High Society

HOW ACCURATE IS “A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTONG MUSICAL”?

November 30, 2024

"A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical” gives Broadway a much-needed shot in the arm. From the clarion call of the first notes we hear to the final strains of the title song, there’s much to relish. And James Monroe Iglehart, as Armstrong, was born to play this role. But there are serious missteps along the way—significant factual errors and sins of omission. Armstrong deserves a more accurate telling of his story. [more]

ON THE TOWN WITH CHIP DEFFAA … AT THE IRISH REP’S TOWN HALL GALA

June 11, 2024

They’ve created a theater that actors love to work in. And that was reflected by the terrific array of actors (including assorted Tony and Drama Desk Award winners and nominees), who gathered at Town Hall to reprise numbers they’d performed at the Irish Rep over the past 35 years. [more]

ON THE TOWN WITH CHIP DEFFAA … CATCHING THE HIGH SOCIETY NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND

April 3, 2024

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This is, essentially, Woody Allen’s band, without Woody. It’s the only seven-piece New Orleans-style jazz band with a steady gig in New York. And if you like traditional jazz, this band—co-led by Simon Wettenhall and Conal Fowlkes—is not to be missed. [more]

ON THE TOWN WITH CHIP DEFFAA… AT CONCERTS HONORING BETTY BUCKLEY AND TONY BENNETT

November 9, 2023

This fall, I saw two of the most rewarding tribute-type concerts I’ve seen in recent years—one a glittering (if overlong), star-filled salute to “the Voice of Broadway,” Betty Buckley; the other a sincere tribute to the late master song-stylist Tony Bennett by young students from the school that he founded (and told me he was so proud of). Both of these very different events gave me some moments I’ll never forget…. [more]

ON THE TOWN… with Chip Deffaa, January 6, 2019

January 6, 2019

No one loves Berlin's music more than I do. But the creators of this stage adaptation have tried to jam too many well-known songs into the show. I think that cutting a couple of the songs, and letting characters talk a bit more would give the show a more natural feel, and give it some needed moments to breathe. And help us bond more with characters. And if you want to add a song to express the characters' feelings, pick the very best songs for the scene--not just the best-known songs. [more]

On The Town … With Chip Deffaa .. April 4, 2016

April 8, 2016

it’s significant that Steve Martin has won five Grammy Awards for albums he’s made–two in the category of “comedy,” and three in the category of “music.” He loves to play the banjo (an instrument, incidentally, that has a prominent role, along with the fiddle, in the music we hear in “Bright Star.”) He’s collaborated with Edie Brickell on two albums. And their ongoing musical collaboration has provided the foundation and inspiration for this engrossing musical play. [more]