Bach at Leipzig — People’s Light & Theatre Company
At the end of the first act of Itamar Moses’s play, “Bach at Leipzig,” I turned to my friend, Byron Fink, and said, “I see. It’s a verbal fugue.” At … Continue reading
The 39 Steps — Hedgerow Theatre
“The 39 Steps” gets broader every time I see it. My first view, at London’s Criterion Theatre in 2006, was an eye opener. It took me a scene of two … Continue reading
Xanadu — Mazeppa Productions at Christ Church Neighborhood House
“Xanadu” is a musical that makes fun of itself and the 1980 movie on which it is based. Douglas Carter Beane’s tongue was so far embedded in his cheek when … Continue reading
The Fault in Our Stars — a movie by Josh Boone
Shailene Woodley has natural appeal. In at least three of her films — 2011’s “The Descendants,” last year’s “The Spectacular Now,” and the current “A Fault in Our Stars — … Continue reading
Chef — a movie by Jon Favreau
“Chef” has all the ingredients to be charmer, and it doesn’t disappoint. Although Jon Favreau’s movie raises questions about some aspects of its plot — A man whose comments and … Continue reading
Side Show — Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Bill Condon’s additions and adaptations to the cult-followed 1997 musical, “Side Show,” have differing effects as Condon endows Bill Russell’s original book with more musical glitter, makes the owner of … Continue reading
Jersey Boys — a movie by Clint Eastwood
In dozens of speeches and articles, I’ve warned against comparing a movie to a play or either to a book. “The media, and the tools of expression needed to convey … Continue reading
Helen and Morris Zoren Awards for World Theater, 2013-2014
Since September 4, 1967, the first day I saw a professional theatrical performance, I have kept diaries that list every show seen, a catalog of every actor and actress ever … Continue reading
Shaw and Stratford Festivals — Canadian Assurance
Consistently theatrical greatness lies just across the U.S. border at the two ends of the Canadian province of Ontario. I first attended the Stratford Festival in 1976 when the actors … Continue reading
