I wonder what all of those people who wrote all of those doom and gloom articles and posts about New York City being dead are doing these days? Writing retractions? Finding some other negativity to spew into the world? Who, in their right mind, would bet against this town that is home to the scrappiest, most resourceful, and creative individuals that can be amassed in one place?Continue Reading
This past week we crept back, getting close to hitting our pre-pandemic numbers for theater attendance. As an exercise in collective effervescence the more people that are in the group for our audiences the higher the energy and the more rewarding the experience. This is a good and lovely thing and nothing makes me happier than energy bouncing around on the sidewalk as we prepare to enter the theater.Continue Reading
The role of Tina Turner, in the musical of the same name, has to be all kinds of grueling – a massive commitment at each and every performance. The energy burn is off the charts and the vocal range and explosiveness of the voice that needs to be employed to pull this performance off is otherworldly. Which is why, I have since learned, that they have cast two Tinas to play the part…Continue Reading
Jagged Little Pill tackles ugly beautifully. I saw this show for the second time on Sunday with a group of 50, many in the 14/15 year old range. When there are kids and their parents in the mix, I am hyper aware of the content that is that is being covered. And Jagged Little Pill covers a lot of dark, ugly and challenging content…Continue Reading
There were a whole lot of jagged little identities being explored on stage at Jagged Little Pill, on Broadway now…Continue Reading
There are two things I take completely for granted, but are completely necessary for me when I write: time and quiet. The performers on stage at freestyle love supreme are afforded neither of these luxuries, but wow can these word geniuses pump out the language…Continue Reading
Tina Turner did not have an easy life. This icon was handed the steep, craggy, dangerous and entirely uphill version of life at birth. She was also granted three super important gifts that would enable her to so marvelously persevere as she tackled this daunting climb: her spirit, her tenacity, and her voice…Continue Reading
I think it is fair to say that after living in NYC for almost 20 years, my “pinch me I get to live in NYC” stance is a permanent condition. But every so often there are days and even perhaps whole weeks that roll along and I am shaken to the core with how grateful I am to inhabit this town…Continue Reading
I had no particular desire to see Beetlejuice, now in previews on Broadway. Nor do I have any particular desire to say no when offered free tickets. So when the offer came for Beetlejuice – I went and I am glad I did…Continue Reading
Two years. 730 calendar days. That is not a lot of time. How remarkable that just a scant two years go by and boom, I find our 14-year-old twins to be absolutely on target to appreciate and love the exposed nerve that is Dear Evan Hansen…
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Don’t tell the husband, but I have a massive crush on a giant gorilla. My crush is 20 feet tall and weighs 2,000 pounds. He has soft brown eyes that can make you melt and a roar that can set you back, but leave you wanting more…Continue Reading
The musical My Fair Lady is a CLASSIC. This revival, beautifully rendered on the stage at Lincoln Center, was almost exactly what you would expect, but with a refreshing and necessary twist…Continue Reading
I am an unapologetic fan of social media. I know it comes laden with some caustic social downsides, but it is a powerful tool. A medium so powerful in fact, it can breathe a minor player of a musical back into existence with every tag, share, stream, and post. Such is the story behind Be More Chill…Continue Reading
Regina George (aka Taylor Louderman) can sing. And rock a fat suit. And command a stage. And she can be really, really mean, which was her job as head Plastic. I loved her. I loved her honesty, her fearless nature and her confidence. And when her sound system went kaput towards the end of the show I loved her even more…
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Carousel landed firmly on my radar when I learned that Jessie Mueller and Renee Fleming were headlining the show. This is the third time the theater group has gathered to see the always enchanting Jessie Mueller. We saw her first in Beautiful in February of 2015 and again in Waitress in April 2016 where she handily debuted both roles. Once Ms. Mueller was coupled with the serious singing chops of opera phenom Renee Fleming, I knew the show was a safe bet. While these outsize talents did not disappoint it is the dancing and the lighting that are my two reasons for highly recommending this show….Continue Reading