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

I had never read Bret Easton Ellis 's novel, American Psycho , but I had seen the movie, liked the movie, and was excited for the musical stage adaptation. I walked out of American Psycho  the musical thinking that it was too sanitized. I was expecting something bloodier, more gory, more violent. The next day, I re-watched the movie (I had never returned the videotape). While there were a couple more violent sequences, and the violence felt more intimate (and therefore more brutal), it wasn't the Tarantino-esque blood fest I remembered. And so while I realize my expectations were unfounded, I find I'm ambivalent about this production. There are elements to praise, but it doesn't thrill like a thriller should. In much the same way John Hughes and his films captured the 80s teenager, novelist Ellis captured the late 80s yuppie. That flush urbanite who was too cool for school, snorted cocaine out of boredom, and went on a killing spree after hours. Well, maybe not e...

The nominations for the Outer Critics Circle (OCC) Awards were announced today. These awards honor excellence in both Broadway and off-Broadway. The OCC includes critics covering New York theatre for out-of-town outlets. Note that Hamilton was not considered this year as it was considered (and awarded) last year, for its off-Broadway iteration; only new elements of the Broadway production were considered. In addition, at the request of the show's producers, Shuffle Along... was not considered this year because of the OCC nomination deadline; it will be considered next year. Winners of this year's awards will be announced May 9 and feted May 26. Herein, the full list of nominees (unless otherwise noted, categories include Broadway and off-Broadway): Outstanding New Broadway Play Eclipsed The Father The Humans King Charles III Therese Raquin Outstanding New Broadway Musical American Psycho Bright Star On Your Feet Tuck Everlasting Waitress Outstanding New Off-...

Checking in Off-Broadway There are several great new plays running off-Broadway. Here are interviews and news about some of them: Theater Mania and The New York Times spoke with playwright Joshua Harmon , who broke out a few years ago with Bad Jews , about his latest work, Significant Other , one of the most unflinchingly honest portrayals of being a young, single adult. Significant Other is at Roundabout. Rajiv Joseph 's fantastic new work, Guards at the Taj , has extended its run at the Atlantic Theater Company. The two-hander, which stars Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed , will play through July 12. Get your tickets now . The New York Times spoke with Jeremy Shamos about his career, which includes starring in the provocative new Bruce Norris play, The Qualms , now playing at Playwrights Horizons. The article also notes that Shamos will be part of Roundabout's upcoming Broadway revival of Noises Off . Heisenberg , the new play from Tony winner Simon Stephens ( T...

(Scroll all the way down for the first snippet of new Foo Fighters music.) Side Show Coming Back to Broadway A revival of the 1997 musical Side Show , about twins Daisy and Violet Hilton and their journey through the vaudeville circuit, will bow on Broadway this fall. Bill Condon directs the reimagined production that took shape in celebrated runs at La Jolla and the Kennedy Center. Those productions' stars, Erin Davie and Emily Padgett , will reprise their roles in the Broadway run. Side Show features a book by Bill Russell (with addition book material by Condon) and a score by Russell (lyrics) and Henry Krieger (music). The revival will play at the St. James Theatre; previews begin October 28, with opening night set for November 17. Playbill has more. Larry David to Star on Broadway "Pretty, pretty good." Larry David ( Seinfeld , Curb Your Enthusiasm ) will make his Broadway debut in Fish in the Dark . David has developed the play (which was previou...

Award Season Updates SAG Awards The SAG Awards were handed out on Sunday night, and while there were few surprises, there were some nice moments. Read my Wrap Up for full red carpet coverage and the complete list of winners, and below check out some extras from around the 'net. Winners' reactions , via The Hollywood Reporter   14 Things You Missed , from Buzzfeed, including the Tina Fey-Amy Poehler lovefest Tina Fey caused quite a stir within the Broadway community when she spoke, on the red carpet, about the possibility of a Mean Girls musical. Jennifer Lawrence is just like us: she gets embarrassed by her (well-meaning and supportive) parents, albeit backstage at the SAG Awards. Entertainment Tonight has the video.    " Sight, Sound and Stories " from the afterparty, from The Hollywood Reporter What Argo 's SAG win means for its Oscar hopes, from The Hollywood Reporter (though the magazine later argues how either Zero Dark Thirty or Lincoln...

Let’s dive right in to the Rob Ashford-directed revival of Tennessee Williams’s classic play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof . The play truly is a classic play, adhering to the classic conventions of a well made play. The action takes place in real time, with no lapses of time during intermission, and all in one room – Brick and Maggie’s bedroom. Brick (Benjamin Walker) and Maggie (Scarlett Johansson) live on the plantation owned and still lived on by Brick’s parents, Big Daddy (Ciaran Hinds) and Big Mama (Debra Monk). It’s Big Daddy’s 65th birthday and the family is waiting on the results of medical tests to find out whether or not he has cancer. (Some family members know more than others.) Brick has taken to drinking – heavily – in reaction to the loss of a close friend (and possible lover), and the night before the action of the play, he broke his ankle while trying to recapture the glory of being a college (and, briefly, professional) athlete. Maggie the cat is anxious and domineer...