BROADWAY THEATER REVIEWS

The Sixth Annual Clive Barnes Awards was a held on a chilly afternoon, at the Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center. Winning in the Dance Award--Gabe Stone Shayer, and the Theatre Award went to Dave Thomas Brown. A lovely afternoon to celebrate the late Clive Barnes, The Clive Barnes Foundation, and ...

How much do most of us know about Brooklyn's own Mary Jane 'Mae' West (1893-1980) other than that she was an iconic sex symbol who had a wicked sense of humor? It's common knowledge she acted and sang, but are you aware she was a playwright and screenwriter? Did you know she didn't make her first fi...

When I'm sitting down to listen to a piece I can name my top 5 favorite recordings of in order with detailed reasons of why they're ranked as such, it's hard to not have certain expectations. It's even difficult to hear something executed brilliantly and accept it as brilliance if you 'want' to hear...

Karen Oberlin's original performance of Heart & Soul: The Songs of Frank Loesser in 2010 (Loesser's Centennial celebration year) at The Algonquin Hotel's legendary Oak Room earned her a MAC Award nomination for “Best Major Artist” (as well as an award for the Live CD) and sterling reviews. Hence...

Thursday night at Feinstein's/54 Below, Scott Siegel--the busiest cabaret show producer in town--hosted a tribute to Cole Porter's classic musical, Kiss Me Kate, as part of the 2015 BroadwayWorld Award-nominated 54 Below Sings . . . series. With Siegel at the lectern filling in plot, Musical Directo...

We recommend TESSA on the Upper West Side for an exquisite dining experience. Or stop by for drinks and mezze whenever you are in the neighborhood....

Martin Santangelo. Artistic Director and Producer, presents Antigona, featuring Soledad Barrio, who is not only principal dancer but choreographer and costume designer, at the West Park Presbetarian Church, at west 86th St. and Amsterdam. This church has opened its house to some theater pieces, pr...

Luigi was the father of jazz. A teacher for all who wanted to dance. The Benefit-Tribute Concert on December 28, 2015 showcased a plethora of performers, all of which expressed their gratitude in song, dance, words, and in their presence....

No more carping about out-of-tune singing (for the rest of 2015). No more bemoaning opera directors who don't seem to like the art of opera (for the next five minutes). No more worrying whether traditional opera will go the way of all flesh (for the next few days, at least). It's time to give up on ...

Lo and behold, The Plaza Hotel once again has music. Located up a flight of stairs where once the legendary Persian Room stood, The Rose Club is a comfortable two tiered bar and lounge with a varied menu and specialty cocktails. Service is excellent. This all but unknown refuge is a good place to me...

There was an explosion of talented dancers on stage at City Center on December 22, 2015. The energy was high. The dancers lit up the audience so that at the end of each piece, the outburst of applause and yells came from them. It was thrilling for everyone in the theater....

Marlene VerPlanck always makes one feel as the gathering's in her own living room. On the night after Christmas, with expert colleagues Jon Weber (piano) and Jay Leonhart (bass), the vocalist offers a mix of classic and new material at the intimate Jazz at Kitano. VerPlanck, who released her first a...

On Sunday, December 20, at 3:00 PM in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute presented A Charlie Brown Christmas. This was a special holiday family concert that was a collaboration between five New York City arts organizations: The New York Pops, The Carnegie Hall...

With a song list comprised partially of holiday numbers, partially of high points in his Broadway career having nothing to do with Christmas, and partially of--I don't know, how would you categorize “Fever” in this context?--Norm Lewis is making his debut at Feinstein's/54 Below this week (9:30 ...

Thirty years ago, championed by Liza Minnelli (Ira Gershwin's goddaughter), young Michael Feinstein debuted at the iconic Oak Room of The Algonquin Hotel. I was there, having been escorted by an older, more sophisticated friend. As I recall, Feinstein was alone at the piano; thoroughly engaging, tel...

Two of Broadway's favorites join Steven Reineke's orchestra for a festive time at Carnegie Hall....

A likable and peppy company in a budget-minded touring production....

With the holiday season upon us how wonderful it is to experience the joyful celebration of friendship. In their recent sold out performance (December 17th at Don't Tell Mama), the attractive girl-power singing duo, Kim Grogg and Kim Sutton, examine the true meaning of friendship from a decidedly fe...

A recent interview with Steffen Heidemann and Viktoria Klein, the minds behind Hamburg-based printmaker Stellavie....

“If they wrote'm like that today,” Catherine Russell sighs after a particularly saucy number during her show last night at Birdland, “I wouldn't have to go back 90 years.” A Russell show is like actually being there then--primarily from the early 1900s through the 1940s. Which is not to say ...

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, magical creatures were stirring… even a mouse! Gelsey Kirkland Ballet's riveting rendition of The Nutcracker delighted at their new space, located on the East River in DUMBO, Brooklyn. A modest theatre gave way to a spectacular productio...

Fine art prints, brought to you by a rising Hamburg-based firm....

What happens when you mix equal parts Murder, She Wrote with Mad Libs? You get Billy Mitchell's rib-tickling theatrical confection VILLAIN: DeBLANKS. Currently enjoying a residency at The Triad, audiences can catch the madcap hilarity on the first Sunday of each month through April 3, 2016....

"American Cultural Ambassadors," Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, returns to the New York City Center stage for its 45th consecutive year December 2, 2015-January 3, 2016. This five week engagement, led under the direction of Artistic Director Robert Battle, has become such a wonderful holiday tr...

Last year during their annual Winter Rhythms Festival, Urban Stages presented a Jim Henson tribute show called The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Jim, and decided to bring it back again this season (presented last night) by "popular demand." Conceived, hosted, and authored by besotted fan, actor/singer A...