Category Archives: Broadway

This “& Juliet” Is No Tale of Woe

You need not be closely familiar with William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” or with his personal life to enjoy “& Juliet.” References to both are deployed liberally throughout, but the Broadway show is a musical and visual delight on its … Continue reading

Blog, Broadway, NY Theater

Sandra’s Quest Comes Up Short

A “Shaggy Dog” story is one with a high-stakes build-up and much activity that comes to an anti-climactic conclusion, like an elongated joke with an unfunny punchline. A serious shaggy dog story might involve an intricate quest or goal or … Continue reading

Broadway, Off Broadway

Jump In the Pool with Mike Birbiglia

My first Mike Birbiglia show was “Sleepwalk with Me” in 2008 at the Bleecker Street Theater, where some of the 199 seats were behind poles. The 80-minute self-written monologue recounted how his Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder had resulted … Continue reading

Blog, Broadway, NY Theater

Gabriel Byrne Goes “Walking With Ghosts” Alone

Most solo shows are one act affairs that run about 90 minutes or less. “Walking With Ghosts” is just Gabriel Byrne, sharing memories and spinning tales for well over two hours in two acts. It is not a moment too … Continue reading

Blog, Broadway, NY Theater

Debating the American Dream: “Death of a Salesman” and “Baldwin & Buckley at Cambridge”

On consecutive evenings last week, I saw what are likely the longest and shortest works, in terms of running time, currently on New York stages. The long one, clocking in at well over three hours at the Hudson Theatre on … Continue reading

Blog, Broadway, NY Theater, Off Broadway

Odds and Ends on “Death of a Salesman”

This piece is prompted by the current Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” which I am scheduled to see on October 12. Neither a review nor an analysis, it is just some thoughts on time spent with … Continue reading

Blog, Broadway, NY Theater