By Ron Cohen The foreboding set establishes the mood immediately. A grimy wall of grey stone broken by half-circle windows, looking out into impenetrable darkness, surrounds the playing area. Dotting the playing area are spikes of misshapen metal. Some of them look like long-dead trees. The play Terezin, written and directed by Nicholas…
By Arney Rosenblat When Zero Mostel starred in Rhinoceros on Broadway, a critic remarked how realistic he was as a human being in the 1st Act- Drama Desk winner Jim Brochu, who both wrote and performs Zero Hour, seemingly channels the roaring bellowing rhinoceros Sam “Zero”Mostel, a complex man that used humor…
Ashley D. Kelley (as Bella) photos by Joan Marcus by Julia Polinsky It’s so tempting to like Bella: an American Tall Tale a lot. There’s so much to like! The cast for one thing; the talented and charming Ashley D. Kelley, as Bella, leads a group of ridiculously good actors. Special kudos…
Gregg Henry, center, and the company (Credit: Joan Marcus) By Arney Rosenblat The current retelling of the life and death of Julius Caesar, the 400 year old historic tale by William Shakespeare, has become a battle field, with friends of the present political administration whipping up the crowds to anger and retaliation just…
Mary Testa, Michael McGrath, Michael Urie, and Talene Monahon photos Carol Rosegg By Ron Cohen Believe it or not, some two hours of Russian-themed political corruption can provide you with a rollicking good time. You just have to forget our current imbroglios in Washington, DC, and turn yourself over to Red Bull Theater’s…
Juliette Binoche, photo credit: Stephanie Berger by Deirdre Donovan Sophokles’ Antigone might be old as the hills but with Belgian director Ivo van Hove and French actress Juliette Binoche teaming up in a new modern-dress version, the play gains cache and interest at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 2015 Next Wave Festival. This touring production is a very…
by Deirdre Donovan The real reason to see Martin Sherman’s new play Gently Down the Stream, directed by Sean Mathias, is to see the one-and-only Harvey Fierstein back on a New York stage. The Tony Award winning actor-playwright teams up with another Tony Award winner, Gabriel Ebert (Matilda), and Christopher Sears…
Lindsay Mendez (Helen) and Barton Cowperthwaite (Paris) phtos by Joan Marcus by Deirdre Donovan The only conclusion to come to after seeing The Golden Apple at New York City Center is that the dedicated folks at Encores! leave no stone unturned when they search for obscure musical treasures that once graced a New…
By Ron Cohen There ae no burning crosses or lynchings, but the racism depicted in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Venus is virulent. This 1966 drama is being given a colorful and bruising Signature Theatre revival. Directed by Lear Debessonet and featuring a vibrant performance by Zainab Jah in the central role, the production renders full value to…
Ari Brand and Robert David Grant Photos by Richard Termin The Lucky One By Ron Cohen Can a person be too charming? That’s the dilemma facing Gerald Farringdon, the central character in A. A. Milne’s comedy drama The Lucky One, first produced in 1922 and now getting a sturdy revival…