Brian Scott Lipton

“This sometimes chilling, often funny theatrical attempt to create the equivalent of a horror film is ultimately more confusing than convincing.”

“More than just a hilarious guilty pleasure, Celebrity Autobiography strikes at the unknowability of history, which is really just a record of the PR that sticks.”

“This version too often seems just warmed-over.”

“Like the bubbly champagne that's served onstage, 'Fallen Angels' is a perfect pick-me-up.”

“But these key assets are far from enough to turn ‘The Fear of 13’ into a 10.”

“Indeed, if witty, pointed arrow-like zingers that consistently hit their targets are enough for you, then ‘Becky Shaw’ is the right play for you to see.”

“Regardless, these scenes between Squibb (in kinder and gentler mode) and Nixon (suitably lost) are among the show's best.”

“Most of all, I can think of no two people better equipped to carry this delightful musical than Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts.”

“Sure, ignorance may indeed be bliss, the truth doesn't always set you free, and, yes, love may be blind. But ending ‘Oedipus’ on an upbeat flashback is the greatest tragedy of this otherwise impressive update.”

“Shockingly, director Michael Arden, librettist Lindsey Ferrentino and composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz have put together an extravagantly overstuffed yet intellectually empty and surprisingly heartless show.”

“Yes, it's sad that 2025 proves to be the right time for ‘Ragtime,’ but that doesn't mean you should pass up the chance to witness this truly unforgettable production.”

“Thank you for the music, indeed!”

“Groff, who could earn back-to-back Tony Awards with this tour-de-force performance.”

“Still, for the most part, ‘Boop!’ too rarely rises above the level of pleasant fluff during its two-and-half-hours, which can be frustrating since the show’s potential for greatness is obviously within reach.”

“Warren is a marvel, her powerful voice and expert skills as an actress painting a complete portrait of the defiantly happy, defiantly determined and defiantly angry Cathy. She’s properly mournful in the melancholy ‘Still Hurting’; hilarious in the vaudevillian ‘A Summer in Ohio’; and cockeyedly opti...”

“Instead, it’s witnessing the colorful, bravura work by a fearless actress (in her Broadway debut!) that is more than worth the price of admission.”

“Indeed, given everything at stake, the show's flippant tone -- often reminiscent of an extended Monty Python sketch -- can feel a little unsettling.”

“They send irresistible sound waves that emanate throughout the theater and straight into the heart, making the Schoenfeld the hottest club in NYC.”

“Others are urged to come sail away on this often-remarkable journey.”

“Not everything in the play or production works perfectly, but ‘Yellow Face’ never whitewashes a very important life lesson: Check your biases and misperceptions every single day before you take any action or open up your mouth.”

“It’s ultimately little more than a worthy imitation of something Tennessee Williams or Edward Albee might have written in their prime, and not a play as sui generis as Butterworth’s ‘The Ferryman’ or ‘Jerusalem.’”

“Their interplay, especially given how articulate Jane can be at times, is consistently compelling and makes the play worth seeing.”

“But forget the tragedy, this is pure comedy tonight! As brilliantly portrayed by Escola (flouncing around in Astor Yand's period-perfect black gown) -- in what is already an award-winning performance -- Mary is both a merciless drunk who will swallow anything (and I mean anything) that she finds nearby and a sharp-tongued shrew who will insult a...”

“Simply put, if you treasure the novel, don't come to the theatre.”

“Expect a lot of Tony Award nominations – and perhaps even a statuette or two – for this extremely accomplished, feel-good musical!”

“This show is worth coming into a theater!”

“You also wish the show’s creators had taken their own advice.”

“The real star of the show is the divine Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as the Lady of the Lake in what deserves to be a Tony Award-winning turn.”

“On the other hand, hearing those two ladies – now played by Amy Hillner Larsen and Tess Soltai – sing ‘Work Bitch’ is almost worth the price of admission.”

“As always, director Joe Mantello has gotten uniformly superb performances from everyone on stage; the cast gets a gold star for their commitment to this uneven material.”

“It’s not likely that this play will get another production any time soon nor find a finer Sidney than Oscar Isaac, so sign on whatever dotted line you need to see it.”

“While brilliantly acted by Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht (both of them smartly costumed by Linda Cho), the 90-minute play ultimately feels like a stretched-out anecdote.”

“Sadly, your money can be spent better elsewhere than on this unnecessary (and, for the record, not all-that-child-friendly) take on the classic fairy tale.”

“Nonetheless, having virtually nothing to look at but the actors, costumed entirely in black (which somehow required the talents of both Gilmour and Enver Chakartash) often seems more like a reality show challenge than a sound directorial choice.”

“Is it enough? Not for me. Admittedly, I feel a bit like Scrooge himself not to be fully embracing this production. Bah, humbug? More like, bah, humdrum!”

“These questions – and more – swirl through our mind during Kenny Leon’s mesmerizing and exquisitely acted revival of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘Topdog/Underdog,’ now at Broadway’s Theatre.”

“What fate befalls them? That question looms large in August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, 'The Piano Lesson' - the fourth play in his 'Pittsburgh Cycle' -- which is now receiving a high-octane Broadway revival at the Barrymore Theatre.”

“Pierce overplays Willy’s almost-constant anger – at life, at Linda, at his ‘disappointing’ sons, Biff (Khris Davis) and Happy (an almost too-charismatic McKinley Belcher III) – making him less-than-sympathetic and, at times, almost insufferable.”

“One can quibble about many other things in this production – can anyone adequately explain the meaning of set designer Scott Pask’s final image – but there’s no question that ‘1776’ speaks loudly and clearly to audiences in 2022.”

“Despite their best efforts, though, ‘The Little Prince’ -- unlike its titular hero -- remains frustratingly earthbound.”

“Nonetheless, ‘Take Me Out’ proves to be the highlight of the current theatrical season, thanks to Greenberg, Ellis and a uniformly superb cast who consistently hit it out of the proverbial park.”

“Without question, she’s a woman who is determined to get what she wants by any means necessary; illegality and immorality (and perhaps even immortality) simply never bother her!”

“The play is, above all, meant to be comfort food for the soul, and audiences who come prepared to eat it all up are sure to leave satisfied.”

“Kenny Leon's riveting, must-see production proves to be more than worth the wait.”

“Worse yet, I found the 90-minute work to be a supremely disappointing experience, rather than a worthwhile one.”

“What she can’t do single-handedly, though, is save us completely from Cullman’s deeply questionable directorial choices.”

“Luckily, Letts’ razor-sharp skill at dialogue and characterization will keep most of us riveted, even when we’re feeling angry, disgusted or just a little sad.”

“They are among the most heart-wrenching words I’ve ever heard in a theater, and likely to linger in your mind for days and days.”

“Indeed, you’ll want to come early not just to take in all that scenery, but to see the talented ensemble – in various states of dress – wriggling, writhing and executing Sonya Tayeh’s slithery, athletic movement in a pre-show like none you’ve ever seen.”

“And what makes ‘Frankie + Johnny’ still work so well is that the pair’s ability to finally open up to each other, in every sense of the word, is really quite beautiful.”

“What’s on stage now at the Winter Garden is among the most frenetic offerings ever seen on Broadway.”

“Indeed, this mesmerizing production, makes its points simply by letting Miller’s words ring loud and clear – and in the mouths of some of America’s finest actors.”

“Friends, countrymen, whoever –get thee down to the Theatre where Anais Mitchell’s incredibly moving and melodic musical, ‘Hadestown,’ is burning up the stage, bursting with ingenuity and intensity.”

“But here, the sentiment, like much of this problematic production, feels a bit hollow.”

“Ultimately, it's a thorny proposition if you want to spend the considerable time and money needed to see Jackson's crowning performance (and, possibly, her final Broadway appearance). But you'll likely feel like a fool if you don't.”

“McCraney never seems to be preaching only to the choir – and by blending wisdom, compassion, humor and music with a truly expert touch, ‘Choir Boy’ is rarely short of heavenly.”

“As he's proved for years, choreographer-director Casey Nicholaw knows how to fill a stage with inventive dance numbers better than anyone else currently working on Broadway, while the script by Tony Award winner Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin is full of laugh-out-loud jokes, irreverent wit and so many 'inside' theater references that the Playbill...”

“As enjoyable as the play is, the thunderous ovation at the end of these 2 ½ hours is primarily for the dazzlingly brilliant Janet McTeer. Guided by the savvy director Moritz von Stuelpnagel, the Tony-winning star makes not just a meal but an entire tasting menu out of the central role of the celebrated French actress Sarah Bernhardt.”

“Having brilliantly helmed the epitome of dysfunctional family plays, Tracy Letts's 'August: Osage County,' Anna D. Shapiro was an inspired choice to bring Young Jean Lee's often funny, thought-provoking 'Straight White Men' to Broadway (now at Second Stage's Theater), even if she wasn't able to solve the work's central problems.”

“In fact, most of ‘Travesties’ will leave you with a wide grin on your mouth, while still providing fodder for your brain.”

“A stunning production of this dark comedy...Aside from the superb acting, the play's first section derives most of its fascination in trying to decipher why Albee has put this triad together...It's great fun watching the regal Jackson delight in recalling what she can...Metcalf comes to close dominating the second half of the play...”

“It does a surprisingly good job at elevating your mood for two-and-half-hours. Much of the credit belongs to director Christopher Ashley, who stages the proceedings with enough verve that they go down as smoothly as a certain frozen drink; a truly appealing cast; and a self-aware, modestly involving book...”

“An extraordinary play now making its U.S premiere under the subtle and super-steady hand of director James Macdonald...”

“Far from your standard Broadway musical fare...A fairly simple story that reveals many complex virtues...it acts as a potent reminder of how all people, regardless of race or religion, must deal with the same fundamental issues of wanting love and acceptance. Moses’ book is smart and funny, not to mention remarkably topical...”

“Try as everyone might, this ‘Butterfly’ never really soars; but it rarely crashes to the ground either.”

“Hnath – author of the highly acclaimed ‘The Christians’ – has penned a bright (in all senses of the word), albeit slight 90-minute play that cleverly follows up on some of Ibsen’s themes about marriage and equality.”

“'War Paint' is redeemed by its packaging, specifically the powerhouse team of Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole.”

“To understand how he won this Rust Belt state by less than 50,000 votes, look at Sweat, the timeliest and most dynamic play to hit Broadway this season.”

“Admittedly, I suspect the crowds may still eat up this misbegotten musical, but I found a second helping of this show awfully hard to swallow.”

“What initially seemed to me to be a less-than-necessary revival – this is the show’s third Broadway outing, plus there are two major film versions -- turns out to be required viewing for serious theatergoers.”

“Admittedly, even at the end of this lengthy extravaganza, you may still not really understand what a ‘jellicle cat’ is, but you will be jealous of your friends and neighbors if they get to see this groundbreaking production and you don’t.”

“Yes, the show is still a bit self-serving and the book is riddled with ridiculous omissions, chronological mistakes, and clichéd dialogue that can make you cringe. But if you love the songs that came from this legendary record label, it's all ultimately a bit hard to resist.”

“Lessons of tolerance, redemption, forgiveness, and, most importantly, self-acceptance are smartly delivered here, and no one will walk out as a non-believer. John Doyle’s physically-stripped down and laser-focused production hits you squarely in the heart and soul...”

“The only danger you’ll be in for is having too good a time.”

“Alison Bechdel’s provocative tale has now been translated to the stage in the extremely ambitious, extremely moving musical 'Fun Home.”

“Its inventiveness is practically unparalleled.”

“Even with a few missteps though, this production is worth every second of your time, if just to take in the glorious songs.”

“Casey Nicholaw pulls out every trick in the theatrical book to keep you from laughing so hard and smiling so much”

“Their sparring match is at the true heart of any production of this show, and it’s a little bit of a rocky fight for a while…But somewhere in the second act, as their characters’ hearts begin to melt for each other – and so do ours - these performers simply sail into the theatrical stratosphere…If you’re not sniffling a little at the final curt...”

“He beautifully captures the soul of this tortured man, drawn at times by both love (for music and for star pupil Christine Daae) and hate (for injustice and stupidity) to take often monstrous action.”

“Unfortunately, Laurence Connor and James Powell’s production can’t hold a candle to the musical’s first Broadway incarnation, both literally (due to Paule Constable’s severely dim lighting and Matt Kinley’s drab, turntable-less scenic design) and figuratively.”

“It may not be completely out of this world, but it will absolutely lift your spirits.”

“Beautiful, now at the Theatre, takes the early life story – and music – of the legendary singer-songwriter Carole King to create one of the most entertaining Broadway shows in years.”

“Watching Catherine grow in resolve and self-esteem — and seeing Chastain magnificently command the stage while doing so — is perhaps the greatest pleasure of this production.”

“Sadly, it’s not, but it’s a mostly enjoyable outing thanks largely to Swenson’s impeccable characterization and the songwriter’s enduring brilliance.”

“But sadly, those who favor form over substance will miss out on the singular brilliance of this unusual piece.”

“Indeed, for all of its considerable entertainment value, ‘A Wonderful World’ makes it hard for us to fully invest in Armstrong and the many people in his life.”

“You will experience scenes so funny you might fall out of your chair.”

“Not only is the script too cinematic in nature to work well on stage, but Crowe also simply fails to understand that great theater is about story, not atmosphere.”

“If there was a ‘blue book’ for plays, as there are for coins, I suspect one would see quite a drop in value for ‘American Buffalo’ since its premiere.”

“It’s just one of many exchanges in this taut, ripped-from-the headlines drama (set in June of the following year) that underlines both the power of this 85-minute script, as well as its slightly unfortunate heavy-handedness.”

“Far from a period piece, it feels sadly all too timely in the Age of Trump, reminding us keenly of the dangers of personal prejudices and political intolerance.”

“It may be --along with Paulson’s performance -- what haunts you long after the curtain comes down.”

“It’s putting together the perfect cast that is the true art of making ‘Art’ work.”

“If you’re smart, prepare for ‘Future’ imperfect and you’ll have a good enough time.”

“Nor can the musical’s first-rate stars, Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett, rescue a vehicle as ill-fated as the Titanic.”

“Thankfully, the work could have no better driver than the amazing Henderson, who is in full control of every twist and turn.”

“While the play often feels half-baked, the gifted thespians onstage make traveling the circuitous path of ‘Birthday Candles’ seem like a piece of cake!”

“Others may want to shuffle off to another this season’s many new Broadway offerings.”