By my count, I’ve attended 234 performances of theatre, dance, music, opera, and cabaret during 2019. Out of a field that large, it’s hard to pick just ten, but nevertheless, here are my top ten (ok, eleven) favorite shows I saw in 2019.
All tagged Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish
REVIEW: “Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation”
After a five year hiatus, the Broadway parody revue “Forbidden Broadway” is back with a new edition that makes fun of Broadway shows, actors, and personalities through sketches that satirize the form. Mostly funny, this iteration is undercut by a tinge of bitterness and resentment toward shifting cultural mores and trends on Broadway. But, in the end, it’s still the same scrappy, low-budget comedy revue that’s been playing, off and on, since 1982.
"Flying Over Sunset", "The Lightning Thief: the Percy Jackson Musical", "How I Learned to Drive", "A Soldier's Play", "Caroline, or Change", "Slava's Snowshow", "A Christmas Carol", and "Diana" announce Broadway runs; "Harmony" and "Forbidden Broadway" announce Off-Broadway runs; Gideon Glick to step into “Little Shop of Horrors” for Jonathan Groff; film of "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" will be released in October 2020; "What the Constitution Means to Me" filmed for future release ; RIP Bob Ullman
"Hadestown", "Kiss Me, Kate", "The Ferryman", and "The Waverly Gallery" take home the top prizes at the Drama League Awards; "What the Constitution Means to Me" is among the 2019 Obie Award winners; Marisa Tomei to helm Broadway revival of "The Rose Tattoo" and Mary Louise Parker to star in "The Sound Inside" at Studio 54; Barry Manilow will hold residency at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre; Broadway-aimed "Magic Mike" musical cancels Boston tryout; "The Inheritance" and "Almost Famous" appear poised for Broadway
REVIEW: “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” shines again Off-Broadway
Now Off-Broadway, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbeine’s glorious production of “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” breathes fresh life into a treasured property from the golden age of musical comedy, forcing audiences to interact anew with what is now one of the most well-known and performed musicals of all time, and providing, in return, a host of vital performances and resonant insights. It is, in short, a revelation. See it, or regret it.
FEATURE: Top 10 Shows of 2018
By my count, I’ve attended 246 performances of theatre, dance, music, opera, and cabaret during 2018. Out of a field that large, it’s hard to pick just ten, but nevertheless, here are my top ten favorite shows I saw in New York (including no new musicals and only three Broadway shows!).
"Celebrity Autobiography" books the Marquis for dark nights of "The Illusionists"; "Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish" to transfer Off-Broadway; 16-year-old Jimmy Award winner Andrew Barth Feldman is Broadway’s next Evan Hansen; Michael Stuhlbarg will star in "Socrates" at the Public; Jerry Mitchell's "Becoming Nancy" might be Broadway-bound; Michael Shannon and Audra McDonald-helmed revival of “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” might be in the works; 2019 "Kids' Night on Broadway" will be on February 26th; "Golden Boy" star Paula Wayne dead at 84
"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
REVIEW: Wonder of Wonders! Miracle of Miracles! “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish”
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbeine’s “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” breathes fresh life into a treasured property from the golden age of musical comedy, forcing audiences to interact anew with what is now one of the most well-known and performed musicals of all time, and providing, in return, a host of vital performances and resonant insights. It is, in short, a revelation. See it, or regret it.