Monday, June 2, 2025

“The Imaginary Invalid” Proves Laughter’s the Best Medicine by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . Satirical comedy has been around a long time (Plautus, anybody?) which often means contemporizing Golden Oldies is essential so we can be in on the jokes. Of late, playw…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:01PM
Tuesday, May 27, 2025

“Lights Out” Shines Bright by Eyal Solomon

Review by Carol Rocamora… There are many ways to tell a life story on stage.  In this season alone, we have several bio-musicals devoted to show business superstars: A Wonderful Life, whi…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:47PM
Monday, May 26, 2025

Goddess Ascends while Singing by Eyal Solomon

Review by Adam Cohen... New Musical by Michael Thurber and Saheem Ali throbs with musical vibrancy thanks to Amber Iman

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:36AM

Leiter Looks at Books: “Notorious: Portraits of Stars from Hollywood, Fashion, Culture, and Tech” by Eyal Solomon

Book Review by Samuel L. Leiter Casual notes on show biz books, memoirs and studies, dust gatherers, and hot off the presses. Maureen Dowd, Notorious: Portraits of Stars from Hollywood, Fash…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:28AM

Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole: A Dreamy But Disjointed Tribute by Eyal Solomon

By Samuel L. Leiter... This jumbled fever dream undermines Nat King Cole’s legacy with tonal confusion, miscast mimicry, and emotional detachment.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:21AM
Thursday, May 22, 2025

Singer/Monologist Ben Jones Stirs Things Up at 54 Below by Ron Fassler

Performing in a cabaret setting can be accomplished successfully in a variety of ways. With someone like Marilyn Maye, who’s put in the hours and is still going strong at ninety-seven, you…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 03:07PM
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

CRACKED OPEN But Struggling to Hold it Together by Eyal Solomon

By Samuel L. Leiter... Cracked Open examines the emotional, social, and psychological fractures within a Brooklyn family when their high-achieving daughter suddenly exhibits signs of menta…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:01PM

Who Is Richard Skipper? An Interview That Might Supply Some Answers by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . For someone who has put themselves front and center entertaining audiences for nearly fifty years, the question “Who is Richard Skipper?” still has an air of mystery…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:27AM
Sunday, May 18, 2025

Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock Experience Opens at Chelsea Market by Melissa Griegel

By Melissa Griegel… Photos and Video by Melissa Griegel Photography Art, music, and technology come together in an explosive and immersive rock experience at ARTECHOUSE, NYC (Chelsea Marke…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:59PM
Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Verena McBee: Bird (S)wing at Chelsea Table + Stage by Andrew Poretz

Jazz singer Verena McBee unveiled her latest album, "Bird (S)Swing," at Chelsea Table + Stage on May 3rd.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:42PM
Thursday, May 8, 2025

The United States vs Ulysses – A Win for Civil Liberties and Readers by Jk Clarke

"The United States vs Ulysses" details how the James Joyce masterpiece, Ulysses, came to be published in the U.S. despite a high profile and precedent setting obscenity trial.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:57AM
Wednesday, May 7, 2025

2025 Chita Rivera Awards Nominees Celebrate at Nominee Reception by Melissa Griegel

By Melissa Griegel…Photos by Melissa Griegel Photography The Chita Rivera Awards celebrate dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway and beyond. Producer Joe Lanteri, the Founder and …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 10:39AM
Monday, May 5, 2025

Pirates! The Penzance Musical: A rollicking band of pirates they by Marilyn Lester

By Marilyn Lester . . . . In the words of W.S. Gilbert, librettist-lyricist of the comic opera, The Pirates of Penzance: “Oh, joy! Oh. rapture!” If audience reaction is anything to go by…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 11:55PM
Saturday, May 3, 2025

“Real Women Have Curves” Displays Charm for Days by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . For more than a few years now, scenic design on Broadway has been obsessed with video projections. And it’s here to stay, too. Sometimes the effects are tacky, …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 01:37PM
Friday, May 2, 2025

TP Chats with Singer Ann Kittredge by Ron Fassler

Interview by Ron Fassler . . . Though Ann Kittredge is well known as a consummate cabaret singer, she is also a lifelong performing artist who has performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway, …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:06PM

“IRISHTOWN,” FINDING WHAT MAKES A PLAY IRISH by Carole Di Tosti

By Carole Di Tosti... Dublin’s Irishtown Players get ready for their Broadway premiere when “all hell breaks loose” with riotous results.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 01:23PM
Thursday, May 1, 2025

WONDERFUL TOWN IS AN OVERCROWDED PLACE by Andrew Poretz

The City Center Encores! revival of the beloved 1953 musical is just too busy for its own good. By Brian Scott Lipton In the past few years, City Center Encores! has tried to make lightning …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:50PM

“GLASS.” “KILL.” “WHAT IF IF ONLY.” “IMP.”: THE METAPHORIC CARYL CHURCHILL by Carole Di Tosti

In a suite of four one-acts, Caryl Churchill threads themes about vulnerability, powerlessness and loss.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 07:54AM

New York Pops’ Gala Concert an Exciting Capper To A Great Season by Andrew Poretz

By Andrew Poretz . . . . The New York Pops closed its season back in March with a spectacular finish (see HERE). In the equivalent of a post-season bowl game, the Pops returned for its annua…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:29AM
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Ceremonies in Dark Old Men: The Rituals of Race and Redemption by Eyal Solomon

By Marilyn Lester... Elder’s story sharply reflects the calamitous American legacy of racism, seen through the lens of the struggling Parker family.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:16PM

The Wild, Surreal Teachings Of “Class Dismissed” by Eyal Solomon

By Yani Perez... La MaMa's premiere of Class Dismissed is a wild ride through the surreal world of academia and philosophy, serving up a mix of lecture, party, and fever dreams.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:30PM

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” Looms Large as a Broadway Hit by Admin

By Stuart Miller... The surefire crowd-pleaser offers everything fans of the TV series could want.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 05:17PM

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

Book Review by Samuel L. Leiter . . . Casual notes on show-biz books, memoirs and studies, dust gatherers, and hot off the presses.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:56PM
Monday, April 28, 2025

The Billy Stritch Trio Soars at Birdland by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . On the wings of angels comes The Billy Stritch Trio for a six-performance engagement at Birdland Jazz Club. Joined by Michael O’Brien on bass and Eric Halvorson…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:26PM

“Zorba,” A Golden Oldie, Returns to New York by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . At the age of twelve, I began weekly sojourns into Manhattan from my home on Long Island with the mission of seeing every Broadway show possible. Keeping strict r…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 12:15PM

Granny Jackson’s Dead – How Is She Still Dancing? by Jk Clarke

In Granny Jackson’s Dead, “Granny” has died and her family receives guests at her home, where she lies in state.

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 04:05AM
Sunday, April 27, 2025

“Dead Outlaw” Fires on All Cylinders by Ron Fassler

Review by Ron Fassler . . . With the Tony Awards deadline fast upon us, two final shows are slipping in under the wire, Dead Outlaw and Real Women Have Curves, both opening tonight (I’l…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 09:49PM
Saturday, April 26, 2025

“Floyd Collins”: The American Dream Realized for a Price by Admin

By Carole Di Tosti... The affecting and lyrical musical, "Floyd Collins," sports a glorious folk and bluegrass-inspired score to tell the harrowing but uplifting story of eponymous Kentucky …

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 06:32PM
Thursday, April 24, 2025

Breezy Point – Faeries Lost and Family Found by Jk Clarke

Returning to the land of her father, Siobhan (Hannah Victoria Collins) goes to his house and finds a family secret that sets the story in motion

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 02:54PM

Fina Strazza Talks About her Role in the new Broadway hit “John Proctor is the Villain” by Ron Fassler

By Ron Fassler . . . Having made her Broadway debut at the age of eight as a replacement in the title role of Matlida at the Shubert Theatre, actress Fina Strazza has returned to the nei…

SOURCE: Theater Pizzazz at 01:20PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes 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