All stories by Darryl Reilly on BroadwayStars

Monday, December 25, 2017

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Darryl Reilly

Vince Guaraldi's monumental jazz themes are beautifully rendered by musical director Jenny Shiroma on piano, Laura Hamel on percussion and Billie Sholen on bass. This talented trio also perf…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:10PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Irving Berlin: In Person by Darryl Reilly

Deffaa's great achievement is joining the narrative portions with just the right song.  An anecdote about encountering Florenz Ziegfeld having an office dalliance with a chorus girl is fo…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 11:28AM[SHARE]

A 2017 10 Best List by Darryl Reilly

Darryl Reilly, Critic Looking back at the 128 performance reviews I wrote for Theaterscene.net in 2017, these shows were outstanding and quite memorable. My assignments rarely include Broadw…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 05:59AM[SHARE]
Monday, December 18, 2017

The New York Pops: "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Darryl Reilly

Joni Mitchell's "River" was given a powerful rendition by guest artist Megan Hilty.  The blonde and statuesque Ms. Hilty was a glorious vision wearing a luminous white wedding dress as sh…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:25AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Hundred Days by Darryl Reilly

Written by The Bengsons and Sarah Gancher, the show presents a stylized take on the couple's love at first sight meeting, the complications it caused with their partners at the time, their i…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 03:56PM[SHARE]
Monday, December 11, 2017

SpongeBob SquarePants, The Broadway Musical by Darryl Reilly

Decked out in nerdy regalia of a yellow shirt, red tie and plaid pants with suspenders, Ethan Slater is terrific as SpongeBob. The immensely personable Mr. Slater wonderfully sings, dances a…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 10:57PM[SHARE]
Saturday, December 9, 2017

Hold These Truths by Darryl Reilly

With expressive and limber physicality, animated facial features, piercing eyes, and a smoothly resonant voice, Mr. de la Fuente vividly depicts Mr. Hirabayashi from youth to old age.  Ma…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 09:01PM[SHARE]
Monday, December 4, 2017

Jason Bishop: Believe in Magic by Darryl Reilly

He grew up in rural Pennsylvania, was raised by foster families, and learned about magic by reading books at the public library. These biographical details add depth to his shaded yet sunny …

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:21PM[SHARE]
Sunday, December 3, 2017

Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone? by Darryl Reilly

David Gow is the show's producer and he also plays Tommy Flowers.  Mr. Gow perhaps saw this showy role as a vehicle for him to shine in and he does up to a point.  Gow is an appealing,…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 05:46PM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 30, 2017

Hot Mess by Darryl Reilly

Crumm and DeVito have a marvelous chemistry together and terrific mutual comic timing that make them seem like a real couple. Their compelling performances energize and elevate what could ha…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:38PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Richard Holbrook: "The Many Moods of Christmas" by Darryl Reilly

With his commanding and emotionally expressive baritone voice, the eternally boyish Holbrook wearing formal wear, vividly performs a program drawn from show tunes, Hollywood musicals, classi…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 11:42PM[SHARE]

Book review: "The Last Word" by Quentin Crisp by Darryl Reilly

Darryl Reilly, Critic With his characteristic philosophical drollness, Quentin Crisp's posthumous, third volume of autobiography, The Last Word is not only an entertaining chronicle but a re…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 01:02PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Home for the Holidays by Darryl Reilly

"American Idol" winner Candice Glover, "The Voice"'s Josh Kaufman, "America's Got Talent"'s  Bianca Ryan and the attractive, married couple Peter Hollens and Evynne Hollens, who are po…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 10:52AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Latin History for Morons by Darryl Reilly

After his teenaged son is called a "beaner" by one of his classmates at a WASPy private school, Leguizamo is inspired to educate the rest of the United States about the overlooked achievemen…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:31PM[SHARE]
Friday, November 17, 2017

School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play by Darryl Reilly

Ms. Bioh's snappy dialogue perfectly renders the rhythms of teenage lingo and the pain beneath the bravado, emitting the universality of adolescence.  Bioh's construction is meticulous as…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:17PM[SHARE]

Toys: A Dark Fairy Tale by Darryl Reilly

Tunde Skovran as Shari and Julia Ubrankovics as Clara are sensational. The brunette Ms. Skovran and the blonde Ms. Ubrankovics are a dynamic team who each offer vivid portrayals with their p…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 09:11AM[SHARE]

The Mad Ones by Darryl Reilly

Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk's original book is filled with incidents, vignettes, reflections, observations, and flashbacks, but short on actual plot.  There is deciding on which co…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:14AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 16, 2017

Book review: "Sense of Occasion" by Harold Prince by Darryl Reilly

The first 26 chapters are the original text of "Contradictions" with each followed by ""Reflections," where Prince variously corrects, expands upon and ruminates about that portion.  Afte…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 11:36AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 10, 2017

Lady Macbeth and Her Lover by Darryl Reilly

With her marvelously fluty voice, imperious bearing, expressive physicality and animated facial features, Maja Wampuszyc as the haughty Corrine recalls Geraldine Page in all her grand glory.…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 01:19PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Must by Darryl Reilly

It's New Mexico in 1881, and during a series of short scenes, Billy contemplates his life.  His stern mother, rough father, stalwart girlfriend and his sly pursuer, Sheriff Pat Garrett, a…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 03:13PM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 5, 2017

The Fight by Darryl Reilly

Playwright Jonathan Leaf's prodigious research, accomplished dramatic construction and clever device of threading a mystery throughout the events make the play quite engrossing.  There's …

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 10:48PM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 2, 2017

Marcel + The Art of Laughter by Darryl Reilly

Like the great comedy teams, Jos Houben and Marcello Magni are a study in contrasts.  The Belgian Mr. Houben is tall, animated and relies on breezy patter.  The Italian Mr. Magni is sh…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 03:51PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Tartuffe by Darryl Reilly

Complementing his gorgeous stage pictures, director Craig Smith's vibrant staging has the actors in constant motion on the small playing area.  The cast precisely paces, dashes and undula…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 10:05AM[SHARE]
Monday, October 30, 2017

Red Roses, Green Gold by Darryl Reilly

The score is comprised of Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter's Grateful Dead music and lyrics with additional music and lyrics by Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bob Weir, and Bill Kreutzmann. It's a…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 11:59AM[SHARE]

Wicked Clone or How To Deal With The Evil by Darryl Reilly

Billed as a "cinema musical," there is extensive use of film clips.  Much of these are reminiscent of cheesy, 1960's-style, dubbed European co-production Middle Ages epics, with dashes of…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:01AM[SHARE]
Friday, October 20, 2017

Off the Meter, On the Record  by Darryl Reilly

Set designer Charlie Corcoran ingeniously has the small stage's walls adorned with sections of a yellow cab.  Off to the side is a piece containing the steering wheel from where McDonagh …

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 12:24AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Burning Doors by Darryl Reilly

Nicolai Khalezin wrote Burning Doors with dramaturgy by him and Natalia Kaliada.  Their aim is to bring attention to currently jailed artists Petr Pavlensky and Oleg Sentsov by weaving…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 01:20PM[SHARE]
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Only You Can Prevent Wildfires by Darryl Reilly

The audience sitting on three sides of the airy playing area on wooden benches is part of Clifton Chadick's super, environmental scenic design.  The floor is covered with wood chips, logs…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 10:55PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Syncing Ink by Darryl Reilly

Mr. Njikam offers a witty take on the classic mythology of a hero's episodic journey with a lively African-American slant. There are a lot of high school and college scenes with wise teacher…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 08:20PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 10, 2017

…and then I meowed… by Darryl Reilly

Marinelli's performance also contributes to the ennui. Heavy set, possessing a sullen countenance, speaking in a light voice, and lethargically shuffling around, he's not the most charismati…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 03:41PM[SHARE]

Tym Moss: (A) Live!! Fun! Fabulous!! Flamboyant!!! by Darryl Reilly

Possessed of a soaring tenor baritone voice that forcefully hits every note, an immensely likeable persona and boundless energy as he dances with brio, Moss commands the stage for 70 minutes…

SOURCE: www.theaterscene.net at 11:32AM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off