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

Alex Timbers is a genius, and that’s why Rocky —as a musical and on Broadway—is worthy of your attention.  Based on the 1976 Oscar-winning film, penned by and starring Sylvester Stallone , Rocky centers on 29-year old Rocky Balboa ( Andy Karl ), a sweet but simple guy from the south side of Philadelphia. (The show is set in 1975.) He has aspirations of becoming like his legendary namesake, Rocky Marciano, but instead he’s down on his luck, struggling to make ends meet and working as a loan shark’s muscle. He “trains” at a boxing gym, but for what is becoming less and less clear. He pines for his friend’s sister, Adrian ( Margo Seibert ), and that relationship becomes the emotional center of the show. When the heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed ( Terence Archie ), is in sudden need of an opponent for a hyped up match (are there any boxing contests that aren’t hyped up?), he chooses Rocky, and our titular hero is itching to fight.  (Karl ( The Mystery ...

Award Season Update Oscars —As part of his continuing coverage, The Hollywood Reporter 's awards guru, Scott Feinberg, published two more Oscar breakdowns, one covering the Best Original Screenplay race , and one focusing on the race for Best Supporting Actress . The nominees for Screenplay are: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell , American Hustle ; Woody Allen , Blue Jasmine ; Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack , Dallas Buyers Club ; Spike Jonze , Her (which is my pick in this category); and Bob Nelson , Nebraska . For Supporting Actress, Sally Hawkins ( Blue Jasmine ); Jennifer Lawrence ( American Hustle ); Lupita Nyong'o ( 12 Years a Slave ; Nyong'o is my pick); Julia Roberts ( August: Osage County ); and June Squibb ( Nebraska ) are vying for the honor. In other Oscar news, Pharrell Williams will perform his Oscar-nominated song, "Happy," on the telecast. The song is featured in Despicable Me 2 . Read the official press release for de...

Award Season Update As we head toward the Oscars , The Hollywood Reporter has nominees' secrets about their performances. They checked in with, among others, Leonardo DiCaprio ( The Wolf of Wall Street ), Amy Adams and Christian Bale ( American Hustle ) and Chiwetel Ejiofor ( 12 Years a Slave ). Academy Rescinds Nomination —In a rare move, the Academy's Board of Governors rescinded the Best Original Song nomination of "Alone Yet Not Alone," from the eponymous movie, leaving just four nominees in the category. You can get the whole story on the Oscars blog , but the bottom line is the songwriter improperly courted Academy nominators. Lupita Nyong'o , nominated for her riveting performance in 12 Years a Slave , spoke with Rolling Stone 's Peter Travers about the film...and her flawless fashion choices for the "prom-like events." Oscar Breakdown — The Hollywood Reporter 's Scott Feinberg assesses the Best Adapted Screenplay race , the n...

Bruce Springsteen: High Hopes Last week, Bruce Springsteen teased a new single and this week, details about the full album, including its January 14, 2014, release date, were announced. The eclectic album (Springsteen's 18th) will feature a combination of new songs, recordings of Springsteen favorites and covers. Read more on Rolling Stone and The Boss's website  (this post includes the track listing). The album is now available for pre-order. All the Way  to Broadway Joining Breaking Bad 's Bryan Cranston  for the limited Broadway engagement of All the Way , a new Robert Schennkan play about President Lyndon B. Johnson, will be Michael McKean  ( The Best Man ) and Brandon J. Dirden ( Clybourne Park ), who will play J. Edgar Hoover and Martin Luther King, Jr., respectively. (Both appeared in the A.R.T. production. There's still no word regarding whether or not Reed Birney will reprise his role for the Broadway run.) Directed by Bill Rauch, All the Way  ...

Guys and Dolls is Back (for One Night) The beloved Frank Loesser musical will enjoy a one-night-only concert at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium on April 3, 2014.  Directed by Jack O'Brien ( Catch Me if You Can ), the concert will feature good old reliable Nathan Lane ( The Addams Family ), reprising the role of Nathan Detroit, whom he played in the 1992 revival, Patrick Wilson ( The Full Monty , Young Adult ) as Sky Masterson, Megan Mullally ( Will and Grace ) as Adelaide and Sierra Boggess ( The Little Mermaid ) as the missionary, Sarah Brown. Tickets are on sale now. Broadway.com has more. (Bonus: watch the video below to see Wilson singing the My Fair Lady tune, "On the Street Where You Live," during a Kennedy Center Honors performance honoring Julie Andrews.) Holiday Season Happenings The performers for the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade have been announced. (This is the parade that's televised on NBC.) The parade will feat...