All stories by David Cote on BroadwayStars

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021): Master of the Modern Musical by David Cote

He will continue to shape the future of musical theater because he trained our ears, set the bar high, and new composers and lyricists will study his work. For a hundred who try, misguidedly…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:33AM
Thursday, November 18, 2021

‘Trouble in Mind’ Makes a Triumphant Broadway Debut by David Cote

You absolutely must see it if you care about Black work on Broadway, American theater, and the evolving state of our “canon.”

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:00PM
Wednesday, November 17, 2021

‘Diana: The Musical’: Tacky Tribute to a Great Woman by David Cote

Who knows if musical fiascos such as 'Diana' exist solely for the bitter amusement of theater critics?

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:00PM
Monday, November 15, 2021

American Psychos: ‘Assassins’ Takes Wobbly Aim Off Broadway by David Cote

I can’t be the only Sondheim nerd sick of respectful, minimalist approaches.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:46AM
Thursday, November 11, 2021

‘While You Were Partying’: Sick Theater for Queasy Times by David Cote

Embracing absurd and cringe humor while bringing it to theater, 'While You Were Partying' is for theater lovers who grew up online.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:04PM
Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Time to Properly Value the Great Wealth of ‘Caroline, or Change’ by David Cote

I’m not actually 100% sure we are worthy of this show, but we need its complexity and density.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:00PM
Monday, October 18, 2021

Deirdre O’Connell Holds Us Utterly Captive in ‘Dana H.’ by David Cote

Here’s the thing about this harrowing fugue state of a play, written by Lucas Hnath and directed by Les Waters: O’Connell never speaks.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:44AM
Tuesday, October 12, 2021

‘Is This A Room’ Brings Downtown Weird to Broadway by David Cote

The world is getting weirder by the day. I think the audience is ready for it now.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:28AM
Friday, October 8, 2021

Ruben Santiago-Hudson Makes Music of the Past in ‘Lackawanna Blues’ by David Cote

On at the Manhattan Theatre Club, 'Lackawanna Blues' explores survival and finding heart in your own life, backed by harmonica.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:21AM
Monday, October 4, 2021

These Queens Will Rock You in Broadway’s ‘Six’ by David Cote

There’s no plot to Six, just an agreement among the ex-wives to compete (in song) for who had the hardest time.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:42AM
Friday, September 24, 2021

This Fall Black Theater Takes New York City by David Cote

The fall 2021 season is bustling with excellent theater about Black stories, experiences, and joy. From the experimental to new favorites.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 01:24PM
Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Shakespeare Gets a Harlem Renaissance in ‘Merry Wives’ by David Cote

Playwright Jocelyn Bioh's 'Merry Wives' marvels audiences at Shakespeare in the Park with a modern approach to the canon.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:48AM
Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Broadway Drama Is Back With the Scorching ‘Pass Over’ by David Cote

Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's "Pass Over" has the makings of a modern and Black retelling of "Waiting for Godot" yet stands alone, moving.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:53AM
Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Actress Ann Dowd Courts Your Vote in ‘Enemy of the People’ by David Cote

The enemy of the people is misanthropic technocrats! No! It’s selfish, amoral politicians! No! The enemy of the people is…people?

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:57AM
Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Damned Enjoyable: ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ in the Meatpacking District by David Cote

At 'Seven Deadly Sins' — a suite of short plays staged in storefronts in the Meatpacking District — it’s still under glass, this time with writhing, exotic specimens offered up for mo…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:18PM
Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Best of Theater Summer 2021, From ‘Merry Wives’ to ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ by David Cote

Our top theater picks for summer 2021, full of wicked performances from 'Whore's Eye View' to 'Tiny House.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:56AM
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

‘This American Wife’ Sits at the Crossroads of Camp and ‘Real Housewives’ by David Cote

This American Wife sets out to be an avant-garde, haute-camp allegory of seduction, corruption, and betrayal that conspicuously consumes itself.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:08PM
Friday, April 23, 2021

Stage and Screen Not at All Star-Crossed in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by David Cote

The National Theatre's 'Romeo and Juliet' focuses refreshingly more on the angst of these star-crossed lovers than the heat.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:17AM
Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Experiencing Theater Again at Off Broadway’s ‘Blindness’ by David Cote

Given that the event is automated except for ushers and operators, you’re effectively both spectator and live performer.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:45AM
Thursday, February 25, 2021

Bittersweet Medical Comedy ‘Men’s Health’ Drops Trou at Audible by David Cote

Unfolding in 90 minutes of hospital visits, "Men’s Health" is sort of "Pygmalion" with its pants off.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:49AM
Monday, December 14, 2020

‘This Is Who I Am’ Review: Differences Simmer in a Father-Son Kitchen Drama by David Cote

Domestic pain and culinary craft combine to quietly wrenching effect in 'This Is Who I Am,' a Zoom drama by Amir Nizar Zuabi streaming at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Friday, December 4, 2020

Jefferson Mays Acts the Dickens Out of ‘A Christmas Carol’ by David Cote

Performing an abridged but faithful version of 'A Christmas Carol,' Jefferson Mays keeps this holiday tradition alive for streaming audiences.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Tuesday, November 24, 2020

An Online Festival Lets You Into Playwright Adrienne Kennedy’s Haunted World by David Cote

Playwright Adrienne Kennedy gets a long overdue major retrospective, streaming online courtesy of the Round House Theatre and McCarter Theatre Center.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 01:28PM
Friday, November 20, 2020

Bill Irwin Translates Beckett for Quarantined Audiences in an Online Solo Show by David Cote

Surrounded by few set pieces and zany couture, Irwin draws on decades of performance genius to present his memoir-ish review 'On Beckett,' transformed for the streaming age.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Saturday, October 24, 2020

Audio Drama ‘Shipwreck’ Provides a Disorienting Perspective on American Politics by David Cote

One a three-hour epic play, Anne Washburn’s 'Shipwreck' has been turned into three-part audio drama produced by the Public Theater.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:00AM
Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Broadway Hit ‘What the Constitution Means to Me’ Is Now Streaming by David Cote

Heidi Schreck’s fiercely urgent and soul-restoring play 'What the Constitution Means to Me' retains all the impact it had on Broadway in its shift to streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:18PM
Friday, September 18, 2020

Old Vic’s ‘Faith Healer’ Is a Miracle of Streaming Theater by David Cote

Michael Sheen stars as a drunk, self-exiled Irishman who claims to have the gift of curing maladies in the Old Vic's excellent streamed production of 'Faith Healer.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:00AM
Tuesday, September 8, 2020

‘Love and Warcraft’ Explores the Intimacy of Online Gaming by David Cote

A new production of Madhuri Shekar's 'Love and Warcraft' exploits the limitations of Zoom to bring new meaning to this work about intimacy found through a computer screen.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:30PM
Tuesday, September 1, 2020

The Best Zoom Plays, Audio Dramas and Livestream Theater of Fall 2020 by David Cote

From Molière in the Park's 'The School for Wives' to the experimental work 'Cannabis! A Theatrical Concert,' there's plenty for theater lovers to steam this fall.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Thursday, July 2, 2020

‘Hamilton’ Review: Did the Hit Musical Throw Away Its Shot on Disney+? by David Cote

Despite the insane popularity of the brand, delivering an equally great small-screen 'Hamilton' was never a slam dunk.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM

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