The Rise of the Cliffs Notes Musical By Boris Kachka

After a season of shows based on the back catalogues of Elvis and John Lennon, this year's musical-makers are borrowing from the greatest stories ever told.

Ms. Roboto By Jeremy McCarter

The witty Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow embraces its weirdo technophiles.

Review: Spirit By Jeremy McCarter

Review: Red Beads By Jeremy McCarter

Nothing But Nyet by Jeremy McCarter

A revival of 'Silk Stockings' brings back nostalgic memories of Porter and Kaufman and little else.

Is Tony Kushner Psychic? by Jeremy McCarter

Amid the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, his 2003 musical 'Caroline, or Change' seems even more eerily prescient. "There ain't no under ground in Louisiana," run its newly harrowing openin…

Fall Preview 2005: Theater

Avenue A-Lister By Logan Hill

True believer Rosario Dawson is the queen of the East Village. So why's she moving to California?

Theater of the New Ear By Jeremy McCarter

It was as rewarding a night as I've spent in the theater this year, all the more remarkable for being his stage debut.

Review: Dedication or the Stuff of Dreams By Jeremy McCarter

Lovers of drama will have to admire the sentiment. Then they will have to wonder what in the name of precious metaphors McNally is trying to do in this tangled play.

Rip. Mix. Burn By Jeremy McCarter

'Lennon' doesn't work. But that's no reason to reject the potential of the jukebox-musical genre.

Agitator: Tim Robbins By Emma Rosenblum

Blind Faith by Jeremy McCarter

'Oedipus at Palm Springs' finds the Five Lesbian Brothers in an unusually realistic mood.

The Most Beautiful New Yorkers

Cheap Eats 2005: Where to Eat if You're a Theater Geek By Rob Patronite & Robin Raisfeld

Overheard: What the Audience Really Thought about 'The Pillowman'

Lost by Jeremy McCarter

Le Dernier Caravansérail proves it's possible to mount a play about refugees that doesn't feel like homework.

Garden of Earthly Delights By Jeremy McCarter

With Central Park as its idyllic backdrop, 'As You Like It' is at once deeply flawed and totally disarming.

Review: Primo By Jeremy McCarter

What Primo really proves is that there is no way to do justice to Levi's words onstage.

Long Story Short

How 'The Mambo Kings' Danced onto the Great White Way - Almost. By Boris Kachka

Kitschmeister: Timothy Haskell By Boris Kachka

Report from London By Jeremy McCarter

A tale of two musicals: The very British Billy Elliot and the great American Guys and Dolls.

Free Billy By Logan Hill

Tony nominee Billy Crudup has a scandalous rep and a role as a murder suspect. Why is this man smiling?

Curtain Call By John Simon

The backstage drama aside, Sweet Charity is winsome if terribly slight. PLUS: A critic hangs out his closing notice.

<em>Many of John's reviws can be found here</em>