'Three Sisters' at the Arden (2nd review)

A leisurely entry into a leisurely world

This is the real thing, as opposed to the Durang comedy that trades on Chekovian names. It’s a realistic and compelling look at the Russia of 1900, despite — or because of? — some changes in staging and text.

Steve Cohen

Apr 07, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

Durang's 'Vanya and Sonia' by PTC (2nd review)

Relying on outsiders

An homage of sorts to Chekhov is on stage at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre while the real Chekhov is across town at the Arden. The resemblances are slight.

Steve Cohen

Apr 07, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Three Sisters' at the Arden

Taking it to the streets

We’re so used to immersive theater experiences that when the fire on stage sets off a real fire alarm, we think it’s just part of the performance. The audience for Three Sisters at the Arden Theatre had a hard time detaching themselves from the show, accepting that they had been driven out into a cold Russian night.

Naomi Orwin

Apr 03, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

'Don Juan Comes Home from Iraq' at the Wilma (3rd review)

A wounded hero and the fierceness of his victims

Don Juan Comes Home from Iraq is as much about sexual abuse as it is about the wounded veteran. Why aren’t we talking about that?

Naomi Orwin

Apr 01, 2014 · Articles · 5 minute read

'Phantom of the Opera' at the Academy of Music

Reimagining Phantom

A new production of The Phantom of the Opera, designed to be taken on the road, has been bankrolled by the wealthy man who mounted the original version a quarter-century ago.

Steve Cohen

Mar 31, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

‘Don Juan’ comes Home from Iraq' at the Wilma (2nd review)

War and other atrocities

Paula Vogel’s Don Juan Comes Home from Iraq is not so much a drama as an unrelievedly angry anti-war harangue.

Dan Rottenberg

Mar 30, 2014 · Articles · 1 minute read

‘Rocky’ to music, on Broadway

He’s ba-a-ack

Yo! Rocky’s back, and his musical adaptation is a knockout, thanks to a director with a dynamic sense of theater space and its endless possibilities.

Carol Rocamora

Mar 29, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

'Don Juan Comes Home from Iraq' at the Wilma (1st review)

A marine in freefall

A gripping play about veterans of the Iraq war is daring and frightening in its world premiere.

Steve Cohen

Mar 28, 2014 · Articles · 3 minute read

Durang’s ‘Vanya and Sonia’ by PTC

Six characters in search of a catalyst

Christopher Durang’s witty if lightweight comedy Vanya and Sonia poses a puckish literary question: If Chekhov’s characters were given a second chance to pursue the road less taken, where would they go?

Dan Rottenberg

Mar 27, 2014 · Articles · 4 minute read

‘A Doll’s House’ in Brooklyn

The Scream comes to life

The resemblance between Munch’s terrified figure in The Scream and Hattie Morahan as Ibsen’s tortured protagonist, Nora, is even scarier than the lot of modern women.

Carol Rocamora

Mar 22, 2014 · Articles · 5 minute read