Timothée Chalamet

On the Town with Chip Deffaa… at “13” at Rider University

October 22, 2025

Paced by spirited performances by Max Ryon and Jake Ryan Flynn, Rider University’s production of Jason Robert Brown’s musical “13” is the best college show I’ve seen in years. And offers proof that this rarely revived musical—which was revised by its creators after its original Broadway run--is viable, relevant, and deserving of greater life. [more]

ON THE TOWN WITH CHIP DEFFAA… FROM “THE LAST FIVE YEARS,” TO “TARTUFFE,” TO COHAN, AND MORE…

May 13, 2025

I don’t like the way the new Broadway production of “The Last Five Years” was directed. But that unique Jason Robert Brown musical—long a favorite of mine--still offers rewards aplenty…. And what a wonderful surprise the Sinatra School’s production of “Tartuffe” was—with a show-stealing turn by one Harrison Gan. I’m currently holding auditions for projects. If any newcomer that talented turns up, I’ll be more than satisfied. [more]

ON THE TOWN… WITH SWEENEY TODD… AND A SPIRITED SPELLING BEE…

March 18, 2025

Once or twice a year, I like to recognize exceptional work at the high-school or college level. The students of New York’s Frank Sinatra School of the Arts have outdone themselves with a masterly production of Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.” If you can get a ticket, go! It’s brilliant theater. And Connecticut’s Staples Players’ presentation of “Spelling Bee”--with some charming artists-to-watch and one extremely special surprise guest—had me beaming. [more]

On the Town with Chip Deffaa: “Rent” at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts: An Appreciation

April 7, 2022

This production was an ensemble success—which is what Jonathan Larson was hoping to achieve—so I’d like to mention every member of the company. Not just the leads, whom I very much enjoyed (Logan Spaleta, Brendan Dugan, Lily Resto-Solano as an appealingly amiable “Mimi Marquez,” Justin Nicot as the insouciant “Angel Dumont Schunard,” Monica Malas making the most of the role of “Maureen Johnson,” Tsehai Marson as her frustrated girlfriend “Joanne Jefferson,” Luke Studley Roberts as “Tom Collins” (who falls for “Angel”), and Matthew Macneal as landlord “Benjamin Coffin III”), but every member of the ensemble: Olivia Summer, Nicholas Martell, Miekayla Pierre, Ben Gluck, Sophia Longmuir, Gabriel Paredes, Isaac Wilson, Isabella Soleil Smith, Daniel Stowe, Jaiden Torres, Monica Malas, Ellistair Perry, Zune Misrra-Stone. [more]

Prodigal Son

February 16, 2016

Television and film actor Timothée Chalamet (Showtime’s "Homeland" and Christopher Nolan’s "Interstellar") makes an impressive New York stage debut as the play’s young protagonist. The role is almost too small to contain his bigger-than-life portrayal: kinetic, animated, provoking, questioning, vital, dynamic. His moods turn on a dime and he can shift from being a sophisticated adult back to being a little boy in a moment. Tall and lanky, he suggests the author but as he must have looked back in 1965. Also making his Manhattan Theatre Club debut, David Potters as his roommate Austin is tremendously sympathetic as a young man afraid of breaking the rules who has led a very sheltered life up until now. [more]