All stories by Jessica Branch on BroadwayStars

Friday, March 13, 2020

RHYTHMS OF THE HEART by Jessica Branch

Two one-acts based on stories by Chekhov and Tolstoy are presented together, thought they have little to do with each other.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 02:34PM
Wednesday, February 12, 2020

FOUR ON THE FLOOR by Jessica Branch

This musical retelling isn t exactly intellectually stimulating, but it might resonate with anyone in the audience with FOMO.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 12:33AM
Saturday, January 18, 2020

BRANCH'S TOP PICK OF 2019 by Jessica Branch

This stunning work is one of the most original, entertaining and illuminating new pieces to come along in a long time.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 05:48PM
Friday, November 22, 2019

BOLD AND BROODING by Jessica Branch

By omitting parts of the text, this production finds a way to bring new gravitas to the 1897 drama.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 06:06PM
Wednesday, October 30, 2019

THE PLAY THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED by Jessica Branch

CSC’s minimalist staging of Shakespeare’s spookiest play takes the slippage between stage and reality to whole new levels.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 03:48PM
Monday, September 16, 2019

DEN OF DREAMS by Jessica Branch

There is genius in this production that transcends the campiness of its plot and score.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 11:06PM
Tuesday, June 4, 2019

THE WITCHING HOUR by Jessica Branch

Young women in Catholic schoolgirl garb take to the cursed play, diving deep into the shifting alliances and bloody frenzy.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 07:12PM
Monday, April 29, 2019

THE NOT-SO-LIGHT FANTASTIC by Jessica Branch

This is a compelling portrayal of an honest, caring man working through a painstaking moral process.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM

UNRAVELING IN REVERSE by Jessica Branch

The action unfolds backwards in this musical, as a group of friends rewind back to where their bond was strong.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM

ILLUMINATING BRIGHTNESS by Jessica Branch

Willy Holtzman’s biopic celebrates the life of stage and screen star Judy Holliday.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM
Monday, January 7, 2019

BIG IRISH FAMILY by Jessica Branch

Each of the many characters in Jez Butterworth s remarkable drama is drawn with distinct detail.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 06:12PM
Wednesday, November 7, 2018

DISINTEGRATION OF CLASS by Jessica Branch

In this thoughtful production, Primary Stage presents three of A.R. Gurney s one-act plays.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 07:42PM
Tuesday, October 9, 2018

GENDER AND POWER by Jessica Branch

Theresa Rebeck’s latest play takes on an interesting premise but fails to stick the landing.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 12:24AM
Monday, May 14, 2018

WIT AND WHIMSY by Jessica Branch

Tom Stoppard’s 1917 tour-de-force can be a mess of historical and literary references, but it is handled deftly by this director and cast.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 09:18PM
Wednesday, May 2, 2018

CINDERELLA STORY by Jessica Branch

Replete with lush beauty and stellar performances, this version stays true to its origins.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 07:48PM
Monday, April 16, 2018

CIRCUS SIDESHOW by Jessica Branch

This show succeeds in getting the audience to empathize with the heartrending betrayals and unspeakable yearnings of these sideshow characters.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 09:12AM

HOLDING BACK THE CHAOS by Jessica Branch

Edward Albee’s two-hander works well today under Lila Neugebauer’s deft direction.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 09:12AM
Thursday, December 28, 2017

THE FALLOUT ZONE by Jessica Branch

Lucy Kirkwood’s latest examines the decades-old relationship between three old friends.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 01:48AM
Tuesday, September 5, 2017

PIPE DREAMS by Jessica Branch

Unfortunately, the characters in Dominique Morisseau s drama reach no real resolution or realization.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 11:24PM
Tuesday, July 25, 2017

THE VICES PREVAIL by Jessica Branch

Modern innovations can t solve all the problems in Shakespeare’s notoriously problematic play.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 06:06PM
Tuesday, June 20, 2017

THE FICKLE MOB by Jessica Branch

Drawing parallels with Trump, this stylish production says as much about the public as it does about the president.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 12:42AM
Monday, February 6, 2017

THE PRICE OF FREE LOVE by Jessica Branch

This reclaimed relic from 1933 can still raise some eyebrows.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 03:54PM

LIAR LIAR, FRANCE ON FIRE by Jessica Branch

An excellent cast adds layers of nuance to this boisterous comedy.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 03:54PM
Thursday, November 24, 2016

UNSINKABLE OPTIMISM by Jessica Branch

Sutton Foster shines in this striking, thoughtful, stripped-down production.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 12:18AM
Thursday, November 3, 2016

ROMANTIC ENTANGLEMENTS by Jessica Branch

The action is light and lively in this production of Oliver Goldsmith’s classic comedy.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 01:48AM
Monday, May 23, 2016

CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU NEED by Jessica Branch

An excellent cast brings to life complex characters struggling with unfulfilled lives.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 10:34PM
Tuesday, March 1, 2016

A LONG VOYAGE by Jessica Branch

With its sprawling, epic storyline, it takes serious ambition to put on this play.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 06:49PM
Monday, November 23, 2015

MIDLIFE CRISES by Jessica Branch

This new comedy from Mark Gerrard deftly takes on monogamy, mortality and sexual liberation.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 04:33PM
Saturday, August 29, 2015

END OF THE PARTY by Jessica Branch

Philip Ridley’s post-apocalyptic play paints a nightmarish picture but fails to make the characters relatable.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 09:09PM
Monday, May 25, 2015

CELEBRATED FAILURES by Jessica Branch

John Leguizamo s winning, infectious one-man show walks you through his embattled past and Hollywood ups and downs, entertaining even through the rough stuff.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 05:58PM

IN LOW GEAR by Jessica Branch

Although the play lacks the pace and sense of socio-political setting that the film accomplishes, watching these actors makes this a worthy night of theater.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 05:58PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards