Writer
Journalist Deirdre Donovan has written for the Washington Post and the Boston Globe, among others. Her theater writing has been published in The Brooklyn Paper, Our Town, West Side Spirit, Curtainup, Theaterscene, and Offoffonline.
Kiss Me, Kate by Deirdre Donovan If you think that Cole Porter’s 1948 musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate is an entertainment for yesteryear, then hie you to Studio 54 where Scott Ellis’ crackling revival of the classic will make you change your mind in a New York minute. Starring Kelli O’Hara, Will Chase,…
Journalist and moderator Ruthie Fierberg, co-writer David Hein, co-writer Irene Sankoff, performer Happy McPartlin, performer Jim Walton, performer Julie Reiber. Come From Away: A Broadway 2nd Anniversary Celebration by Deirdre Donovan Although a late-winter storm covered the city’s streets and sidewalks with slush on March 3rd, it didn’t stop some…
Left to right: Matthew Saldivar, Betsy Wolfe, Jared Grimes, Max Kumangai, Harriet D. Foy in Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis, Jr., Songbook Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis, Jr. Songbook by Deirdre Donovan Black History month ends on a high note, with the 92nd Street Y’s vibrant tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr.,…
Christopher Sutton Photos Andrew Evan Cohen by Deirdre Donovan Peter Filichia’s God Shows Up is a heaven-sent comedy that gives us a fresh perspective on God in the new millennial. Directed by Christopher Scott, and with a terrific acting ensemble, it’s a drama that theatergoers of all religions—or no religion—can enjoy….
Richard Topol and Cassie Beck photos by Joan Marcus by Deirdre Donovan Misogynist? Madman? Genius? The Swedish-writer August Strindberg was all of these, and then some. Born on January 22, 1849 on the islet of Riddarholmen in Stockholm, Strindberg became—in the admiring words of Eugene O’Neil—the “most modern of moderns” when it…
Elaine May photos by Brigitte Lacombe by Deirdre Donovan Kenneth Lonergan’s 1999 play, The Waverly Gallery, is in revival at the John Golden Theatre with a top-notch cast. Starring the legendary Elaine May, and directed by Lila Neugebauer (making her Broadway debut), it is a poignant portrait of an octogenarian suffering from Alzheimer’s disease…
by Deirdre Donovan “How wonderful to see you all!” remarks Michael C. Hall as he stands on stage in total darkness after trying to light a cigarette in the opening scene of Will Eno’s Thom Pain (based on nothing). Hall, who plays the nominal character, gets a big laugh from the audience. And many more…
Photo Credit Doren Sorell by Deirdre Donovan Part biodrama, part confessional, part stand-up comedy, actor-playwright Ronnie Marmo takes the stage at the Cutting Room and gives us a searing portrait of Lenny Bruce in his one-man show I’m Not a Comedian. . .I’m Lenny Bruce. Marmo doesn’t just impersonate the stand-up comic…
Hugn Dancy, Stockard Channing photos Joan Marcus By Deirdre Donovan Where to start? Maybe with Dane Laffrey’s convincing set that evokes a rustic cottage somewhere in the English countryside. Or with Bradley King’s lighting that bathes the interior with a pale, sober light. Or with the performance of Stockard Channing, confident yet vulnerable…
Sam Bolen, Jeremy Cohen Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg. Midnight at the Never Get by Deirdre Donovan Mark Sonnenblick’s new musical Midnight at the Never Get arrived at the York Theatre in early October with great expectations. It had attracted attention with successful runs at Don’t Tell Mama, the 2016 New York Music…