Rebecca Hall Haunts Her No. 1 Queer Fan in 'Soundstage' by David Cote

A hybrid theater-video installation by Rob Roth, 'Soundstage' casts Rebecca Hall as the archetype of a 'strong female lead,' and the object of obsession for Roth's reclusive protagonist.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:01pm on September 17, 2018☆⚑

What's the 'Hamilton' of the 2018 Fall Theater Season? Our Picks for the Top Contenders by David Cote

From 'The Cher Show' to productions featuring Bryan Cranston and Snoop Dogg, our picks for what will be this fall's 'Hamilton.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:21pm on September 14, 2018☆⚑

Meet the Convicted Con Man Behind George W. Bush & Michelle Obama's Viral Candy Video by John Bonazzo

Roland Scahill tricked Twitter just like he tricked investors in his fake Lupita Nyong'o show.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 3:54pm on September 4, 2018☆⚑

'Pretty Woman: The Musical' Makes a Sad Statement About Women and Fashion by Moze Halperin, Moze Halperin

If you can pull off an Armani cocktail dress, you're worthy of being saved.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:30am on August 24, 2018☆⚑

Podcast 'Hey Riddle Riddle' Shows Your Brain Works Better When You're Laughing by Joshua Dudley, Joshua Dudley

Take improv, add puzzles, and you've got 'Hey Riddle Riddle,' a new podcast from Headgum.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:00am on August 21, 2018☆⚑

Bryan Adams Is One of Many Reasons 'Pretty Woman: The Musical' Is Awful by Rex Reed

There's no song lyric so bad it can't be improved by screaming it into cacophonous incoherence.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:50pm on August 17, 2018☆⚑

Here's How Broadway Marketers Use Deceptive Tactics to Make Their Shows Look Better by John Bonazzo

'Gettin' the Band Back Together' is the latest show attempting to trick consumers.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 3:55pm on August 16, 2018☆⚑

Review: 'Gettin' the Band Back Together' Is a Sweaty Garbage Fire | Observer by David Cote

Having sat through the sweaty, janky garbage fire Gettin' the Band Back Together, I strongly suspect that producer and book writer Ken Davenport has a chest tattoo that reads (in Gothic scri…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:06pm on August 13, 2018☆⚑

'Gettin' the Band Back Together' Tries to Sell Truly Forgettable Mock Rock by David Cote

It's kind-of like the Broadway version of Nickelback.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:00pm on August 13, 2018☆⚑

Trying to Understand Why Dopey, Shrill 'Be More Chill' Has So Many Fans by David Cote

'Be More Chill' lacks the yearning and pain of 'Dear Evan Hansen,' the whip-smart satire of 'Mean Girls,' and has a generic score. Why do people love it?

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:00pm on August 9, 2018☆⚑

Broadway Star Alexandra Silber Bares Her Soul in a New Memoir About Grief by Charles Isherwood, Charles Isherwood

It was making her Broadway debut, 10 years after her father's death, that prompted Alexandra Silber to write about the lingering aspects of grief.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 2:20pm on August 9, 2018☆⚑

NY Times Theater Critic Under Fire Over Transphobic Review Comments by John Bonazzo

Ben Brantley apologized for the "flippant" remark, but the damage was done.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:40pm on July 27, 2018☆⚑

'Straight White Men': The Best Play You've Ever Seen About Mediocrity by David Cote

This Broadway debut reveals Young Jean Lee as one of our boldest living playwrights.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:00pm on July 23, 2018☆⚑

Don't See 'The Damned' to Escape"It's the Perfect Mirror of Our Moral Decay by David Cote

It has greed, sex addiction, blackmail and craven excuses for Nazis…no cultural relevance to see here!

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:30pm on July 19, 2018☆⚑

The Joy and Tragedy in 'Mary Page Marlowe' Shouldn't Make For Such Dull Viewing by David Cote

In his latest play you can't help but wonder, what happened to the bad boy Tracy Letts of yesteryear?

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:00pm on July 12, 2018☆⚑

John Early's Passion Project: 'I Finally Have Enough TV Money to Make This Happen' by Moze Halperin, Moze Halperin

'I always marvel at the ways that she's not a bigger star,' said Early of his friend and collaborator Theda Hammel, for whom he produced this play.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:10pm on July 12, 2018☆⚑

Broadway Show With $13M Price Tag Accidentally Sells Tickets for $17 by John Bonazzo

This was quite the Broadway bargain.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 4:58pm on July 11, 2018☆⚑

John Mulaney and Broadway Musicals Combine for July 4 Fun in Viral Twitter Game by John Bonazzo

Oh, hello perfect Twitter thread.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 6:00am on July 4, 2018☆⚑

'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' Revival Proves It's a Musical Worth Revisiting by Rex Reed

It opened in 1965 as a disappointment, had a movie that flopped and has not aged well, but even so 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' is worth revisiting.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:30pm on June 29, 2018☆⚑

Carey Mulligan Magnificently Delivers a Dark New Monologue"Onstage and Via Audiobook by David Cote

This may be Carey Mulligan's toughest role"certainly the most demanding and intense.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:00pm on June 27, 2018☆⚑

Playwright Joshua Harmon Makes the Same Big Mistake With 'Skintight' by Rex Reed

His problem (and my one caveat) is that he doesn't know when to stop writing.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:53am on June 25, 2018☆⚑

There Is Nothing Good to Say About Off-Broadway's 'First Love' by Rex Reed

It's embarrassing to watch two distinguished artists playing meatheads beyond their prime, stripping down to their underwear and dancing in semi-nude pulchritude around a barbecue grill.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 2:54pm on June 15, 2018☆⚑

Jessica Walker Dominates as Suzy Solidor in 'All I Want is One Night' by Rex Reed

'The most famous woman you've never heard of.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:53pm on June 15, 2018☆⚑

'Everyone's Fine With Virginia Woolf' Gives Albee a Good Spank Over the Knee by David Cote

Bend over, Eddie, and take it like a man.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 8:15pm on June 12, 2018☆⚑

'The Band's Visit' and 'Harry Potter' Will Win Big at the Tony Awards by John Bonazzo

Here's who we think will win the big prizes.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 4:39pm on June 8, 2018☆⚑