In Praise of Frances Sternhagen on her 90th Birthday
As a seasoned New York theatergoer, I experienced her immense talents many times and today is cause to recall a few of her unheralded performances. [more]
Blogs
Remembering Denise Winters (1953 – 2019)
Elaine Stritch and I were among the many stars and strivers whom this preeminent and gracious NYC photographer vividly rendered by her profound portraits. [more]
A 2019 Ten Best List
These superior revivals, bold new plays and a terrific solo show were the most fascinating and memorable productions I experienced this year.
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Dear Laurie Lawrence
The late NYC performer’s 60th birthday was commemorated by a lovely concert at The Duplex with the proceeds benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. [more]
Film review: “Leonard Soloway’s Broadway”
The life of the prolific theater producer whose career began in the 1940’s is chronicled in this eventful and entertaining show business documentary.
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Remembering Mary E. Allen (1954 – 2019)
Searching Facebook recently, I discovered that a brilliant, colorful and unsung creative figure I encountered in my youth, died earlier this year. [more]
Book review: “Still Here: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch” by Alexandra Jacobs
Admirers of the legendary performer should be enthralled by this quite probably definitive chronicle of her life and career that’s written with zest.
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Pauline Kael: Reflections upon her centennial
Today is the centennial of that irascible and preeminent American film critic and I offer my thoughts and reminiscences upon this significant occasion. [more]
Remembering Duane Bodin (1932-2018)
The death of a long inactive performer with a fine career during Broadway’s Golden Age understandably went unnoticed. He was my neighbor in the 1980’s. [more]
Brooklyn United Live
Brooklyn United Live’s Finale Piece Heart-pounding rhythms, precision choreography, a [more]
Reflections of Derek Jarman
The iconoclastic gay British film director sadly died 25 years ago today at the age of 52 from AIDS. Encountering him from afar made a great impression on me. [more]
Book review: “And One More Thing ” by Quentin Crisp
A delightful new collection of material from that flamboyant sage. There’s the script of his one-man show, unseen poems and pithy observations galore.
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Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope
The young British actor Mark Farrelly brilliantly channels the 20th century cultural icon’s witty presence in his highly theatrical self-written solo show. [more]
Noche Flamenca, Taimane, and Taiko Masala
We felt like we toured the world this past weekend without ever leaving New York. It was a [more]
The Return of Bina Sharif
Darryl Reilly, Critic “I’m not a real dancer but in this play, I celebrate my health.” Bina [more]
A 2018 Ten Best List
Darryl Reilly, Critic There were so many exceptional original plays among the 144 productions that [more]
Sleeping Beauty Dreams
The multimedia performance art event “Sleeping Beauty Dreams” opened its two-night run at the [more]
If Loving Yule is Wrong, I Don’t Want to be Right
Darryl Reilly, Critic “Nothing brings you closer than almost breaking a hip together!” cracks [more]
Passion Nation
Passion Nation is billed as immersive entertainment with integrated food and drink that tells an inspiring tale of American optimism and accomplishments. The experience follows a reverse chronological timeline from 1969 to the 1700s, highlighting different aspects of American history through live acting, recorded music, and 360-degree projected imagery. The four-course meal is intended to align with different eras. [more]
Not Your Childhood Puppets! A Magical Evening at the 8th Annual La MaMa Puppet Festival
Throughout the evening, different marionettes emerged from various objects like small suitcases, inlaid wooden boxes, clear containers of water, and a translucent cradle-like vessel. [more]
“Don’t Call Me Shirley!: John Burns sings Shirley Bassey”
Darryl Reilly, Critic John Burns and William Demaniow at The Duplex. “At first glance, we don’t [more]
Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn’s Cultural Medallion Dedication
Darryl Reilly, Critic Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. “The Fourposter transformed our lives [more]
A Portrait of Maureen Stapleton
Darryl Reilly, Critic Maureen Stapleton by Raphael Soyer (1968) This striking portrait of Maureen [more]
Harold Pinter and Nicholas Hytner: Balancing Acts
Nicholas Hytner’s vivid accounts of two striking interactions with Harold Pinter are the standout highlights from his memoir, "Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at London's National Theatre." These revealing episodes will thrill devotees of the great and temperamental playwright. [more]
Doric Wilson: An Eminent Outlaw
Darryl Reilly, Critic Doric Wilson circa 2011. “Making magic out of nothing,” is how Doric [more]
Frank Langella is 80: A Stream of Consciousness Tribute
Darryl Reilly, Critic It is not widely known that among Frank Langella’s many accolades, [more]
A 2017 10 Best List
Darryl Reilly, Critic Looking back at the 128 performance reviews I wrote for Theaterscene.net in [more]
Book review: “The Last Word” by Quentin Crisp
The only thing in my life I have wanted and didn’t get was to be a woman. It will be my life’s biggest regret. If the operation had been available and cheap when I was young, say when I was twenty-five or twenty-26, I would have jumped at the chance. My life would have been simpler as a result. I would have told nobody. Instead, I would have gone to live in a distant town and run a knitting wool shop and on one would ever have known my secret. I would have joined the real world and it would have been wonderful. [more]
William Hickey: Reminiscences
Darryl Reilly, Critic “I have to go to L.A., to lose the Oscar to Don Ameche,” was William [more]
Steven Berkoff is 80: An Appreciation
Darryl Reilly, Critic There were so many brave young actors and actresses whom one felt were [more]
Spotlight Cabaret: Ella At 100
It's Ella Fitgerald's centennial. She influenced more than a generation of singers and musicians. The lady called the “Queen of Jazz” or “The First Lady of Song” would have turned 100 this year. Her bounty is unmatched. Among her musical gifts, Ella was an exceptionally well-rounded musician, a pristine vocalist and impeccable improviser. She was jazz. There have been many first ladies of this or that but Ella was an original, clarion-voiced swing singer in a league of her own. [more]
Laurie Lawrence (1959-2017)
Darryl Reilly, Critic “She was very clear that she wanted her life to be celebrated, not [more]
John Simon is 92 today
Darryl Reilly, Critic “For Darryl who isn’t Wally Shawn,” meticulously inscribed John [more]