Saturday, November 23, 2024
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
Reviews
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
Free Shakespeare in the Park’s HAMLET at The Delacorte Theater
If last year was “The Summer of Richard III,” with numerous productions worldwide and varying portrayals of the “poisonous bunch-backed toad,” including The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park version directed by Robert O’Hara (see my StageBiz review here), then 2023 is “The Tale of Two Hamlets.” Two Public Theater productions featuring the titular tragic prince were running simultaneously at the time of Free Shakespeare in the Park’s Hamlet’s opening, the second being James Ijames’ excellent, Pulitzer-Prize winning modern-day riff on the Hamlet tale, dubbed Fat Ham, which transferred to Broadway and closed July 2 after an extension (see
Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny: A Masterpiece that Honors the Series’ Legacy
3x As an ardent aficionado of the Indiana Jones franchise, I am overjoyed to share with you my thoughts on the latest installment, "Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny." Having been captivated by the timeless adventures of the intrepid archaeologist since my adolescent years, with "Raiders of The Lost Ark" being the very first film I experienced in the theatrical realm, I approached this newest addition to the series with an amalgamation of trepidation and excitement. However, I am thrilled to report that my expectations were not only met but surpassed, as this film represents a triumphant return to form
Melinda Hughes Takes Over, Dont Tell Mama, With “Hitched”
Melinda Hughes, a British cabaret act, brought her talents to the New York City stage with an unforgettable performance of her one-woman musical, "Hitched," at Dont Tell Mama. This satirical musical, which explores the ups and downs of married life with wit, humor and powerful musicality, proved to be an evening of pure entertainment for audiences. From the moment Melinda stepped onto the stage, she exuded a natural charm and confidence, immediately engaging the audience with her dynamic stage presence and natural sense of humor. Her operatic voice with its luscious tones and crystal clear notes, is a marvel to behold.
shadow/land at The Public Theater
Americans are bombarded by tragedies every day; mass shootings, police brutality, and natural disasters like fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. People become numbers, and their stories and struggles are reduced to headlines or photos showcasing their stress. It’s easy to become numb and forget the human aspect behind the images and figures. shadow/land by playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza humanizes one of the worst disasters in American history, not only in terms of the damage that nature caused but the lives lost due to negligence and lack of care and support for vulnerable populations. The play examines the breakdown of a mother-daughter relationship
Shucked: A Corny Gem
If you had told me a few months ago that I would spend two hours and change laughing hysterically at a cheesy, corny new musical reportedly inspired by the classic TV show Hee-Haw, I would have looked at you with one eyebrow arched well above my head. But Shucked, the new musical with a book by Robert Horn and score by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, manages to be ridiculously silly and fun at the same time. The show never takes itself very seriously and just focuses on easy laughs — and some days, easy laughs are exactly what’s needed. The story,
New York, New York: Come On, Come Through
Sometimes, all the elements for an excellent musical come together and the sparks simply don’t fly. Such is the case with New York, New York, a new musical based on a 1977 romantic movie. With songs by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb as well as new songs Kander wrote with Lin-Manuel Miranda, a book by David Thompson and Sharon Washington and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, the show has all the makings of a hit, but the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts. The story, inspired by the classic film that gave New York