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

Upcoming Farewells We learned this week that a few shows will be concluding their Broadway runs. One of these devastates me. The Last Ship is concluding its Broadway run. I'm so saddened by this news. The Last Ship is a beautiful show, original in concept and score (penned by Sting ), with fantastic performances. ( Lin-Manuel Miranda is right : Everything Michael Esper does is magic.) The new musical had been struggling at the box office (because it didn't receive a rave from the Times ; because it's in a too-big house; because of the time of year; because it wasn't a recognizable commodity; because there wasn't a marquee name (to most ticket buyers) starring in it—not because it isn't good) when Sting stepped on stage, but producers just can't see a way to keep the ship afloat after his departure on January 24, which will be the final performance. I'm so sad. See it now if you can, and pick up the original Broadway cast recording. It's a tr...

PBS Fall Arts Series Announced The lineup for PBS's Fall Arts Festival (airing on consecutive Fridays this fall) has been announced, and it's a great slate of programming. First up, on September 26, is the New York Philharmonic concert presentation of Sweeney Todd , performed this past spring with Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lovett. Next, on October 3, will be Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years , in which musicians, including Foo Fighters , Gary Clark, Jr. and Bonnie Raitt , will play and pay tribute to the famed series. That will be followed, on October 10, by The Nance , which bowed on Broadway in the 2012-2013 season and starred Nathan Lane . Other broadcasts include the Great Performances concert featuring Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (October 24) and Kristin Chenoweth 's Coming Home concert (November 28). Visit Broadwayworld.com for the full schedule, then mark your calendars, set your DVR or fire up your PBS Roku channel! Casting Updates Film — Aaron Tveit ...

Herein, some playful suggestions of what you might serve at a Tony Awards party. (I've book-ended the list with my two favorites!) For some treats, I've linked to recipes I can vouch for; for others, the recipes haven't been tested by me just yet. Some of the recipes included are my own. Enjoy! Will You Still Love Me Tamale (shout out to Beautiful ); from Marcela Valladolid, corn tamales Of Rice and Minestrone Soup (shout out to Of Mice and Men ); from Mario Batali, minestrone with rice and beans Oatmeal Raisin in the Sun Cookies (shout out to A Raisin in the Sun ); scroll down for the recipe I've been using for years Lady Fingers at Emerson's Bar and Grill (shout out to Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill ); from Emeril Lagasse, homemade lady fingers After Midnight Snacks (shout out to After Midnight ); any leftovers will do, or whatever your favorite nosh is! Cous Cous Valentina (shout out to Casa Valentina ); my "recipe": cook ...

Willkommen back, dear readers! In a rare occurrence, Broadway audiences are being treated to a return engagement of a wonderfully successful revival. Opening at Roundabout's Studio 54 in March 1998, the Sam Mendes – Rob Marshall production of Cabaret brought Emcee Alan Cumming stateside, earning the Scottish star a Tony Award and catapulting him to fame. (He can currently be seen on The Good Wife , and he was last seen on Broadway in Macbeth . ) The revival continued through 2004 (I saw it in 2001, when Cumming and Natasha Richardson (as Sally Bowles) had long since left the production), giving Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, John Stamos, Norbert Leo Butz and a slew of other top actors an opportunity to welcome people to the Kit Kat Club. But in the 10 years since its closing, audiences have not had the chance to enter said club and enjoy a cabaret. I'm usually wary of revivals. There are so many talented writers out there, and while a revival might be a safer cho...

(Scroll down to find out what Zachary Levi's dating dos and don'ts are!) City.Ballet I've been telling you about this New York City Ballet documentary series, set to air on AOL, for several months and now we have an official air date: November 4. Beginning then, you'll get a behind the scenes look at what it ' s like to be a professional ballet dancer. In this article from the Wall Street Journal , the dancers, like principal Teresa Reichlen , and producers, like Sarah Jessica Parker , are quick to point out that this is not some sensationalized reality series. It really is a documentary series, with rehearsal and performance footage mixed with interviews. Tune into AOL On ( on.aol.com ) beginning November 4 for your chance to see New York's finest dancers. (And head to nycballet.com for more information about the Company and to purchase tickets; the fall season finishes this weekend but tickets for The Nutcracker are now on sale.) Casting News ...