Polly is brash and unstoppable. More significantly, she is totally loyal and true, both to the Democratic Party and to her candidate, long-term mayor Erastus Corning II.  And as portrayed by the incomparable Edie Falco, she becomes a true force to be …Read more

The clothes are the same, most of the dialogue is the same and of course, the story arc is the same — so why doesn’t Pretty Woman: The Musical have the same appeal as the 1990 movie starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere? For one thing: it doesn’t …Read more

Isn’t it ironic that a Jewish immigrant from Belarus wrote “White Christmas,” one of the most beloved Christmas songs, as well as one of the most patriotic American songs, “God Bless America?” For these musical contributions and others, Irving Berlin …Read more

For some of us theatergoers, actress-singer Idina Menzel can do no wrong. From Rent to Wicked to Frozen, and even TV’s Glee, she has thrilled viewers with her vocal and acting skills. Now starring in Joshua Harmon’s latest play, Skintight, she portra …Read more

Oh, what a night!  Although somewhat overcast with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, the mood onstage for Twelfth Night in Central Park at The Delacorte Theater couldn’t have been sunnier! Twelfth Night is a typical Shakespearean comedy with di …Read more

Long before there was the jukebox musical, there was the musical revue, and few songwriters have as many fabulous songs worthy of a musical revue than Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller. The show Smokey Joe’s Cafe, featuring 39 of their songs, opened in 1 …Read more

I would pay to see any production that features 87-year-old actress Lois Smith, even if she were only reading the telephone book. In her latest role, Smith plays 90-year-old Mary Frances who, having lived a long good life, is now ready to die, surrou …Read more

Who was Saint Joan? Subject of many books, movies and plays, The Maid, as she was sometimes called, has been a fascinating historical figure. Defying her gender and station, she was able to rally the French troops and lead them to victory over the Br …Read more

What? Another jukebox musical? On the surface, singer-songwriter Donna Summer is an ideal subject for a jukebox musical. She sold more than 140 million records worldwide during her career, winning five Grammy Awards and releasing 32 hit singles, 14 o …Read more

It’s one classic Lerner and Loewe song after another: “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face,” “On The Street Where You Live,” “I Could Have Danced All Night.” I’d forgotten how many wonderful songs the musical team wrote for the award-winning musical My …Read more