Thursday, August 14, 2025

“Well, I’ll Let You Go”: A Superb Meditation on Grief by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . Headlining a review containing the word grief might not be the best way to get someone to go to Bubba Weiler’s excellent new play Well, I’ll Let You Go. But …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:49PM
Tuesday, August 12, 2025

54 Celebrates Henry Mancini by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen The Legacy of a Master Composer Henry Mancini (1924–1994) was an influential and versatile American composer. He began as a pianist and arranger for the Glenn Miller Orchestr…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 03:11PM
Sunday, August 10, 2025

Karen Mason: “More SPF!…The Summer Continues”- Buoyant by Alix Cohen

Nostalgic Music of Teenage Summer By Alix Cohen “It’s summertime summertime sum sum summertime…” (Tom Jameson) Christopher Denny and Tom Hubbard sing. Later, the two add “bad a-da …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:59PM
Saturday, August 9, 2025

United Solo Fall 2025 Variety Preview by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen The 19th Annual United Solo Festival launches October 14 and continues through November 23. Its roster of one person pieces written predominantly by each show’s performer, fe…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:34AM
Friday, August 8, 2025

CHICAGO MAKES HISTORY YET AGAIN!  by Melissa Griegel

Original Mary Sunshine Returns to Show Nearly 30 Years After Opening By Melissa Griegel… Show photos and video by Melissa Griegel Chicago the Musical is celebrating its 50th anniversary th…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:50AM

‘Ava- The Secret Conversations”- A Glimpse of Passion and Insecurity by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen “I was never an actress—none of us kids at MGM were. We were just good to look at.” Ava – The Secret Conversations was based on candid interviews conducted by ghost wri…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 07:23AM
Thursday, August 7, 2025

“Isaac Mizrahi Survives Democracy” at 54 Below by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . Whenever Isacc Mizrahi comes up with a new edition of his cabaret shows, no matter how he might advertise them with clever titles like “Movie Stars & Supe…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 03:20PM
Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Sean Harkness: Just Me by Andrew Poretz

By Andrew Poretz . . . . Guitarist and composer Sean Harkness is one of the most talented musicians you’ll ever hear, and a rather humble fellow with a sweet nature. An impeccable guitaris…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 08:29PM
Wednesday, July 30, 2025

36th New York Cabaret Convention Preview by Alix Cohen

A Three-Night Celebration of Song, Style, and the Spirit of Cabaret By Alix Cohen “Grab your coat and grab your hat/Leave your worries on the doorstep…” The 36th Annual New York Cabare…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:38AM
Monday, July 28, 2025

“Gene and Gilda” by Alix Cohen

The loving, challenging romance of Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner By Alix Cohen Comic actors/writers Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner met in 1980 on set of the forgettable caper film Hanky Panky. …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:59AM
Sunday, July 27, 2025

Leiter Looks at Books: “Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir” by Eyal Solomon

By Sam Leiter... Casual notes on show biz books, memoirs, and studies, dust gatherers and hot off the presses The post Leiter Looks at Books: “Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir” appeared fi…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:16PM
Saturday, July 26, 2025

“Out of Order” is Endlessly Engaging and Honest by Eyal Solomon

By Adam Cohen... Creator Carl Holder captivates the audience with bold charm and embrace of story and life’s randomness The post “Out of Order” is Endlessly Engaging and Honest appeare…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 02:17PM

“Vampire Lesbians of Sodom”- 40th Anniversary – Hysterical by Alix Cohen

The 2000 year-old rivalry of two fatally seductive, bloodsucking actresses in a cult classic by the inimitable Charles Busch By Alix Cohen Onto the 54 Below stage file very old friends, but …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:33AM
Thursday, July 24, 2025

INSANE COMEDY ABOUNDS IN “GINGER TWINSIES”  by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . Last October, 2nd Avenue’s Orpheum Theatre hosted The Big Gay Jamboree, a crazy spoof of Broadway musicals which I thought was a hoot and a half. Now, to challenge t…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:27PM

“Polishing Shakespeare”- A Witty War for Hearts and Minds by Alix Cohen

What seems like beneficence turns out to be strategic trivializing of American culture By Alix Cohen While 53% of Americans believe Shakespeare is one of the greatest playwrights of all time…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 07:24AM
Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Forever Young: Veteran Performers Shine in “Old Friends! Part Two” by Eyal Solomon

By Abbe Sparks... Barbara Bleier & Austin Pendelton with Richard Maltby, Jr. and Gretchen Cryer are as fresh and hilariously funny as the best of 'em! The post Forever Young: Veteran Per…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 02:58PM

Broadway Bound: A Celebration of Charles Strouse by Alix Cohen

A selection of songs from Charles Strouse musicals that never made it to Broadway and stories from those who had the pleasure of working with him. By Alix Cohen The 8th iteration of Broadway…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 08:19AM
Sunday, July 20, 2025

Mark Morris Dance Group by Alix Cohen

Mark Morris Dance Group Choreographer Mark Morris uses diverse music to explore. By Alix Cohen The forty-fifth anniversary of Mark Morris Dance Group finds its founder and company at The Joy…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:15PM
Friday, July 18, 2025

The Phenomenon of Joe Iconis – And Family Part I by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen... Composer/lyricist Joe Iconis is as well known for his crossover professional/ personal Family of artists as he is for his iconoclastic musicals. The post The Phenomenon of J…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:27PM

The Phenomenon of Joe Iconis- And Family Part II by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen... Composer/lyricist Joe Iconis is as well known for his crossover professional/personal Family of artists as he is for iconoclastic musicals. The post The Phenomenon of Joe Ic…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:26PM

“Who We Become” – One Act Plays by Lanford Wilson by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen... A bickering married couple and an unlikely murder suspect comprise two one acts by the deft Lanford Wilson. The post “Who We Become” – One Act Plays by Lanford Wilson…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:24PM
Wednesday, July 16, 2025

The Dramatists Guild Foundation – An Incubator for Theater Writers and Writing by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen… Heads Up, Theater Writers! Founded in 1962 by former president of The Dramatists Guild, lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, the Dramatists Guild Foundation offers financial aid, rehea…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:15PM

Leiter Looks at Books: “Diana Rigg: The Biography” and “One Tough Dame: The Life and Career of Diana Rigg” by Eyal Solomon

Book reviews by Samuel L. Leiter... Casual notes on show biz books, memoirs, and studies, dust gatherers and hot off the presses. The post Leiter Looks at Books: “Diana Rigg: The Biography…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 02:31PM
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

“The Weir”- Camaraderie, Alcohol, and Ghost Stories by Alix Cohen

By Alix Cohen... Shared stories of lifelong friends induce a new neighbor to reveal hidden sorrow The post “The Weir”- Camaraderie, Alcohol, and Ghost Stories appeared first on Theater P…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:41PM
Saturday, July 12, 2025

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR SULFUR BOTTOM PLAY AT THE JERRY ORBACH THEATER IN NYC by Eyal Solomon

Playwright Rishi Varma has officially announced the cast for his highly anticipated eco-gothic drama, Sulfur Bottom, which is set to grace the stage at The Jerry Orbach Theater. The post CAS…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:22PM

Heathers- The Musical – The Price of Popularity by Eyal Solomon

By Alix Cohen... A splashy satire that bakes bullying, teenage suicide, and sexual assault in dark, subversive humor. The post Heathers- The Musical – The Price of Popularity appeared firs…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:42PM
Friday, July 11, 2025

“Heathers: The Musical” is Back with a Vengeance by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . When the film Heathers opened nationwide in March of 1989, George H. W. Bush had recently begun what would be his single term as President, Madonna’s “Like …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 01:03PM
Thursday, July 10, 2025

A Chat with Broadway Mystery Man, Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . Having worked in the theatre for the past 50 years, Frank Verlizzo is one of the highest-ranking members of an elite circle. As the designer of more than 300 posters, hi…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:22PM
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

“Backstage Babble” Onstage at 54 Below by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . For those in the know, eighteen-year-old Charles Kirsch has been producing podcasts devoted to Broadway since the age of twelve. His “Backstage Babble,” named for …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:12PM
Friday, July 4, 2025

“Angry Alan” – The Toxic Male Next Door by Eyal Solomon

By Alix Cohen... A middle American nice guy shows his true colors seduced by lure of righteousness and  male dominance. The post “Angry Alan” – The Toxic Male Next Door appeared first…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:27AM
Thursday, July 3, 2025

Memories of a Working Actor: An Interview with Laurence Luckinbill by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . When Laurence Luckinbill made his Broadway debut in 1963 as a replacement in Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons he was twenty-nine years old and had already endur…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:41PM

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