Rockland / Westchester Theater Reviews

Review: THE PROM Pulses with Heart at Ridgefield Theater Barn
by Bruce Apar - September 10, 2024

It is on the wings of wit and pleasantly wacky characterizations that the operative message of tolerance is delivered, in one case with the revival meeting fervor of “Love Thy Neighbor,” led by the fun and funny antics of Michael Valinoti as genially goofy Trent Oliver. ...

Review: DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE at Penguin Rep Theatre
by Bruce Apar - August 04, 2024

With 'Dear Jack, Dear Louise,' Mr. Ludwig willingly dates himself, to give us a poignant glimpse into what it was like, 80-plus years ago, to woo someone without benefit of physical connection and with a world war raging....

Review: CENTENNIAL CASTING at Penguin Rep Theatre
by Bruce Apar - July 02, 2024

Mike Labbadia creates a larger-than-life Vincent whose slow burns, emotional outbursts, and comically hapless attempts at romance reminded me of Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden in seminal sitcom The Honeymooners. I mentioned the Gleason comparison to Mr. Labbadia after his performance. What I didn’t...

Review: DESPERATE MEASURES at Armonk Players
by Bruce Apar - June 12, 2024

One of the several surprises I encountered as Desperate Measures got underway with a bang at North Castle Library’s Whippoorwill Theater in Armonk, N.Y. is that the dialogue is all rhyming couplets. If that brings to mind the prolific punslinger Wild Will Shakespeare, it should, because the premise ...

Review: WHAT KEEPS US GOING at The Schoolhouse Theater
by Bruce Apar - June 07, 2024

Tony winner Karen Ziemba (for 'Contact') leads a stellar cast directed cannily, as usual, by iconic theater maven Austin Pendleton...

Review: THE BAKER'S WIFE Is Full of Flavor at Ridgefield Theater Barn
by Bruce Apar - June 06, 2024

This thoroughly enchanting production, replete with two strong leads and a 14-piece orchestra, triumphs in its simplicity of story brought alive with an easy-on-the-ears, tuneful Schwartz score...

Review: THE SABBATH GIRL Lights Up Penguin Rep Theatre Through May 26
by Bruce Apar - May 09, 2024

The composing team of Gitter and Berg turn out some very serviceable tunes that drive both the story and the character arcs with a simple style that helps the passionate performers invest their characters with a lot of heart....

Review: GOD OF CARNAGE at Whippoorwill Hall Is an Audience Pleaser
by Bruce Apar - May 09, 2024

Each cast member excels in creating a strong, distinct persona that adds up to a sizzling ensemble....

Review: THE Manor Club Presents THE HEIRESS
by Pia Haas - April 13, 2024

What did our critic think of THE HEIRESS AT THE MANOR CLUB at The Manor Club?...

Review: THE LAST FIVE YEARS Soars at Core Theatre Group
by Rachel Stone - February 23, 2024

Last night, I was lucky enough to attend the opening night of Core Theatre Group’s (Hudson Valley’s newest theatre company), production of The Last Five Years, starring Season 6 winner of the The Voice Maelyn Jarmon and Clay Singer (The Band’s Visit).  This production, directed with honesty and inve...

Review: CLUE at Ridgefield Theater Barn
by Bruce Apar - February 15, 2024

Based on the 1985 movie, the script of 'Clue' is a fun romp rife with wordplay and sight gags. Need a break from streaming and bingeing and all the newfangled ways to get your entertainment fix? ...

Review: ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION at Elmwood Playhouse
by Pia Haas - January 26, 2024

What did our critic think of ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION at Elmwood Playhouse?...

Review: THE GREATER NEWBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW at Aquinas Hall
by Peter Danish - December 14, 2023

What did our critic think of THE GREATER NEWBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW at Acquainas Hall?...

Review: It's Worth Visiting CLYBOURNE PARK at Elmwood Playhouse
by Bruce Apar - November 19, 2023

The excellent ensemble's work across the board is as riveting as it is skillful, testament also to director Kathleen Mahan...

Review: A DIVINE SISTER ACT at Actors Conservatory Theatre
by Pia Haas - November 17, 2023

What did our critic think of A DIVINE SISTER ACT AT ACT at Actors Conservatory Theatre? Actors Conservatory Theatre brings a delightfully entertaining production to Bronxville’s Taylor Hall. Based on the hilarious 1992 hit film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act, received five Tony Award nominatio...

Review: THE DUMB WAITER at Katonah Classic Stage
by Bruce Apar - October 26, 2023

The Dumb Waiter is built with the trademark tropes and techniques that comprise a vintage Pinter. There is no room – or need – for exposition, so if you’re waiting to discern a decipherable story line, you might as well be waiting for Godot....

Review: 3-WAY STOP at Schoolhouse Theater in Croton Falls
by Bruce Apar - October 19, 2023

In 3-Way Stop, a threesome of short plays on stage through Oct. 29 at Schoolhouse Theater in Croton Falls (Putnam County, N.Y.), playwright James Sheldon brings to the fore miniature slices of life that cut close to the bone – sibling rivalry, marital meanderings, the search for life’s meaning (or a...

Review: THE TOXIC AVENGER at Town Players Of New Canaan
by Pia Haas - October 19, 2023

What did our critic think of THE TOXIC AVENGER at Town Players Of New Canaan? The show is a comic satire with an irreverent, kooky edge, similar in style to “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Urinetown” and “Zombie Prom”. The opening number describes the play’s setting as “a place between heaven and hell”:...

Review: BETRAYAL at Katonah Classic Stage
by Pia Haas - October 15, 2023

When I heard that The Katonah Classic stage was doing a Harold Pinter Festival, I was pleasantly surprised! Pinter in the Hudson Valley? The last time I saw any Pinter was on a long-ago trip to London....

Review: LET THERE BE LOVE at Penguin Rep
by Peter Danish - October 09, 2023

What did our critic think of LET THERE BE LOVE at Penguin Rep? Quite often dramas concerning race, immigration, family squabbles (and other issues that we can’t reveal here without spoiling) tend to be in-your-face, preachy and heavy-handed.  “Let There Be Love” is a play about all of the former, wi...

Review: DRACULA at Elmwood Playhouse
by Pia Haas - September 23, 2023

What did our critic think of DRACULA at Elmwood Playhouse?...

Review: GENE AND GILDA at Penguin Rep
by Peter Danish - August 21, 2023

What did our critic think of GENE AND GILDA at Penguin Rep?...

Review: INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP at Penguin Rep
by Bruce Apar - June 29, 2023

In 'Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,' playwright Katie Forgette mixes nostalgia with timeless lessons about the folly and disservice of parental stereotypes, and the abuse of power by the powers that be, a role that, in this case, is portrayed by organized religion....

Review: Audra Mcdonald Opens Caramoor's Season with A Gala Concert
by Peter Danish - June 22, 2023

1994, I was crazy in love with Sally Murphy.  She was starring in the Lincoln Center theater import of Nicholas Hytner’s National Theater production of Carousel.  I got a friend who works at Lincoln Center to give me a tour backstage, in hope of “running into” Sally.   Long story short, I got lost a...