Saturday, April 20, 2024
Combine elements of Rocky Horror Picture Show and Beetlejuice with The 39 Steps and Mel Brooks’s Young Frankenstein, add a quick-witted, fast-paced, farcical script, mix in five phenomenally talented actor comedians, dozens of fanciful quick-change costumes, all wrapped up in a big batty vampire bow and you’d have Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors. The show, written by Gordon Greenberg (who also directs it) and Steve Rosen, now playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages, is a riotous romp that’s sexy, spooky and utterly hysterical. Though Dracula (played by the devastatingly dashing and terrifically talented James Daly, who’s more of an Alexander Skarsgard
Reviews
CHASING HAPPY by Michel Wallerstein Debuts at Theatre Row
Ideals like those proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” may be considered “self-evident” to the Founding Fathers of the USA, but they weren’t living in today’s world, inundated by obstacles to these “certain inalienable rights,” despite the progress made over a few hundred years. Admittedly, we have it comparatively better in many ways, but pursuing happiness can feel more challenging than ever. Whole movements, companies, and apps have been created to support our quest for contentment. Yet even for those fortunate enough not to be caught up in the worst of woes,
The State of “The State” Address
"The State's Dipping Balls and Breaking Hearts Tour" finished up its 3rd night in NYC at The Palladium in Times Square on October 18th. It was an unforgettable evening which paid tribute to over thirty years of history of one of the greatest sketch comedy troupes in the pantheon of sketch comedy. As the first day of The Hall of Fame induction ceremony approached, it became evident that "The State", alongside legendary groups like Monty Python, Key and Peele, The Kids In The Hall, and Little Britain, rightfully deserved their place among the sketch comedy elite. Wait! Whats that? I'm sorry?
Oppenheimer: A Cinematic Journey Into The Depths Of Creation & Destruction
Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, is an ambitious and thought-provoking film that delves into the life of renowned physicist Robert Oppenheimer and his pivotal role in developing the atomic bombs that would eventually bring an end to World War II. With an immersive use of music and a stellar cast, the film takes viewers on a journey that explores the complexities of scientific discovery, moral dilemmas, and the consequences of wielding such immense power. Let's not forget I saw this little diddy in 70 MM Filmstock, making for particularly special sound and visually unstoppable. Christopher Nolan, known for his masterful storytelling
Public Works THE TEMPEST at The Delacorte Theater
Though hurricanes, the stormy skies and the trail of destruction they bring raged across America at the tail end of summer, all was calm and serene as professional artists and community participants alike graced the Delacorte Theatre for one last time before 2025. The production was a jubilant musical take on Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest, as envisioned by Public Works, currently helmed by Lauire Wooley, featuring well-crafted, richly varied and genre-bending music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and simple yet playful choreography by Tiffany Rea-Fisher. Ancestral spirits from Seneca Village and the Isle of Manahatta, the homeland of the
Captivating! Intimate! Hilarious! “The Shark Is Broken” Takes A Bite Out Of Broadway
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars) The Broadway production of "The Shark Is Broken", written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, is a mesmerizing theatrical experience that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the iconic trio from the movie Jaws. Starring Ian Shaw, Alex Brightman, and Colin Donnell, this play captivates audiences with its exploration of the complex relationship between Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, as well as the tumultuous backdrop of the drug-riddled set of "Jaws" in 1973. Photo By: D.B. Frick One of the most remarkable aspects of "The Shark Is Broken" (aside from the fact
Cat Kid Comic Club — Lucille Lortel Theatre
Children's theatre is usually treated as an afterthought (if it is thought of at all), not as important as anything done for adults. Disney has given us some exceptions to this, but few production companies have the resources and the marketing power the House of the Mouse has. TheatreWorks USA has taken a different track with Cat Kid Comic Club, by Dav Pilkey. Pilkey is the author of the Captain Underpants books, and TheatreWorks turned his DogMan spin-off book into a musical a few years ago. Having sold 50 million copies of his works, Pilkey is a known-quantity to youngsters
Title: A Playful and Thought-Provoking Ride: Barbie (2023) Review
Rating: ★★★★☆ Barbie, the latest film directed by Greta Gerwig, takes a playful and satirical approach to the beloved doll franchise and delivers a surprisingly poignant commentary on societal stereotypes. As someone who grew up surrounded by Barbie but felt left out of the playtime, I was intrigued to see how this movie would handle the subject matter. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The film understands the importance of not taking itself too seriously, much like the classic TV show did with the film version of "The Brady Bunch" years ago. It embraces its parody nature and goes
BAAND Together Dance Festival — Lincoln Center
Summer in New York means, among a lot of other things, free performances in outdoor spaces. At Lincoln Center, Damroch Park, we had the third annual BAAND Together Dance Festival. For five nights, five of the city's best dance companies come together to celebrate movement. Ballet Hispanico, the American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey and New York City Ballet perform in a show-case of talent that is simply priceless. The artistic directors of the five companies offered this statement about BAAND: The BAAND Together Dance Festival is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of the New York City
BroadwayCon 2023: A Theatrical Extravaganza That Hits Close to Home
As the annual celebration of all things Broadway, BroadwayCon has become a cherished event for theater enthusiasts from across the globe. This year, BroadwayCon returned to the iconic Marriott Marquis on July 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, bringing together a vibrant community of fans, cosplayers, Broadway stars, and industry professionals. For many attendees, this convention is an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of theater, meet their favorite performers, and gain insights from the best in the business. For me this year's event held a special significance. Having covered BroadwayCon on multiple occasions in the past, I have been absent since