Saturday, November 23, 2024
Photo: Courtesy of Newsday and LIMEHOF "Joke Man: The Jackie Martling Story" delves into the life and career of Jackie Martling, offering insights into his contributions to the world of comedy and his impact on the Howard Stern Show and beyond. As the onlooker we are provided a unique perspective on the documentary's portrayal of Jackie's comedic journey. I first met Jackie in 1998 while interning for SONY Pictures. Within 48 hours of meeting him he sent me several of his Joke Man products and books. Over a decade years later I interviewed Jackie for my Talk Show "Welcome Back To
Reviews
A Christmas Carol Brings Holiday Joy At The Charles Dickens Festival at Theater Three in Port Jefferson
Jeffrey Sanzel's direction and performance as Ebeneezer Scrooge in Theater Three's rendition of "A Christmas Carol" offered a delightful blend of comedy and drama, showcasing impeccable timing and seamless stage movement that captivated the audience. The vintage theater itself, complete with a basement speakeasy and the nostalgic scent of aged wood, contributed to the overall charm and provided a truly immersive holiday experience. The production showcased an incredible attention to detail, with Brad Frey's superb musical direction, Randall Parsons' scenic design, and Robert Henderson Jr.'s masterful lighting and sound design, all adding depth and enhancing the atmosphere. The cast,
Alicia Keys’ HELL’S KITCHEN Musical at The Public Theater
HELL'S KITCHEN, a new musical at The Public Theater set in New York's iconic, eclectic Midtown West neighborhood, is a coming-of-age story about a typical teenager dealing with quintessential teen dramas -- family, friends, a boyfriend, love, loss, disappointment, and the spark that defines her path and purpose -- at a critical time in her life that shapes the future of what she will become -- a beloved international superstar. That superstar is Alicia Keys, the fifteen-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer, best-selling author, actress, film/TV/Broadway producer, entrepreneur and global activist. She's a force of nature and a source of
A Delightful Revival of Arms and the Man Charms Audiences with Laughter And Folly
Gingold Theatrical Group's recent production of Bernard Shaw's hidden gem, "Arms and the Man", at Theatre Row, is a delightful revival that captivates theatergoers with its infectious humor and engaging performances. While it may not enjoy the same level of recognition as Shaw's renowned works like Pygmalion and Mrs. Warren's Profession, this lively rendition, skillfully directed by David Staller, successfully showcases the play's timeless anti-war theme, infusing it with campy humor that resonates with modern audiences. From the moment the curtains rise, the production exudes an air of comedic brilliance. The cast, after a introduction, fully embraces the laughably exaggerated characters
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS at New World Stages
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
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