Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

The Newsroom What an incredible episode. ( Go Inside the Episode with Aaron Sorkin .) I can't wait for part two! What I found was so interesting about "Tragedy Porn" is that we're seeing this team we have come to admire do something so seemingly beneath them. We're seeing them do a big thing badly. And it elicits newly found sympathy for some real life news teams because it makes you think that some of the anchors really want to be doing News Night 2.0, i.e., good, informative stories that matter, not news as entertainment, but their hands are tied because they do, after all, have network bosses, ratings analysts and shareholders to answer to. Plus, the episode brought us some great lines, like "There's not enough bourbon in Kentucky."; "Have you been listening? Because we have."; and the show-closing punctuation, "I didn't know we had that kind of comic timing." Below, take a look at next week's episode, "The Bla...

The film adaptation of Leslye Headland’s Bachelorette , which the playwright wrote and directed, succeeds in its own ways. It’s just as biting and darkly funny as the play (which ran at Second Stage a few summers ago). Because there’s no concern for scene changes, it takes the story and characters to places that a play can’t. The three bridesmaids collective journey is essentially the same - they just take different detours here. I was a little disappointed that the movie tagged on a bit of a tidy, Hollywood ending. My preferred ending happened about seven minutes earlier, serving as a cheeky punctuation mark and driving home Headland’s gluttony theme. (Remember that the play Bachelorette is part of her seven deadly sins cycle. The "greed" play, Assistance , was satisfyingly sardonic.) Still, it is rip-roaringly funny with spot on performances from the terrific ensemble cast. A quick rundown of the plot: Regan (Kirsten Dunst), Katie (Isla Fisher), Gena (Lizzy Caplan) a...

The Newsroom I thought "Bullies" was great! I liked watching Sloan go toe-to-toe with Don and Charlie, especially the part in which she said, "Don't call me 'girl,' sir." Way to go! Plus, Clybourne Park 's Damon Gupton made a powerful appearance as Sutton Walls. (So many theatre folks pop up in this show, you'd think it was filmed in New York!) It's nice that as the series continues, each episode allows a different cast member to shine. The next episode, "5/1" (watch a preview below) looks sensational. (You can guess the story they're covering, but nevertheless I think it will be interesting to see how the News Night team covers it.) Bonuses : Olivia Munn took part in an HBO Connect Q and A last Friday . Aaron Sorkin will answer your questions about Sunday's episode on Monday. Thomas Sadoski is taking part in yet another HBO Connect Q and A next week. Submit your questions for August 7 now ! ( Sadoski a...

The Newsroom We're half way through the inaugural season of The Newsroom - what do you think of the show thus far? "Amen" allowed Dev Patel's Neal to shine, and provided an interesting example of how traditional media and new media are working together. Below, catch a glimpse at next week's episode, "Bullies," which has shades of "Night Five" and "The Black Vera Wang" all over it! Bonuses: John Gallagher, Jr. , talks to Backstage about working on The Newsroom and doing karaoke. Chris Messina (Reese Lansing) is showing up everywhere these days - not just in the newsroom - and Vulture caught up with him to chat about it . (Tip: See him in Jennifer Westfeldt's Ira and Abby - you'll thank me!) Election Update: Debates The timing and format of the upcoming presidential debates have been announced. There will be a total of three debates, all in October and all lasting 90 minutes. First up will be the Oc...