Uniquely Structured “Cambodian Rock Band” Rocks The House

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

2/24/20, 8:28 AM

Lauren Yee's expertly cast “Cambodian Rock Band”  ‪@SignatureTheatr‬ is wildly creative & original in its structure & form. This play with great music, including rarely heard in the US 1970s era Cambodian rock, compellingly relates details of the Khmer Rouge genocide & its impact on later generations. Admittedly the underlying story is fairly simple and not especially unique, but the way this tale is structured and presented is very unique and is supremely engaging.  The audience response at the performance I saw would justify a transfer to another theater after its Signature run, and a small Broadway house would make for a very welcome home for this show.

A Superlative “Hamlet” from Dublin’s Gate Theatre

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

2/23/20, 11:32 AM

The Gate Theatre Dublin ‪production of "Hamlet" ‪@stannswarehouse‬ is astonishing. The technical elements are perfect, but what really makes this a must see show is Ruth Negga's searing portrayal of the deep and fascinating complexities of the Dane prince.  Her performance made me experience each of the other major characters in the play in a way I have never previously experienced.  Admittedly, there is one weak link in the cast (Aoife Duffin as Ophelia), but no matter- this one of the finest Shakespeare productions I have seen.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The character complexities that imbue the Gate's "Hamlet" are largely missing in Simon Stone's modern adaptation of "Medea," a deficiency I attribute largely to Stone's writing and not the fine actors in this production at BAM.  But the production design and staging is mesmerizing and make this worth seeing.  MILDLY RECOMMENDED, WITH RESERVATIONS

The one person stage adaptation of Elizabeth Strout's fine novel "My Name Is Lucy Barton" is not inherently theatrical, but the always wonderful Laura Linney is the star of this show and makes for a largely compelling production.  RECOMMENDED

“Hot Wing King” Is Vastly Entertaining

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

2/20/20, 2:30 PM

‪Katori Hall's vastly entertaining & smart new play "The Hot Wing King" ‪@SignatureTheatr‬ features great dialogue, interesting characters, a talented acting ensemble & expert direction.  The play explores black gay male relationships in ways that few plays are able to accomplish.  Even after 140 swiftly passing minutes, I did not want this play to end, as I wanted to spend more time with its multi-faceted characters.  I have admired much of Ms. Hall's previous work, and this play ranks among her best.  Highly Recommended

By contrast, I was greatly disappointed in Roundabout Theatre's revival of Charles Fuller's Pulitzer winning drama "A Soldier's Play."  Director Kenny Leon tries to add some contemporary flourishes to this rather old fashioned and dated play, but some odd directorial choices and inconsistent acting quality make this a mediocre revival, at best.  Not Recommended

“Dana H.” Mesmerizes Telling Its Astonishing Story

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

2/19/20, 2:00 PM

Lucas Hnath's "Dana H." ‪@vineyardtheatre‬ is an astonishing & powerful testimonial docu-drama drawn from interviews with the playwright's mother.  This necessarily disturbing play is powered by a mesmerizing Deirdre O'Connell performance, elegantly refined staging & Hnath's expertly edited and structured play.    The play explores wide ranging themes involving memory, trauma and mortality.   I cannot stop thinking about this compelling production since I bore witness to its telling.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

10 BEST NEW PLAYS/MUSICALS & 5 BEST REVIVALS OF THE DECADE (2010-19)

10 BEST NEW PLAYS/MUSICALS OF THE DECADE

1.  HAMILTON by Lin-Manuel Miranda (2015)

2.  24 DECADE HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC by Taylor Mac (2016)

3.  THE WHALE by Samuel D. Hunter (2012)
      

4.  BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS by Tarell Alvin McCraney (2010)

5.  FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS by Suzan-Lori Parks (2014)

6.  THE FLICK and JOHN by Annie Baker (2013/2015)

7.  THE FERRYMAN by Jez Butterworth (2017)

8.  FUN HOME by Lisa Kron & Jeanine Tesori (2013)

9.  SKELETON CREW and PARADISE BLUE by Dominique Morisseau (2016/2018)

10. HERE LIES LOVE by David Byrne & Fatboy Slim (2013)

Honorable Mentions: APPROPRIATE by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins (2014); THE WOLVES by Sarah DeLappe (2016)
*******************************************************************************************************

5 BEST REVIVALS OF THE DECADE

1.  ANGELS IN AMERICA directed by Marianne Elliott [National Theatre 2017] & directed by Michael Grief [Signature Theatre 2010]

2.  WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF directed by Pam MacKinnon [Broadway 2012]

3.  A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE directed by Ivo van Hove [Broadway 2015]

4.   THE GLASS MENAGERIE directed by John Tiffany [Broadway 2013]

5.  PIANO LESSON directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson [Signature Theatre 2012]

Honorable Mentions: NORMAL HEART directed by George C. Wolfe [Broadway 2011]; OKLAHOMA directed by Daniel Fish [St. Ann's Warehouse 2018/Broadway 2019]; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (in Yiddish) directed by Joel Grey (2018)

10 BEST THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS OF 2019

In order of preference, my 10 favorite theatrical productions (which consists of 5 musicals and 5 plays, and of those 7 were new works, 3 were revivals) of 2019 are:

1.  THE SOUND INSIDE [Broadway]

2.  OCTET [Signature Theatre]

3.  GREATER CLEMENTS [Lincoln Center Theater]
      

4.  LEHMAN TRILOGY [Park Ave Armory]

5.  LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS [Westside Theater]

6.  OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD [WP Theater]

7.  JAGGED LITTLE PILL [Broadway]

8.  ANTIGONE [Shizouka Perf Arts Ctr @ Park Ave Armory]

9.  SIX [Chicago Shakespeare Company]

10. IN THE HEIGHTS [Dallas Theater Center]

Honorable Mentions: FIRES IN THE MIRROR [Signature Theater]; MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING [Public Theater- Shakespeare In Park]; STRANGE LOOP [Playwrights Horizons]; TWELFTH NIGHT [Dallas Theater Center]

Best Performances of the Year: Edmund Donovan in GREATER CLEMENTS;  Mary Louise Parker  in THE SOUND INSIDE;  Simon Russell Beale in LEHMAN TRILOGY; Danielle Brooks in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; Michael Benjamin Washington in FIRES IN THE MIRROR

“Jagged Little Pill” Is the Best Jukebox Musical to date

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

12/16/19, 5:25 AM

"Jagged Little Pill" is by far the best new musical of the season thus far, and the best integration of existing pop songs with an original book I have seen. The book is solid, music & cast are great, and the show is both thoughtful and moving. Bravo ‪@jaggedmusical‬

“Greater Clements” Is A Devastatingly Great Play

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

12/13/19, 11:36 PM

Samuel D Hunter's “Greater Clements”  ‪@LCTheater‬ is a devastatingly great play that movingly explores the imperfect but beautiful humanity of characters rarely depicted on stage. Judith Ivey and Edmund Donavan are astoundingly good in their lead roles and are well supported by the balance of the fine cast.  For me, the three hour running time flew by, as I felt personally invested in these lovingly depicted residents of a small Idaho mining town that is as down on its luck as its residents.  Mr. Hunter is among my favorite contemporary playwrights, and he once again delivers another powerful, emotionally searing work with this excellent play.

“Our Dear Dead Drug Lord” Is Exciting, Funny & Smart

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

12/12/19, 10:33 PM

Alexis Scheer’s new play “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord”  ‪@WPTheater‬ is an exciting, relevant, funny & smart new play that heralds the arrivals of enormously promising young theatrical talent in its excellent writer, director & cast. The play keeps subverting one’s expectations as it progresses, starting out in comedic form and slowly but surely tackles serious social issues in a unique and thoughtful way.  It is hard to say anything further about this play without spoiling the experience for those who have yet to see it, so I won’t saying anything more than do not miss ‪@druglordplay‬ which runs through Jan 5th.

Adrienne Warren Elevates “Tina”

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/29/19, 10:42 AM

‪@TinaBroadway‬ sports a pedestrian bio-musical book, but the truly incredible star making performance of #AdrienneWarren as Tina makes for a musically entertaining evening.

“Soft Power” Is An Audacious Musical of The Moment

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/28/19, 9:59 AM

"Soft Power" ‪@PublicTheaterNY‬ is a conceptually bold, expertly performed new musical by David Henry Hwang that serves as both a cautionary tale and rousing call to action.  I greatly admire the form breaking style, which melds satire with sincere commentary, which is difficult to successfully pull off.  While there are admittedly some odd moments that don't quite work, overall Hwang succeeds.  He is well served by the musical pastiche-styled  Jeanine Tesori score, which works as both homage and a sonic balm to the ears.  

“Little Shop” Is Pure Joy

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/27/19, 5:49 PM

The new off-Broadway mounting of "Little Shop of Horrors" now playing at the Westside Theatre Upstairs is an absolute joy from start to finish.  Jonathan Groff is perfect as Seymour and Christian Borle is hysterical in multiple roles, most notably as Orin, the sadistic dentist.  This production also has the most talented and well utilized "Ronnette chorus" I have seen to date.   I love everything about this Michael Mayer directed revival, and despite having seen this show in too many iterations to count, this production feels new, fresh and timely.

A Disappointing “Inheritance”

While ambitious in scope and length, Matthew Lopez' 2 part, seven hour play "The Inheritance" is not a particularly good play. The acting is uneven, the characters are largely unbelievable or underdeveloped, there is undue reliance on narration and it feels more emotionally manipulative than genuine.  There is little depth or nuance to this play, which is overly melodramatic and trying to masquerade as more more literary than the writing merits.  Overall, a major disappointment that tells more than it shows.

Mesmerizing Ambiguities Abound In the Brilliant “Sound Inside”

Adam Rapp's "The Sound Inside" is brilliantly written, astutely directed by the master of restraint David Cromer & perfectly acted by Mary-Louise Parker and Will Hochman.  This is an intelligent and mesmerizing tale whose mysterious ambiguity will haunt me for weeks.   Don't miss this fine play in this flawless production that left me completely gobsmacked.

Not Much New to See In “The Michaels”

KenderTheater (‪@KenderTheater‬)

10/23/19, 10:50 PM

The sense of thematic deja vu I had viewing "The Michaels" ‪@PublicTheaterNY‬ convinced me that I may well have had my fill of Richard Nelson's Rhinebeck set Chekovian plays. This is his least successful use of that style and setting.