Michael Dale News

Welcome to Showtime, my new little corner table of the blogosphere.  But I'm not the only one with a new blog.  David Mamet has one, too, and no, you don't have to turn off your Safe Search to log on.  Actually, it's a blog written in the point of view of President Charles H.P. Smith, the character played by Nathan Lane in Mamet's new play, November, including such nuggets of political wisdom as, 'America has trusted old white males for over 200 years.  Why stop now?'  (Not a bad campaign slogan for Mike Huckabee, I'd say.)

Do you have a favorite theatre song that didn't make it into its show's movie version? I have several.

10 moments that linger in my mind as the most memorable of 2007. Please share yours.

The Irish Rep puts up a smart and well-acted production of Shaw's American Revolution comedy.

The uneasy humor in Harold Pinter's 1960's drama eventually reveals a North London family that turns out to be discomfortingly functional.

Jordan Harrison's comedy on the power of music doesn't lack for imagination and high ambition while Conor McPherson's Christmas tale boasts an excellent ensemble.

David Henry Hwang's hilarious new play recalls the Miss Saigon controversy, Shakespeare's Cymbeline gets a gorgeous production at Lincoln Center and Barry Williams (a/k/a Greg Brady) shows off some impressive musical comedy skills.

Aaron Sorkin's telling of the the battle over television is dry and passionless while The Grinch gets even better in its return to Broadway.

Betrayal, abandonment, infidelity, pedophilia, addictions, incest, suicide, family secrets, inheritance issues… it's all there, it's all funny and yet it's also dramatically fulfilling.

Kleynkunst! is a fascinating and entertaining look at Warsaw's Yiddish cabaret between the world wars while the very funny Chuckleball is Forbidden Broadway for the sports nut.

Pixyish chanteuse Gay Marshall has a wonderful holiday show at the Zipper, Booth Daniels and Patrick Frankfort bring their quirky fun to Don't Tell Mama and John McWhorter sings Cole Porter, Harry Warren and Rodgers & Hart at The Duplex.

Marc Kudisch soars in The Glorious Ones, as does Liz Callaway at The Metropolitian Room. Also, an update on The Iron Maiden of Broadway.

The Paper Mill's joyous mounting of Meet Me In St. Louis and the 75th Anniversay production of The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular are both classic entertainment done right

Marilyn Maye scores big time at The Metropolitan Room while Young Frankenstein is a bit like a night at Scores.

The oldest living Ziegfeld Girl dances once again while Michael raves about Michael Cumpsty's 'Richard III' and tries to figure out 'Rock 'n' Roll.'

Cirque du Soliel's new show is great for kids, Ethan Hawke directs a dark comedy with some bright spots and Edward Albee revisits 'A Zoo Story'

Michael takes a look at a new play that gives a contemporary edge to West African mythology and the traditions of ceremonial story-telling.

Michael checks out a famous nose, impressive pecs and Broadway's most-discussed butt

Transport Group's heart-tugging musical 'Crossing Brooklyn' deals with post 9/11 stress while MCC's 'Spain' is a whimsical tale of a modern day woman and a Spanish conquistador

A look at A Bronx Tale plus a tip for theatre district trick or treaters.