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

Finding Neverland  tells the story of J.M. Barrie , the Scottish playwright who wrote the beloved play, Peter Pan . Like the movie upon which the musical is based, this is the story of a man rediscovering his imagination. How disappointing, then, that the production would come off as dull and unimaginative. What makes it even more disappointing is that the show is directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus  ( Hair , Pippin ), who is usually so sensitive, creative and curious. There are some elements that seem Paulus-esque. Throughout, the actors move and lift one another around the stage to give the appearance of flight. At first, I wondered why the actors weren't simply on wires, but then I realized that Paulus is asking the audience to use its imagination, just as Barrie implores the sullen Peter to do when they meet in the park. (More on the specific plot points in a moment.) Similarly, rather than go for broke with highfalutin visual effects, Paulus and her creative team o...

(Scroll down for news about Foo Fighters and Sonic Highways ) Saying Farewell to Wendy Whelan In  The New York Times , Wendy Whelan  (and several of her collaborators) reflects on her time with New York City Ballet, which includes creating roles in several Christopher Wheeldon  ballets, like his breakthrough Polyphonia  and the stunning After the Rain . The not-to-be-missed dancer retires from the company this fall, playing her farewell performance on October 18. (The program has been announced , and it's going to be amazing, and it includes a brand new Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky ballet created just for the occasion.) Whelan will continue to dance, though. Her Restless Creatures  program will tour the US in 2015. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees The nominees for the 2015 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. Artists are eligible for nomination 25 years after the release of their first recording. On the ballot this y...

An American in Paris Casting Full casting has been announced for the Broadway-bound production of An American in Paris , Christopher Wheeldon 's full stage adaptation of the beloved Gershwin movie musical. Perennial gypsy and extraordinary dancer Charlie Sutton ( Kinky Boots ) is among those who will join Robert Fairchild ( A Place for Us ) and Leanne Cope in the musical, which will premiere in Paris this winter. Wheeldon ( Alice's Adventures in Wonderland , A Place for Us ) will then bring the show to Broadway's Palace Theatre. Broadway previews begin March 13, 2015, with opening night set for April 12. Visit Broadway.com for the full cast list . Casting Awards Speaking of casting news, the nominees for the Casting Society of America's Artios Awards have been announced (in some categories; nominees for feature films will be announced later this year). Among those nominated are casting directors responsible for Act One ; Masters of Sex ; Beautiful ; Veep ; ...

Justin Peck Featured Dance magazine features NYCB soloist and rising choreographer Justin Peck on the cover of its September issue. In the feature article, which you can read online , Peck talks about balancing his work as a dancer and a choreographer; being inspired by music; and his mentors, including Christopher Wheeldon and NYCB Ballet Master in Chief, Peter Martins. After you've read the article, head to nycballet.com to purchase tickets for the 2014-2015 season, which will feature two new Peck ballets (the first, Belles Lettres , is set to premiere this month), and an encore performance of Everywhere We Go . SNL Comings and Goings Several changes to the long-running sketch comedy show were announced this week. Three new writers , Natasha Rothwell , Streeter Seidell and Jeremy Beiler , have joined the team. Chris Pratt ( Parks and Recreation , Moneyball ) and recent Emmy winner Sarah Silverman will host the first two episodes of the new season , September ...

(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...

(Scroll down for your first look at Little Dancer , starring Tiler Peck.) Love Letters to Broadway A revival of A.R. Gurney 's Love Letters is coming to Broadway, and the rotating cast is unbelievable! The production, which follows two friends who write, wait for it, love letters to each other for 50 years, will be directed by Gregory Mosher , and will open at the Nederlander Theatre on September 18 (previews begin September 13). The rotating cast is scheduled as follows: ( see Broadway.com for more details ) September 13-October 10: Brian Dennehy and Mia Farrow October 11-November 7: Dennehy and Carol Burnett (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) November 8-December 5: Alan Alda and Candice Berngen December 6-January 9, 2015: Stacy Keach and Diana Rigg January 10-February 1: Martin Sheen (!!!!!!!!!!) and Anjelica Huston Casting News Television —Stage and screen veterans Mary-Louise Parker ( The Snow Geese ) and Peter Sarsgaard ( Blue Jasmine ) will co-star in the NBC miniseri...