New York

Filichia on Friday: ‘1776: IT’S A MASTERPIECE, I SAY’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: 1776: IT’S A MASTERPIECE, I SAY Purchase Peter...

Review: ‘Bright Star’ at The Cort Theatre in NYC

If you insist on edge in your musicals, Bright Star is not for you. On the other hand, if you care to spend a couple of hours in the mid 1940s and the early 1920s in rural areas of North Carolina with...

Inside the Numbers: Behind the Scenes Of Bethesda Little Theatre’s ‘Broadway Bios’: Part 3: ‘It’s Willamania Time!’

The Bethesda Little Theatre Presents: Broadway Bios, an Original Musical Revue! Celebrating its 36th year, the Bethesda Little Theatre will perform the original musical revue, Broadway Bios at The...

Inside the Numbers: Behind the Scenes Of Bethesda Little Theatre’s ‘Broadway Bios’: Part 2: ‘Bienvenidos a Buenos Aires!’

The Bethesda Little Theatre Presents: Broadway Bios, an Original Musical Revue! Celebrating its 36th year, the Bethesda Little Theatre will perform the original musical revue, Broadway Bios at The...

Review: ‘The Secret Garden’ at The Candlelight Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware

If there’s a show that fits the definition of a “cult musical,” it’s probably The Secret Garden. The show was a hit with families on Broadway in the early nineties, winning three Tony Awards and...

Inside the Numbers: Behind the Scenes Of Bethesda Little Theatre’s ‘Broadway Bios’ Part 1: Rehearsing “But Mr. Adams”

The Bethesda Little Theatre Presents: Broadway Bios, an Original Musical Revue! Celebrating its 36th year, the Bethesda Little Theatre will perform the original musical revue, Broadway Bios at The...

Filichia on Friday: ‘March’s Leftovers and April’s Brainteaser’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: March’s Leftovers and April’s Brainteaser Purchase...

Review: ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ at The Academy of Music in Philadelphia

Packed with unforgettable music and a flashy presentation, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, now playing at the Academy of Music presented by Kimmel Center’s Broadway Philadelphia, crafts the...

Review: ‘She Loves Me’ at Studio 54 in NYC

I once heard the late director Moss Hart say that when a show is a great hit, there were omens that predicted its future. “For example,” he said, “when we were fine tuning My Fair Lady in Philadelphia...

‘A Caveman with a Brain and a Heart’: An Interview with Vince Valentine From ‘Defending the Caveman’

Defending the Caveman, an informal study of psychology, sociology, and pre-history, is the longest running one-man-show in Broadway history. Written and originally performed by Rob Becker in 1981, it...

Review: ‘Noises Off!’ at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre & Children’s Theatre

The ferociously funny play Noises Off!, written by Michael Frayn, is being performed at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre in Frederick, MD. The show premiered at the Lyric Theatre in London in 1982, and...

Review: ‘DISASTER!’ at The Nederlander Theatre in NYC

If you’re in the mood for a visit with a shipload of fun loving actors, many of whom you’ve seen and enjoyed in shows like Guys and Dolls (Faith Prince), The Producers (Roger Bart), Rent (Adam...

Filichia on Friday: ‘Shaw and Staller-Perfect Together’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: SHAW AND STALLER – PEFECT TOGETHER Purchase Peter...

Review: ‘Blackbird’ at the Belasco Theatre in NYC

Under Joe Mantello’s keen direction, Blackbird begins with a bang and ends with a cry in the night. In the 80 minutes that elapse between one and the other, his cast of two holds us tightly and never...

Review: ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia

While there are amazing new Broadway hits like Hamilton and Fun Home, some things are classic for a reason. And may I say, they just don’t make musicals like The Sound of Music anymore. Celebrating...

Review: ‘Annie’ at National Theatre

There are two things they always say never to work with: animals and children. There are exceptions, obviously. For six days at The National Theatre, Annie and Sandy — the bright red-headed,...

Review: ‘Eclipsed’ at the Golden Theatre in New York City

Danai Gurira, the author of this white hot very topical play about sexual slavery in Nigeria, has made a remarkable start to a major career as playwright and actor. Perhaps best known as star of the...

Review: ‘Dark of the Moon’ at The Ritz Theatre Company in Haddon Township, NJ

A multi-level set of wooden platforms and beams, crates and barrels, chopped birch logs and an axe, a butter churn, milk can, and a jug of corn whisky thrust you into the rustic world of Appalachia....

Filichia on Friday: ‘Growing up Gershwin’ by Peter Filichia

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: Growing up Gershwin Purchase Peter Filichia’s New...

Review: ‘Motown: The Musical’ at Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

The music of Motown is a gift that keeps on giving. In 2013, Motown: The Musical wrapped up big chunks of that songbook and armfuls of personal charisma in rainbows of light tied with wide swaths of...

In the Moment: A Look at Jack Viertel’s “The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built”

Revealing the concealed underpinnings and durable structures of American musicals is no easy undertaking. Let alone covering and analyzing the past seven decades of musical theater history. But,...

Broadway Producer Donald Trump and DCMetroTheaterArts’ NYC Reviewer/Columnist Richard Seff’s Play ‘Paris is Out!’ by Michael Paul in the NY Times

In yesterday’s NY Times, Michael Paul’s article called For a Young Donald J. Trump, Broadway Held Sway talked about how Donald Trump dabbled in becoming a Broadway Producer when he invested in...

Review: ‘One Night Only’: Sutton Foster at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia

Though she may boast two Tony Awards, a resume full of magnificent leading ladies, and starring roles on two recent television series, Sutton Foster becomes refreshingly low-key in her acclaimed solo...

Review: ‘Defending the Caveman’ at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA

Ever since Rob Becker started performing a one-man comedy show called Defending the Caveman back in the 1980s, its popularity has grown steadily. And in the time since the show played a two-year run...

Review: ‘Hughie’ at The Booth Theatre in New York City

Jason Robards first played the central character in this Eugene O’Neill one-act mood piece; that was in 1964. That character isn’t “Hughie” — no, he’s gone to his reward just before first curtain. But...

Filichia on Friday: ‘We Love You CONRACK’ by Peter Filichia

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: We Love You, CONRACK Purchase Peter Filichia’s New...

Review: ‘The Humans’ at Roundabout Theatre at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City

“Suddenly there is God so quickly” is one of those gems in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, and it flashed into my mind as I watched Stephen Karam’s play, his first on Broadway. The...

Erik Ransom Discusses his Staged Reading of ‘More Than All the World’ on March 15th at York Theatre Company in New York City

Known for his bold cutting-edge artistry and glam-rock/drag personae, Erik Ransom commands the stage as a singer, musician, and actor, and behind the scenes as a composer, lyricist, and playwright....

Review: ‘The Normal Heart’ at Vagabond Players

Motivational Speaker David Joseph Schwartz once wrote, “To fight fear, act. To increase fear, wait, put off, postpone.” In their latest production during their 100th year of being America’s Oldest...

Review: ‘NSO Pops: Broadway Today with Darren Criss & Betsy Wolfe’ at The Kennedy Center

While most of the week here in Washington, DC has been dreary and rainy, the weekend is off to a bright start as Darren Criss and Betsy Wolfe joined the National Symphony Orchestra, under the...

Filichia on Friday: ‘February’s Leftovers and March’s Brainteaser’ by Peter Filichia

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: February’s Leftovers and March’s Brainteaser...

Filichia on Friday: ‘Let’s COPE Again, Like We Did Last Century’ by Peter Filichia

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: Let’s COPE Again, Like We Did Last Century...

Review: ‘Women Without Men’ at The Mint Theater Company in New York City

Playwright Hazel Ellis is not a name that comes readily to mind. Her play, currently running at City Center under the auspices of the Mint Theater Company, was first produced in her native Ireland by...

Review: ‘Pippin’ at The Academy of Music in Philadelphia

When walking into the house of Philadelphia’s historic Academy of Music for Pippin, what could, at first, be the theatre’s fire curtain, or possibly the outer edge of a circus tent conceals the stage....

Review: ‘Prodigal Son’ at Manhattan Theatre Club

John Patrick Shanley is a prolific and gifted playwright who’s had a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony for his hugely successful play Doubt. He also wrote its screenplay and directed the film which was...

Review: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at The Academy of Music in Philadelphia

The new touring production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, now playing at the Academy of Music, doesn’t offer many surprises. But for the show’s devoted fans – and judging from the throng of old and...

Reviews: ‘All the Way’ and ‘Ah, Wilderness!’ at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida

As a way of plugging in to the national conversation addressing issues of change in the United States, this highly regarded regional not-for-profit theatre has put several plays in to its current...

An Interview with Singer Jen Creed-Performing ‘A Night at the Oscars’ This Friday, 2/19@7:30 PM at L’Etage in Philadelphia

Jen Creed, once a mathematician and former recruiter in the investment management industry, now sits on the Board of Directors of The Voice Foundation, and teaches voice, and serves as the head of...

Nick Wyman: Character Actor in a Star Role as LBJ in ‘All the Way’

I talked with Nick Wyman only minutes after his performance as President Lyndon Johnson in All the Way at a matinee on February 13th. We met in the lobby of the stunning Asolo Repertory Theatre in...

‘Elevate’ Broadway Revue at Take the Stage at Rockville JCC This Friday-Sunday 2/19-21/16

One of DC’s hottest ensemble groups is back to wow audiences in this year’s Broadway Revue showcase, Elevate. Elevate features the best of Broadway and movie musical numbers choreographed by special...

Review: ‘Cabin in the Sky’ at Encores! at City Center in New York City

I’d seen the film, but never the musical on which it was based. The original, with a score by Vernon Duke and John LaTouche, opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway in 1940 and only managed a...

Review: ‘The Way We Were’ at The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC

Yesterday, I was privileged to see the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC’s extremely intimate, engaging and musically creative concert of songs entitled The Way We Were. This stimulating and...

Filichia on Friday: ‘There’s a Little CABIN at Encores!’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: There’s a Little CABIN at Encores! Purchase Peter...

Review: ‘Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles’ at The Merriam Theater in Philadelphia

From the British Invasion to the Psychedelic Sixties, the Fab Four from Liverpool defined the music and lifestyle of the watershed decade of our post-modern era. Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles...

Auditions for Arts Collective@HCC’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ on 2/27/16 for its May-June Production

Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts Collective proudly announces open auditions for actors 16 and up for the Tony award-winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, under the...

Join Performing Arts Association of Linthicum (PAAL) for ‘Finian’s Rainbow’ This Sunday at 3 PM at North County High School in Ferndale, MD

Inspired by Joel Markowitz’s recent interview with J. Ernest Green, focusing on his upcoming Live Arts Maryland’s Finian’s Rainbow concerts February 12 and 13th at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts,...

Review: ‘The Philadelphia Story’ at 2nd Star Productions

It’s always fun to peer into the lives of the rich and famous. As a native Philadelphian, I found Christopher Overly’s revival of Phillip Barry’s 1939 Broadway hit a delightful throwback set amidst my...

Review: ‘Cabaret’ at The Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts’ Academies of Musical Theatre and Dance

The Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts’ Academies of Musical Theatre and Dance made one of history’s darkest and most beloved musicals a vehicle to showcase the talents of their student...

Filichia on Friday: ‘Reaching the Other Ninety Percent’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: Reaching the Other Ninety Percent. Purchase Peter...

J. Ernest Green on Musical Directing and Conducting ‘Finian’s Rainbow’ for Live Arts Maryland on 2/12&13

J. Ernest Green is musical directing Finian’s Rainbow at Live Arts Maryland on Friday and Saturday, February 12th and 13th. He talks here about the decision to mount the recent Broadway revival and...