Kushner's "Intelligent Homosexual's Guide' in NY

Realism with a vengeance

Tony (Angels in America) Kushner has done it again with a rich, nourishing stew that clocks in at just less than four hours. Unlike other family dramas, Kushner's revolves around serious, intensely held positions on the political theories and socioeconomics that shaped the 20th Century.

Toby Zinman

May 06, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Inis Nua's "Dublin By Lamplight'

The eternal Irish dilemma: To arms, or to art?

Michael West's comic vision of an Irish theater production, circa 1904, offers actors suppressing revolutionary anger beneath comedy. It's an apt evocation of the cultural starvation brought on by political repression,with a thoughtful and moving production by the Inis Nua troupe.

Jim Rutter

May 03, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Born Yesterday' and "House of Blue Leaves' on Broadway

Second helpings of comedy: Postwar Washington meets '60s Queens

Nothing revives Broadway glamor like the dazzling moment when a new star is born. ӬӬ That's happening right now in the current revival of Born Yesterday. Meanwhile, a star-studded revival of John Guare's 1971 black comedy, The House of Blue Leaves, reminds us of its influence on subsequent American comedy.

Carol Rocamora

May 03, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Our Show of Shows' by 1812 Productions

Homage to Caesar

In comedy, who's more essential— the writers, or the performers? Our Show of Shows leaves little doubt as to the answer.

Dan Rottenberg

Apr 28, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Gregory Burke's "Black Watch' in Brooklyn

Seduction of the innocent

Black Watch is a darkly convincing portrayal of young men who enlist in the military and, sadly, find themselves out of their element. It put me in mind of my own dubious military experience a long time ago.

Marshall A. Ledger

Apr 26, 2011 · Articles · 6 minute read

"Wonderland' on Broadway

Wicked with a wink

Like Wicked, Wonderland is a spectacular Broadway musical based on a classic children's story. But it's certainly friendlier to adults than the bevy of child-oriented DreamWorks and Disney shows now inundating live theaters.

Steve Cohen

Apr 23, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Seth Rozin's "Two Jews Walk Into a War'

But seriously, folks…

Seth Rozin's Two Jews Walk Into a War is cleverly titled, signaling that it's a comedy. But make no mistake, he has written a thoughtful examination of faith and a yearning for tradition in a changing world.

Steve Cohen

Apr 23, 2011 · Articles · 2 minute read

Octavio Solis's "Lydia,' by Amaryllis

Are Hispanics really different?

In Lydia, Octavio Solis captures the mixture of poetry, magic and dysfunction that characterize Hispanic-American families. But he also borrows heavily from America's most celebrated Anglo playwrights.

Jim Rutter

Apr 19, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Neil Simon's "Laughter On the 23rd Floor' by 1812

Make 'em laugh

With the aid of a uniformly strong cast of very funny character actors, Neil Simon's 1993 memoir based on his days as a young comedy writer recreates a landmark moment in the Golden Age of Television, when a group of inveterate wisecrackers confronted two serious existential threats.

Apr 14, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read

Ibsen's "Master Builder' at People's Light (2nd review)

Memo to People's Light: Don't trifle with Ibsen

Ibsen's middle works explore a theme that's still relevant today: the balance between individual self-determination and the duty to one's family and the social order. But in the hands of director Ken Marini, a realistic drama like The Master Builder resembles a cartoon.

Jim Rutter

Apr 13, 2011 · Articles · 5 minute read