ROCKLAND / WESTCHESTER THEATER REVIEWS

Both author Topher Payne and director Paul Russo offset the seemingly dark and heavy-handed state of affairs at the state department with effective, tongue-in-cheek deftness. The seriousness of the subject matter is no less impactful when filtered through light moments laced with wit that is deliver...

Those dramatis personae (ha!) and more are animated to a fare thee well by only two – count ‘em – two actors, Mr. Guy and Mr. Lang, who bring to their poly-personality assignments proficient physical suppleness and chameleon-like chops. I started to keep track of how many characters they essay...

As Tess and Frank, Ellen Adair and Michael Frederic skillfully bring to the stage the requisite range of emotions engaged when lovers go a-quarreling, then make up, then rinse, repeat. We all know how that goes and they keep it going with the right rhythm of dramatic impact. Director Joe Brancato is...

For anyone who appreciates riveting theater robustly staged, All My Sons should be on your must-see list. Here’s something else to consider as to why we owe homage to this timeless work: As he embarked on writing All My Sons, young Arthur Miller still hadn’t tasted the success he sought in his c...

What did our critic think of LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at The Schoolhouse Theater?...

In Ms. Rodgers and Mr. Zeller, this production has two superlative actors who attack their meaty roles with unvarnished relish, and the audience is the beneficiary of their talents....

Through eight characters gathered in a church basement for a weekly support group, it asks us to face our own uneasy relationship with the internet—our dependence, our compulsions, our quiet addictions....

This delightful comedy, penned by Anthony T. Goss and skillfully helmed by Daniel Boisrond, exudes a gentle ambition. See here for more details!...

Adapted in 1954 by Thornton Wilder from his earlier play The Merchant of Yonkers, The Matchmaker gained even greater fame when it was transformed into the beloved 1964 Broadway musical Hello, Dolly!. ...

Penguin Rep Theatre, now in its 48th season, continues its tradition of intimate, compelling storytelling with the powerful world premiere, Son of Zeus. A one-man tour-de-force written and performed by Jimmy Georgiades....

It may or may not be true that within each of us exists a book waiting to be written, or a full-length monologue of the story of our life waiting to be staged. But few of us have the kind of story to tell as fraught and fascinating as Jimmy Georgiades....

For many, the mention of The Shawshank Redemption instantly recalls the iconic 1994 film that brought Stephen King’s novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, to life. Etched into the American consciousness, it’s a slow-burn tale of cruelty, resilience, and—ultimately—hope....

How are conversations about death humorous? Ah, leave it to a trouper like Anne Meara to turn that trick, and she does so quite craftily. In this production, she is abetted by a strongly committed cast and director to bring her vision home with impact....

Tom Dudzick’s 'Miracle on South Division Street' arrives in Stony Point for a heartfelt revival, reaffirming its timeless charm—a blend of humor, family dynamics, and subtle spiritual warmth....

In the confident and craftsmanlike hands of Mr. Dudzick and director Joe Brancato, the audience is treated to a breezy look at familial relations that is smartly informed by the writer’s abiding sense of balance between lighthearted banter and matters of faith, ambition, tolerance and family secre...

The tightly produced, crisply presented piece directed by Schoolhouse Producing Director Bram Lewis stars Wali Jamal in a thoroughly engaging and formidable performance that also profiles Mr. Armstrong’s lifelong manager Mr. Joe Glaser and another deity straight from the Mount Olympus of jazz, Mr....

In it's landmark 40th season, The Schoolhouse Theater hits a high note with 'Satchmo at the Waldorf.' It is a bold and emotional one-man show that digs into the life and legacy of jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Written by Terry Teachout, the play imagines Armstrong backstage at the Waldorf-Astoria n...

This is a colorful, nimble tapestry textured with high-stakes pathos alternating with low humor, weaving a spell of superior and highly original stage entertainment. ...

On the evening of Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra (GNSO) presented a breathtaking rendition of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Resurrection, at Aquinas Hall at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY....

The tour de force of nature that is Andrus Nichols’ portrayal of Shirley Valentine is Katonah Classic Stage’s valentine to their patrons. ...

The Importance of Being Earnest was Oscar Wilde’s last and most famous play, a brilliant farce that satirizes Victorian society. It premiered on February 14, 1895, at the St. James Theatre in London....

Amadeus was written by Peter Shaffer in 1979 and premiered at the Royal National Theatre in London. The play made its Broadway debut in 1980, running for an impressive 1,181 performances. It earned five Tony Awards, including Best Play, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play. In 19...

Potus is a satirical farce written by L.A.-based playwright and performer Selina Fillinge. The play opened on Broadway on April 27, 2022 at the Shubert Theatre. The premise is that It takes seven women to keep the President of the United States functioning—or at least trying to.  As his chaotic ...

The play selections at TPNC have always intrigued me. I consistently leave their shows with new insights and feeling thoroughly entertained, or emotionally roused. Currently playing is Terra Nova, which won playwright Ted Tally an OBIE Award for its 1984 New York production. Tally also won an Oscar ...

What did our critic think of SIGNIFICANT OTHER at Elmwood Playhouse?...