314 stories by "Ron Fassler"
By Ron Fassler . . . Constance Hauman's artistic journey as an international opera soprano, composer, and recording artist has been one of unorthodoxy and consistent change. This weeke…
The pot is kept boiling throughout its tension-filled 85 minutes.
"A soothing balm in these troubled times."
A production that feels half-baked.
John Cunningham (1932"2026) in "Rose" (1981). Photo by Martha Swope.January 12, 2026: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler.
It took me a few days to talk to some people, look up…
By Ron Fassler . . . A cabaret show that's the perfect way to start the New Year off with optimism and heart.
Colleen Dewhurst and Jason Robards in Eugene O'Neill's "A Moon for the Misbegotten" (1973).December 29, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler
Eugene O'Neill (1888"1953), the o…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . It's that time of year and Broadway stalwart Norm Lewis is back at 54 Below with "Christmas Lives Here."
Julie Benko as Sarah Brown and Jacob Dickey as Sky Masterson in "Guys and Dolls."December 21, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler.
As musicals go, Guys and Dolls is a sho…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . As musicals go, Guys and Dolls is a show I've seen productions of in more venues than any other. Over the years, I've sat through versions by elementary, mi…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . Here in New York City, the non-profit Urban Stages has been championing the work of playwrights, composers, and lyricists for decades. Its modest home on West 30t…
A FIRST-HAND REPORT ON NEW YORK THEATRE . . . FROM A HALF-CENTURY AGO
Alan Bates in the title role of Simon Gray's "Butley," which played the old and venerable Morosco Theatre (1…
Book review by Samuel L. Leiter Casual notes on show-biz books, memoirs and studies, dust gatherers, and hot off the presses. Barbara Wallace Grossman, A Spectacle of Suffering: Clara Morris…
The marquee of the now demolished George Abbott Theatre proudly displaying Cassius Clay in "Buck White" (1969).December 6, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler.
Fifty-six …
Matt Kurzyniec outside the Palace Theatre where he recently made his Broadway debut in "Beetlejuice."December 1, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler
It doesn't get much bett…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . Friends who have been performing together in tandem for almost twenty-two years, Christine Ebersole, a two-time Tony Award winning actress and Billy Stritch…
Raul Esparza as J.J. Hunsecker in MasterVoices' "Sweet Smell of Success."November 25, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler.
Most people have never heard of the musical Sweet …
"TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)": AN UNWIELDY TITLE FOR AN UNUSUALLY WONDERFUL NEWÂ MUSICAL
Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts in "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)" (…
Book review by Samuel L. Leiter Casual notes on show-biz books, memoirs and studies, dust gatherers, and hot off the presses. David Armstrong. Broadway Nation: How Immigrants, Jewish, Que…
Icke, Strong, and Manville update Sophocles for a modern political tragedy. In 1959, Elmer Rice wrote Cue for Passion, a Broadway play that adapted Shakespeare's Hamlet into contemp…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . Sometimes a play begins and within minutes you can tell that you're in the hands of a playwright, director and cast that are not only on the same page but have do…
Laurie Metcalf as Sarah and Micah Stock as Ethan in "Little Bear Ridge Road" (photo by Julia Cervantes).November 13, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler.
In 1984, I attended…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . Now in its 55th year, the 92NY Lyrics & Lyricists Series is as essential to New York City as such other venerable institutions as Shakespeare in the Park and …
Mike Nichols and Neil Simon in an empty theatre in the 1960s, eyes forward towards the stage.November 7, 2025: Theatre Yesterday and Today, by Ron Fassler.
Mike Nichols, born ninety-fo…
Review by Ron Fassler . . . While sitting through Kyoto, which opened this week at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre, I couldn't help being reminded of several other recent plays best described …
