 | KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
Encores! Off-Center's concert revival of Elizabeth Swados' 1979 musical "Runaways" may feel dated and unduly tied to the era of its creation, but It is well worth seeing for its phenomenally talented teen-aged cast. The cast represents the promising multi-cultural future of New York theater. | |
Wednesday, July 06, 2016
Teen Cast Shines in "Runaways" Concert Revival
Only Concert Scenes Work in "On Your Feet"
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
Gloria Estefan & Miami around Machine Broadway musical "On Your Feet" features entertaining and crowd-pleasing concert scenes, but the book is trite, fawning and deadly dull at times. | |
An Engaging "Small Mouth"
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
Off Broadway play "Smaall Mouth Sounds" now playing at the Signature Theater space is a uniquely written and staged look at a group on a meditation retreat. It is funny, smart and engages its viewers' observational skills. The cast and direction are excellent. | |
Monday, July 04, 2016
Be Sure to Find "Vivian Maier" on Netflix
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
Late to the game on this one, but I just watched the compelling and fascinating documentary "Finding Vivian Maier" on @netflix & was blown away by the film & Maier's photos. If you have not seen this, you should do so. | |
Sunday, July 03, 2016
A Compassionate "Healing"
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
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#TheHealing @TheatreRowNYC Clurman is another trenchant play with astute characterizations and emotionally resonant dialogue by one of America's finest young playwrights @SamuelDHunter. It features a terrific cast, some of whom are disabled but you forget about that a few minutes into the show. I wish the direction had been more tightly paced and focused, but the show is well worth seeing, which I have found to be the case for nearly every play written by Mr. Hunter. "The Healing" is scheduled to run through July 16.
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Sunday, June 19, 2016
SUMMER 2016 NEW YORK THEATER RECOMMENDATIONS
The past year in theater was an especially strong one both on and off Broadway, and a number of the past year's best shows are still running in New York this summer. If you find yourself in the Big Apple looking for a show to see this summer, I offer the below recommendations, most of which you likely can buy tickets for on short notice. Of course, the one exception to likely ticket availability is the groundbreaking monster hit "Hamilton," which is near impossible to see unless you (1) know someone with a close connection to the show, (2) have thousands of dollars to burn on a resold ticket or (3) win the lottery- literally- as in the daily ticket lottery held for the show.
Yes, "Hamilton" is all that it has been hyped to be, but assuming you do not luck into a ticket to Hamilton,"there are other great shows to see now playing in New York for which you will not have to mortgage your house.
If musicals are your thing, there are three shows that started this past year that I would recommend. The Broadway revival of "The Color Purple" is a fantastic production with a dream cast led by the astonishing Cynthia Erivo that pares the source material to its essence and delivers it with deep emotion and grace. Even if you saw the somewhat problematic Broadway debut of this musical a few years ago and think that you do not need to see this show again, I urge you to think again and book a ticket to this don't miss production directed by John Doyle.
If old style musicals are your things, you cannot go wrong with a visit to "She Loves Me" being presented by Roundabout Theater at Studio 54. Like "The Color Purple" a great cast has been assembled for this terrific revival of a solid show that features a timelessly romantic book and beautiful score. If you cannot make it to New York before this show closes on July 10, you can catch the first live streaming of a Broadway show on June 30 when "She Loves Me" is streamed via the BroadwayHD web site.
Off-broadway, there is a fine new musical entitled "Hadestown" running at New York Theater Workshop in the East Village. A folk/ New Orleans jazz infused musical take on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, this uniquely staged show is beautifully conceived and performed. The show was virtually sold old, but has now been extended until July 31, and tickets should still be available for the extension if you act fast.
If you are looking for a great play to see, I have two strong recommendations, one on Broadway and on off. The 2016 Tony Award winner for best play "The Humans" is an piercing exploration of family dynamics in our current age of economic uncertainty and wealth disparity. The cast and direction are pitch-perfect, and the writing is both emotionally resonant and deeply moving. The subtle undercurrents expertly mined by the cast make this a play that is much deeper upon reflection than it may appear on the surface. This is one of the finest new American plays in years.
Off broadway, the Bedlam Theater adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility" at the Judson Gym near Washington Park is a creative, clever and entertaining take on the classic novel. This production is faithful to the spirit of its source novel, yet feels fresh and contemporary. It is a great deal of witty fun that would be a perfect respite from any summer malaise you you may be experiencing.
Finally, although both are now closed, I hope that two other outstanding plays I saw in New York in recent months find their way back to the city in some form. The first was Dominque Morisseau's "Skeleton Crew" which recently closed at the Atlantic Theater. "Skeleton Crew" is a funny and moving look at workers facing displacement in the auto industry in Detroit, circa 2008. The second was "Familiar" by Danai Gurira, which was presented as part of last season at Playwright's Horizons. "Familiar" is very well written look at family clashes centering on a professional African immigrants to the US living in Minnesota, who are visited by the relatives from the motherland. If either of these plays make their way back to NY, and both deserve to do so, you are well advised not to miss either of them.
Yes, "Hamilton" is all that it has been hyped to be, but assuming you do not luck into a ticket to Hamilton,"there are other great shows to see now playing in New York for which you will not have to mortgage your house.
If musicals are your thing, there are three shows that started this past year that I would recommend. The Broadway revival of "The Color Purple" is a fantastic production with a dream cast led by the astonishing Cynthia Erivo that pares the source material to its essence and delivers it with deep emotion and grace. Even if you saw the somewhat problematic Broadway debut of this musical a few years ago and think that you do not need to see this show again, I urge you to think again and book a ticket to this don't miss production directed by John Doyle.
If old style musicals are your things, you cannot go wrong with a visit to "She Loves Me" being presented by Roundabout Theater at Studio 54. Like "The Color Purple" a great cast has been assembled for this terrific revival of a solid show that features a timelessly romantic book and beautiful score. If you cannot make it to New York before this show closes on July 10, you can catch the first live streaming of a Broadway show on June 30 when "She Loves Me" is streamed via the BroadwayHD web site.
Off-broadway, there is a fine new musical entitled "Hadestown" running at New York Theater Workshop in the East Village. A folk/ New Orleans jazz infused musical take on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, this uniquely staged show is beautifully conceived and performed. The show was virtually sold old, but has now been extended until July 31, and tickets should still be available for the extension if you act fast.
If you are looking for a great play to see, I have two strong recommendations, one on Broadway and on off. The 2016 Tony Award winner for best play "The Humans" is an piercing exploration of family dynamics in our current age of economic uncertainty and wealth disparity. The cast and direction are pitch-perfect, and the writing is both emotionally resonant and deeply moving. The subtle undercurrents expertly mined by the cast make this a play that is much deeper upon reflection than it may appear on the surface. This is one of the finest new American plays in years.
Off broadway, the Bedlam Theater adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility" at the Judson Gym near Washington Park is a creative, clever and entertaining take on the classic novel. This production is faithful to the spirit of its source novel, yet feels fresh and contemporary. It is a great deal of witty fun that would be a perfect respite from any summer malaise you you may be experiencing.
Finally, although both are now closed, I hope that two other outstanding plays I saw in New York in recent months find their way back to the city in some form. The first was Dominque Morisseau's "Skeleton Crew" which recently closed at the Atlantic Theater. "Skeleton Crew" is a funny and moving look at workers facing displacement in the auto industry in Detroit, circa 2008. The second was "Familiar" by Danai Gurira, which was presented as part of last season at Playwright's Horizons. "Familiar" is very well written look at family clashes centering on a professional African immigrants to the US living in Minnesota, who are visited by the relatives from the motherland. If either of these plays make their way back to NY, and both deserve to do so, you are well advised not to miss either of them.
Monday, May 30, 2016
"American Psycho" Is A Mess
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
#AmericanPsycho on Broadway is a total mess that is painful to endure. Why this was mounted on Broadway is a mystery to me. | |
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Sunday, May 29, 2016
"Hadestown" Is Worth Visiting
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
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"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.
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"Skeleton Crew" is a Don't Miss Production
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
|
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.
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Saturday, May 28, 2016
"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.
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Thursday, May 26, 2016
Fine Cast Propels "Daphne's Dive"
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
|
I thoroughly enjoyed Quiara Alegria Hudes' new play "Daphne's Dive" @SignatureTheatr which features an excellent cast and a stunningly beautiful performance by @samirawiley
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016
"Humans" Gains Depth on Second Viewing
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
|
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.
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Sunday, March 13, 2016
Taylor Mac's brilliant "24 Decade" Segment
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
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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Saturday, January 23, 2016
Powerfully staged "1984" @ Broad Stage
| KenderTheater (@KenderTheater) |
|
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.
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Saturday, December 12, 2015
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.
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.
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