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 | Mickey Rooney .. An Appreciation <= new
RIP Mickey Rooney. Active in show business since the 1920s--and still working, right up until the end. Mickey Rooney was always a treat, whether playing an Average Joe, a gangster, George M. Cohan, or Pinocchio.... I always loved seeing him, on screen or in person. And I liked talking with him. (One conversation we had, late in his life, was a little sad. He noted that for several years he had been MGM’s biggest-money maker; in his heyday, his fans had packed movie theaters from coast to coast; no matter what films he was in. But now, his personal appearances tended to draw modest crowds. Where were his fans, he asked aloud, muttering that audiences were fickle. I didn’t no how to respond. Audiences weren’t necessarily fickle; he’d simply outlived most of his original fans.) , by Chip Deffaa on Apr. 7 |
Columns
| On The Town ... With Chip Deffaa <= new
Here's my latest column for TheaterScene. I cover quite a lot in this roundup, from "Rent" in Trumbull, CT; to "Bridges of Madison County" on Broadway; to "Ragtime" at Westchester Broadway; to "Character Man," Off-Broadway; to "The Music Man" at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center; to the Nutmeg Ballet's "Impact" show... and much more. , by Chip Deffaa on Apr. 4 |
Features & Interviews
 | The 28Th Annual Mac Awards <= new
A marvelous marathon evening of competitive and honorary awards celebrating the Manhattan cabaret scene featuring new and veteran entertainers. , by Darryl Reilly on Mar. 31 |
 | The 12Th Annual Nightlife Awards 2014 <= new
A high profile roster of NYC entertainment luminaries from cabaret, jazz, and comedy performed at The Town Hall for producer Scott Siegel. , by Darryl Reilly on Jan. 28 |
Broadway:Musicals
 | If/Then <= new
Devotees of Broadway belters are destined to flock to Idina Menzel’s huge sounds in her new show filled with good company. , by Eugene Paul on Apr. 6 |
 | The Bridges Of Madison County <= new
Jason Robert Brown’s lush score is soaringly romantic, the coupling of Steven Pasquale and Kelli O’Hara, pure theater magic, by Staff Reviewer on Mar. 28 |
 | Aladdin <= new
A true Disney magic carpet ride of opulent costumes, dazzling sets, creative choreography, savvy showbiz shtick and a Genie for all time. , by Staff Reviewer on Mar. 26 |
 | Beautiful - The Carole King Musical <= new
A feel good evening of special delight to her fans and all those who just want a slick, nostalgic, music-packed evening., by Staff Reviewer on Jan. 29 |
 | After Midnight <= new
The performances are a series of gems that shine brightly alone but blaze in unison until your heartbeat echoes the music’s rhythm. , by Staff Reviewer on Dec. 15 |
 | A Gentleman's Guide To Love & Murder
Charming and entertaining new musical from the same material as “Kind Hearts and Coronets” in British music hall style., by Victor Gluck on Dec. 12 |
Broadway:Plays
 | A Raisin In The Sun <= new
Denzel Washington returns to Broadway in a superb revival of the now classic 1959 play that seems like it could have been written today. , by Victor Gluck on Apr. 10 |
 | Mothers And Sons <= new
Terrence McNally’s latest play follows Tyne Daly as a woman paying an unexpected visit to her late son’s ex only to find that he has moved on. , by Victor Gluck on Mar. 27 |
 | Bronx Bombers <= new
In this love letter to the Yankees, you will encounter Yankee greats from Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter in their prime., by Eugene Paul on Feb. 26 |
 | Outside Mullingar <= new
Lovely little new romantic comedy by John Patrick Shanley is a bit lost on the big stage but Brían F. O’Byrne and Debra Messing are excellent. , by Victor Gluck on Jan. 29 |
 | Machinal <= new
Rebecca Hall makes her Broadway debut unmistakably in every scene of this sterling revival of an American expressionistic play., by Eugene Paul on Jan. 29 |
 | Waiting For Godot
Staring into the void just became a first-rate experience as two great British actors take on a Beckett classic. , by Deirdre Donovan on Dec. 11 |
 | No Man's Land
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart at the top of their game make this Pinter revival an acting tour de force as they debate memory and desire. , by Victor Gluck on Dec. 8 |
 | Macbeth
Shakespeare’s famously infamous play starring Ethan Hawke in a huge, lavish production directed by Jack O’Brien., by Eugene Paul on Dec. 3 |
 | Twelfth Night
Tim Carroll’s superb company enfolds us as they are dressing but if anyone is responsible for this jewel it is Mark Rylance. He is a treasure. , by Eugene Paul on Nov. 29 |
 | Richard Iii
Mark Rylance is extraordinary as one of the most hideous villains in the history of the theater., by Eugene Paul on Nov. 26 |
 | The Glass Menagerie
Director John Tiffany has created perhaps the definitive production of Tennessee Williams’ acclaimed play with a superb cast. , by Eugene Paul on Nov. 6 |
 | Betrayal
Married couple Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz play the adulterous spouses in Pinter’s play but Mike Nichols’ production misses all the subtext. , by Victor Gluck on Nov. 4 |
Off-Broadway:Multimedia
 | Amaluna <= new
Cirque du Soleil’s newest of their many shows, thrilling, eye-popping, exciting, perhaps their most beautiful ever., by Eugene Paul on Mar. 31 |
 | La Soirée
A smashing bill of accomplished circus performance artists in an international long running mildly erotic variety show arrives in New York City., by Darryl Reilly on Mar. 18 |
 | Iluminate <= new
A good creative concept keeps us working to make sense of what is happening., by R. Pikser on Feb. 8 |
 | Cirkopolis
Thrilling presentation of a dozen contemporary circus acts is strikingly enhanced by cinematic imagery out of Kafka and Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis.” , by Darryl Reilly on Dec. 28 |
 | Mayhem And Majesty
SQUONK. Say it and you know what the Squonkers are after. It takes all their decibels to show you what they mean. , by Eugene Paul on Dec. 22 |
Off-Broadway:Musicals
 | The Threepenny Opera <= new
A revival of the Marc Blitzstein adaptation is a rather grim and colorless concoction in the hands of director/choreographer Martha Clarke. , by Victor Gluck on Apr. 14 |
 | America's Sweetheart <= new
A rarely revived Rodgers and Hart satire of Hollywood on the brink of the sound revolution turns out to be good fun with an unfamiliar score. , by Victor Gluck on Apr. 8 |
 | For Goodness Sake <= new
American premiere of London version of musical for which the Gershwins wrote half of the score is lightweight but has its charms. , by Victor Gluck on Mar. 27 |
 | Arlington
A new one-act musical about a young woman forced to deal with the inevitability and profound sadness of death. , by Joel Benjamin on Mar. 13 |
 | Titanic In Concert <= new
Almost a reunion: seventeen years later, cast members from the 1997 original Broadway production reunite for a concert at Avery Fisher Hall. , by Eric Grunin on Feb. 24 |
 | Little Me <= new
A big, boisterous revival of the 1962 musical comedy, full of shtick, wit and brilliant performances. , by Joel Benjamin on Feb. 6 |
 | Hard Times
A chamber musical with a heart and soul bigger than any Broadway show. , by Joel Benjamin on Jan. 14 |
 | What’S It All About? Bacharach Reimagined
Exciting remix of the Burt Bacharach canon as folk, folk-rock and hard rock songs performed by a talented band of seven led by Kyle Riabko. , by Victor Gluck on Dec. 10 |
Regional:Musicals
 | Ragtime <= new
A Glorious, Broadway-sized staging of a portrait of America at the turn of the 20th Century., by Edward Lieberman on Mar. 24 |
 | Titanic <= new
In a newly redesigned, musical adventure, the ship of dreams sails again, always mindful of the great tragedy and the great beauty., by Eugene Paul on Feb. 3 |
Off-Broadway:Plays
 | And Baby Makes Seven <= new
An early, clever Paul Vogel work that’s worth a trip to the West Village. , by Joel Benjamin on Apr. 3 |
 | I Remember Mama <= new
Ten veteran actresses play 23 roles in unconventional revival of John Van Druten’s play by Transport Group, famous for its environmental stagings., by Victor Gluck on Mar. 31 |
 | King Lear (Theatre For A New Audience) <= new
Minimalist production of the tragedy has a fine central performance by British stage star Michael Pennington but is devoid of atmosphere., by Victor Gluck on Mar. 29 |
 | Hellman V. Mccarthy <= new
A genial look at a historical literary conflict between two major female authors. , by Joel Benjamin on Mar. 27 |
 | Appropriate <= new
A moldering Southern mansion, a gathering of the clan, a mysterious, gruesome photo album and endless clashes., by Eugene Paul on Mar. 27 |
 | Hand To God <= new
A troubled Lutheran boy and his vicious sock puppet are the bizarre protagonists in this jagged over-the-top comedic drama., by Darryl Reilly on Mar. 23 |
 | Tales From Red Vienna
Nina Arianda returns to Off Broadway in a new play set in 1920 Vienna which plays like an opera libretto without the music. , by Victor Gluck on Mar. 19 |
 | The Happiest Song Plays Last
Final play in the “Elliot Trilogy” calls for reconciliation between ethnicities and brings closure for cousins Elliot and Yasmin., by Victor Gluck on Mar. 17 |
 | Stage Kiss
A clever and provocative Pirandellian Chinese box backstage comedy directed with precision and performed by a hilarious cast. , by Darryl Reilly on Mar. 14 |
 | Stockholm
Playwright Lavery has played a dangerous game, deliberately boring us and then attempting to unbore us with choreographed visual enticements., by Eugene Paul on Mar. 13 |
 | The Open House
Will Eno’s excoriatingly funny look at us is given a zinger perfect production by a topnotch cast, craftily directed., by Eugene Paul on Mar. 13 |
 | The Hero
Revival of lost 1921 Ibsenite drama by Hollywood actor Gilbert Emery proves to be very melodramatic but contains a smashing ending. , by Victor Gluck on Mar. 12 |
 | No Exit
Sartre’s existentialist masterpiece arrives at the Pearl Theatre under Linda Ames Key’s direction., by Deirdre Donovan on Mar. 10 |
 | Ode To Joy
New Craig Lucas play about love, addiction and drugs has some strong scenes but seems to be undigested material that tries to include too much. , by Victor Gluck on Mar. 6 |
 | London Wall
Superb 1931 John Van Druten play has American premiere in fine Mint Theater production and proves to be both prescient and timely. , by Victor Gluck on Mar. 4 |
 | Gidion's Knot <= new
Johnna Adams’ new play takes on the hot-button issue of youth and suicide. , by Deirdre Donovan on Feb. 28 |
 | Love And Information <= new
Caryl Churchill’s latest play bombards us with data and sound bites like the world we live in., by Victor Gluck on Feb. 26 |
 | Sotto Voce <= new
Nilo Cruz (“Anna in the Tropics”) ruminates on a scandal of the Holocaust, and how romantic fantasy might help bring a person back to reality. , by Eric Grunin on Feb. 26 |
 | Pains Of Youth <= new
A 1926 Viennese study of the 'disease of youth' shows a society on the edge--but of what? , by Eric Grunin on Feb. 23 |
 | Dinner With Friends <= new
Surely one of the delights of the season, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a veritable feast for the eyes, ears, heart – and mind. , by Eugene Paul on Feb. 23 |
 | The Tribute Artist <= new
Charles Busch’s latest drawing room comedy about real estate and drag queens is a fun evening but plays too much like a 1940’s movie. , by Victor Gluck on Feb. 22 |
 | Hurlyburly <= new
Rich Ferraioli, the Co-Artistic Director of Variations Theatre Group, is reviving Rabe’s 1984 dark comedy with much fury at The Chain Theatre. , by Deirdre Donovan on Feb. 21 |
 | The Correspondent <= new
When bereaved Philip hires a woman to carry a message to heaven, he doesn’t expect to get a letter from his dead wife. , by Eugene Paul on Feb. 18 |
Off-Broadway:Solo Performance
 | Satchmo At The Waldorf <= new
Theater critic Terry Teachout scratches beneath the surface of a jazz legend in his new one-man play starring John Douglas Thompson. , by Deirdre Donovan on Mar. 23 |
 | Riding The Midnight Express <= new
Previously chronicled in popular book and movie, Billy Hayes’ grim drug smuggling Turkish prison saga is now a compelling theatrical monologue. , by Darryl Reilly on Feb. 6 |
 | “Ruff” & “Desperate Archives” <= new
Two complementary shows place lesbian performance group Split Britches into historical perspective and remind us how far we may each have to go., by R. Pikser on Jan. 12 |
 | Buyer & Cellar
In the hilarious and ultimately very moving new comedy by Jonathan Tolins, an endearing Michael Urie goes to work for Barbra Streisand., by Victor Gluck on Oct. 30 |
Music:Jazz
 | Le Jazz Hot: How The French Saved Jazz
Peter and Will Anderson bring their swinging jazz quintet to their proposition, How the French Saved Jazz, and win you over. , by Eugene Paul on Dec. 15 |
Music:Cabaret
 | “This Is Your Night” Honoring Maryann Lopinto <= new
The famed photographer was honored by members of the theater and cabaret community at Metropolitan Room with all-star cast paying her tribute. , by Linda Amiel Burns on Feb. 16 |
 | Patrick Page: Good To Be Bad <= new
With powerfully performed songs and stories, Page portrays a gallery of musical theater’s most iconic villains in his sensational cabaret act. , by Darryl Reilly on Jan. 29 |
 | Marilyn Maye At 54 Below
This cabaret icon brings us back to a time when people attended “nightclubs” to be thoroughly entertained and still clamor for more., by Linda Amiel Burns on Oct. 24 |
Music:Concerts
 | A Bed And A Chair: A New York Love Affair
James Goldman’s device of shadowing each main character with a younger self, A Stephen Sondheim/Wynton Marsalis collaboration which does not pan out., by Joel Benjamin on Nov. 26 |
 | The New York Pops - Sing Sing Swing
Self-taught clarinetist and musical prodigy David Bennett rocks Carnegie Hall in recreation of Benny Goodman’s legendary 1938 concert. , by Linda Amiel Burns on Nov. 13 |
Music:Opera
 | The Rivals <= new
A clever operatic updating of the classic Sheridan comedy of manners, expertly performed by The Bronx Opera Company. , by Joel Benjamin on Jan. 27 |
Music:Choral
Music:Classical
 | The Fire Pink Trio: Poetry In Motion
The New York Viola Society presents The Fire Pink Trio, "Poetry in Motion," offering music of grace, strength, affirmation and beauty., by Jean Ballard Terepka on Jan. 25 |
Dance
 | Soaking Wet <= new
A well-organized and varied program of short dances by some talented dance makers. , by Joel Benjamin on Feb. 3 |
 | Parsons Dance
Always fresh and intelligent, these dancers provide smooth entertainment., by Joel Benjamin on Jan. 21 |
 | Nutcracker Rouge
This bare, beautiful cast does their best in this retooling of the E.T.A Hoffmann story filled with erotic dance, sexy acrobatics and singing. , by Joel Benjamin on Dec. 23 |
 | Three Nutcrackers
Three productions of this holiday season must-see showed different facets of the classic ballet. , by Joel Benjamin on Dec. 13 |
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