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Jurassic … er, I Mean Triassic Parq Opens This Summer

The dinosaurs are back, and they’re taking over the SoHo Playhouse.  A 2010 New York International Fringe Festival hit, Triassic Parq the Musical (previously titled Jurassic Parq) will rule Off-Broadway this summer with a limited engagement currently scheduled from June 12 to August 5.

I attended the original Fringe Festival run with some trepidation.  Given my longstanding affection for the book and movie Jurassic Park, I was intrigued.  But I also …more…

Bessie Smith Lives at St. Luke’s

The great blues singer Bessie Smith is getting a revival at St. Luke’s Theatre, an intimate Off-Broadway venue on West 46th Street, thanks to a powerhouse performance by Miche Braden in The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith.  With no more than a pointed look and a swish of the hips, the Drama Desk Award-nominated Braden commands the room the minute she enters.  And it doesn’t hurt …more…

Once and Again

With good reason, Once has been one of the most buzzed-about new shows of the Broadway season.  Based on the acclaimed 2006 indie movie musical of the same name, the show had a highly-praised production Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop before transferring to Bernard B. Jacobs Theater on Broadway in March.  Now Once has snagged the most Tony Award nods this season, with 11 nominations.

Like many people, I was …more…

New Voices at NYU

One of the many advantages of being a musical theater lover living in New York City is that the lively concert scene affords a multitude of opportunities to hear new work by up-and-coming songwriters, sung by some of Broadway’s best talent.  The New Voices Collective frequently stages intimate concerts that do just that, showcasing songs by working composers and emerging talents.  What’s more, NVC always comes up with a special …more…

Carrie Terrorizes Off-Broadway

Although I’ve been a musical theater fan for the better part of my life, I’ve never had the obsession with “famous flops” that a number of my friends share. So, although I’ve long been aware that the musical Carrie is one of the famousest of these flops, I didn’t actually know much about it as I walked into the Lucille Lortel Theatre last week to see MCC Theater‘s new production …more…

Truth … in Theater?

When Mike Daisey first began developing his theater piece on the Chinese laborers who make the shiny gadgets that we Westerners hold so near and dear, he probably didn’t anticipate that it would lead to an explosive discussion on truth in theater.  ...more...

Kids Take Over Broadway

“Kids Night on Broadway” is upon us again, offering young people and their folks a great opportunity to see Broadway’s best shows at a major discount.  For selected performances now through February 9, any child aged 6-18 can get a free ticket when it’s purchased along with a full-price ticket for an accompanying adult.  A slew of Broadway shows are participating, along with a handful of Off-Broadway shows, giving you the perfect chance to introduce a young person in your life to the joy of live theater at 50% of the usual cost. ...more...

The Agony and Ecstasy of Mike Daisey

Monologuist Mike Daisey, perhaps still best known for his 2002 breakout 21 Dog Years: Doing Time @ Amazon.com, is performing his latest one-man theater piece The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs at the Public Theater in a return engagement scheduled to last through March 4.  The show, which is funny, enlightening, and moving in equal measure, gained a heap of well-deserved acclaim during its initial Public run this past …more…

New York Live Arts BLESSED by Meg Stuart

The American premiere of choreographer Meg Stuart’s BLESSED comes to New York Live Arts in Chelsea tomorrow, for a run that will last from January 12-14. It is a rare opportunity to see Stuart’s work here in the U.S. Though she was born in the States, Stuart lives and mostly works in Europe, where her experimental work has been highly influential. ...more...

Art in the Windows

The ritual viewing of department store windows is part of the official “Christmas in New York” experience, right along with visiting the gargantuan Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and body-checking your fellow holiday shoppers at the Manhattan Mall.  Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s are among the stores most noted for their holiday window displays.  Personally, though, my vote for Best in Show this year goes to Bergdorf Goodman, which has elevated the window display from whimsical entertainment to enchanting art installation. ...more...

Celebrity Safari at Broadway’s Stage Doors

Celebrity spotting is a unique part of the experience of living in New York. And, a far cry from your aunt’s oft-told story about that time that she saw the local weatherman at the supermarket, eagle-eyed New Yorkers frequently spot big-time celebs, like bona fide movie stars and such. While you can never predict when you’ll have one of these sightings, you can treat out-of-town visitors such as your dear auntie to a veritable celebrity safari by catching these shooting stars as they escape the theaters where they perform. ...more...

Storm King Arts Center Extends Thru November 27

Storm King Arts Center: Sculptures by Mark di Suvero (photo by Jerry L. Thompson)

Following the surprise Halloween snow storm, New York has enjoyed some particularly fine autumn weather, prompting Storm King Arts Center to keep its grounds open to the public Fridays through Sundays until November 27.  If you haven’t already had the pleasure of taking the trip to Mountainville, New York (located in the lower Hudson Valley, just …more…

Fall For Dance Takes NYC By Storm

One of the most beloved events in the New York City dance community, Fall For Dance, began on October 27 and continues at New York City Center through November 6. The annual explosion of dance is ultra-inclusive, showcasing all styles and featuring artists both established and emerging.

Vertigo Dance Company, Drew Jacoby, Jessica Lang Dance, and Richard Alston Dance Company perform on October 30, followed by a non-performance day, giving everyone …more…

Nature Makes Art at Root 52 Gallery

In The Catskills, NY, the bursts of color in the trees are disappearing as the leaves fall to the ground. But even if autumn is quickly fading, nature is still making quite a show at the Root 52 Gallery in the little town of Liberty. Located at 87 Mill Street, the large showroom features functional art that has been fashioned from the roots of Costa Rican trees. Vases, wine holders, …more…

Broadway Takes Out Its Treasures

The Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market and Grand Auction is upon us again, starting at 10am on Sunday, September 25. The annual event attracts Broadway’s biggest fans, who love to peruse the tables, full of goodies like old Playbills, show posters, t-shirts, cast albums, and one-of-a-kind items like props, costumes, and autographed material from Broadway shows old and new.

Many current shows run their own tables, which feature …more…