As we begin a new decade, I look back at my past decade of theatre-going and pick my top 10 favorite plays and musicals.
All tagged National Theatre
FEATURE: Top 10 of 2019
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.
Ephraim Sykes will star as Michael Jackson in "MJ" the musical on Broadway; Martin McDonagh's "Hangmen" will play a limited engagement at Broadway's Golden Theatre; "Tootsie" will close on January 5th; "Hadestown" recoups; Imelda Staunton will star in "Hello, Dolly!" on the West End; Dominic Cooke will direct “Follies” film; The Drama Book Shop will reopen in a new location in 2020; RIP Laurel Griggs
FEATURE: Look Left – London Dispatch
Last week I hopped about Europe and landed in London, where I caught three plays: Annie Baker’s “The Antipodes” at the National Theatre, Peter Nichols’ “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” at Trafalgar Studios, and the Young Vic’s production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”.
REVIEW: “Hadestown”—an exquisitely crafted musical triumph
Breathtaking and exquisitely crafted, “Hadestown” is easily the most tautly constructed and beautifully realized musical on this side of “Hamilton”—a riveting, heart-wrenching, and sumptuous folk opera that vibrantly renders some of mankind’s oldest and most enduring myths as an epic and compelling piece of modern musical theatre. This musical triumph is a must-see.
FEATURE: Look Left – London Dispatch
On my recent trip to London, I caught six shows—a mix of musicals and plays, both new and in revival. Here I offer a roundup “look left” at “9 to 5”, “All About Eve”, “The American Clock”, “Follies”, “Six”, and “Tartuffe”.
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!).
FEATURE: Look Left – London Dispatch
On my recent trip to London, I caught six shows—a mix of musicals, plays, and dance, both new and in revival. Here I offer a roundup “look left” at “Caroline, or Change”, “A Christmas Carol”, “The Inheritance”, Matthew Bourne’s “Swan Lake”, “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical”, and “War Horse”
REVIEW: A prophet emerges in “Network” starring Bryan Cranston
Ivo van Hove brings his signature style to an intense and intelligent stage production of Paddy Chayefsky’s prophetic 1976 film “Network”. An easy highlight of the Broadway season, Bryan Cranston gives a Tony Award-worthy performance as news anchor Howard Beale’s descent into a rage-filled demagogue. The message is the medium, and vice versa, in this technically brilliant and thrilling new drama.
FEATURE: Look Left – London Dispatch
In the second edition of “Look Left”, I offer roundup reviews of “Company”, “Dreamgirls”, and “Hadestown” playing in London.
"Carousel" closing September 16th; “Tootsie” books the Marquis; "Network" to play the Cort; all female revival of "Glengarry Glen Ross" coming to Broadway next May; Michael C. Hall will star in "Thom Pain (Based on Nothing)"; "Pipeline" to play select cinemas; "Once on This Island" wins Equity award for diversity; trans actor Kate Bornstein responds to heckling; list of the most produced high school musicals and plays; producer John Glines dead at 84
Stephanie J. Block to headline "The Cher Show"; Drew Gehling will star in "Dave"; "Beetlejuice" headed to D.C. and "Beaches" to London pre-Broadway; the Griswolds will get a "Vacation" musical; important article about sexual harassment in the theatre community