All stories by David Rooney on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 25, 2015

Theater Review | 'The Sneeze': Gesundheits as Chekhov and Vaudeville Collide by DAVID ROONEY

“The Sneeze,” at City Center, offers an uneven look at a collection of Chekhov pieces presented by the Pearl Theater.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Awkwardness as the Avenue to Success by DAVID ROONEY

The director Sam Gold navigates the mess of human suffering and the uneasy line between humor and pain.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Critic’s Notebook: Setting Life and Loss to Song, and Seeking a Stamp of Approval by David Rooney

A cheerleader vibe permeates the New York Musical Theater Festival, an annual developmental showcase that has propelled shows like “Next to Normal.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'The Deep Throat Sex Scandal': Trials Caused by a Pornographic Film Are Brought to Life by DAVID ROONEY

David Bertolino’s first play focuses on Harry Reems, a star of the movie “Deep Throat.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Microcrisis': Just Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor and Their Money by DAVID ROONEY

Vacant ethics and global economic woes provide the background of “Microcrisis,” a dynamic but sometimes painful-to-watch show at Here Arts Center.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Career Zigzag, Changing Coasts And Galaxies by DAVID ROONEY

Zachary Quinto, the “Star Trek” and “Heroes” actor, has joined the ensemble of an Off Broadway revival of “Angels in America.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Banished Children of Eve': Hustlers and Lovers Endure the Civil War Era by DAVID ROONEY

Kelly Younger’s “Banished Children of Eve,” a stage adaptation of Peter Quinn’s 1994 novel of about New York during the Civil War era, is at the Irish Repertory T…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

The Scottsboro Boys -- Review by David Rooney

With its high-energy ensemble and dynamic direction and choreography, this darkly provocative musical makes a fitting swan song for the duo behind "Cabaret" and "Chicago."

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Nevermore': A Vision of Poe’s Life, Complete With Ravens by DAVID ROONEY

Catalyst Theater from Canada brings a hallucinogenic mixture of biography and fantasy to the New Victory Theater.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown -- Theater Review by David Rooney

Some of Broadway's finest performers and top-tier craftsmen take a valiant stab, but they can't give this misconceived musicalization of the 1988 Pedro Almodovar film a life of its own.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

'Colin Quinn Long Story Short' -- Review by David Rooney

The History Channel meets Comedy Central in "Saturday Night Live" alumnus Colin Quinn's whip-smart dissertation on the rise and fall of the world's great empires.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

The Pee-wee Herman Show -- Review by David Rooney

Pee-wee nostalgists impatient for next year’s Judd Apatow-produced feature will get their fix in this giddy return to the Playhouse.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

The Merchant of Venice -- Theater Review by David Rooney

A play that tends to chafe with modern audiences is transformed via this clear-headed reclamation into a haunting drama for our financially and morally complicated times.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Elf -- Review by David Rooney

"Elf" comes up short.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Pieces': Parents Die, and Twins Turn Creepy by DAVID ROONEY

In “Pieces,” an ineffectual psycho-chiller at the Brits Off Broadway festival, no horror film sound effect goes unheard.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Personal Enemy': 1953 Politics, Paranoia and a Family Torn Apart by DAVID ROONEY

“Personal Enemy,” the play John Osborne wrote in 1953 with Anthony Creighton, deals with anti-Communist paranoia and homosexual persecution.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

A Free Man of Color -- Review by David Rooney

While the thematic expansiveness of John Guare's first new Broadway play in 18 years is audacious, George C. Wolfe's extravagant staging and Jeffrey Wright's mannered lead performance make a…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Devil Boys From Beyond': Lingerie, Cone Bras and Odd Pregnancies by DAVID ROONEY

“Devil Boys From Beyond,” with Everett Quinton, is a campy all-male spoof of 1950s sci-fi B-movies.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Elling -- Review by David Rooney

Jacking up the comic volume on intimate material, this stage treatment smothers the off-kilter appeal and tender character observation of the movie.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Review: Neil LaBute's 'The Break of Noon,' Starring David Duchovny by David Rooney

Neil LaBute seems to be barely trying in this wisp of a play, kinda-sorta about spiritual redemption.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Metamorphosis': Inhabiting a Six-Legged Nightmare: What Becomes a Monster Most? by DAVID ROONEY

An adaptation of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music has been conceived with visual imagination and startling physical power.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Qualities of Mercy and Strength by DAVID ROONEY

“THE only thing that matters is the theater!” That passionate declaration was made not by Katharine Cornell, Ethel Barrymore or some other grande dame of the stage. It was spit o…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Qualities of Mercy and Strength by DAVID ROONEY

Lily Rabe has come into her own playing Portia in “The Merchant of Venice” at an emotionally turbulent time: her mother, Jill Clayburgh, died last month.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Jackie Five-Oh!': Nursing Grudges With Acid by DAVID ROONEY

Jackie Hoffman caustically comments on her life so far (up to 50) and her theater career in “Jackie Five-Oh!,” at Joe’s Pub.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Baby Universe: A Puppet Odyssey': Nurture, After Nature Turns Ugly by DAVID ROONEY

“Baby Universe: A Puppet Odyssey” is a funny and poignant eco-fable.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Baby Universe: A Puppet Odyssey': Nurture, After Nature Turns Ugly by DAVID ROONEY

“Baby Universe: A Puppet Odyssey” is a funny and poignant eco-fable.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Jackie Five-Oh!': Nursing Grudges With Acid by DAVID ROONEY

Jackie Hoffman caustically comments on her life so far (up to 50) and her theater career in “Jackie Five-Oh!,” at Joe’s Pub.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Haunted -- Theater Review by David Rooney

Edna O'Brien's play intrigues and frustrates in equal measure but ultimately falls short on emotional rewards.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

Theater Review | 'Dollface': Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One ...Oh, You Have? by DAVID ROONEY

“Dollface,” a new musical set in the 1950s, brings humor straight from the Borscht Belt to the Lower East Side.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

ArtsBeat: Theater Talkback: Confessions of a Critic With No Fringe on Top by DAVID ROONEY

I have been showered with unexpected attention during more than one show because of the gleaming beacon of my fur-free head.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

'American Idiot' Theater Review by David Rooney

Billie Joe Armstrong Electrifies an Already Exhilarating Musical

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:58PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Nov 17, 2024: Elf - Marquis Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre