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.
Room Service: Four Star Entertainment
July 14, 2006
July 14, 2006
I dare you to find a funnier two hours in town than the Pecadillo Theatre Company's new production of this 1937 show biz farce
Judy Kaye, Jamie Bernstein Celebrate Leonard Bernstein
July 11, 2006
July 11, 2006
Jamie Bernstein, Judy Kaye, the St. Luke's Orchestra and other talents celebrate Leonard Bernstein at Caramoor's International Music Festival
Faith Healer: Who Can I Turn To?
July 5, 2006
July 5, 2006
The three mesmerizing performers in the Broadway revival of Brian Friel's <I>Faith Healer</I> must perfect the tricky business of not only playing their own roles, but inventing the scene partner with whom they share the stage
Shining City: A Guy Walks Into a Therapist's Office…
June 29, 2006
June 29, 2006
A strong cast is featured in Conor McPherson's drama of guilt and ghosts
The Busy World Is Hushed: Mama, Don't Preach
June 27, 2006
June 27, 2006
Though Keith Bunin's comedy/drama contains many intriguing thoughts and clever passages in dealing with issues of faith, it gets a little preachy
Susan and God: Reborn at The Mint
June 22, 2006
June 22, 2006
The Mint Theatre revives Rachel Crothers' 1937 comedy/drama spoofing religious fads
Richard Skipper as Carol Channing: Faux, But Still a Diamond
June 20, 2006
June 20, 2006
Richard Skipper not only looks and sounds like the original star of <I>Hello, Dolly!</I> and <I>Gentlemen Prefer Blondes</I>, but his knowledgeable and loving portrayal gives us a realistic glimpse at the woman's passion for performing and desire to make a personal connection with the strangers who flocked to see her.
Burleigh Grime$: How Dull, Dow Jones
June 14, 2006
June 14, 2006
Director David Warren's slick, sexy and fast-moving production can't save this weak script
Hello, Dolly!: A Striking Match
June 13, 2006
June 13, 2006
Tovah Feldshuh gives no less than a star performance in a subtler interpretation that eschews larger than life fireworks and presents the character as an earthier, more realistic representation of late 1800's immigrant survival in America
Some Girl(s): The Shallow End of the Dating Pool
June 10, 2006
June 10, 2006
Neil Labute's very funny and smart new comedy features one terribly clueless groom-to-be arranging reunions with the women he left behind
Stopping Traffic: Slow Moving Vehicle
June 8, 2006
June 8, 2006
Mary Pat Gleason's solo play about her battle with bipolar disorder lacks focus
The Threepenny Opera: Not So Perpendicular
June 7, 2006
June 7, 2006
The Roundabout's new production of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's <I>The Threepenny Opera</I> might well have been the most shocking and innovative theatre event of the 1967-68 Broadway season
The Singapore Mikado: Here's a How-De-Do
June 1, 2006
June 1, 2006
Theater Ten Ten's fascinating and innovative presentation of <i>The Mikado</i> has British military men as the 'gentlemen of Japan'
The History Boys: What If They Were Girls?
May 30, 2006
May 30, 2006
Could Alan Bennett's splendid comedy/drama attract Broadway audiences if the student/teacher relationship depicted involved girls? And if not, what does that say about us?
Tarzan: Swing For Your Supper
May 25, 2006
May 25, 2006
Perhaps it's too late to just display models of director Bob Crowley's set designs and a few of his costumes in some art gallery with a plaque reading, 'Someday we hope someone will write a good musical utilizing these.'
Hands Across the Sea: Some Americans Abroad
May 24, 2006
May 24, 2006
The New York Festival of Song celebrates showtunes by American composers from musicals that premiered in London
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial: Incredibly Guilty
May 22, 2006
May 22, 2006
With the spectacular exception of Zeljko Ivanek's supporting performance, this tensionless mounting displays all the depth and character work of a first rehearsal read-through
The Lieutenant of Inishmore: Losing My Mind
May 16, 2006
May 16, 2006
The most fun you'll ever have watching a group of insanely violent dunderheads displaying a total disregard for human life
The Wedding Singer: Something To Celebrate
May 8, 2006
May 8, 2006
With its arch sense of humor and intentional tackiness, this new musical comedy proudly exalts its awkwardness in the most entertaining way imaginable
« prev 1 … 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 … 162 next »
Videos
