Review: PERFECT ARRANGEMENT Is Perfectly Enjoyable at Elmwood Playhouse
by Bruce Apar - January 20, 2026
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...
Review: JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE at Schoolhouse Theater
by Bruce Apar - December 11, 2025
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, and ...
Review: FLAWLESS Plays Around with AI, at Penguin Rep Theatre thru Oct. 19
by Bruce Apar - October 05, 2025
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...
Review: ALL MY SONS Is Powerful As Ever at Elmwood Playhouse
by Bruce Apar - September 18, 2025
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 caree...
Review: OCTET at Hudson Valley Shakespeare
by Pia Haas - August 24, 2025
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....
Review: THE MATCHMAKER at Hudson Valley Shakespeare
by Pia Haas - July 25, 2025
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!. ...
Review: SON OF ZEUS at Penguin Repertory Theatre
by Pia Haas - July 19, 2025
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....