Saturday, November 23, 2024It was hard not thinking about what was happening in Ukraine (the "The" was dropped when independence was declared in 1991) when J2 Spotlight Theater's captivating revival of A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine opened last weekend and finishing up its sold out run at Theatre Row on March 6. However, it's important to remember that the infrequently seen 1980 Dick Vosburgh, Frank Lazarus and Jerry Herman musical doesn't have a Marx named Karl, but those named Groucho (David B. Friedman), Harpo (Suzanne Slade) and Chico (Mike Cefalo). This love letter to 1930s Hollywood is about as far from the myopic disaster Carnegie
Reviews
Mdou Moctar & Bartees Strange launch Music at BAM Curated by Hanif Abdurraqib
There are moments when music can break down all borders and boundaries to touch something deep within the soul. Those rare experiences make an individual recognize their place in their collective community and within humanity as a whole. This is not an intellectual process but requires the heart's opening. It is a possession of sorts that takes you over as if seized by some supernatural force. That was the feeling that permeated BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House when Mdou Moctar and Bartees Strange kicked off Music at BAM, a series programmed by Hanif Abdurraqib, Guest Curator-at-Large. The vast space was jam-packed
‘Space Dogs’ Blast Off at MCC Theatre
The Jetsons had Astro. Doctor Who K-9 and Karvanista. Boxey adopted robotic Daggit after the first Battlestar Galactica survived the Cylon attack but the poor kid's pet didn't. The original Enterprise crew ended up with two dogs (one good, one bad and both in unintentionally hilarious costumes) in The Enemy Within. Science fiction has long been a dog's world, but so was science at one testosterone-fueled time. In what was not such a Cold War secret, the Soviets used/abused dogs during the Space Race (1955-1975). The best-known stray was Laika ("Barker"), the first earther to orbit the planet in 1957. Her dedication to the
Revisiting 2 Icons: A Dance Solo and a Legacy
Recipes, coffee franchises, fashion, even outfits worn to museum galas are labeled "iconic." The performing arts have no shortage of them either. Towards the end of 2021, two very different ones who deservingly earned that moniker received renewed interest, partially untied by themes of female empowerment. It was the audience at the December 4th evening performance of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre who helped make it perfect. They willingly showed vaccination cards, applauded the "mask on" announcement and cheered non-stop. To quote the Gospel lyrics heard at the end of the evening in Revelations, "There is trouble all over this world."
SHEEP #1: Tiny Toys Captivate Hearts at Japan Society
There comes the point in life when one embarks on a Hero’s Journey toward self-discovery and finding the meaning of life. In the case of SHEEP #1, now playing at Japan Society through November 7, that remarkable journey belongs to a tiny plastic sheep toy. NYC-based Japanese artist Sachiyo Takahashi creates a unique, imaginative world and theatrical experience through her “Microscopic Live Cinema-Theatre,” a real-time manipulation of miniature objects projected on a screen with silent dialogue and live musical accompaniment. The result is a performance that is extraordinarily tender, whimsical, and perspective-shifting. Inanimate objects become sentient beings with complex desires, interactions and
United Solo Theatre Festival 2021 presents Lynn Needle’s SIX SOLOS – Legend, Myth and Nature
Following this unprecedented time of isolation, the United Solo Theatre Festival 2021 is back at Theatre Row. On October 28, choreographer, teacher, and gifted visual memoirist Lynn Needle performed SIX SOLOS - Legend, Myth and Nature. From her brief, intense on-stage warmup, Needle effortlessly connected to the audience providing deeply "interpersonal" reflections on each dance. The "Legend" and "Myth" part of the program honored her mentors Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993) and Claudia Gitelman (1946-2012). As a member of the Nikolais Dance Theatre in the 1980s-1990s, she was one of two female dancers who performed Noumenon (1953). Nikolais (along with longtime collaborator and partner Murray Louis [1926-2016]) was a groundbreaking
Bernard Shaw’s “Mrs Warren’s Profession” Lands At Theater Row
"Mrs Warrens Profession" At Theater Row Through November George Bernard Shaw was a staunch anti-vaxxer. Despite that Shaw's indelible touch on the modern artistry of comedic writing and orating is still alive today. Also alive is his unsympathetic satirical wit which is, though an old sort of wit, everlasting and undeniable. It's also no secret that Shaw was a communist and socialist. Even going as far as to suggest that every five years each persons usefulness to society should be reassessed and if that person doesn't meet the criteria set forth they should be killed. Much like Jonathan Swifts suggestions in his
Take The Opportunity to “Crave” Alexandra Petrullo
Alexandra Performs Her Show, "Crave" Live. Flyer By: Shane Geraghty Like Sinead O'Conner sings in "Nothing Compares to You", It's been 18 months since I've seen live theatre" or something like that. I never really listened to all the lyrics honestly. Something I can't say that about is a recent one woman show I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to observe. "Crave" is a musical comedy about the life and times of Alexandra Petrullo and her experiences with the NYC dating scene. This strong piece is written by Alexandra Petrullo, Directed by Gretchen Cryer with Musical Direction by Nick Wilders.
Todd Buonopane: All Washed Up at Feinstein’s/54 Below
When the theaters shut down and performers could not perform in public anymore, actor and singer Todd Buonopane took to his bathtub and turned his shower curtain into a theater curtain, performing scenes and singing songs into a camera and sharing the videos on social media. Now that cabaret venues have reopened, performers are returning to the stage. After an out-of-town tryout, Buonopane recently brought his act to the Feinstein’s/54 Below stage, singing songs traditionally performed by women and celebrating some of the greatest ladies of the theater. Having a live (and decidedly enthusiastic) audience to play off of gave Buonopane’s interpretations
Recent and Upcoming Openings in New York
Here are some of the new shows opening this fall in New York (not an exhaustive list): Pass Over Open now and running through October 10 at the August Wilson Theatre. Lackawanna Blues Previews from September 14, opens September 28, for a limited run through October 31 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. SIX Previews resume September 17 for an opening October 3 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. American Utopia From September 17 through March 6 at the St. James Theatre. Chicken & Biscuits Previews from September 23, opens October 10 for a limited run through January 2 at Circle in the Square Theatre. The Lehman