“The Ferryman” Is Fantastic

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/29/18, 11:20 PM

I was thrilled to discover that "The [Irish] Troubles" themed play "The Ferryman"‬ is just is good on Broadway as it was in London.  This stunning play is given an explosive production featuring an expert cast, most of whom were in the London production.  I am in awe of Sam Mendes' seamless direction of Jez Butterworth's beautifully constructed and written play, such that I am certain this will remain as one of my all time favorite theatrical experiences.

If you are in New York, you must not miss seeing this play.

“The Girl From The North Country” Dragged Down By A Leaden Book

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/28/18, 11:59 AM

"The Girl From The North Country" ‪at The Public Theater features Bob Dylan music that is beautifully sung, orchestrated and staged, but which are at odds with the unfortunate book scenes by Conor McPherson that are cliche ridden, wooden and flat. There are essentially two independent shows here that are at war with one another.  The play soars during its musical numbers, but the moment they stop, the energy of the show is sapped by the pedestrian play that often bears little or no connection to the Dylan songs.  However, the musical scenes alone may be worth the price of admission to this one.

Expert Acting Elevates “Fireflies”

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/27/18, 5:41 PM

Kari's Davis & Dewanda Wise are on fire in Donja R Love's engaging two hander play "Fireflies" ‪@AtlanticTheater‬.  Go see this if you want to see two great young actors working at the top of their game.  

I found this play engaging and thought provoking after a week of right wing inspired violence in the US, which made the play's themes timely and relevant.  A few of the dramatic conventions employed here are less than novel, but the finely textured dialogue and acting won me over, and made me want to see other works by this young playwright.

A Stunning “Oklahoma” For Our Times

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/27/18, 9:11 AM

Daniel Fish's "Oklahoma" ‪St. Ann's Warehouse is a stunning revelation that deep mines & then reconstructs the dark recesses of the R&H original, molding it into an entirely new work of art that blew my mind. The cast is outstanding, the orchestrations sublime.  Don't miss it.

“Lifespan Of A Fact” Is Witty & Entertaining

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/26/18, 12:17 AM

‪@LifespanOfAFact‬ is a witty & delightfully entertaining comedy that features 3 great actors working at the top of their game. #DanielRadcliffe is especially great as a magazine fact checker. The premise of this play is unusual; the execution is masterful.

"Good Grief"

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/24/18, 11:03 PM

Ngozi Anyanwu's "Good Grief" at the Vineyard Theatre did not work for me.  The writing is sub-par and relies too much on narration.  the play's limited dramatic arc makes its 90 minute running time seem much longer.  Its attempts at humor are sitcom-like and the play's sharp tonal shifts that seem more forced than organic.  Some of the audience members around me seemed to like this production, but I could not wait for it to end.

“Days of Rage” Disappoints.

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/24/18, 5:21 PM

Steven Levenson's Vietnam War era themed new play "Days of Rage" ‪Second Stage Theater features some fine acting, but the play itself lacks credibility and believability.   The play never engaged me and left me cold, which is especially disappointing given that I had the opposite reaction to Levenson's "If I Forget."