive dance troupe, this well cast and finely directed (by Lee Sunday Evans) work unfolds like a mash-up of "The Wolves," "Small Mouth Sounds" and an Annie Baker play.  I do not mean to suggest that it is not seem original, because it feels fresh and explores topics that are rarely if ever explored on stage.  "Dance Nation" genuinely addresses teen issues in ways that the new musical "Mean Girls" does not even come close.

I also was glad to catch "This Flat Earth" at Playwright Horizons, which addresses gun violence issues in an interesting and thoughtful way.  However, several plot points do not come across credibly and create unnecessary distractions.

I was not so pleased with the new Broadway musical "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical."  This title aptly conveys the lack of originality in this bio-musical.  As a general rule, I do not care for jukebox musicals, especially when they do little more than go through selected life events of the music's creator(s).  This wan production is no exception to that rule.  Nevertheless, the three actresses sharing the role of Donna Summer are great vocalists, especially the supremely talented La Chanze, and several of the musical numbers are entertaining.

Thoughtful "Mlima's Tale" Is Beautifully Staged

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

4/22/18, 11:27 PM

‪Lynn Nottage's new play "Mlima's Tale" at ‪@PublicTheaterNY‬ is a unique, thoughtful, beautifully staged examination of illegal ivory trading that uses it's subject matter to expose larger systemic corruption and greed issues.

A very fine cast, most of whom play multiple roles, tell this tale with clarity and precision under Jo Bonney's expert direction.  Sahr Ngaujah's haunting portrayal of the titled character (an elephant) is mesmerizing and moving.

Tuneful Score Propels "Miss You Like Hell"

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

4/22/18, 5:26 PM

#MissYouLikeHell ‪@PublicTheaterNY‬ explores timely immigration issues while sporting a beautiful score and breakout performance from #GizelJimenez

Ravishing “My Fair Lady” Revival is a Triumph

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

4/21/18, 11:37 PM

‪Bartlett Sher's Lincoln Center revival of "My Fair Lady" ‪is a ravishing & revelatory triumph. The entire cast is great, but the most astonishing surprise is the Broadway musical debut of Lauren Ambrose as Eliza whose perfectly calibrated and beautifully sung performance gives the show its heart and its purpose.

Lerner & Lowe's "My Fair Lady" is rightfully considered one of the finest (and many say the singular finest) musicals of it's era.  But it is difficult show to make inoffensively current today.  But Mr. Sher, well aided by Ms. Ambrose, find a way to subtly tweak & mold the classic musical into an exploration of female & class empowerment.  If you think the world does not need another production of "My Fair Lady," this production will prove that thinking wrong.   

"Mean Girls" Lacks Depth

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

4/20/18, 12:05 PM

The just opened Broadway stage musical adaptation of Tina Fay's "Mean Girls" features a talented cast and canny staging, but lacks originality and a genuine emotional core.   It is best described as a cotton candy musical, because at the end you realize that there is nothing of substance in it.  It is the polar opposite of the Broadway season's best new musical "The Band's Visit" in that "Mean Girls" is busy on its surface but lacks any depth.  In contrast, "The Band's Visit" seems quite simple on its surface, but has deep oceans of depth underneath that stays with you long after its curtain falls.

Intriguing "Empathitrax" Elevated By Fine Cast & Production Design

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) 4/12/18, 10:57 PM Ana Nogueira's "Empathitrax" is a intriguing and thoughtful play that uses a fictional "empathy drug" to explore relationship, intimacy and mental health issues.  The play is funny and engaging until it loses steam in its final scenes, but is is elevated by a very fine production featuring terrific a terrific trio of actors & an outstanding set design by SMU Meadow's MFA student Amelia Bransky.