The Determined Dilettante

Yosemite

2012-01-27T17:55:00.000-05:00

Two reviews of plays with one-word titles in today's paper! Brief titles is all that Wit and Yosemite have in common, though.

Wit

2012-01-27T17:54:00.000-05:00

Manhattan Theatre Club brings Wit to Broadway, with Cynthia Nixon in the lead. I'm not sold on Nixon's performance, but found the play even better than I remembered it.

Gob Squad's Kitchen (You've Never Had It So Good)

2012-01-24T08:57:00.000-05:00

God Squad returns with a tribute to Andy Warhol's 1960s movies, including Kitchen, Kiss and Eat. The show is absolutely terrific. More detailed reasons to go here.

Richard III

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Kevin Spacey bulldozes his way through Richard III at BAM. I'm a big fan of the way he usually portrays villains, all smooth maliciousness, but he goes over the (big) top here, with almost cartoonish results. My review's here.

The Road to Mecca

2012-01-18T09:38:00.000-05:00

Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca is worth a gander, especially since it's headed by Rosemary Harris and Carla Gugino. The play drags a bit, but it does pay off. Full review here.

Untitled Feminist Show

2012-01-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

Young Jean Lee returns with Untitled Feminist Show, which I liked quite a bit.

LEO

2012-01-16T13:04:00.001-05:00

A cool piece of physical theater, LEO does extend its welcome somewhat. It's always hard to know when to stop. Review here.

Classic BAM shows

2012-01-16T13:03:00.000-05:00

I had another piece this weekend, about some classic 1970s productions at BAM: article or slide show. Check out my NY Post blog as I'll publish leftover goodies from the interviews I conducted for the article.

some cool arts tours

2012-01-16T12:58:00.000-05:00

Catching up with some linkage, follow this one to my piece about backstage and behind-the-scenes tours -- Lincoln Center, the Met, Radio City Music Hall, etc.

Porgy and Bess

2012-01-13T08:20:00.000-05:00

My review of the revival of Porgy and Bess is in today's paper. Not so hot.

Outside People

2012-01-11T11:49:00.000-05:00

Another tale of a hapless American man struggling in China hits the boards with Outside People at the Vineyard. You may want to check out Chinglish instead, but in the meantime, here's my review.

Hypnotik

2011-12-29T13:04:00.002-05:00

Cheeseball alert at Theater for the New City! I'm referring to Hypnotik: The Seer Will Doctor You Now, and my full review's here.

Close Up Space

2011-12-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

Though it's common for critics to moan about all the bad plays we have to see, it's actually rare to be subjected to one as inept as Close Up Space, currently at MTC I.

Peter Pan

2011-12-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

Peter Pan is back in town, and so is Cathy Rigby. Of course, I was there.

Lysistrata Jones

2011-12-16T10:54:00.000-05:00

I liked Lysistrata Jones off Broadway, and I still like it on Broadway: a cheerier show is hard to find. Full review here.

Farm Boy

2011-12-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

Farm Boy, Michael Mopurgo's sequel (of sorts) to War Horse hits 59E59. Warning: no puppets on stage.

James X

2011-12-12T14:39:00.003-05:00

My review of Gerard Mannix Flynn's James X, about abuse in church-run institutions in Ireland, is in today's paper.

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

2011-12-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

Michael Mayer's revisal of this 1965 musical maudit has finally opened, and my review's in today's paper. In brief: Instead of a show with a great score and a clunky book, we now have a show with a great score and a different clunky book. The more things change, the less they do.

Stick Fly

2011-12-09T08:54:00.002-05:00

Lydia R. Diamond's sudser Stick Fly opened on Broadway last night. My glass half empty/glass half full review is here.

Maple and Vine

2011-12-08T08:45:00.000-05:00

Two of my stage faves, Marin Ireland and Jeanine Serralles, star in Maple and Vine, and despite that cast plus a great premise, the show flounders.

Neighbourhood Watch

2011-12-08T08:43:00.000-05:00

Alan Ayckbourn's 75th (!) play lands at 59E59. To, er, watch or not to watch? My take's here.

Once

2011-12-07T08:58:00.002-05:00

New York Theatre Workshop may have a new Rent on its hands with Once, the stage version of the Irish movie. Read my review, then go buy a ticket — if there are any left.

Misterman

2011-12-07T08:57:00.000-05:00

Cillian Murphy stars in Enda Walsh's Misterman at St. Ann's Warehouse. And when I say "stars," I mean just that: He's terrific, plus he's alone onstage. Full review thataway.

Happy Hour

2011-12-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

Ethan Coen complete his trifecta of one-act anthologies with Happy Hour. At least I hope he's done, because the shows have steadily worsened. More here.

The Cherry Orchard

2011-12-05T10:33:00.002-05:00

CSC delivers a Cherry Orchard that's all over the map, and weirdly gripping in its own disjointed way. I elaborate here.