Welcome
to Philip Dorian’s SCENEONSTAGE.COM, featuring Theater Comments and Criticism as well as Random Thoughts on Other Matters.
The most recent postings will appear on the home page. Most, when no longer current, will move into the category-links above and at right: Broadway (and other NYC), Regional (includes Community), etc.
About is just that, Phil’s bio; Pair●A●Grafs will feature brief (two-paragraph, get it?) reviews; Canadian Theatre will feature coverage of Ontario’s Shaw Festival and Stratford Shakespeare Festival as well as Toronto offerings; and Contact is where you can send Phil an e-mail message.
Archived Reviews (prior to Feb 2011): Most of the last 20+ years’ reviews are available on request by show title. Leave an email address there for prompt delivery.
For an e-catalog of posts since Feb 2011, click the arc at Follow Me, where you can also subscribe for automatic updates. Blog will, as blogs do, get you to those Random Thoughts.
Your comments are welcome any time, as you are here and now. Enjoy the site…Sign up for the theater reviews of Scene on Stage by Philip Dorian
-
Recent Posts
Categories
Archives
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- December 2010
- May 2010
- December 2009
- August 2009
- February 2009
- December 2008
- December 2007
- December 2006
- December 2005
- December 2004
- December 2003
Category Archives: Broadway
Perfection in Two Acts: “Into the Woods” on Broadway
It is fascinating to imagine the processes that went into mounting the Broadway revival of “Into the Woods.” Not only Stephen Sondheim’s exquisite music and lyrics and James Lapine’s unifying book – those are givens. No, I mean the journey … Continue reading
Mr. Seven Times a Week: Billy Crystal
One of my favorite theater memories is of seeing Phil Silvers in “Do Re Mi” in 1960. In a scene where his character is producing a recording session, Silvers tells the six on-stage musicians how he wants the music played. … Continue reading
A Starry Couple Revives a Neil Simon Triptych: “Plaza Suite” on Broadway
Between 1961 and Y2K, Neil Simon was represented on Broadway by thirty plays, winning four Tony Awards (one honorary) and the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (“Lost in Yonkers”). The plays were basically comedies, many with serious undertones. As a … Continue reading
Understudy: Not a Job for the Weak of Heart
Theater lore abounds with tales of understudies who have gone on to a degree of stardom, some as a direct result of having filled in for an indisposed performer. Shirley Maclaine, who subbed for Carol Haney in “The Pajama Game” … Continue reading
“Company” Swaps ‘Bobby, Bobby Baby’ for ‘Bobbie, Bobbie Baby’
Several terrific performances in the current Broadway revival of “Company” owe their provenance to its gender-switched casting. Originally about NYC bachelor Robert/Bobby being feted on his 35th birthday by ten of his friends (five couples), who also noodge him about … Continue reading
Four Actors Play Multiple Characters in Two Broadway Plays
In his very fine book “A Lifetime with Shakespeare” (McFarland), about having directed all of Shakespeare’s plays, the late Paul Barry postulated that casting is eighty-five percent of directing and that good directors, by definition, cast well. If that is … Continue reading