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

They don't make them like Sutton Foster anymore. Her go for broke comedic skills make her quadruple threat, and even though I know Gwen Verdon famously created the role, I can't imagine anyone else playing Charity Hope Valentine, the "dance hostess" with the heart of gold. Written by Neil Simon (book), Cy Coleman (music), and Dorothy Fields (lyrics), Sweet Charity centers on the titular showgirl who, though down on her luck, has optimism to spare. Charity (Foster) works at the Fandango Club alongside Nickie (Asmeret Ghebremichael), Helene (Emily Padgett), and other jaded dancers. She's been jilted by her lover, and is looking for something more. She thinks she finds it in Oscar (Shuler Hensley), a seemingly nice guy, who just might be her ticket out. Of course, like many of the musicals of its time (the mid- to late-60s), it gets darker at the end (I mean, Charity is just this side of a prostitute, so I guess it starts fairly dark.), which can throw you fo...

As difficult as the week was, it wasn't all bad news. Here are some pieces of good news that you might have missed. Casting News Tony winner Cynthia Erivo ( The Color Purple ) and Tony winner Viola Davis ( Fences ) will star in the heist flick, Windows , written by Gillian Flynn ( Gone Girl ) and directed by Steve McQueen ( 12 Years a Slave ). Variety has more. Casting for the BBC adaptation of Mike Bartlett's future history play King Charles III has been announced. Reprising their roles from the stage version are Tim Pigott-Smith , Oliver Chris , Richard Goulding , and Margot Leicester . Deadline has details. Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon ( Shuffle Along or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed ) will appear in a recurring role in the Starz series, Power . Deadline has details. You can catch Dixon on stage as Aaron Burr in Hamilton . Tony nominee Alex Brightman ( School of Rock ) and Rosie O'Donnell have joined the ca...

Hamilton Mixtape Details Announced, Available for Pre-Order The highly-anticipated Hamilton Mixtape , which features covers and remixes of Hamilton songs, demos and cut songs, and original pieces inspired by the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning show, will be released December 2, and is now available for pre-order . You can view the full track and performer list on Broadway.com (and on Amazon , where you can place your order). Highlights include the cut song, "Congratulations," John Legend singing "History Has Its Eyes On You," Regina Spektor and Ben Folds 's take on "Dear Theodosia," Lin-Manual Miranda's demo of the slavery rap battle, and Busta Rhymes and friends on a "My Shot" remix. American Songbook The Lincoln Center American Songbook season has been announced. Featured artists include two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster ( Anything Goes ), Tony nominee Santino Fontana ( Cinderella , Act One ), recording artis...

Coming to the Boards The New Group has announced its 2016-2017 season, and it will begin with a revival of Sweet Charity , starring Sutton Foster . The production will be directed by Leigh Silverman (with whom Foster worked on Violet ) and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse ( On the Town ). The season will also include The Whirligig , a new play by Hamish Linklater , starring Zosia Mamet and Maura Tierney ; Wallace Shawn 's Evening at the Talk House ; and All the Fine Boys , written by Erica Schmidt . Playbill has details. ... MTC has added the Broadway debut of August Wilson 's Jitney (directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson ) to its 2016-2017 season, as well as Martyna Majok 's Cost of Living (directed by Jo Bonney). Broadway.com has more. ... The Public Theater has announced, in full, its 2016-2017 season. Highlights include the world premiere of Saint Joan , reuniting Here Lies Love collaborators David Byrne and Alex Timbers ; a revival of David Hare 's Plen...

Quick thoughts about the Encores! production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party , from someone who was unfamiliar with the show beforehand:  Queenie and Burrs's ambivalence is intriguing. Sutton Foster is slinking around the stage, exploring a dark sexuality, not something casual and bubbly but something deeper and more complex, something with higher stakes. Steven Pasquale is brooding. It's hard to deny his appeal, even as an abusive character, it is easy to see how a woman could fall for and continue to be with a man like that—despite his controlling nature. It can be difficult to leave, to break free from someone like that. I'd like to read the book, to know what else I'm missing and how the story develops outside of the songs. Brandon Victor Dixon has a quiet confidence, just as the character is described. There's a thrill in the inherent risk of a wild party. It is as alluring as it is frightening, with the poles bolstering each other. This production ...

Trevor Noah Named New Daily Show Host It was announced this week that comedian and relatively new The Daily Show correspondent Trevor Noah, 31, will succeed Jon Stewart as host of The Daily Show . The news comes just under two months after Stewart announced his departure. No timetable has been announced, but an educated guess says to expect a transition around Labor Day. Noah, already a successful comedian in his native South Africa and elsewhere, joined The Daily Show about four months ago and has made three appearances on the show. Stewart, who was closely involved in the selection of Noah, said, "I'm thrilled for the show and for Trevor. He's a tremendous comic and talent that we've loved working with." Visit The New York Times for more about the announcement, and head to Buzz Feed for the expected "Here's What You Need to Know about Trevor Noah" and "Meet Comedian Trevor Noah, Your New Bae" listicles. Linda Lavin Returns to ...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2015 I love rock and roll, and so do these people. The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class has been announced. Lou Reed ; Green Day ; Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble ; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts ; Bill Withers ; and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band will be inducted in an April 18, 2015, ceremony. In addition, Ringo Starr will receive the Award for Musical Excellence, and "5" Royales will receive the Early Influence Award. As you may know, artists are eligible for nomination into the Hall 25 years after their first release. Green Day make it in on their first year of eligibility. Reed was previously inducted with the Velvet Underground but will be posthumously inducted as a solo artist. And, as Rolling Stone notes , Starr is the last of the Beatles (inducted as a band in 1988) to be inducted as a solo artist. An edited version of the induction ceremony and concert will likely air on HBO in May, as has been the case in the ...