John Proctor is the Villain At the end of Arthur Miller’s classic play, “The Crucible,” protagonist John Proctor refuses to lie, even to save his own life. Overwhelmed by what he is being asked to do, he exclaims, “I have given you my soul; leave me …Read more
In 1890, Oscar Wilde wrote a story about a young handsome man who has his portrait painted. He then makes a Faustian bargain, trading his soul for the picture to age, wrinkle and grow ugly instead of his body. This allows the youth to live a dissolut …Read more
Set in a struggling barbershop in Harlem,in the 1950’s, “Ceremonies in Dark Old Men” by Lonnie Elder III focuses on the family of Russell B. Parker (a fine Norm Lewis) and his adult children. Parker’s business was unsuccessful so his wife worked to s …Read more
Floyd Collins “Truth is stranger than fiction” goes the old expression, and some of the most intriguing stories come directly from the headlines. In the early 1920’s many men explored the Kentucky caves, hoping to attract tourists to pay to visit the …Read more
If you are expecting one of your favorite TV shows, complete with its competitive divas and love stories in the new version of SMASH at the Imperial Theatre, you might be disappointed since the Broadway version is very different. The 2012 TV show whi …Read more
Broadway is always looking for a family friendly musical, one with kid and tourist appeal, and this season the musical is “Boop! The Musical.” Few young people know Betty Boop, the animated character from the 1930’s. Her look is distinctive: she’s a …Read more
If producers ever had any doubt of a celebrity’s effect on the box office, they need only look at this current theater season to see ticket prices. Popular movie star George Clooney is packing the Winter Garden Theatre and premium tickets are going f …Read more
If you’ve seen the original David Mamet play or the movie version of “GlenGarry Glen Ross,” forget it and approach this revival with a fresh mind. Don’t compare the present cast to Al Pacino, Jonathan Pryce and Jack Lemmon or consider what makes it d …Read more
The phrase “the sins of the father are visited upon the son” suggests that parents’ actions can severely impact their children. In the new adaptation by Mark O’Rowe of Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts” at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater, parents’ choic …Read more
Composer-lyricist Jonathan Larson died before achieving success. He posthumously received three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his groundbreaking musical “Rent”. The musical began Off- Broadway in 1996, but tragically, Larson died f …Read more
