Theater review: 'The Expert at the Card Table' at the Broad Stage's Edye by Charles McNulty

Charles McNulty reviews "The Expert at the Card Table" at the Broad Stage

GLBT- Uncensored - Jul 18,2011 by Candi & Randy

Join us to talk with two special guest from the GLBT community: Randy Slovacek, broadway actor ( who has performed with the illustrious Carol Channing) and performer and blogger of the delis…

Search for Birth Mother Uncovers Difficult Truths by Sylvia Maria Gross

Growing up in Overland Park, Brian Stanton always knew he was adopted. And like many adoptees, he wanted to know something about his birth parents.

KC native writes, performs in one-man show about adoption experiences - KansasCity.com by ERIC ADLER

Even as a young boy, Kansas City native Brian Stanton questioned the mystery of his existence. Adopted as an infant, he wondered who his birth parents were and where he really came from.

New Play Tackles Tough Adoption Issues - Kansas City News Story - KMBC Kansas City

A new play opening in Kansas City this week is bound to resonate with anyone who's ever been involved in adoption. The play is called "Blank," which is a reference to the original birth cert…

It's more like a 'dance of the seven wails' by Frank Scheck

Haunted-looking fig ures, their faces painted white, stand motionless onstage as you enter the Flea Theater. It's an arresting image -- one that dissipates as soon as they open their mouths.…

Andrew Barbato: Alice Interview by Adaumbelle

Andrew Barbato discusses having his new musical "Alice: A New Wonderland" makes it NYC debut in the Midtown International Theatre Festival, what it's like working behind the scenes, and othe…

Crowd-pleasing cheese by Frank Scheck

Imagine Blue Man Group ex panding its roster, develop ing the ability to harmonize and turning from blue to white. That, in essence, is "Voca People," about an intergalactic singing group. …

New York Artists Reach Out

The five-part documentary series 'MADE HERE' has teamed up with filmmakers Chiara Clemente and Tanya Selvaratnam to produce stories about some 68 New York-based performing artists and compan…

Victory: Choices in Reaction by Theasy.com

PTP/NYC, Atlantic Stage 2, Off Broadway By Joseph Samuel Wright BOTTOM LINE: Victory is an intelligent, intrepid play with brilliant costumes and an extraordinary ensemble of actors. …

Feature: What's the Buzz? by Zachary Stewart

Reviews of books about Busby Berkeley, Adah Isaacs Menken, and Wicked.

UK Drama Schools Pledge To Cap Tuition At £9,000

"England's leading drama schools are to charge £9,000 as the standard annual fee for UK and EU students for their higher education courses from 2012."...

‘Sylvia’ unleashes a funny, poignant midlife crisis by Don Aucoin

STOCKBRIDGE - Can a marriage survive when the Other Woman is a dog? That is one of the questions at the heart of “Sylvia,’’ a winningly offbeat 1995 comedy by A.R. Gurney t…

Dramatic Prescriptions for Doctors

Two new plays are part of an effort by one doctor and his organization to repair what they say is the damaged relationship between doctors and patients.

A few thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 by Esther

Every year there's a summer blockbuster that I end up catching months later on DVD and wish I'd seen it at the movies.I didn't want that to happen with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: …

As a Jones dance sampler, ‘Summer Reunion’ a mixed bag by Jeffrey Gantz

It’s a little early to speak of Bill T. Jones’s legacy; he’s only 59, after all. The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company is already 29, however, and it has spawned many …

Dustin Lance Black Penned, Joe Mantello Directed Prop 8 Play to Receive Broadway Reading September 19th

The New York Times is reporting that a new play written by Dustin Lance Black and directed by Joe Mantello about the Proposition 8 trials in California will be performed on Broadway on Septe…

"Oklahoma!" Returns to Arena Stage by Susan Berlin

The best news about the remounted production is that, if anything, the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is even more exuberant and moving than it was before.

THE MAKING OF PERKS -- Unanswered Questions by Tom Diggs

THE MAKING OF PERKS -- Unanswered Questions by Perks The Musical

THE MAKING OF PERKS -- Unanswered Questions We want to know what our audience wants to see in future episodes of PERKS - anything from plot points to character twists and turns. It's ve…

Oklahoma! makes a joyful return to Arena Stage

Oklahoma! makes a joyful return to Arena Stage

Twelfth Night at Stratford: midsummer madness delights by Richard Ouzounian

Des McAnuff’s Twelfth Night is brilliant and different and yet somehow perfect

Review: A Beautiful Spell (Rare Terra Theatre) by Scotty Zacher

Rare Terra Theatre’s clever and pointed world-premiere drama by Greg Kalleres does cast a spell. Given the tiny performance space, it’s likely to run well into the fall, if not transfer …

Joe Mantello to Direct Broadway Benefit Reading of Dustin Lance Black's 8 by Brian Scott Lipton

Tony Award winner Joe Mantello will direct a benefit reading of 8, a new play based on the Proposition 8 trial over same-sex marriage in California, written by Academy Award winner Dustin La…

How I put a new spin on a movie classic

There's nothing quite like the massive onslaught that comes with pulling a musical together. I've made a lot of records, collaborated with different singers and worked on music for televisio…

In the Penal Colony, Young Vic, London

Guilt is always deemed beyond doubt, the Executioner tells the inspecting Visitor in In the Penal Colony, the Kafka fable presented in a taut and darkly disturbing 60-minute adaptation (in A…

The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan / Die Walküre, Manchester International Festival: Bridgewater Hall

Wagner for beginners seemed to be the idea behind the free preview of a new play about the grandiloquent composer, with musical illustrations by the Hallé Orchestra under Sir Mark Elder.

Music Review: Gun-Totin’ Brünnhilde by Anthony Tommasini

In “Annie Get Your Gun” at Glimmerglass, the soprano Deborah Voigt brings clear diction, sweetness and sassiness to the title role.

‘Annie Get Your Gun’

Photos of the Glimmerglass Festival production of the Irving Berlin musical.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by The Tyro Theatre Critic

Wet to the bone and shivering, I should have hated every minute of this. Outdoor promenade theatre is always a gamble but no matter what the weather (and believe me, I struck the worst of it…

Tosca (Royal Opera) by The Tyro Theatre Critic

Closing off their season The Royal Opera have managed to make all that came before instantly forgotten. "Tosca" as sung by Angela Gheorghiu, Jonas Kaufmann and Bryn Terfel under the baton of…

Theater Review | 'King Lear' : The Old, Inexorable Story of a King’s Disintegration by Charles Isherwood

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s “King Lear” is mechanically sound but lacking depth.

Illuminating California’s Proposition 8 Trial, Onstage by Patrick Healy

A play by the Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black, called “8,” consists mostly of verbatim dialogue and statements from the transcript of the trial over same-sex marriage in Californ…

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Part 2 Breaks Box Office Records

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, the latest and last of the Harry Potter' series, has set the new record for the best opening weekend in movie history after earning 168.6 million…

CHART TOPPERS: Most-Read Playbill.com Stories, Week of July 3–9 by Michael C. Gioia

Here are the most-read Playbill.com stories for the week of July 3–9, 2011, from information compiled by Playbill.com. Coffee Break: How to Succeed… Begins Mini-Hiatus While Daniel R…

Edinburgh festival 2011: 'The day I set fire to my venue' by Maddy Costa

Edinburgh fringe veterans share their past experiences and highlight their picks for 2011Mark Ravenhill, playwrightIn 1987, I set fire to my venue. It rained all the time, so my clothes were…

Twelfth Night: Delightful moments in an overstuffed production by J. Kelly Nestruck

Twelfth Night

Carrie Fisher’s hard-won pearls of wisdom by Brad Wheeler

The author of Wishful Drinking brings her one-woman show to Toronto

Edinburgh festival 2011: Soak it up!

Sign up for a dance marathon, catch the Chinese Romeo and Juliet – and don't miss Harry Potter getting cut down to size. Our critics pick the best of this year's Edinburgh festivalComedyTi…

iToonsical by Sabrina Daly

The imaginative team behind Fringe 2010′s hit iSchool Musical returns to Fringe with a hilarious new show, iToonsical.  Based on the idea of an animated movie musical (think Disney o…

Naked egos - and bodies - at Vancouver dance fest by Paula Citron

The Dancing on the Edge Festival offers a snapshot of what’s hot in Canadian choreography. This year they’re pushing big ideas

TheatreScene: July 11 - 17 by JK

NEW POLL!  VOTE TODAY!  LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT!WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK:July 11: Drawing Broadway 4: Al HirschfeldJuly 12: LOGO: HairJuly 13: SAVE THIS SHOW! Is Priscilla i…

The Differences Between American And English Actresses

"What sets English actresses apart? Is it their dexterity with a turn of phrase, unerring literary poise, or could it be that enviable sang-froid, which comes off as sexy even well into midd…

Betty's Summer Vacation by Adaumbelle

Review: "Betty's Summer Vacation": "Betty's Summer Vacation" is one trip she'll never forget and a show I'll remember forever! This hilarious and darkly humorous show made for quite an after…

Urban shrines: Statements in the cast-off and derelict by Murray Whyte

Sasha Foster and Felix Kamelson build shrines out of discarded materials to honour forgotten corners of our urban experience

Review: Pinkalicious (Emerald City/Broadway Chicago) by Scotty Zacher

In a startling example of you-are-what-you-eat, Lara Maineir as melodically brings the popular children's book "Pinkalicious" to Chicago's Broadway Playhouse. You'll be tickled pink!

Harry Potter and All’s Well That Ends Well: Life-Changing or Gibberish? by Jonathan Mandell

I saw “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” on the same day as Shakespeare in the Park’s “All’s Well That Ends Well” and was struck by their similarities: Both are d…

Arts | New Jersey: A Cynical View of Careless Generosity by Anita Gates

Shakespeare’s little-known “Timon of Athens” is at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theater at Drew University through July 24.

Arts | Westchester: Beware of Siren With Smartphone by Anita Gates

In “Sirens,” the Penguin Repertory Theater comedy, neither men nor their Greek sea temptresses have changed, but their digital playthings have.

Arts | Long Island: ‘Hairspray,’ the ’60s and the Greater Good by Michael Sommers

The celebratory musical, based on the 1988 film by John Waters, is opening the fifth season of the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport.

Sunday Sondheim: "Loving You" from Passion by Scotty Zacher

In this clip from Sondheim's mesmerizing "Passion", you can see the humility and passion for Giorgio in Fosca's eyes (played by Donna Murphy). Stunning.

Check it out: “The Fourth Walsh” podcast by Bob Bullen

My friend and fellow Chicago theatre reviewer/blogger Katy Walsh has recently expanded her coverage of Chicago’s theatre scene with a new podcast series. In the more recent episodes, C…

Hello, Hedgehogs! A Storytelling Show by Kate Mattingly

I haven’t been to many Fringe shows that ended with everyone in the audience asking for a picture of the performers. Then again Hello, Hedgehogs! deviates from the norm in a bunch of ways.…

Three powerful Stratford Shakespeare Festival offerings highlight rebirth

Yes, they still produce Shakespeare at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. This year's 12 offerings are almost half Shakespeare -- four by the Bard and one about him. But advance booking of …

How to Write a Magic Show by Tom Ramstack

Francis Menotti and Ran’D Shine brought their impressive array of magic tricks and the somewhat less successful comedic plot to The Bedroom at Fort Fringe this weekend. The roughly 45-minu…

by Thomas Garvey

I know it's NSFW, but hey, it's the weekend.People have been asking - will I still be handing out Hubbies, now that I've sworn off several theatre companies due to the their participation in…

Jersey actor-director Zach Braff transitions from film to live theater, debuting his first effort as a playwright off-Broadway by Ronni Reich

Frances Micklow/The Star-LedgerSouth Orange, N.J., native Zach Braff (“Scrubs,” “Garden State”) makes his playwriting debut with “All New People” off-Broadway a…

In the Penal Colony - review by Michael Billington

Young Vic, LondonThe Palestinian theatre company ShiberHur made a big impact last year with I Am Yusuf and This Is My Brother. Now it is back with an hour-long version of Kafka's 1916 short …

This Week on Broadway for July 17, 2011: Hair today, Iceman Tomorrow? by James Marino

Notes and links for the podcast. Panel: Peter Filichia | [email protected] | Facebook James Marino | [email protected] | Twitter | Facebook Michael Porta…

Photo Gallery from Music Theatre of Wichita's 'Xanadu' by Jaime Green

Photos from the upcoming production of "Xanadu," presented as part of Music Theatre of Wichita's 40th Anniversary Season

STAGE TUBE: Sierra Boggess Talks MASTER CLASS and '30 Under 30' Program

Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess LOVE NEVER DIES, THE LITTLE MERMAID currently stars as Sharon in Manhattan Theatre Club's MASTER CLASS, playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through…

Ethyl Eichelberger by Trav S. D.

As hyperbolic and effusive as I do get here and in my column in my praise of certain contemporary theatre artists, the truth is, as a general proposition I am holding something back. Critic…

STAGE TUBE: Simon Cowell Talks ANNIE 'X Factor' Promo

The newest X FACTOR promo was recently released and features Simon Cowell and the judges reacting to the ever-popular 'Tomorrow' from ANNIE amongst other tunes. Check out the video below to …

'XANADU' rolls out campy hits, disco myths by Bob Curtright

Music Theatre of Wichita offers the regional premiere of "Xanadu" this week, starring Emily Mechler, Josh Sassanella and Kevyn Morrow. MTWichita continues its 40th Anniversary season with th…

Sam Troughton Temporarily Out of RSC's Romeo & Juliet by Brian Scott Lipton

Sam Troughton, who plays Romeo in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will miss Sunday night's pe…

Peg O’ My Heart – Midtown Fringe Festival musical by Oscar E. Moore

With a tiny budget and a huge heart brimming with talent Peg O' My Heart is a winner in the making.

Metropolis Opera Project to Hold The M.O.P. Bucket on July 18 by Brian Scott Lipton

Metropolis Opera Project will present The M.O.P. Bucket - 2nd Annual New Music Party at 8pm on Monday July at Medicine Show Theatre (549 West 52nd Street). This free event will feature new …

This Week on Broadway for July 17, 2011: Hair today, Iceman Tomorrow? by James Marino

Peter Filichia, Michael Portantiere and James Marino discuss Hair's return to Broadway, New Jersey Youth Theater, Broadway's Rising Stars, Brooke Shields in The Addams Family, Iceman Cometh …

Peg O’ My Heart – Midtown Fringe Festival musical by Oscar E Moore

Not since Annie and Sandy have a young girl and her dog charmed audiences to the extent that Peg and Michael do in the new musical Peg O’ My Heart which is being produced by Hell’…

BRIDGING TV & THEATRE: DROP DEAD DIVA's April Bowlby by Pat Cerasaro

Over the course of the next several weeks, we are going to be taking an extensive look at the sights and sounds both onscreen and onset of the hit TV dramedy series DROP DEAD DIVA - new epis…

Photo Coverage: First Stills from GOD OF CARNAGE Film!

Just released are the first stills from Roman Polanski's upcoming big screen adaptation of God of Carnage that will debut this summer at the Venice Film Festival August 31- September 10. The…

Sierra Boggess Talks Master Class and "30 Under 30" Program (Video) by Michael C. Gioia

Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess (Love Never Dies, The Little Mermaid) stars as student-singer Sharon in Manhattan Theatre Club’s Master Class, which officially at the Samuel J. Fr…

88 Days ’til Godspell: Our last designer could be our most important. by Ken

The one designer we haven’t announced yet is our Sound Designer,.  Because Godspell is a rock musical, and because we’re doing it completely in the round (which is one of the ch…

BWW's On This Day - July 17, 2011

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on July 17 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events

Youtube Weekend Faves: Ava Gardner Sings in "Show Boat." For Real

Every weekend I'm going to post some of the youtube clips that I come across that I especially love -- those that give me goosebumps, touch my heart or make me laugh. Goodspeed Opera House…

Stars of the AVT #62: Adam Gertsacov by Trav S. D.

This post is one of a series profiling the hundreds of performers I’ve presented through my American Vaudeville Theatre in celebration of its 15th anniversary. Don’t miss the American Va…

Boomers: The Musical of a Generation by Lisa Jo Sagolla

Despite a few entertaining ensemble numbers, some solid solo singing by Katy Blake, and a delightfully animated performance by Marvin Riggins Jr., this original musical is a bomb.

Brownsville Bred by Mark Peikert

Elaine Del Valle's one-woman show is an attractively modest tribute to looking on the bright side of life and refusing to settle for less.

NY Review: 'Victory: Choices in Reaction' by Clifford Lee Johnson Iii

Jan Maxwell delivers a riveting performance in Howard Barker's savage and bawdy depiction of England in the turbulent days at the dawn of the Restoration.

Graham Alexander by Adaumbelle

Singer and Broadway star, Graham Alexander, discusses the release of his debut EP "Graham Alexander," the influence of "The Beatles," and other everyday details of his life and career!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two by Jill Dolan

I really enjoyed the final installment in the Harry Potter film series.  I read the book when it was first released, and remember feeling very moved by how J.K. Rowling wrapped up her e…

LA Theater Reviews, Commentaries, Rants, etc: THE 2ND ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL 2011 by Tony Frankel

HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL REVIEWS 2011 [Editor's Note:  Our either amazing or insane (you decide) theater correspondent Tony Frankel saw what is believed to be in the area of 40 Fringe show…

This Week on Broadway for July 17, 2011: Hair today, Iceman Tomorrow? by James Marino

Peter Filichia, Michael Portantiere and James Marino discuss Hair's return to Broadway, New Jersey Youth Theater, Broadway's Rising Stars, Brooke Shields in The Addams Family, Iceman Cometh …

Marc Kudisch Brings WHAT MAKES ME TICK to Feinstein's, 7/17-18

Feinstein's at Loews Regency will continue its Summer 2011 season with the debut of three-time Tony Award nominated Broadway star Marc Kudisch on July 17 and 18. What Makes Me Tick - his deb…

THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT Closes July 17

Stephen Adly Guirgis' hit Tony nominated Best Play THE MOTHER WITH THE HAT aka The Motherfker with the Hat, starring Chris Rock, will close on Sunday, July 17th at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfe…

Today in Theatre History: JULY 17 by David Gewirtzman and Ernio Hernandez, Doug Nevin and Robert Viagas

1953 Actress Maude Adams dies today. Born in 1873, Adams, at the age of 32, played the title role in James M. Barrie's Peter Pan when it had its American premiere at the Empire Theatre i…

THE DVD SHELF: Jeanne Eagels, Helen Hayes, Fred Astaire, George Burns, the Gershwins and Jean Cocteau by Steven Suskin

Screening early films with stage stars Jeanne Eagels ("The Letter") and Helen Hayes ("The Sin of Madelon Claudet"), plus Fred Astaire in "A Damsel in Distress" …

Sundance East Africa Theatre Lab Launches July 17; Passing Strange's Stew Among Advisors by Adam Hetrick

Sundance Institute Theatre Program begins its 2nd annual East Africa Theatre Lab July 17 in Kenya. Tony Award winner Stew, Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and Liesl Tommy serve as artisti…

Tony Kushner's The Illusion Vanishes Off-Broadway July 17 by Adam Hetrick

The Illusion, Tony Kushner's adaptation of Pierre Corneille's 17th-century play, dims its light Off-Broadway July 17 at the Peter Norton Space.

Motherf**ker with the Hat, Starring Chris Rock, Ends Broadway Run July 17 by Andrew Gans

Stephen Adly Guirgis' star-filled Motherf**ker with the Hat, which was nominated for six 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Play, ends its extended limited engagement July 17 at 3 PM at th…

What Makes Him Tick?: Marc Kudisch Plays Feinstein's July 17-18 by Andrew Gans

Three-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch, most recently seen Off-Broadway in A Minister's Wife, goes it solo July 17-18 at Feinstein's at Loews Regency.

"Office" Star Rainn Wilson Makes Guthrie Appearance July 17 by Andrew Gans

Rainn Wilson, star of the hit NBC series "The Office" and one-time Guthrie Theater actor, takes part in the theatre's "In Conversation" series with artistic director …

Three powerful Stratford Shakespeare Festival offerings highlight rebirth

STRATFORD, Ontario -- Yes, they still produce Shakespeare at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. This year's 12 offerings are almost half Shakespeare -- four by the Bard and one about him. B…