Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women" is now being exquisitely revived on Broadway starring Glenda Jackson, Laurie Metcalf and Alison Pill. Ms. Jackson and Ms. Metcalf are sheer perfection in their roles, and if Ms. Jackson does not win a Tony for her performance she will have been robbed. Joe Mantello's direction is elegantly superb and the set design is beautifully inventive. Don't miss this outstanding production of a great play.
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
“Carousel” Revival Is An Epic Disaster
Except for some fine singing of its beautiful score, the Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Carousel" is an epic disaster. The acting is flat & directionless, the sets and costumes are distractingly bad and most unforgivingly, there is not an ounce of emotional connection on stage.
Yes, Joshua Henry has the vocal chops for Billy, but if, as here, there is no chemistry with Julie, his singing loses its poignancy. Jessie Mueller's (Julie) acting is flat and adopts a distracting accent at odds with the rest of the cast. Lindsay Mendez plays her role way too broad and seems to be in a different show than everyone else.
Primary fault for this misfire has to lie with the director Jack O'Brien who needs to retire from directing musicals after his horrible revival of "Sound of Music" and now ruining "Carousel." You are advised to stay away from this turkey.
Monday, March 05, 2018
“Low Road” Aims High
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Kudos to @PublicTheaterNY for bringing to its stage Bruce Norris' ambitious time traveling economic- focused historical comedy #TheLowRoad. The show's huge, expert cast is fluidly directed by Michael Grief and makes this a show worth seeing, notwithstanding that its themes can be a bit repetitive and the show runs a little long.
Terrific Cast Makes For A Fine “Lobby Hero”
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
A terrific four person cast with considerable tv and film credits enlivens the revival of Kenneth Lonergan's “Lobby Hero” @2STNYC newly refurbished Hayes Theater. All 4 actors are very good, but I was especially impressed with Bryan Three Henry’s performance, and was pleasantly surprised by how good Chris Evans was given the paucity of theater credits in his bio.
Sunday, March 04, 2018
Albee’s “Zoo” Plays Smartly Revived
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Edward Albee's #AtHomeattheZoo is given a pitch perfect production @SignatureTheatr that should not be missed. A trio of actors bring these smartly combined one acts to vivid life.
Saturday, March 03, 2018
“Hangmen” Is Chillingly Great
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Master storyteller & playwright Martin McDonagh does it again with #HangmenATC @AtlanticTheater a very funny dark comedy that is given a sterling production with mesmerizing lead performances by Mark Addy & Johnny Flynn. Theater does not get any better than this.
Great Cast Elevates “Jerry Springer”
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
A supremely talented cast that goes all in on the craziness that is "Jerry Springer The Opera" @TheNewGroupNYC makes for a fun, yet at times intentionally disturbing, evening. While I enjoyed this production much more than the West End original, the show itself remains overly sophomoric for me. But this talented (including great performances from Terrance Mann, Tiffany Mann, Luke Grooms and Justin Keyes), makes this production well worth seeing in the intimate space in which it is performed.
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
“Amy And The Orphans” Is Funny & Engaging
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
#AmyAndTheOrphans @RTC_NYC is very funny & entertaining while addressing issues that are not often explored on stage. Jamie Brewer, Debra Monk & Mark Blum shine in this finely staged production.
“Admissions”Disappoints
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Josh Harmon's new play "Admissions" at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse Theater explores racial issues in education in a manner that lacks credibility and feels holllow at its core. Having liked some of Harmon's prior work, this play was a big disappointment in terms of writing and some of the acting. The play raises some interesting issues, but fails to explore them in a genuine or nuanced way.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
The 10 Best Theatrical Productions of 2017
This year's list of favorite theater productions includes productions viewed in NY, London and Dallas, with London productions at the top of the list, and New York productions dominating the balance of the list, split almost equally between Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Only one original musical (Public Work's terrific musical adaptation of "As You Like It") made the top 10 list this year, but musical revivals took 2 spots. New plays nabbed 4 spots, and play revivals took 3.
In order of preference, my 10 favorite theatrical productions of 2017 are:
1. ANGELS IN AMERICA [National Theater/ London]
In order of preference, my 10 favorite theatrical productions of 2017 are:
1. ANGELS IN AMERICA [National Theater/ London]
2. THE FERRYMAN [Royal Court/ London]
3. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND [Broadway]
4. SOJOURNERS & HER PORTMANTEAU [NYTW]
5. SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE [Broadway]
6. AS YOU LIKE IT [Public Works at the Delacorte]
7. THE ANTIPODES [Signature Theatre]
8. SPRINGSTEEN ON BROADWAY [Broadway]
9. AFTER THE BLAST [LCT3]
10. JITNEY [MTC/ Broadway] & GLASS MENAGERIE [Broadway dir. by Sam Gold]
Would have made this year's list, but were seen in 2016 and were on 2016's top 10 list: THE BAND'S VISIT AND THE WOLVES
Would have made this year's list, but were seen in 2016 and were on 2016's top 10 list: THE BAND'S VISIT AND THE WOLVES
Honorable Mentions: MILLER, MISSISSIPPI [Dallas Theater Center]; A DOLL'S HOUSE PART 2 [Broadway] CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF [Young Vic/ London]
Best Performances of the Year: EDI GATHEGI in JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN [Signature Theatre]; NATHAN LANE in ANGELS IN AMERICA [National Theater]; DENISE GOUGH in PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS [St. Ann's Warehouse]; JACK O"CONNELL in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF [Young Vic]; and DEARBHLA MOLLOY in THE FERRYMAN [Young Vic]
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
"Describe The Night" Is A Heady Mix Of History & Fiction
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Rajiv Joseph's "Describe The Night" @AtlanticTheater is a heady and dizzying mix of Russian historical and personal dramas spanning the period from the early 20th century to 2010. This is a finely written play that sticks with one long after the curtain falls. It takes some work and time to fully appreciate what Joseph is aiming for here, but well worth the effort.
Monday, December 11, 2017
"School Girls" Entertains But Lacks Depth
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
Jocelyn Bioh's new play "School Girls; Or The African Mean Girls Play" at MCC Theater is well cast, funny and entertaining. But the play aims to do more than just entertain by raising color and class issues, but unfortunately these issues need more depth than the play provides.
Saturday, December 09, 2017
"Once On This Island" Is Beautifully Revived & Reimagined
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
@OnceIslandBway is an astoundingly beautiful and moving production of a great Ahrens & Flaherty musical that is brought to vibrant life by astute direction and a phenomenal cast. I have loved this fable based musical ever since I saw the 1990 original production, and this revival meets and exceeds my highest expectations for this show. Simply outstanding in every way, it feels fresh and emotionally engaging. I left the theater wanting to go back and see it again.
Friday, December 08, 2017
Fiasco's "Twelfth Night" Is Humorless & Leaden
KenderTheater (@KenderTheater)
@Fiascotheater #TwelfthNight @classicstage is a rare disappointment from this company; it is humorless, leaden and poorly cast in many roles.
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