All stories by MICHAEL SOMMERS on BroadwayStars

Friday, July 24, 2015

Arts | Union: Review: In ‘By the Water,’ a Search for Calm After the Storm by Michael Sommers

Hurricane Sandy highlights a family’s strained relations in this production of Sharyn Rothstein’s drama at Premiere Stages at Kean University in Union.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:30AM
Thursday, July 23, 2015

'Ruthless!' Off Broadway Review: A Murderous Musical Mash-Up by Michael Sommers

“Ruthless!” is anything but high musical theater art but it certainly delivers any number of low laughs. “Ruthless!” continues at St. Luke’s Theater, 308 W. 46th Street.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 11:47AM
Thursday, July 16, 2015

Theater | New Jersey: Review: ‘The Guardsman,’ at the Shakespeare Theater, Pricks the Heart While Eliciting Laughs by Michael Sommers

The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey delivers a fresh version of Ferenc Molnar’s romantic romp, which successfully seizes the potentially tragic theme of marital mistrust and twists it in…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:08PM
Saturday, July 11, 2015

Theater Review | Long Island: Review: The Nuns Are Back in ‘Sister Act’ at the Gateway Playhouse by Michael Sommers

The Bellport production of the musical stars Rashidra Scott as a singer fleeing hoodlums and Jennifer Allen as the leader of the convent where she hides.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:24PM
Sunday, June 21, 2015

Theater Review | Long Island: A Review of ‘All My Sons’ in East Hampton by Michael Sommers

Alex Baldwin and Laurie Metcalf star in the revival of Arthur Miller’s play about a businessman whose irresponsible practices during World War II eventually imperil his family.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:07PM
Saturday, June 6, 2015

Theater Review | New Jersey: Review: All the Living Room’s a Stage in Madison Revival of ’27 Play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber by Michael Sommers

The Cavendish clan, who mostly reside in a swank Manhattan duplex, are delightful people, and “The Royal Family” endures as one of the best comedies ever written about show folk.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:21AM
Monday, May 25, 2015

For a Plus-Size Show, a Slimmer Backdrop by MICHAEL SOMMERS

"Hairspray" is being staged at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J., but with a less sizable set design than was used on Broadway.

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

‘In Transit’ vocalizes New York stories by MICHAEL SOMMERS

I was so bored by it that I could scarcely wait to get out of the theater and into the subway for home.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Great ‘Gatz’ recreates ‘The Great Gatsby’ by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Fitzgerald's classic American novel gets an absorbing marathon staging

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

'Time Stands Still' for Laura Linney by Michael Sommers

The play remains a well-written drama about an obsessed artist and a slowly imploding relationship, but it also remains a character study of relatively intimate scope.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Tales of Motherhood, With a Rock Beat by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Currently in noisy residence at Playwrights Theater of New Jersey, "MoM" is an intimate rock musical with a cool concept, so-so songs and an O.K. production that does not completely fulfill …

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

'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' hits Broadway Broadway by Michael Sommers

Whatever, a stuffed equine suspends upside down over spectators' heads inside the garishly decked-out auditorium of the Jacobs Theatre, ...

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Populist and elitist views clash in ‘La Bete’ by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Mark Rylance brilliant plays a boor in a mock-1600s comedy

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Help for an Autistic Son Means Trouble for a Marriage by MICHAEL SOMMERS

A young couple, struggling to secure the most beneficial education for their autistic 4-year-old son, disagrees on what’s best for him. The separate paths the spouses explore eventuall…

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

‘Swan Lake’ swims with sexuality by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Bourne's inventive mix of drama and dance revitalizes an old favorite and offers theatergoers an unforgettable time.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

‘Lombardi’ drama evinces a football legend by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Not so much a fumble as an incomplete pass, "Lombardi" is a new play about Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi that presents a limited impression of the gridiron giant and his famously dr…

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Beatles tribute ‘Rain’ pours out 30 hits by MICHAEL SOMMERS

So it is what it is: Rather than thinking of "Rain" as a jukebox musical regarding The Beatles, the actual show is more like a highly animated version of a Madame Tussaud's installation R…

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

‘Angels in America’ lands again in New York by MICHAEL SOMMERS

With performances so variable in quality, "Angels in America" doesn't fly as high as might be hoped. Or perhaps the waning of middle-1990s society's pre-millennial jitters in the ugly face o…

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

A Traveling Storyteller Weary of the Awfulness of War by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Stephen Spinella plays a poet who tells tales of the misadventures of mankind.

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

REVIEW: Sexy ‘Women’ throw a festive Broadway party by MICHAEL SOMMERS

A yummy confection of silly romantic comedy, seductive Latin music, alluring visuals and high-powered performances, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" is a musical comedy certain to…

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Colin Quinn tells ‘Long Story Short’ with Jerry Seinfeld touches by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Funny solo show spins through world civilization in 75 minutes sharp

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Windy ‘After the Revolution’ winds down by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Capable actors, good direction, fine design and stretches of nice writing cannot disguise the inevitable realization that "After the Revolution" is a lot of fuss over not much of anything.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

The Perils of Psychoanalyzing Mugabe by MICHAEL SOMMERS

A psychiatrist explores President Robert Mugabe’s invisible demons in “Breakfast With Mugabe.”

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

‘Elf’ musical tunes up a Christmas comedy by MICHAEL SOMMERS

New musical based on a Will Ferrell movie packs jolly holiday entertainment

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

‘A Free Man of Color’ challenges audiences by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Ultimately, "A Free Man of Color" proves to be more exhausting than exhilarating in spite of the heroic efforts of its company to animate Guare's overstuffed monster of a play.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

REVIEW: 1950s ‘Bells Are Ringing’ chimes this weekend by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Sure, "Bells Are Ringing" may be a pretty familiar show to fans of old musicals, but the expertise of Marshall's smart production makes it an enjoyable occasion.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

Brendan Fraser and Denis O’Hare costar in ‘Elling’ by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Whimsical comedy about a Norwegian odd couple makes little impact

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

David Duchovny reveals ‘The Break of Noon’ by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Longtime fans will find LaBute in prime form while Duchovny's followers will see him excel in a challenging role at the heart of an absorbing drama.

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom at 05:58PM

‘Dracula’ revival looks DOA by MICHAEL SOMMERS

Vampire classic fails to fly in a misguided production

SOURCE: New Jersey Newsroom 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
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic