All stories by Robert Israel on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Theater Review: “Little Shop of Horrors” — A Fun Romp with an Appetite for Blood by Robert Israel

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is giving this nostalgic hokum a spirited production. The post Theater Review: “Little Shop of Horrors” — A Fun Romp with an Appetite for Blood appear…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:12AM
Monday, September 2, 2019

Theater Preview: “Buddy” Cianci’s Ghost Returns to Haunt Providence by Robert Israel

We are definitely feeling a sense of Buddy haunting us, to be sure. I mean, this theater is the place he visited. He attended many, if not most, of the shows here. The post Theater Preview: …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:18PM
Saturday, August 24, 2019

Theater Interview: Director Benny Sato Ambush’s Japanese Connection by Robert Israel

The highlights of this year’s gathering will be productions of newly discovered or rediscovered works by both Tennessee Williams and Yukio Mishima. The post Theater Interview: Director Ben…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:32AM
Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Visual Arts Review: MFA’s Arts of Islamic Cultures Gallery — Window into an Endangered World by Robert Israel

The MFA's Arts of Islamic Cultures gallery offers an impressive visual representation of a region's cultures, geographies, and histories. The post Visual Arts Review: MFA’s Arts of Islamic…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:24PM
Saturday, July 20, 2019

Book Review: “The Ministry of Truth” — Writing a Blueprint for Disaster by Robert Israel

Words from George Orwell to live by:  “To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.” The post Book Review: “The Ministry of Truth” — Writing a Blueprint for…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:18AM
Saturday, July 13, 2019

Jazz Concert Review: A Third Report from the 40th Montreal Jazz Festival —  Harmony Amidst Chaos by Robert Israel

This year's Montreal Jazz Festival Festival would have been more successful had it not been for all the construction ripping apart the city. The post Jazz Concert Review: A Third Report fro…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:54PM
Friday, June 14, 2019

Book Review: The Critic as Wildean Artist — Peter Schjeldahl’s Elements of Surprise by Robert Israel

Peter Schjeldahl debunks (and praises) works of art, while also acknowledging the strategic importance of beauty. The post Book Review: The Critic as Wildean Artist — Peter Schjeldahl’s …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:24AM
Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Theater Review: “The View UpStairs” — Celebrating a Milestone by Robert Israel

As a vision of gay bonding, The View UpStairs exudes a wonderful in-your-face spirit. The post Theater Review: “The View UpStairs” — Celebrating a Milestone appeared first on The Arts…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 01:12PM
Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Theater News: There Goes the Neighborhood — Gold Dust Orphans to Lose their Fenway Home by Robert Israel

“I saw it coming three years ago, when there was a frenzy of development in the Fenway. Now the neighborhood looks like a corporate mall.” The post Theater News: There Goes the Neighborh…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:48AM
Saturday, May 4, 2019

Theater Review: “Indecent” — A Dangerous World for People of Faith by Robert Israel

Indecent is a play of contrasts: piety versus blasphemy, joy versus heartbreak. The post Theater Review: “Indecent” — A Dangerous World for People of Faith appeared first on The Arts …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:04PM
Monday, April 29, 2019

Book Review: John Hersey — Reporting Truthfully, at All Costs by Robert Israel

John Hersey emerges in this book as a disciplined journalist who held steadfast to an admirably singular goal. The post Book Review: John Hersey — Reporting Truthfully, at All Costs appear…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 05:35PM
Monday, April 22, 2019

Theater Interview: Playwright Paula Vogel on “Indecent” and a Love of Yiddish by Robert Israel

“Yiddish is above all a language of yearning, a language of anxiety." The post Theater Interview: Playwright Paula Vogel on “Indecent” and a Love of Yiddish appeared first on The Arts …

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:14AM
Saturday, April 13, 2019

Theater Review: “American Moor” — Lasting Impressions by Robert Israel

American Moor sheds considerable insight into the tension between actor vs. director, to the power play between the two, and who will ultimately prevail. The post Theater Review: “American…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:46AM
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Theater News: IRNE@23 — Boisterous Irreverence by Robert Israel

The IRNE event did what it has done for decades: cast a warm glow on a vibrant local theater scene and those who are dedicated to entertain, astonish, and inspire. The post Theater News: IRN…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:33AM
Monday, March 18, 2019

Arts Remembrance: Poet W. S. Merwin — An Appreciation by Robert Israel

W.S. Merwin remained politically as well as artistically motivated all his life, often proclaiming the vital importance of activism. The post Arts Remembrance: Poet W. S. Merwin — An Appr…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:11AM
Saturday, March 16, 2019

Theater Review: “An Inspector Calls” — Class Downfall by Robert Israel

J. P. Priestly's shallow characterizations keep his vision of moneyed skullduggery mundane rather than monstrous. The post Theater Review: “An Inspector Calls” — Class Downfall appeare…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:29AM
Saturday, March 2, 2019

Theater Review: “The Little Foxes” — American Greed Triumphant by Robert Israel

The Lyric Stage Company's The Little Foxes is taut, tense, and eerily reflective of our own uneasy, pernicious times. The post Theater Review: “The Little Foxes” — American Greed Trium…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:23PM
Monday, February 11, 2019

Visual Arts Review: “Graciela Iturbide’s Mexico” — Casting a Coolly Warm Eye on Life and Death by Robert Israel

In Garciela Iturbide’s photographs, the living and the dying are often joined at the (exposed) skeletal hip. The post Visual Arts Review: “Graciela Iturbide’s Mexico” —…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:32AM
Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Book Review: Diane Williams, Flash Fiction, and the Shrinking Short Story by Robert Israel

Diane Williams's brusque vision of a perverse life force mesmerizes.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:06PM
Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Poetry Review: Leonard Cohen’s “The Flame” — The Errant Canadian Comes Home by Robert Israel

Leonard Cohen reinforces this dedication to lyricism with striking humility in his final book.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:42PM
Monday, November 19, 2018

Theater Review: Not So “ExtraOrdinary” by Robert Israel

This musical hodgepodge at the American Repertory Theater could be called 'Let’s Sing About Me (and Me, and Then More About Me).'

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:36PM
Friday, November 2, 2018

Theater Commentary: Jukebox Musicals — The Trend Continues, Alas by Robert Israel

Producers are tapping into a specific demographic: predominantly white audiences that are flush and who crave the thrill of hearing – and seeing – their favorite tunes performed live.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:54AM
Sunday, September 30, 2018

Theater Review: Tennessee Williams’ “Talisman Roses” — Early Healing by Robert Israel

This is an opportunity to take in the early stirrings of Tennessee Williams’ talent as a playwright.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:06PM
Saturday, September 15, 2018

Book Review: “Flights” — Exploring the Delights of the Eccentric by Robert Israel

Given what Olga Tokarczuk is curious about, it is not surprising that her book serves up its share of goofy humor.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:48AM
Thursday, September 6, 2018

Theater Review: “The Black Clown” — Non-stop Vitality by Robert Israel

The Black Clown commands the vastness of the Loeb’s stage with an enviable energy.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 06:32PM
Saturday, August 18, 2018

Book Feature: Joan Nathan — Sitting at “King Solomon’s Table” by Robert Israel

There are 170 recipes in King Solomon's Table . Joan Nathan, a sort of culinary archeologist, tracks down the details of their origins to Biblical times. 

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:36AM
Thursday, August 2, 2018

Theater Preview: Homage to Federico García Lorca by Robert Israel

A newly published book of translations and two upcoming Boston-area stage productions confirms the enduring elemental power of Federico García Lorca.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:24AM
Friday, June 1, 2018

Theater Review: A Tepid “Fall” by Robert Israel

Fall's conflict is presented with insufficient power; its domestic tragedy is not propelled along its inevitably troubling course.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:32PM
Friday, May 4, 2018

Theater Review: “The Sound of Music” — A Robust Revival by Robert Israel

A resplendent and spirited revival of The Sound of Music in downtown Boston.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:48AM
Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Theater News: IRNE Awards @ 22 — The Theater Bug, Renewed by Robert Israel

But, amidst all this excitement, there was an undertow of concern in the crowd at this year's IRNE Awards.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 04:24PM
Friday, March 16, 2018

Theater Review: “The Humans” — Americans in Limbo by Robert Israel

In The Humans, Stephen Karam suggest that America can be a Heaven that in a moment, might flip into Hell.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 02:19PM

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