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

There's an informative history of Falsettos on the Lincoln Center Theatre blog. It traces Falsettos ' origins, from In Trousers to March of the Falsettos (nee Four Jews in a Room Bitching ) to Falsettoland , providing background and context, as well as insight into its significance in famed off-Broadway company, Playwrights Horizons. It does not, however, make me like the show more. Falsettos , written by William Finn (score and book) and James Lapine (book), focuses on Marvin (Christian Borle), and his desire for a tight knit family. Set in 1979 (act one) and 1981 (act two), we meet Marvin just after he's left his wife, Trina (Stephanie J. Block), and son, Jason (Anthony Rosenthal), to be with his lover, Whizzer (Andrew Rannells). Marvin must navigate his sexuality, relationships, and familial needs, while Trina and Jason figure out how to move forward. (They'll be aided by Mendel (Brandon Uranowitz), a therapist-turned-Trina's love interest.) In act two,...

Benjamin Scheuer to Release Songs from The Lion You might recall that a couple of years ago, musician Benjamin Scheuer debuted his musical memoir, The Lion , at Manhattan Theatre Club. His personal tale of love, loss, and resilience surely touched all who saw it. Subsequent to the debut run, Scheuer, now on tour with the show, headed into the recording studio to lay down Songs from The Lion , which, it was just announced, will be released on June 3. The first single from the album, "Weather the Storm," was just released, along with an animated video (see below). Visit Glide magazine to learn more, and head to your favorite music retailer to purchase "Weather the Storm," and pre-order Songs from The Lion . Casting News Initial casting for the hotly-anticipated Falsettos  revival has been announced. Two-time Tony winner Christian Borle  ( Peter and the Starcatcher , Something Rotten ), Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block  ( The Mystery of Edwin Drood , Li...

All About Hamilton Hamilton is a few weeks into previews (it opens February 17; look for my review), and just as the musical delves into the life of Alexander Hamilton, The New Yorker 's Rebecca Mead dove into the life of the show's composer and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda ( In the Heights , tick, tick...BOOM! ). In addition, Miranda and some of his co-stars, Daveed Diggs , Christopher Jackson and Leslie Odom, Jr. chatted with The New York Times about "rapping the revolution." What's more: The musical's run has once again been extended. The show will now run through May 3, although Brian d'Arcy James , who is hilarious as King George, will play his final performance with Hamilton on March 1. He will head straight into rehearsals for Something Rotten , which begins previews on Broadway March 23. Broadway.com has more, and you can visit publictheater.org to order tickets for Hamilton . New Productions Coming to Broadway The 2015-2016 Broadway ...