David Mamet's "Race' on Broadway

Mamet, the equal-opportunity cynic

David Mamet's new play about sex and race, currently receiving a vigorous Broadway premiere under the author's direction, reprises a familiar Mamet theme: betrayal, especially by women.

Toby Zinman

Dec 15, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"This Is the Week That Is' by 1812 Productions (2nd review)

How do you roast a target like Obama?

The latest edition of This Is the Week That Is improves on its predecessors because it does more than attack the unpopular Bush administration. The writers clearly hold conflicted views about Obama's behavior as president, and their uncertainty leads to a more nuanced show than in the past. This Is the Week That Is: The New Administration. Conceived and directed by Jennifer Childs; head writer Don Montrey. Presented through January 3, 2010 by 1812 Productions at Plays and Players Theatre, 1724 Delancey Pl. (215) 592-9560 or www.1812productions.org.

Steve Cohen

Dec 12, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"This Is the Week That Is' by 1812 Productions (1st review)

Shooting fish in a barrel

Why does a sophisticated comedy troupe like 1812 Productions persist in sophomoric political satire like This Is the Week That Is?

Dan Rottenberg

Dec 11, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Legally Blonde' in Wilmington

Do blondes have more fun? Affirmative

Legally Blonde”“ the Musical doesn't aim to be serious or exploratory, so sophisticated theatergoers might pass it by. If you do, it's your loss.

Steve Cohen

Dec 08, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read

"Harold and the Purple Crayon' at the Prince

Imagination triumphs again

Crockett Johnson's 50-year-old paean to the childish imagination is well served here. Every kid's attention was focused raptly on the stage, thanks to a remarkable non-stop combination of music, dance, animation and puppetry.

Dan Rottenberg

Dec 07, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Ragtime' revived in New York (1st review)

A second chance for Ragtime

The new budget-minded revival of Ragtime is apt and, in some scenes, provides more clarity than the 1998 original. But one particular economy disturbs me.

Steve Cohen

Nov 28, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

"boom' by Flashpoint Theatre

The end of the world (and a better idea)

Biology nerd meets nihilist, comet meets planet, and there's a middle-aged woman pulling the levers. Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's boom is often very funny, but the credit belongs to the actors, not his pretentious script.

Julius Ferraro

Nov 28, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Who should play Helen Keller?

Blind actors and blind alleys: Who should portray Helen Keller?

Inclusivity advocates are up in arms because a sighted, hearing celebrity actress has been hired to portray the blind and deaf Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. They say they're concerned about creating better art, but their logic suggests otherwise.

Jim Rutter

Nov 24, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

Jude Law as "Hamlet' on Broadway

Our latest Hamlet: What a piece of work is Jude Law

Jude Law, the latest in a seemingly endless line of Hamlets, is a deeply emotional Hamlet who wears his heart on his sleeve, holding nothing back. In the process he brings out all the colors and complexities of what it means to be a man today, or any day.

Carol Rocamora

Nov 24, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

"Light in the Piazza' by PTC (2nd review)

An emotional Renaissance

This first-rate adaptation of Elizabeth Spencer's novella combines elements that are more original, sensitive, personal, even courageous than we're accustomed to find in musical theater. But The Light in the Piazza suffers from two serious flaws.

Dan Rottenberg

Nov 22, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read