There's lots of great holiday-themed entertainment in the city, from the New York Pops' holiday concert to the New York City Ballet's "The Nutcracker" and the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular". Check out this short guide for some ideas.
REVIEW: Won’t somebody please think of “The Children”?
“The Children”, a new, dark tragicomedy by Lucy Kirkwood, offers an allegorical and humorous take on our doomed planet through the lens of the intergenerational guilt and responsibility of nuclear physicists in the wake of a disaster. An acclaimed transfer from London, the performances are pitch-perfect and the play both relevant and trenchant.
Armie Hammer to make Broadway debut in "Straight White Men"; "Once On This Island" revival gets a cast album; "Stomp" marks 10k performances; producers sue casting directors in labor dispute; BC/EFA raises record $5.6M for Gypsy of the Year; BroadwayCon 2018 schedule released
NOTES: Bellini’s “Norma” at the Met Opera
The Metropolitan Opera launched its 2017-2018 season in September with a new production of Vincenzo Bellini’s “Norma” directed by Sir David McVicar. I caught a performance of this 1831 bel canto masterpiece on Friday night; two more chances remain, this evening at 7:30pm and Saturday, December 16th at 1pm.
REVIEW: Russian fact and fiction in “Describe the Night”
“Describe the Night” is an ambitious, epically sweeping new play by Rajiv Joseph that examines the relationship between observation and truth, storytelling and history. Deeply engrossing, complex, and taught, it spins a chilling reality and paints a portrait of the moral ambiguity that plagues modern Russia.
REVIEW: “SpongeBob SquarePants” to the rescue!
"SpongeBob SquarePants”—a bright, silly, and sweet new party of a musical—is big-hearted and big fun; director and conceiver Tina Landau has skillfully adapted the popular Nickelodeon cartoon for the stage in a buoyant and exuberant production that is both entertaining and moving for theatregoers of all ages, offering a welcomed antidote to these beleaguered times.
"Springsteen on Broadway" extends to June 2018; "M. Butterly" closing early; revivals of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", "Titanic", and "The Woman in White" eyeing Broadway; revelations of sexual assault rock the arts community; "Joe Papp Way" street co-naming honors Public Theater founder
REVIEW: A gorgeous, creative “Once On This Island” is back on Broadway
Thank the Gods, a gorgeous, creative, and first-rate production of the musical gem “Once On This Island” is back on Broadway, smartly re-imagined for 2017 and featuring ravishing performances and inventive staging that provide for a joyous and uplifting evening of theatre.
REVIEW: “The Parisian Woman”—a Trump-era play no one asked for
“The Parisian Woman” with Uma Thurman is a heavy handed and humorless political comedy that takes place now and captures everything we hate about politics, and the Trump era, in one 90-minute, 5-person play. Skip it, and watch the news instead.
REVIEW: “Meteor Shower” is not earth shattering, but it is funny
“Meteor Shower”, an absurd new comedy, bears the unmistakable voice of its playwright, Steve Martin; Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key, Laura Benanti, and Jeremy Shamos give hilarious performances, but the play lacks the clever and smart depth Mr. Martin usually provides. The limited run is nearly sold out anyway, so don’t feel bad if you miss this one.
"Pretty Woman: The Musical" books the Nederlander Theatre; Chinese musical "Shimmer" headed to Broadway in 2019; starry benefit concert of "Damn Yankees" completes its cast; cool new study finds theatregoers' hearts beat together
REVIEW: Fresh “Sweeney Todd” serves chills and thrills (and pie!)
A new production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's masterpiece "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" breathes fresh life into a now-classic musical, reducing the cast to 8 and setting the play in a pie shop. This inventive and thrilling production is a "must see".