After 20-odd years singing, dancing and acting in dinner theatres, summer stocks and the ever-popular audience participation murder mysteries (try improvising with audiences after they?ve had two hours of open bar), Michael Dale segued his theatrical ambitions into playwriting. The buildings which once housed the 5 Off-Off Broadway plays he penned have all been destroyed or turned into a Starbucks, but his name remains the answer to the trivia question, "Who wrote the official play of Babe Ruth's 100th Birthday?" He served as Artistic Director for The Play's The Thing Theatre Company, helping to bring free live theatre to underserved communities, and dabbled a bit in stage managing and in directing cabaret shows before answering the call (it was an email, actually) to become BroadwayWorld.com's first Chief Theatre Critic. While not attending shows Michael can be seen at Citi Field pleading for the Mets to stop imploding. Likes: Strong book musicals and ambitious new works. Dislikes: Unprepared celebrities making their stage acting debuts by starring on Broadway and weak bullpens.
BWW Reviews: LONDON WALL Depicts 1930s Glass Ceiling
February 24, 2014
February 24, 2014
If it's possible to consider a male playwright a leading feminist author, John Van Druten would rank as a likely candidate.
BWW Reviews: Jason Robert Brown Goes Rapturously Romantic in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
February 21, 2014
February 21, 2014
Jason Robert Brown, Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale all score beautifully in a soaring and thoughtful musical romance.
BWW Reviews: Live From New York, It's LOVE AND INFORMATION
February 19, 2014
February 19, 2014
Caryl Churchill's latest plays like two hours worth of sketches from the last ten minutes of SNL.
BWW Reviews: DINNER WITH FRIENDS Makes A Meal Out Of Subtext
February 18, 2014
February 18, 2014
Director Pam MacKinnon and her sharp ensemble perfectly balance the tragic feelings of the characters with their comic obliviousness to how out of touch they are.
BWW Reviews: Charles Busch Plays a Man in THE TRIBUTE ARTIST
February 11, 2014
February 11, 2014
Charles Busch and Julie Halston are a bit like Lucy and Ethel as played by Noel and Gertie.
BWW Reviews: Encores! Kicks the 'Improvements' Out of LITTLE ME
February 9, 2014
February 9, 2014
The hilarious Neil Simon/Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh musical gets a sharp concert revival by going back to the original Broadway script.
BWW Reviews: BRONX BOMBERS Still Bushleague Material
February 7, 2014
February 7, 2014
Eric Simonson's Yankee drama plays like a theme park attraction.
BWW Reviews: Love Is In The Frosty Air of ALMOST, MAINE
February 5, 2014
February 5, 2014
It's wicked romantic and funny, ayuh.
BWW Reviews: A MAN'S A MAN Shows a Young, Idealistic Brecht
February 2, 2014
February 2, 2014
CSC revives the abstract anti-war farce penned by a 28-year-old making his first dive into Berlin's post-war artistic renaissance.
BWW Reviews: STOP HITTING YOURSELF Considers Guiltless Wealth and Queso
January 29, 2014
January 29, 2014
Rude Mechs' madcap Brechtian vaudeville counters being charitable with looking out for one's self.
BWW Reviews: O'Byrne and Messing are Enchanting Introverts in OUTSIDE MULLINGAR
January 24, 2014
January 24, 2014
John Patrick Shanley's warm and quirky new romantic comedy features a couple that's imperfect for each other.
BWW Reviews: THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER Jogs Steadily
January 22, 2014
January 22, 2014
Roy Williams' stage adaptation of Allan Sillitoe's short story might be best appreciated by teenage audiences.
BWW Reviews: Langella's KING LEAR a Grand and Commanding Treat
January 20, 2014
January 20, 2014
Angus Jackson's swift and accessible production is a solid evening of theatrical storytelling,
BWW Reviews: MACHINAL Plays to a Fascinating Rhythm
January 16, 2014
January 16, 2014
Lyndsey Turner directs a striking revival of Sophie Treadwell's expressionistic 1928 drama.
BWW Reviews: Two Soloists From UNDER THE RADAR 2014
January 15, 2014
January 15, 2014
Edgar Oliver and John Hodgman bring solo shows to the tenth annual festival.
BWW Reviews: BEAUTIFUL Really Does Try To Make It
January 12, 2014
January 12, 2014
Musical biography of Carole King frequently pushes its central character aside for more interesting and entertaining moments played out by supporting ensemble.
Review: Twin Musicals BAYSIDE! and SHOWGIRLS! Provide Silliness and Raunch
January 2, 2014
January 2, 2014
While inebriation is not a non-negotiable requirement for enjoying the fizzy mindlessness of director/writers Bob and Tobly McSmith's two musicals, it ain't a bad idea.
Review: HANDLE WITH CARE Brings Carol Lawrence Back to the New York Stage
December 15, 2013
December 15, 2013
Jason Odell Williams' romantic comedy is sadly bland and innocuous.
Review: McPherson's THE NIGHT ALIVE is Charming and Chilling
December 12, 2013
December 12, 2013
Conor McPherson's sweet portrait of two lonely people hesitantly getting together is a welcome import from the Donmar Warehouse.
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