In the second edition of “Look Left”, I offer roundup reviews of “Company”, “Dreamgirls”, and “Hadestown” playing in London.
London revival of "Company" may be headed to Broadway; The Public Theater is planning a $110 million renovation to upgrade the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park; "To Kill a Mockingbird" to offer $10 tickets for middle and high school students; Bruce Springsteen's show to release a live recording and Netflix special; "What the Constitution Means to Me" moving to Greenwich House; film version of the musical "The Color Purple" in development; 1986 flop "Rags" will get a New York concert reading'; musical adaptation of "Magic Mike" finds workshop cast; "The Book of Mormon" becomes longest running show at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre
REVIEW: Kerry Washington in “American Son”
“American Son”, a gripping new play on Broadway, is piercingly of the moment, thunderously bleak, written in all caps, and indulgently depressing. Kerry Washington gives a devastating performance as a black mother living the nightmare of her son interacting with the police, but blunt writing provides shorthanded dialogue and characterizations that are unrealistic and convenient—tooled for the sake of advancing arguments, and provoking the audience, rather effectively serving a coherent social or political mission.
REVIEWS: “Days of Rage” and “Good Grief”
Two world premiere productions of new plays opened Off-Broadway last night, each offering their characters a reflection on their younger selves and their emotional development, conceptions of love, and visions for the future. This is a roundup look at Second Stage’s “Days of Rage” and the Vineyard Theatre’s “Good Grief” (Critic’s Pick!).
REVIEW: Ma-Yi Theater Company presents “Sesar”
Ma-Yi Theater Company presents “Sesar”, a moving solo show of personal memoir smartly written and performed with élan by Orlando Pabotoy. As a young Filipino boy seduced by Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”, this play is the sweet and profound story of how that text bonded a son and father together during a time of political strife in Asia.
Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell - The Musical" will play City Center; "King Lear" will now play the Cort , opening up the Golden for "Hillary and Clinton"; cast announced for FOX's "Rent: Live" telecast; Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child joins "Once on This Island"; the Drama Book Shop will close its 40th Street location at end of January; Broadway League finds younger audience attended 2017–2018 season; trailer for "Latin History for Morons" on Netflix; playwright Ntozake Shange dead at 70
REVIEW: Simply ravishing, Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman” is a must-see masterpiece
Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman” is an ecstatic and richly thrillingly new play about the intimate, domestic effects of “The Troubles” on one large, Irish family; a sprawling epic with a 22 person cast and running time over three hours, “The Ferryman” is a titanic dramatic achievement, and a must-see event of the season. In short: a masterpiece without present peer on Broadway.
REVIEWS: “India Pale Ale” and “Plot Points in Our Sexual Development”
Two new plays opened Off-Broadway last week that are “teaching plays” meant to instruct the audience and broaden horizons on subject matter otherwise unknown or unexplored by most. Here’s a look at “India Pale Ale” at MTC and Critic’s Pick “Plot Points in Our Sexual Development” at LCT3.
REVIEW: A revival of Adam Gwon’s quietly extraordinary “Ordinary Days” by Keen Company
Keen Company’s revival of Adam Gwon’s delightful chamber musical “Ordinary Days” cleanses the soul, lifts the spirit, and reminds you what you love about New York. All four performers in this almost entirely sung show are outstanding as they tell a simple, beautiful, and original story about how small acts and interactions can change lives. This sweet and quietly extraordinary musical is a must-see.
REVIEW: “Midnight at the Never Get”
“Midnight at the Never Get” is a cabaret concert mediation on impossible love, revolution, music, and memory; easily the best new musical I have seen this season so far, Sam Bolen gives a knockout performance as a gay cabaret singer recalling his romance in the smoky backroom haze of New York’s 1960s underground nightclub scene. This gorgeous show is not to be missed.
REVIEW: Jocelyn Bioh’s brilliant “School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play” returns to MCC for an encore run
Jocelyn Bioh’s brilliant play “School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play” is back at the Lucille Lortel Theatre for an encore engagement by MCC Theater; every bit as funny and devastating as it was when I saw it last fall, the play seems to pop and sizzle even more on a second viewing. Check out my review and get tickets now.
"Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show" books the Imperial for holiday engagement; Danny Burstein to join "My Fair Lady"; Dénee Benton to join "Hamilton"; cast announced for City Center's "A Chorus Line" gala; "Wicked" turns 15 on October 30th; "What the Constitution Means to Me" and "Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish" extend; "Desperate Measures” and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" closing; film adaptation of "Be More Chill" announced; Idris Elba and Dame Judi Dench join “Cats” movie cast; the 73rd Annual Tony Awards will be held on Sunday, June 9th