From T.R. Knight to Jennifer Coolidge: The top 10 actors not to miss on and off-Broadway by Joe Dziemianowicz

Ex-doc can't save 'A Life in Theatre' by Joe Dziemianowicz

Though it's called "A Life in the Theatre," it can be difficult to detect any vital signs in the sluggish Broadway revival of David Mamet's 1977 comedy. As light on nastiness (just six F-bom…

'Bloody Bloody' glams up 19th century politics by Joe Dziemianowicz

"Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" lives up to its title. During its brisk 90 minutes, a veritable basinful of the red stuff flows. The same goes for cranked-up silliness, which is the name of t…

David Hyde Pierce is beauty in 'Bete's' beast by Joe Dziemianowicz

High and low art collide deliriously in "La Bete," David Hirson's quirky comedy set in 17th-century France and spoken in verse. Back on Broadway 19 years ­after its first famously ephemeral…

'The Language Archive' is lost in translation by Joe Dziemianowicz

Julia Cho's strained comedy-drama "The Language Archive" centers on an irony: George (Matt Letscher) is a linguist who can't communicate.

'Play Dead' is alive and kicking - literally by Joe Dziemianowicz

Doing shows with Penn Jilette, the pint-sized and tight-lipped one-named illusionist Teller has dangled upside-down and over a bed of spikes, swung over bear traps and been run over by an 18…

'Wings,' 'Spirit Control' unite in bumpy ride by Joe Dziemianowicz

Aviation and people in freefall figure prominently in two Off-Broadway productions.

'Scottsboro Boys' have a split personality by Joe Dziemianowicz

It's exciting to see "The Scottsboro Boys" on Broadway boasting so many things a musical should have. That includes good songs, a provocative story (not from a movie), a rousing staging and …

Stars play well with politics in 'Hopey,' 'Wake' by Joe Dziemianowicz

Fine-tuned ensembles drive two politically charged plays at the Public Theater.

Super starstruck! Molly Shannon channels her larger-than-life attitude into 'Promises, Promises' by Joe Dziemianowicz

'Long Story Short' is a world of fun by Joe Dziemianowicz

Global studies just got funnier and faster.

Amy Herzog works too hard for 'Revolution' by Joe Dziemianowicz

Secrets and lies are the very lifeblood of family dramas, and they course through "After the Revolution," which opened last night in a Playwrights Horizons presentation.

20 yrs. later, Pee-wee still plays a good game by Joe Dziemianowicz

If there's a compelling reason for "The Pee-wee Herman Show" to be on Broadway beyond delivering its gleeful dash of sunny but slightly subversive fun, it's to remind us that things can stay…

Can this be returned? 'Elf' disappoints by Joe Dziemianowicz

If you've unwrapped a present hoping to find the coolest new plaything and instead found - darn! - gloves inside, you'll appreciate my reaction to the Broadway musical "Elf," which opened Su…

Pacino makes sale as 'Merchant' hits B'way by Joe Dziemianowicz

A snoozy Broadway season has been bolted wide awake by the arrival of a play drenched in juicy timeless issues -- racism, revenge and romance for dollars.

Kelli O'Hara triumphs in revival of 'Bells are Ringing' by Joe Dziemianowicz

In the Encores! revival of "Bells are Ringing," running through Sunday at City Center, O'Hara, makes her star turn as a switchboard girl Ella Peterson thoroughly effortless yet completely wi…

Fraser embraces insane-o man in 'Elling' by Joe Dziemianowicz

Odd couples are the stuff comedies are made of.

Tough 'Break': Duchovny needs divine intervention by Joe Dziemianowicz

In "The Break of Noon," David Duchovny plays a low-level executive who, through divine intervention, survives an office massacre.

How do Pee-wee, 'Elf' survive B'way axe? H'wood clout by Joe Dziemianowicz

Now at the halfway mark, the current Broadway season has so far turned out to be a tepid affair. Since September, 18 shows have opened and the red-hot hits are rarer than restraint by Pee-we…

'In the Footprint' plays with urban planning by Joe Dziemianowicz

Leave it to the ace docutheater company the Civilians to turn a convoluted and contentious saga of urban planning into something concise, juicy and entertaining.

Donny and Marie dance with Broadway stars by Joe Dziemianowicz

Forget Radio City, "Elf" and the annual office bash. The Christmas party of the season is being thrown by Donny and Marie Osmond at the Marquis Theatre.

'A Child's Christmas in Wales' travels memory lane by Joe Dziemianowicz

Good things come in small packages. Plainly wrapped ones, too. By design, the Irish Repertory Theatre's pleasantly festive take on "A Child's Christmas in Wales" couldn't be more modest.

Best plays of 2010: 'Aliens' and 'Angels' top the list by Joe Dziemianowicz

Even if 2010 wasn't a banner year in theater, there was still much to savor. That includes stars and newcomers delivering A-plus performances to boost B-minus shows, from Mark Rylance as a h…

Thora Birch better off without 'Dracula' by Joe Dziemianowicz

"Twilight" and the "The Vampire Diaries" have made creatures of the night hip and hot.

Broadway filled with bright promise thanks to 'That Championship Season,' 'The Book of Mormon' by Joe Dziemianowicz

Ethan Hawke can't take 'Blood From a Stone' by Joe Dziemianowicz

In his debut play, "Blood From a Stone," Tommy Nohilly paints his portrait of the American family.

Yet another delay in 'Spider-Man's' opening raises the question: Are we being played for suckers? by Joe Dziemianowicz

It's not about complexity. It's about manipulation.

Brian Bedford 'Earnestly' pulls off lady-like Bracknell by Joe Dziemianowicz

"The Importance of Being Earnest" turns 116 next month, and the old joker is surprisingly spry.

Oh, snap! Channing wets 'Desert' with sharp tongue by Joe Dziemianowicz

Jon Robin Baitz likes his fictional California families rich, connected and clamorously close-knit.

Andre Braugher is loving it: 'Men of a Certain Age' actor relishes tackling new Off-Broadway role by Joe Dziemianowicz

Bard gets fun, frisky treatment with 'Cymbeline' by Joe Dziemianowicz

What's in a name?