Theater Archives - Page 2 of 31

03Aug

Review: NYMF’s CAMP WANATCHI: IN CONCERT

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Krystina Alabado Marissa O'Donnell_Photo by Natalie Elizabeth Weiss_rgb 72dpi copy 2

The other night I was treated to an unexpected delight of a show at 42@Yotel (this new theater on 42nd & 10th was another unexpected treat!) called CAMP WANATACHI: In Concert. As part of the 2017 New York Musical Festival (NYMF), this 90-minute musical romp is about a girl's sleep-away camp. It explores what can happen in the course of a few weeks that can change lives dramatically. From finding true love to getting a period for the first time to finding out things about oneself never explored before to dealing with the new dawn of social media, it's Read More

19Jun

Review: “Terezin” by Nicholas Tolkien, Presented by The Steinberg Theater Group

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In high school, I performed in a play called "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" about children who lived in a concentration camp called Terezin during the Holocaust, also known by the German name Theresienstadt. Terezin was a mere 38 miles northwest of Prague and served largely as a collection camp for deportations to the killing centers of Eastern Europe. Rife with disease and starvation, some 35,000 prisoners perished there, and most were taken to Auschwitz, that included artists, musicians, composers and intellectuals. Despite the horrific conditions, Read More

08Jun

Review: Anastasia on Broadway, a Musical Display of #GirlPower

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I must admit that I went in to Anastasia, a new Broadway musical, with low expectations, for no reason. I just never know how big animated motion pictures based on heroines based in another country (in this case, Russia) like this will fare on the Broadway stage. But I took my teenage daughter, and together, we went in with open hearts, ready for a play about a young heroine. Neither of us knew the story or quite what to expect. The outcome? We both loved the fact that the play focused on a strong, young woman with excellent morals and a kind heart. Read More

24May

“Can You Forgive Her?” and “Indecent”: Two Vineyard Theatre Productions Worth Seeing

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Every now and then a play comes along and grabs your heart. One did recently, and it happens to be one of the two Vineyard Theatre productions on in NYC. First, let me tell you about the play playing at the Vineyard right now; then I'll tell you about their little play that recently took to Broadway. That is the one that took my soul and ran away with it. This past weekend, I spent an hour and forty minutes in the dark Vineyard Theatre, next to Amy Schumer, I mustadd, but that is besides the point. But it is also the point. Schumer, I believe, was Read More

21May

Review: Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter”

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Last week I was graced with the opportunity to witness Kevin Kline once again on the NYC stage. I had seen him in several Shakespeare plays at the Delacorte, but seeing him play Garry Essendine in Noel Coward's "Present Laughter" was a treat like none other. Merely witnessing his comedic skill for 2-1/2 hours is worthwhile, so the fact that the production is excellent makes it even more so. “Present Laughter” is simply pure joy.The play takes place over the course of four scenes in two acts covering roughly 10 days as Garry prepares to leave London to Read More

12Apr

Review: “Significant Other” on Broadway

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Significant Other, written by Joshua Harmon, is playing at the Booth Theater for another week. For a small play that started at the Roundabout Theatre Company and made its way to Broadway following a popular run, this is a play that's definitely worth seeing. As Harmon's follow-up to Bad Jews, the play is a funny romantic comedy that revolves around three weddings and a funeral (literally). Jordan, played by Gideon Glick, plays the male lead, surrounded by mainly a cast of women. He's a gay, young, successful guy trying to find his way, while he feels Read More

09Feb

“In Transit” – an Homage to NYC, and a Great Broadway Show

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I've lived in New York for over 20 years and for 20 years, I've been in love. In love with a city that offers people like me opportunities out the door - professional, culinary, musical, theatrical and actually, love. I even met my husband on the streets of Manhattan in 1997. From the moment I arrived, I knew I was home. From living in a small apartment to riding the subway system daily, I relished my life here. As soon as the Broadway show "In Transit" started, I knew I was in good company. The show took me back in time, to my own days living in NYC, Read More

15Jan

Review: “Not That Jewish” at New World Stages

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Yesterday I ventured into the city to see an off-Broadway show called Not That Jewish. I have to admit that my expectations were low. I couldn't imagine how a show with such a name would capture my interest. After all, I'm an observing Jew. Did I really want to sit through a one-woman show where an actress moans about being raised Jewish whilst wanting to escape and denounce every bit of Judaism possible later in life? Fortunately, that's not what the show is about. Monica Piper, a comedienne with credits that go back 30+ years, while not religious, Read More

25Dec

Review: Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen

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I just saw Dear Evan Hansen, one of the most profound Broadway shows I have seen in a very, very long time, and I'm so glad that I saw it with my 13 year-old daughter. I literally can't stop thinking about this production for so many reasons. For one thing it is masterful in its ability to combine music and storytelling in such a powerful, thought-provoking way. The actors are also skillful and just about perfection - each one takes their role to the ultimate place in terms of the story. The direction and set (by Hamilton's David Korins) help guide the Read More

16Dec

Guest Post: Hanna and the Moonlit Dress at the Theater at the 14th Street Y

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Guest writer Liat Ginsberg is a mother and former journalist for the Israeli newspaper, Maariv. She has taught at the Film and Media Department at Hunter College. Last weekend, I took my twin seven year-olds to see Hanna and the Moonlit Dress at Theater at the 14th Street Y. When the play ended, I asked them both what they thought. My son initially thought it was too "babyish". I didn't understand why since he had listened so attentively, participating by raising his hand throughout the show (the show has an interactive element) when he knew the Read More