"Hadestown" Is Worth Visiting

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
5/29/16, 10:22 PM "Hadestown" at New York Theater Workshop is a rousing success, great tunes, staging and cast compellingly tell the tale of a myth as old as time. The score is great and brought to life by a terrific band and fine singers.  #ambergray is especially divine.

"Skeleton Crew" is a Don't Miss Production

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
5/29/16, 5:13 PM Cannot praise "Skeleton Crew" @AtlanticTheater enough- the writing, direction & cast are perfect.  The play delves into timely social/economic issues without feeling unduly polemic or heavy-handed, focusing on the personal impact on individuals.  This is unquestionably one of the best plays of the year.

"Waitress" Disappoints

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
5/28/16, 7:20 PM  Broadway musical "Waitress," adapted from the film of the same name, is a disappointing piece of fluff with largely indecipherable lyrics, poor direction & weak orchestrations.   The cast is fine, and the show seemed popular with the audience the day I attended, but the characters are too stereotyped and humor too broad for my taste.

Fine Cast Propels "Daphne's Dive"

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
5/26/16, 11:36 PM I thoroughly enjoyed  Quiara Alegria Hudes' new play "Daphne's Dive" @SignatureTheatr which features an excellent cast and a stunningly beautiful performance by @samirawiley

"Humans" Gains Depth on Second Viewing

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

5/25/16, 6:30 PM Stephen Karam's outstanding and beautifully written play "The Humans," now playing on Broadway following its off-Broadway run, is even stronger, more astute, deeper, funnier and more emotionally resonant on second viewing. The cast is sublime and superb, giving the production a real sense of what it means to be a family, and well, human.  This is unquestionably the best play of the year, and it deserves the awards that have been, and that will continue to be, awarded to this exquisite production.

Taylor Mac's brilliant "24 Decade" Segment

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
3/13/16, 12:11 AM Taylor Mac's abridged 20th Century segment of his forthcoming "24 Decade History of Pop Music" performed at UCLA's Royce Hall on March 12 was cunningly brilliant & wildly entertaining.  Taylor is a stunning and unique performer who deconstructs popular songs, rearranges them, and performs them in ways that burrow their way into your heart and soul.

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Powerfully staged "1984" @ Broad Stage

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
1/23/16, 10:13 PM UK import #1984 @thebroadstage in Santa Monica is brilliantly staged, appropriately creepy, expertly acted and feels eerily current.  An intensely powerful adaptation of an iconic novel.  A great way to start a new year of theater.

2015 TOP 10 (+2) THEATER

Notwithstanding the proliferation of tourist aimed feel-good shows filling many Broadway theaters, it was still a very good year for quality shows on Broadway.  2/3 of the shows on the list played on Broadway, although many of the shows started in smaller off-Broadway or non-West End venues, attesting to the strength of off-Broadway and smaller theaters outside NY.  This year's list is also notable for having a nice mix of musicals (7) and plays (7), both new works (8) and revivals (4).

1. HAMILTON [Public/ Broadway]

2. A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE [Broadway]

3. JOHN [Signature Theatre]

4. FUN HOME [Broadway]

5. THE COLOR PURPLE [Broadway]

6. GIRLFRIEND [CTG/ Kirk Douglas]

7. SPRING AWAKENING [Deaf West Theater/ Broadway]

8. KING CHARLES III [Broadway]

9. SKYLIGHT [Broadway]

10. (ties) CONSTELLATIONS [Broadway]; HUMANS [Roundabout/Pels]; MYSTERIES OF LOVE & SEX [LCT/Newman]

Honorable Mentions: GHOSTS [BAM], COME FROM AWAY [La Jolla Playhouse], GUARDS AT THE TAJ [Atlantic Theatre]; HAND TO GOD [Broadway]  

Best Performance of the Year: Cynthia Erivo as Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE
There was an abundance of many outstanding performances this year with notable and memorable work by Mark Strong (A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE), Leslie Odom Jr. & Renee Goldsberry (HAMILTON), Georgia Engel (JOHN), Carrie Mulligan (SKYLIGHT), and Jake Gyllenhaal & Ruth Wilson (CONSTELLATIONS).  But one performance soared above all others and possessed my heart and soul every moment she was on stage- Cynthia Erivo who gave one of the finest musical theater performances I have witnessed as Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE.  She completely inhabits her characterr and sings like a soulful angel.  She's simply magnificent.

A Spectacular "View"

KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)

11/14/15, 7:00 PM Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge" as reimagined by director Ivo Von Hove now on Broadway, is a a stunning theatrical achievement that is gripping, primal & daring.  Mark Strong as Eddie Carbone left me speechless- his unforgettable performance anchors this outstanding revival, and he is amply supported by the balance of this great cast.  The staging by Von Hove and his design team is mesmerizing and thematically precise.  Do not miss this show.

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Captivating "Guards At The Taj" @ Geffen Playhouse

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
10/16/15, 11:35 PM Rajiv Joseph's beautifully written play "Guards At The Taj" is given a fine rendering at the Geffen Playhouse.  This production is on par with NY Off Broadway premiere at the Atlantic Theater, except for the last scene which falls victim to an overly literal set piece and staging.  Until then, I was fully enthralled, despite having seen the play previously.

"The Christians" Raises Fascinating Issues About Faith & Certainty

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
9/27/15, 5:22 PM "The Christians" at Playwrights Horizons is a well written & fascinating play exploring religious thought & certainty in a unique and probing way. In addition to fine writing, this production features a talented crew of terrific actors.  The new season at Playwrights Horizons is off to a very promising start.

Sam Rockwell Elevates Sheppard's "Fool for Love"

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
9/27/15, 5:27 PM Sam Rockwell gives an amazing performance that together with great direction and staging makes "Fool of Love" at Manhattan Theatre Club well worth seeing.

"Hamilton" on Broadway

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
8/15/15, 11:40 PM It's true, "Hamilton" is even better on Broadway than at The Public. "Hamilton" is a musical like no other that astonishes again & again over the course of its quick paced and explosive 3 hour running time.  This is a show for the ages.

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A Magical "Cymbeline"

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
8/15/15, 12:01 AM Theatrical magic is being conjured up in Central Park with @PublicTheaterNY "Cymbeline."  Daniel Sullivan's smartly directed production tames the unwieldy original, aided by the considerable talents of his expert cast and production designers.  Lilly Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Kate Burton and Patrick Page shine, and the music by Tim Kitt enchants throughout.

"Girlfriend" Redux

	KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
8/9/15, 8:50 PM Saw "Girlfriend" @CTGLA Kirk Douglas Theatre for 3rd time tonight at the closing performance. Loved it again. Is NY next? Should be w/ this perfect cast. pic.twitter.com/u0NHKfJktQ