If there is a trump card over satire, it would have to be satire that is smart, witty, and honest. Those qualities, along with superb musical talent, intuitive comedic timing, and sharp direction, encompass the production of “Forbidden Broadway: Aliv …Read more

Although “An Appeal to the Woman of the House” depicts a fictional account of four Freedom Riders trying to survive the night on the Alabama-Tennessee border in 1961, the play is about the intimate evolution of a childless married couple who have bee …Read more

SEE or SKIP: FLUFF – A Story of Lost Toys VENUE: New Victory Theater (ended May 4) VENUE TYPE: off-Broadway SEE because: Cute and slightly macabre story idea: children’s toys get lost or vacuumed or mangled and then are found by two women who collect …Read more

Oscar Hammerstein II has been criticized for his dopey, wide-eyed idealism, from “Oklahoma” to “The Sound of Music.” Love it or hate it, “Allegro” (1947) has moralism—along with camp and charm—coming out the wazoo. The Astoria Performing Arts Center …Read more

SEE or SKIP: Violet SEE because: Sutton Foster is as lovable and emotive a musical actress as you’ll find on any stage anywhere. Naysayers can grouse that her toothy smile and fountain of youthfulness make her seem relentlessly chipper and lightweigh …Read more

SEE or SKIP: Rocky SEE because: The sheer, massive design of the show (by Chris Barreca and lighting designer Christopher Akerlind) is sensational. Not just the logistics involved in pushing a giant, raised ring into the orchestra section at the fina …Read more

At the midpoint of “Family Play”, the latest in the line of CollaborationTown’s hive-minded theatrical creations, two teens flip tarot cards. The first is for the past, the second for the present, and the third and final for the future.  This triptyc …Read more

d cake, and children were being raised by grandparents or foster care, wouldn’t there be complaints? Wouldn’t people get up and do something, Mr. Jack?” Gardley’s script takes hard-to-stomach ideas — like the strong resemblance the prison system bea …Read more

In “Jamaica Farewell”, the story of one women’s journey to the United States from her native Jamaica, actress/playwright Debra Ehrhardt tells the true and unbelievable story of accomplishing her dream to come to America against all odds.  It’s story …Read more

Inspired by true events, “Casa Valentina”, a new play by Harvey Fierstein, follows a group of heterosexual men who escape to the Catskills to live their weekends as pearl-donned ladies.  Mr. Fierstein, a longtime devotee of the cross-dressing narrati …Read more