BroadwayCon 2024: A Celebration of Theater and Conversation

I had the pleasure of attending BroadwayCon this past week at The New York Hilton. This marked my sixth review of the event since it was founded by Anthony Rapp in 2016. It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the ten-year anniversary of this spectacular gathering for theater enthusiasts, especially since BroadwayCon will return in February, back to its original time slot. D.B. Frick Giving Improv Seminar This year was particularly special for me, as I had the incredible opportunity to lead a presentation. I hosted an Improv Seminar titled "Improv: A Brief History and How to Create Your Own Show in Under

Will “Suffs” Have Enough To Snuff Out The Competition This Season

    Suffragette!!!! Ohhhh!!! Ohhhhh!!! As Sir Paul McCartney once sang or thereabouts. “Suffs,” is the latest Broadway sensation nominated for 6 Tony Awards and executive produced by Hillary Clinton. “Suffs” transports audiences back to the heart of the suffragette movement in 1917. This bombastic and poignant musical, led by Shaina Taub, a multifaceted talent who wears many hats as the writer, composer, and star, shines a bright light on the historical journey of the courageous women fighting for the right to vote. In the spirit of Lin Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking work with “Hamilton,” Taub showcases her brilliance, promising a masterpiece that

The Great Gatsby Grants A Gratuitous Look At The On Going Wealth Gap

            The new musical adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" on Broadway seems to be in a race to outdo other shows that feature more rain than you can shake a stick at and more cars than Jerry Seinfeld could handle. Jay Gatsby, the self-made enigma and party king of West Egg, Long Island, is a man of insecurities hidden behind a facade of wealth, constantly teetering on the edge of exposure. Like all men.   In this dazzling Jazz Age production, Gatsby’s grand gestures to impress the high society, from showcasing his Oxford photo like a desperate salesman to transforming his neighbor Nick's

Rachel McAdams shows us how to do it in “Mary Jane”

          As if I didn't have enough reasons to not have children. “Mary Jane” written by Amy Herzog (who once again hardens the fact that she is America’s premiere playwright) gives us the best reasons for living a childless life. The economic climate, wealth disparity, food shortages. The future seems nothing but despondent so any effort to have children at this point strikes me as particularly selfish from a parental viewpoint (and I’ve raised both animals and other people's children). That being said, I currently work with and have worked with many students who were wheelchair-bound and on inhalation devices which is never a sight one wants to behold for their child. The loss of a three-year-old by a mother is

I’m an Insider Now That I’ve Seen The Outsiders

When I stepped out into the bright stage light I was brought back to 1967. In 1983 at age 7 I first saw "The Outsiders". I watched it over and over again. I didn't realize why I needed to watch it so often until now. The themes of loss, trauma, one's inner fight, rich man poor man, and most importantly the need for an opportunity to get out and on the road are alive and well in this story. Then in 8th grade, I had to read the book. What I mostly remember is how mean Pony Boy was to" Cherry

The Hamilton Mocumentary We Needed Lincoln: The Musical

        I'm a huge fan of satire and parody when it comes to comedy genres. Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing "Lincoln: The Musical," by Artie Brennan with a cast of hilarious improvisors and actors. Lincoln: The Musical was filmed on location in NYC. This comedy delves into the world of making it on Broadway, adding a fresh take to the mockumentary genre. Drawing parallels to classic mockumentaries like "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," and Robert Townsend's "Hollywood Shuffle," "Lincoln The Musical" is a laugh-out-loud journey. Artie Brennan and Anthony Giordano the film's directors do a superb job of double helming. Artie

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

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