New York

PUT THIS IN YOUR WHEELHOUSE A show that takes its audience on a ride, and shifts gears from drama to comedy and back The oft-heard practical advice to authors hoping that their stories, novels, songs, plays, etc. will ring true is: “Write what you know.” Generally attributed to Mark Twain—who did pretty well for himself…

LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN AND AGAIN A high-energy revival proves this cult classic still knows how to party Unless you grew up in a monastery, had a severely conservative upbringing, or are just too young, you’ve probably seen or at least heard of the drag-tastic cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Maybe…

UNDER THE BIG TOP, A SMALL GEM ENDURES A tender revival of a vintage musical finds its strength in sincerity, not spectacle Poignancy, Pep, Pizzazz, and Puppets. If the age of 65 equals becoming a senior citizen, then the musical Carnival!—which opened on Broadway in April of 1961—is certainly eligible. But the current revival, now…

POLITICS, IN FULL DRAG: A CAMPAIGN LIKE NO OTHER Wayne Brady leads a wild, urgent, and unexpectedly timely ride through queer history and unfinished business. There have been outsider candidates before, but none quite like Joan Jett Blakk—the self-declared Black drag queen who ran for President of the United States in the early 1990s, armed…

A COMMUNITY PUSHED PAST THE LAW An electrifying solo tour de force that turns a town’s nightmare into gripping theater. The largest Off-Broadway cast this season—over a dozen roles—may well be at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Remarkably, they’re played by one actor. That’s only one reason you should see the amazing Jack Holden in KENREX, the…

A PUZZLE WORTH SOLVING A slow-burn puzzle that rewards patience with emotional clarity In the middle of nowhere, in an abandoned house, Broken Snow begins with a promise. Kris (Tony Danza) steps forward and tells us he has a story—“one of utmost significance,” he insists, “a moment where everything changes.” It’s a bold promise, not…

STOP SIGNS AND SOCIAL SIGNALS Sharp, humane, and richly acted, this new comedy lands with both wit and weight In The Balusters, playwright David Lindsay-Abaire once again proves himself a master of tonal tightrope walking—balancing biting social critique with deep wells of empathy, all wrapped in the polished veneer of a parlor room comedy. Set…

FINDING YOUR SONG Debbie Allen’s revival honors Wilson’s depth with a richly realized production The Barrymore Theatre’s revival of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, directed by the very talented Debbie Allen, is an exquisitely crafted classic production brought to life by a thoughtfully assembled cast and creative team. Set in 1911, the story…

THE MATH DOESN’T ADD UP A starry revival that struggles to convince All the action in the Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Proof takes place on the porch of Robert and Catherine’s home in Hyde Park, Chicago. Teresa L. Williams’s set and Amanda Zieve’s lighting emphasize the sloping lines of the house’s double gables, the…

A LITTLE SIN, A LOT OF GIN A fizzy Noël Coward comedy where anticipation —and alcohol—do the heavy lifting There is a particular kind of overupholstered, well-mannered, and suffocating living room that exists primarily so that someone may eventually misbehave in it. In Fallen Angels, now at the Roundabout’s newly renovated Todd Haimes Theatre, writer…

COMEDY TONIGHT— AND PLENTY OF IT A zippy, low-budget romp that lands big laughs When in ancient Rome,do as the ancient Romans—and moderns—would do:enjoy the kind of humor that never feels ancient.This musical confection from 1962 has ageless funny flavors and farcical fun. If Theater 2020 charged its audience a dime for every laugh-out-loud moment…

MIX, MATCH, AND MAKE IT UP An intergenerational troupe turns audience ideas into live musical theater Here’s a special recipe for success and entertainment. It’s all in the mixing and blending and combining of diverse ingredients. The people participating are of different ages and experiences and talents. The elements of the production are acting, music,…

MIDDLE-AGED PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IN THE MIDDLE OF ADVENTURES Jerry Herman’s early musical still charms Through the magic of musical theatre, we’re vicariously taking a guided tour through Israel in the early 1960s. On your left, a group of widows seeing the sights and setting their sights on finding—maybe (who knows?)—a husband. On…