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

Jake Gyllenhaal Welcomes You to the Hudson Theatre Academy Award nominee (and emerging musical theatre sensation) Jake Gyllenhaal invited viewers into Sunday in the Park with George rehearsals backstage at the Hudson Theatre. The Hudson, which began operation in 1903 but has been out of use as a legit theatre since 1968, is set to reopen with this production, becoming the 41st active Broadway theatre. ( See photos from this week's ribbon-cutting ceremony .) In the video below, directed by Emmy winner Cary Joji Fukunaga ( True Detective ), Gyllenhaal walks through the Hudson while singing the show's signature song, "Finishing the Hat." The City Center production of the Stephen Sondheim – James Lapine musical, also starring Tony winner Annaleigh Ashford , begins previews February 11; opening night is set for February 23, and the strictly limited engagement will conclude April 23. Visit the Hudson Theatre website to purchase tickets. (A rush policy for previe...

Casting News Academy Award winner and stage veteran Marisa Tomei , as well as Tony nominee Omar Metwally ( Guards at the Taj , The Affair ), Tony winner Lena Hall ( Hedwig and the Angry Inch ), and others, will star in Sarah Ruhl's How to Transcend a Happy Marriage . The LCT production, directed by Rebecca Taichman, begins previews February 23, with opening night set for March 20. Broadway.com has more. Taylor Louderman ( Bring It On , Gigantic ) will join the Broadway company of Kinky Boots , taking on the role of Lauren. She begins performances on January 16. Broadway.com has more. Complete casting for Joan of Arc: Into the Fire , the new musical from David Byrne and Alex Timbers, has been announced. Jo Lampert stars in the title role (in costume at right), and Terence Archie ( Rocky ), Mike McGowan , and others will appear in featured and ensemble roles. Broadway World has the full announcement. Previews begin February 14, with opening night scheduled for March ...

Remember those wonderful MGM movie musicals? The ones from the studio system, with Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, the simple feel-good flicks with those fabulous scores from legendary songwriters like the Gershwins and Leonard Bernstein and Adolph + Green? The ambitious La La Land  aims to capture that spirit. Writer and director Damien Chazelle ( Whiplash ) doesn't quite grab the stars, but he reaches for them. Set in Los Angeles (La La Land, where dreams are made), La La Land  tracks Sebastian ( Ryan Gosling ) and Mia's ( Emma Stone ) romance. And I do mean romance, which is one of the things I like about the movie. There is actually a sense of Romance, of exploration and finding beauty and hope in their world. Much like in (500) Days of Summer , this finds its characters actually appreciating their surroundings, not just complaining about traffic. (That's in there.) Mia is an aspiring actress who, like Cathy in  The Last Five Years , is becoming disillusion...

The Newsroom I thought "Bullies" was great! I liked watching Sloan go toe-to-toe with Don and Charlie, especially the part in which she said, "Don't call me 'girl,' sir." Way to go! Plus, Clybourne Park 's Damon Gupton made a powerful appearance as Sutton Walls. (So many theatre folks pop up in this show, you'd think it was filmed in New York!) It's nice that as the series continues, each episode allows a different cast member to shine. The next episode, "5/1" (watch a preview below) looks sensational. (You can guess the story they're covering, but nevertheless I think it will be interesting to see how the News Night team covers it.) Bonuses : Olivia Munn took part in an HBO Connect Q and A last Friday . Aaron Sorkin will answer your questions about Sunday's episode on Monday. Thomas Sadoski is taking part in yet another HBO Connect Q and A next week. Submit your questions for August 7 now ! ( Sadoski a...

Gavin Creel's Get Out The talented Tony nominee Gavin Creel is releasing a record! Announced first at his shows at the Allen Room (his performance was part of the Lincoln Center Songbook series) and later confirmed in a statement on Playbill.com , the Hair star will celebrate the release of his new album Get Out with two shows at Joe's Pub on Monday, March 19. The first show will be at 7pm and the second at 9:30. According to the release on Playbill, attendees of the 9:30 show "will be invited to stay for a post-show album release party." Tickets went on sale on Wednesday, but you can check in with Joe's Pub at either 212.967.7555 or joespub.com for availability. Why Wall Street Should Stop Whining In a new blog post, Rolling Stone 's unparalleled Matt Taibbi eviscerates a ridiculous new New York magazine piece. "The End of Wall Street as They Knew It" is a preposterous piece that argues Wall Streeters have it tough in this economy because thei...