All stories by David Cote on BroadwayStars

Monday, October 7, 2019

A Porny Satire Twerks Into Tragedy in Jeremy O. Harris’ ‘Slave Play’ by David Cote

At times it's overwritten, easily distracted and a bit glib, but for what he manages to do, Jeremy O. Harris deserves a standing ovation.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:53AM
Tuesday, September 24, 2019

MINDLESS ENTERTAINMENT by David Cote

Despite the fact that it keeps you guessing as to what s real or not, this play fails to achieve any dramatic intrigue.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 10:12PM
Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Tom Hiddleston’s Broadway Debut Goes Awry With a Misguided ‘Betrayal’ by David Cote

Tears spring to eyes, pauses drag too long, recalling a limp episode of couples therapy. 

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:30AM
Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Jukebox Heroes and Experimental Icons Star in the Best Fall Theater Shows by David Cote

From the Broadway run of Jeremy O. Harris’ 'Slave Play' to a musical set to Alanis Morissette songs, here's what you should be getting tickets for this fall.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:00PM
Monday, August 12, 2019

Schlock ‘n’ Roll Spectacle ‘Bat Out of Hell’ Flaps Its Wings Off Broadway by David Cote

This jukebox musical's title may imply speed and drama, but that's exactly what's lacking in 'Bat Out of Hell.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:15AM
Thursday, August 8, 2019

Tom Sturridge and Jake Gyllenhaal Make a Study of Suffering in ‘Sea Wall/A Life’ on Broadway by David Cote

The two actors put the world of grief on delicate display in transferring 'Sea Wall/A Life' to Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM
Monday, August 5, 2019

Broadway’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ Finds the Sweet Spot Between Kitsch and Glitz by David Cote

Remixed and retooled for Broadway, it turns out 'Moulin Rouge!' has some relevance left after all.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:21PM
Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival Presents a Retro Hollywood Magic Flute by David Cote

The production deploys a silent film aesthetic and runs July 17–20.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:41PM
Thursday, June 20, 2019

IT TAKES BALLS by David Cote

April Matthis is magic as Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:42PM
Monday, June 17, 2019

New Musical ‘A Strange Loop’ Circles in on Self-Discovery by David Cote

In 'A Strange Loop,' identity crisis drives a dense, whirling vortex of satire and self-discovery to dazzling effect.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM
Sunday, June 16, 2019

Regina Spektor on the Circuitous Route She Took Before Loving (and Landing on) Broadway by David Cote

Indie-pop luminary Regina Spektor is preparing for her debut on the Great White Way.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:30AM
Thursday, June 13, 2019

A Musical Version of ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ Is Sweet But Lacks Emotional Sting by David Cote

Despite the serious talent arrayed on both sides of the footlights, one longs for a taste of the mystical rapture the characters seem to be feeling on stage.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM

TWO QUEENS, ONE HIVE by David Cote

Although it drags a bit, this piece about Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher boasts humor, excellent acting and staging, and some impressive wigs.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 12:36AM
Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Shakespeare in the Park’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Is the Best Party This Summer by David Cote

Shakespeare in the Park delivers the freshest and funniest 'Much Ado About Nothing' you've seen yet.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:00PM
Thursday, June 6, 2019

Pyschodrama ‘Dying City’ Takes Us Back to the Old Days of Bush and Iraq by David Cote

Every American war gets the living-room tragedy it deserves.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:30AM
Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Tony Award Predictions: Will 2019’s Experimental Turn Reap Rewards? by David Cote

Historically, Tony voters reward stars, snobby hits and anything that opened in the spring. What will that mean for this year's unconventional contenders? Here are our predictions.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Thursday, May 30, 2019

‘Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune’: How a Reagan-Era Rom-Com Holds Up by David Cote

More than 30 years after its debut, a Broadway revival shows the sexual politics of Terrence McNally's Reagan-era romance to be just as relevant today.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM
Monday, May 20, 2019

‘Mac Beth’ Is Shakespeare Made Over by Private School Girls by David Cote

Seeing young women commandeer the weird energy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' you realize: gee, these characters seem really insecure about their masculinity.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:52AM
Sunday, May 19, 2019

Internet Addicts Make Beautiful Music Together in ‘Octet’ by David Cote

In his new lyrical chorus, 'Octet,' Dave Malloy probes the inner lives of eight online addicts who meet in a church basement for a program where they find comfort in each other’s stories.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM
Thursday, May 16, 2019

STAGED MOTHER by David Cote

Jesse Eisenberg’s slow-boiling new work layers cringe comedy with moments of pathos.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 09:06PM
Monday, May 13, 2019

Sam Shepard’s ‘Curse of the Starving Class’ Carves Up the American Dream by David Cote

A revival of 'Curse of the Starving Class' at the Signature Theatre highlights both the punk rock spirit and dated nature of Sam Shepard's work.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:00PM
Monday, April 29, 2019

MONEY TALKS … AND TALKS by David Cote

Although the piece runs runs a bit long, talented actors and a savvy director get you to care about a clan of cold-blooded capitalists.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM

REVENGE SERVED HOT by David Cote

It may not be Shakespeare, but this is a savvy and fiercely acted modern revival of John Webster s revenge tragedy.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM

SHAME OF THRONES by David Cote

Between Sam Gold s staging and Glenda Jackson s performance, this production unfortunately falls flat.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM

POLITICAL FANFIC by David Cote

Lucas Hnath s fictionalized account of behind-the-scenes maneuvering during the 2008 presidential campaign is tightly written, but it pulls too many punches.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM

MILLER’S TIME by David Cote

Arthur Miller s play about risking lives in exchange for corporate profiteering has not lost its relevance.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:48PM
Wednesday, April 24, 2019

‘Ink’ Sketches a Shadowy Portrait of Rupert Murdoch’s Rise by David Cote

'Ink' focuses on the early days of 'The Sun,' before Murdoch's global news empire profoundly shaped—and coarsened—the world we live in.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM
Monday, April 22, 2019

Nathan Lane Plays a Clown Juggling Comedy and Social Justice in Gory ‘Gary’ by David Cote

In Taylor Mac's new play, an updated take on 'Titus Andronicus,' Nathan Lane plays a street clown who survived the hangman and one day dreams of being called a fool.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:18AM
Tuesday, April 16, 2019

‘Hadestown’ Tries Like Hell to Spin a Concept Album on Broadway by David Cote

The road to 'Hadestown' was paved with good intentions, but the material that was a hit in Anaïs Mitchell’s 2010 concept album drags as a Broadway show.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00PM
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Broadway Veteran Michael James Scott on the Whole New World of Stardom ‘Aladdin’ Opened Up by David Cote

Michael James Scott has paid his dues for decades; now the super-trouper gets top Broadway billing in 'Aladdin.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:09AM
Monday, April 8, 2019

‘Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie’ Makes You a Fly on the Wall of a Fraught Focus Group by David Cote

The newest from The Mad Ones, 'Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie' invites us to play sociologists behind the fourth wall, watching a group of parents reveal their biases while discussing children's …

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:00PM

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