Friday, March 28, 2025
SUMO is a bold new play about sports, spirituality, Japanese culture, ancient traditions, the hero's journey, and the full spectrum of masculinity. Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring and directed by Ralph B. Peña, SUMO's New York debut is held at the Public Theater for an extended run through March 30 in a co-production with Ma-Yi Theater Company and La Jolla Playhouse. The Public's Anspacher space has been transformed into a theater-turned-dohyō with the audiences granted prime ringside seats to experience the world of sumo up close and personal. Though small in stature, playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring is a wrestler. She wrestles
Reviews
Matt Nagin’s 5th Literary Effort “The Book Of Outcasts”, Brings The Laughs
This is my second opportunity to review one of the five books by the aforementioned. He always delivers whether it be as a story writer, stand up, actor or rapper, yes, even rapper. Ask Matt about Lil Cronnie. Matt Nagin's "The Book of Outcasts" is a collection of short stories that plunges readers into the lives of individuals teetering on the fringes of society, sanity, and conventional morality. With a darkly comedic and often surreal touch, Nagin crafts narratives that are as unsettling as they are thought-provoking, exploring themes of alienation, obsession, and the search for meaning in a world that
Company XIV Brings The Valentines Goodies, Again!!!
There are moments in history when escape feels essential, and 2025 is certainly one of them. Step through the incense-laden, smoky entrance of Theatre XIV in Bushwick, and you’ll find yourself in just such an escape—a mesmerizing slip down a rabbit hole into a world of glittering beauty and captivating mayhem. Queen of Hearts by Company XIV is a dazzling spectacle where opulence and enchantment collide. From the very first moment, the performers pour their hearts into every movement, every note, creating an unforgettable experience that I can't recommend enough. They not only astonish with their acts but also double
BroadwayCon And Their 10th Anniversary: A Celebration Of Theatrical Enthusiasm
This past weekend, from February 7th to 9th, BroadwayCon filled New York City with an electric energy as fans from all over the world gathered to celebrate the magic of musical theatre. Now in its tenth season, this iconic festival continues to impress with an array of engaging events and stellar talent, all orchestrated by the beloved Broadway icon Anthony Rapp. As a passionate theatre enthusiast, attending BroadwayCon each year has been a plan, and this year did not disappoint. The schedule was packed with inspiring classes and seminars led by renowned Broadway creators and performers, covering a wide range of
Laughs, Loves and Exes At The MMAC
“My First Ex-Husband” is an electrifying evening of comedic brilliance that showcases the incredible talents of Joy Behar, Susie Essman, Tovah Feldshuh, and Adrienne C. Moore. Running from January 29 to February 23, 2025, at the newly renovated MMAC Theater, this world premiere brings together eight poignant and uproarious monologues that span the complexities of love, loss, and laughter. Each woman takes the stage to share her heartfelt anecdotes about love gone wrong, pulling audiences into their pasts while simultaneously leaving them in stitches. Joy Behar The production, directed by Randal Myler, strikes a perfect balance between humor and vulnerability. Behar’s sharp
A Christmas Carol At The Players Theater
What A Wonderful Show: Louis Armstrong at Studio 54
The Broadway premiere of “A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL” has made its sparkling debut at the electrifying Studio 54, and it’s a musical that serves up laughter alongside soul-stirring melodies. Starring the immensely talented James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong, this production takes audiences on a delightful journey through the life of the jazz icon—complete with romance, musical arrangements by Bradford Marsalis, Armstrong marital misadventures, and a dash of comedy that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Iglehart shines as Armstrong, channeling the legendary trumpeter's signature raspy tones and magnetic personality with infectious energy. The show leans
Jazz: The Heartbeat of My Life and a Journey with Gavin Gregory as King Oliver
Gavin Gregory who stars as King Joe Oliver Growing up, jazz transcended mere entertainment; it formed the very rhythm of my existence. My childhood was a mosaic of rich, soulful sounds, emanating from the vinyl records my father, a talented jazz pianist, lovingly played in our home. He opened my ears to the greatness of legends like Charlie Parker and Big Mama Thornton, their resonant melodies lingering in my mind long after the music stopped. Inspired by John Coltrane's innovative spirit, I was encouraged to think beyond the conventional, while the unmistakable voice of Louis Armstrong, the epitome of jazz's essence,
What Future Revivals Can Learn from Cats
The latest revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, which closed this weekend at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City’s financial district after multiple extensions, may well be one of the most significant and influential theater revivals in recent memory. Not only was the production genuinely enjoyable and moving, it is a perfect demonstration of how ingenuity and creativity can completely reimagine a classic piece of art for a new audience and a new generation. Not About Cats According to legend, when Webber approached director Harold Prince in the early 1980s to gauge his interest in directing the musical, Prince
Prepare for a Culinary Whodunnit: “Speakeasy Die Softly” Stages Glamour, Grit, and Gluten in Times Square!
A mere 365 days ago, I found myself stepping onto the productions of America’s largest theatrical conglomerate, The American Immersion Theater (AIT). Specializing in delightfully twisted Murder Mystery shows, this company has become the crème de la crème of the immersive theater landscape. My journey with AIT over the past year has been nothing short of an odyssey, an exuberant escapade through the realms of drama and deception. Little did I know that AIT was scaling the heights, culminating in a brand-new, audacious endeavor tucked away in the resplendent heart of Manhattan! This September, the iconic Carmine’s—a culinary monument of family-style