Normal Ave, a relatively young company has started off their third season with a production of “Completeness” that is sure to affect audiences of all ages. Written by Itmar Moses and directed by Jeremy Landes “Completeness” is a love letter to non-committal relationships with a relevant exploration of how the millennial generation approaches or rather avoids approaching relationships.
Read MoreSince 2003, The Tank has earned a reputation as one of the leading venues in New York for presenting some of the most unique work, presented by artists who aren’t afraid to think outside the box. When I say this, this often includes works that take social and cultural issues that are prevalent in society, and thus covered frequently in the arts, but explores them in a way that is experimental and different from most mainstream contemporary works. That is especially true of Ruffles, the latest world premiere to find a home at this venue this month.
Read More“Wouldn’t you like to have someone as honest as Harry S. Truman in office now?”
At least, that’s the question that was posed by the prolific Ego Actus Theatre Company, as they revived the autobiographical one-man show “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry” this past weekend. Originally written by Samuel Gallu, former President Truman is brought back to life by prolific actor J. Dolan Byrnes, who brings a unique perspective to a role such as this, having once served as a Congressional aide during the Reagan administration.
Read MoreIn terms of contemporary playwrights, John Patrick Shanley is arguably one of the finest, in terms of his ability to constantly write gritty, realistic dramas that explore the human condition and moral dilemmas in an in-depth way on a very human level. Among his works that seems to have been somewhat underrated, however, is his early tragic romance Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, set in 1983 when the play was originally produced, and now, revived in 2018 in the form of this latest indie theatre production.
Read MoreCurrently playing at London’s Pleasance Theatre, Freeman is a passionate, emotive and high-energy production which uses an impressive range of theatrical modes to tell interweaving stories about the lives of people of colour through the years.
Read MoreToronto premiere of Anosh Irani’s The Men in White disarmingly unravels the ties that bind the immigrant experience to Canada.
Read MoreMost people don’t like to be reminded outright of the trouble in the world around them, even if everything is crumbling to the ground. As long as they aren’t being hit with the debris, most people won’t even acknowledge it’s there. At its core that is one of the things that theatre is about, forcing an audience to witness, through the eyes of the play, the trouble that exists in the world every day. This is why Onaje is such an important piece of theatre. It tells a tragic story of riots, racism, and hate that, although it is set in both 1967 and 1980, is unfortunately still very relevant.
Read MoreMusical adaptations of movies are all the rage right now, and for good reason. They’re easily recognizable, thus drawing in large audiences. “9 to 5” is no exception, with its timeless music and story. Dolly Parton, an original star in the film, penned the musical's lyrics and music, while Patricia Resnick wrote the book. Prince William Little Theatre staged a rather entertaining production of this show which I am glad I saw, over this past weekend.
Read MoreAll Roads Lead to the Kurski Station is absurd and dream-like, but ultimately it is a show that comes out of truth and how we all desire that in the world and in ourselves.
Read MoreJomama is the performer and alter ego of Daniel Alexander Jones who created the production “Black Light” now playing at Greenwich House Theater after a successful run at Joe’s Pub. She is a soul sonic superstar and when she speaks of a supernova the audience better listen up because her presence personifies the definition of that phenomenon perfectly.
Read MoreBack in 2014, Jeff Pope’s hit TV series Cilla caught the hearts of the nation in its touching telling of the early days of Cilla Black’s storied career. The humble beginnings and hardships encountered by the late and celebrated singer made for an inspiring dramatic narrative, which was also shaped by the defining sound of the 60s and changing societal attitudes towards gender. I couldn’t help but feel the inevitability of Pope’s TV series becoming a stage musical, and sure enough, I was delighted when it was announced that the musical was embarking on a new tour after a successful run earlier this year - and I looked forward to seeing how the performances had grown and developed over time.
Read MoreShocking it is to admit, my personal familiarity with the classic works of playwright Anton Chekhov is basically slim to none.
Thank goodness my lack of knowledge of his library of theatrical plays and fictional stories didn't prevent me from enjoying Christopher Durang's wildly hilarious, Chekhov-inspired “VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE,” a modern-set play that won the Tony Award for Best Play back in 2013. Apparently filled with casual allusions to past Chekhov works—from character names and one-off references to thematic motifs—the play does offer, at its core, a laugh-a-minute comedy about a dysfunctional trio of siblings trying to face the apparently troubling onset of middle age…and the possibility that they may not have done enough in their lives to deem it a satisfactory one.
Read MoreThe issue of sexual harassment is one that has come up and been discussed more and more frequently, especially in light of controversies surrounding notable public figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Brett Kavanaugh, and of course, the man who sits in the Oval Office. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this topic is constantly being explored in new plays in 2018. Yet what hasn’t been explored as much is how far some individuals will go to defend the people they love when they are accused of such terrible crimes, even to the point of outright denial. However, in the latest outing from Jake Lipman and Tongue in Cheek Theater Productions, that’s exactly what audiences are treated to.
Read MoreIn award-winning playwright Sharr White's intriguing 2011 psychological drama “THE OTHER PLACE,” the play's compelling central figure, 52-year-old laboratory scientist turned drug company marketing exec Juliana Smithton, narrates her own fascinating story directly for the audience.
At first, she is introduced with the poise and prominence of a seasoned TED Talk orator, with even hints of a sharp stand-up comic that's adept at self-effacing observations and commanding an audience of drunken doctors. It certainly makes sense, considering it seems to be what she does for a living, at least for the moment: getting up on stage in front of medical conventions and neurological conferences near and far to pitch her revolutionary miracle treatment to attendees in the same way Tony Robbins, Suze Orman, or even Oprah or Dr. Phil might address a room.
Read MoreIt is clear from the start of Donja R. Love’s “Fireflies” that Olivia Grace (DeWanda Wise) is among the disconsolate: Olivia is languishing: Olivia’s wounded heart needs healing. There is a fire in Olivia’s soul that counterpoints the fire in the 1963 Fall sky above the home in the Jim Crow South she shares with her preacher-activist husband Charles Emmanuel Grace (Khris Davis). The first words Olivia shares are those from a letter she is writing to the yet unidentified Ruby: “Dear Ruby, It’s been awhile. The sky . . . it’s been burning so bright since you left. It reminds me of you.” And at this point the stage of the Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theater reverberates with the sounds of exploding bombs as the sky “cracks open and bleeds.” Olivia admits, “I can’t do this.”
Read MoreJennifer Haley’s science fiction crime drama is set in the future where the Internet has become ‘The Nether’, a place where people can enter many virtual reality realms. Users may log in, choose an identity, and then indulge in any desire they wish.
Read MoreRed Ladder Theatre Company celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. From their beginnings in street theatre to becoming one of the most respected theatre companies around today, there’s always been a sense of urgency and vitality with their pieces, primarily brought about by Artistic Director Rod Dixon. Whether it’s creating a new piece of work or finding the urgency in an existing text, Red Ladder has always been poised to accomplish the task. For Red Ladder’s 50th Anniversary, Dixon has made the decision to bring Bertolt Brecht’s classic anti-war play Mother Courage and Her Children to the Albion Electric Warehouse in Leeds, where they also fairly recently staged the critically acclaimed The Shed Crew. On a cold and drizzly autumn night, I huddled into the old warehouse to engage with Red Ladder’s latest offering.
Read MoreThis past week, when I walked into the theater at the 14th Street Y, I probably shouldn’t have been too surprised to see a giant clock counting down from roughly one hour until it reached 00:00:00. After all, the fact that the show I was reviewing was called “…it’s time…” should have made it obvious to me that the theme of time – and the effect it has on others – would play a role in this show. Unfortunately, however, any other inspiration for this show beyond this very abstract theme was lost on this reviewer.
Read MoreThe issue of consent, and how it is defined, is a topic of discussion that has frequently come up in the arts and in our society for years now, especially in light of the stories that have emerged as a result of the #MeToo and #WhyIDidntReport movements. As these stories have come out, the issue of what role age plays in determining what counts as consent, and whether or not people in a relationship are really being taken advantage of, has come up more and more frequently. It is this “grey area”, and how it affects the women involved, that lies at the heart of Sarah Elizabeth Grace’s new play Implied Consent.
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![A UK review in [Exactly] 250 Words: "Freeman"](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/551eb398e4b0b101cf722ed8/1540045235886-HCF7BEQ4JA1MNVML7U52/Freeman+-+Credit+Richard+Kiely+-+3.jpg)
