Mary Jane (2024) Review: A Heartbreaking and Healing Drama
Rachel McAdams pulls us in and transcends us in “Mary Jane.”
Live Performance
Hell’s Kitchen (2024) – Musical Review
Alicia Keys is the latest musician to have their work turned into a musical, and like most, this seems geared toward her fans and may not be on Broadway long.
The Effect (2024) Play Review – In The Pursuit Of Anti Depressants, A Love Drug May Have Been Made
With engaging performances and the type of set design, lighting, and music to really get you into what’s happening on stage, “The Effect” is an experience that makes you question if you were slipped something.
Corinne Bailey Rae: The Black Rainbows Tour (2024) – Review
8 years since her last record, and 18 from her first, the evolution of Corinne Bailey Rae from a songbird to a genre defying singer was on full display.
Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All – Review and Summary
With recently hitting 30, Taylor Tomlinson is past her quarter-life crisis, but even with great career success, she clues us into whether her personal life could catch up so she can have it all.
I Love You So Much I Could Die (2024) – Play/Musical Review
For an hour, we spend time with Mona, who, with Microsoft David, walks us through some of her recent struggles and the salve of having people there for you when in a dark place.
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023) – Review
Dave Chappelle continues to pursue being that mischievous kid who feels validated to double down on a joke as long as he can get a laugh. But, when the jokes subside, you realize the controversy is an act, and there is depth beyond the superficial.
Boop! The Musical – Review
While many classic Betty Boop characters are missing in this musical, between the background animation, Angelica Hale, the comedic moments, and nostalgia, you’ll enjoy “Boop! The Musical.”
Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head (2023) – Review and Summary
Hasan Minhaj, thanks to locking up people’s phones, gets to be free to speak not only about that New Yorker article but also about race, politics (like Hunter Biden), and the experience of being a Muslim-Indian American.
Spain (2023) – Play Review and Summary (with Spoilers)
Acting as a comedy, think piece, and a reminder of the power and dangers of the KGB, “Spain” excels in some ways but can seem to be word vomit in others.
Danny And the Deep Blue Sea (2023 – 2024) – Play Review and Summary
Aubrey Plaza’s brand of bizarre comes to New York City, and like the majority of her roles, there is complexity beyond the madness.
A Wonderful World – Musical Review and Summary
With a notable focus on Louis Armstrong’s four wives, “A Wonderful World” might be Broadway-bound, but doesn’t seem like it may stay for long.
Tonight’s Conversation (Live) – Review and Summary
The popular podcast comes to the New York City Javits Center, and lives up to the hype of the many viral clips you’ve seen on social media.
Alex Newell: Live at Kean University – Review
In what can be seen as a mini-career and life retrospective, Tony Winner Alex Newell walks their audience through some of their favorites Broadway numbers, including those they made a hit.
Here Lies Love (2023) – Theater Review and Summary
“Here Lies Love” is a funky history lesson with heart to spare, and it signals the potential create future that Broadway has to offer.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (2023) – Play Review and Summary
“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” is the type of play that demands an audience reaction as it exhibits community on stage and fosters it within the audience.
Ali Wong: Live (2023) – Review and Summary (with Spoilers)
While Ali Wong’s opening act doesn’t present the type of comedy that can leave a strong impression, seeing her live and raw about life post-divorce is a treat.
Once Upon A One More Time (2023) – Musical Review
“Once Upon A… One More Time” is a feminist musical set to the music of Britney Spears that may feel like it is preaching to the choir and needs more oomph in its ensemble numbers.
Bees and Honey (2023) – Play Review
“Bees & Honey” feels like a modernized 90s sitcom, like “Martin,” but with modern themes and heartening drama.
Grey House (2023) – Play Review
Strange, startlingly, but never horrifying, “The Grey House” may have some kinks to work out, but it is a welcome change for premiering shows on Broadway.
The Wife of Willesden (2023) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)
What sometimes can feel like watching your fun aunt hold court at a family reunion devolves into a play that overstays it’s welcome.
My Name is Mo’Nique (2023) Is A Triumphant Return, Worthy Of One Of The Queens Of Comedy
“My Name Is Mo’Nique” sometimes feels less like a comedy special and more like a one woman show, allowing you to laugh with Mo’Nique and cry with her.
“Conversations After Sex” at the Irish Arts Center (2023) – Review/ Summary
“Conversations After Sex” may do itself a disservice by not naming its character or having different men play the lead’s lover, but it still delivers in many ways.
The Coast Starlight (2023) – Review/ Summary
Taking place barely over a day, “The Coast Starlight” is packed with a series of what-if conversations that leave you longing for connection.
The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window (2023) – Review/ Summary
While it sometimes feels like it says too much to make things more complicated than they need be, as time goes on, you realize avoiding simplicity is the point.
Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would (2022) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)
Masterful storyteller Trevor Noah brings the quality expected with notable accents, trying to bring a different perspective to pop culture and your usual COVID jokes.
Nicole Byer: BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo) – Overview/ Review (With Spoilers)
Raunchy in a way that will surely not make her for everybody, Nicole Byer defiantly shows a different brand of being a dirty comic.
Kristina Wong: Sweatshop Overlord – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)
In her one-woman show, Kristina Wong reminds you why theater, beyond musicals and Broadway, are a New York City staple.
Michelle Wolf Live At The Count Basie Center Of The Arts
Michelle Wolf stops in New Jersey to work on new material and use the material that would have popped more in 2020.
Tina — The Tina Turner Musical | Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)
Tina — The Tina Turner Musical has all the moves to honor the legend but lacks the soul to do justice to her singing and story.
In Search of the Sanderson Sisters – A Hocus Pocus Hulaween Takeover – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
“In Search of the Sanderson Sisters” is truly a labor of love with moments that remind you why Bette Midler is often associated with being camp.
Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
“Welcome To Buteaupia” will remind you of when comedians got hour-long specials because it was time, and they deserved it, rather than a network just needing content.
Esther Povitsky “Hot For My Name” Review/ Summary with Spoilers
At times, “Hot For My Name” may make you wish Esther Povitsky didn’t say no to MTV about a reality series, for her parents damn near steal what should be her moment.
Eric Andre: Legalize Everything – Review/ Summary with Spoilers
“Eric Andre: Legalize Everything” is pure and utter shock value that, if your tolerance is high, your laughs might be low.
8:46 (Dave Chappelle Special) – Review/ Summary with Spoilers
“8:46,” is Chappelle at his best – a storyteller, in the form of a wise-man, who makes you laugh enough to pay attention as he drops the knowledge you need.
Yvonne Orji: Momma, I Made It! – Review/ Summary with Spoilers
In “Momma, I Made It!” Yvonne Orji makes it clear “Insecure” didn’t make her who she is, all it did was put you on to someone already hilarious.
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020) – Review, Summary (with Spoilers)
With Tomlinson avoiding joking about blackout drunk sex, there is something refreshing about her.
Pete Davidson “Alive In New York” – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)
From Louis C.K., to Ariana Grande, and the double standards of life, Pete Davidson “Alive In New York” shows how limiting SNL is for the comic.
Leslie Jones: Time Machine – Review, Summary with Spoilers
In one of the few comedy tapings you may ever see with a co-writer, Leslie Jones will get a few laughs out of, but doesn’t craft what we formerly called a special.