Elyse Sommer

“Therefore, while she does keep us engaged throughout, eventually this did feel somewhat more like an audio book delivered live than a completely satisfying Broadway play.”

“Clever as it all is, when it comes down to the not to be missed factor: The play itself, not so much.”

“It would be nice to see these linked monologues by Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge in an intimate setting.”

“I'm happy to report that all the changes accomplished something of a miracle.”

“And yet Ink , which has just opened at Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, is indeed one of the most entertaining and fun to watch plays that London has sent our way.”

“The Prom certainly delivers all these Nicholaw trademark elements.”

“'The Nap' isn't likely to have you napping even though it probably won't make it to the top of your list of really great, long remembered comedies.”

“Despite this A-Class production...somehow lacks a really knock-out satiric punch.”

“This latest revival is a not to be missed opportunity to see an indestructible classic from the Golden Age of Musicals, whether for the first or umpteenth time.”

“The stagecraft is astonishing...Jamie Harrison's illusions are breathtaking...The play is long but never boring.”

“This new-old Carousel remains a feast for the eyes and ears.”

“Besides the peppy triple-threat cast, Nicholaw has an outstanding team of backstage wizards to help him turn Fey's pre-internet dominated high school movie into an eye-popping, constantly shifting visual spectacle...A comfortingly familiar story...”

“Lithgow is charming and a physically as well as vocally masterful storyteller...But whether two recreated remembrances of stories his father told to him at his siblings when they were young, is really a theatrical outing worth the high price of admission depends on whether you share Lithgow's enthusiasm for this type of storytelling...”

“But with all due respect to the actors, the script's abundance of jokes and clever twists and turns, even with Beethoven several times accompanied by Ms. Benanti's sexy dancing, can't compensate for the lack of real sizzle and sophistication — and, most importantly, a meaningful, coherent theme.”

“The Band's Visit on Broadway is still a charmer.”

“Ultimately, the numerous other highs and polished staging can't avoid a mishmash feel to the show as a whole.”

“Moore's solo is an impressively well-structured script, an assured performance that, thanks to another Michael, director Michael Mayer, is presented with enough Broadway-ish theatricality to keep the rest of the theater's seats filled throughout its run.”

“A Doll House, Part 2 is welcome proof that there are still playwrights turning out work that can make the playgoing experience great again.”

“What's more the play is more relevant and timely than ever.”

“The reason to go to the St. James Theater is to escape from reality for a few hours and enjoy a significantly stylish but thematically insignificant farce”

“Unfortunately, there are more than a few things missing in terms of Away's qualifying as a Class A musical.”

“Finn's sung-through score is lyrical and sophisticated, full of intricate multiple harmonies. The lyrics are an organic blend of heart-tugging emotion and sophistication, and thanks to the small cast and orchestra achieve the clarity of conversations...”

“No doubt the success of the 2014 revival of 'Cats' in London encouraged the producers to bring it back to New York. And wisely, they've done so with a new cast of top to bottom standouts and vital and fresh choreography that retained the feeling of the original. This does indeed boost the show's strong points...”

“Happily, that was the case with my latest visit with the Tyrones at the Roundabout's Theater.”

“If you appreciate what a masterful actor can do with a difficult part, you won't want to miss The Father because Langella is on stage for most of its 90 minutes.”

“Now this unique packaging of a more than hundred-year-old play as a rock popera has returned to Broadway, proving once again that if the music is appealing enough and the story's themes enduring, directorial brilliance and originality can strike more than once.”

“David's less original and nuanced play will keep the cash registers ringing as long as he's on stage to dish up the gags.”

“It's real weak spot is the music which is not helped by Wayne Cliento's standard issue choreography.”

“The ultimate fringe success continues to delight audiences even though, after three years, some of the original cast members have inevitably moved on.”

“Elegance -- and eloquence -- also describe the production as a whole.”

“The sum total of its parts equals a thrilling theatrical experience.”

“It is a gorgeous spectacle that nevertheless manages a look of simplicity.”

“It remains a heartening experience, a life-affirming dedication to the magic and art of theatre, and something that absolutely should not be missed.”

“The Broadway-ish production values didn't make up for it seeming a bit worn and unnecessary —especially since the excellent film was still available (and is to this day).”

“Van Hove has directed a classy cast to make the Carbone family and other key characters come to vivid and believable life…Mark Strong's Eddie is the magnetic centerpiece…A visually and aurally elegant production...”

“Though it does have its joyous and fun moments, Allegiance is not a forget-your-troubles song and dance show.”

“The slowly uncovered revelations are at times too heavy handed to avoid a sense of authorial contrivance, especially Kendra's lengthy monologue about the dreams that have reactivated her feelings of victimhood.”

“And the dancing in this new An American in Paris is sublime.”

“Whether you see each part on separate evenings or all in one day, as I did, the hours spent with this Angels in America provide the most satisfyingly grand theatrical outing currently on any New York stage.”

“Teresa Rebeck's new play now getting a classy premiere production at the Roundabout's Theatre captures the star power of both its main character and her interpreter.”

“What Martin and Brickell have concocted for Bright Star is unlikely to become part of the canon of ground breaking musicals with memorably meaningful stories and lyrics.”

“So why bother to write a play for him?”

“McCraney outstanding writing skills and the clever use of that chorus make Choir Boy a most welcome and original addition to Broadway.”

“Ben Platt who was such a terrific Evan last spring is even better.”

“That said, Danny Burstein is probably the best milkman I've ever seen and this production is quite special.”

“There's no question that it's got a Broadway worthy cast and production. Shepard's view of the American family for maximum humor, physicality, and sadness holds up remarkably well...The 75-minutes bristle with symbolism, physicality and suspense.”

“Mr. Ferguson gives a more diverse and warm performance than Benjamin Walker.”

“Not an easy story to translate into a musical.”

“Gettin' the Band Together feels remarkably unoriginal.”

“The result is one of the most elaborately staged jukebox musicals you're likely to ever have seen.”

“If Mary Louise Parker's Georgie had asked me as well as Denis Arndt's Alex whether I found her exhausting but captivating, my answer would have been a resounding yes.”

“Well, what was unwarranted was my skepticism.”

“That means the farm becomes a hostelry that's only open for holidays when it also offers fabulous holiday themed shows.”

“But the novelty of vocally supplied accompaniment to the songs comes with its own shortcomings.”

“This unusual play about a play with its rich musical interludes has made a successful move to Broadway's Cort Theater with its very fine original creative team and cast on board.”

“Bravo to Manhattan Theatre Club for finally giving Jitney the production it deserves: In a Broadway house, with a director and actors attuned to the richness and authenticity of the late August Wilson's characters and the poetry in the straight from the street monologues and conversations.”

“Thanks to the smart script and staging, the result is top to bottom excellence for the small as well as major role players.”

“I can assure all my readers that it's an absorbing, potent drama for anyone — American or British — who appreciates original playwriting, superb acting and exciting staging.”

“But while Kong doesn't sing (unless you count mighty grunts scary roars) or dance, the Beast definitely steals the show from our Beauty.”

“Terrifically performed and staged as this revival is, the kids are more than likely to now see that there is indeed something quite ‘wunderbar’ about this show.”

“This is not a cheaper, scaled down road show but a stunning, innovative spectacle.”

“The few somewhat too long and obviously geared to making a point scenes are hardly cause enough to keep you from seeing this enjoyable stylishly staged revival.”

“Even if it doesn't add up to quite the Wow you saw or heard about, you'll find it to still be an intriguingly unusual and enormously theatrical story.”

“Even if all the comic business still landed throughout instead of rather sporadically, it's not as a comedy that Marvin's Room survives but as a very human look at life, love and death.”

“The resulting part thriller, part comic parody has just one or two really tense scenes but it's amusing to have you giggling at even Annie's most bizarre actions.”

“Judging from the packed theater, it might well sing Claude-Michel Schönberg's soaring melodies and wow audiences with its spectacular staging for another decade.”

“Groban is defintely a great addition to the Broadway theater.”

“It took a member of ever more prominent and lauded school of auteur directing — immersive staging, contemporary settings, innovative casting, use of video — to give us a so drastically re-envisioned Oklahoma! that it almost feels more like a new show than a revival.”

“Just count on having a fine time.”

“The fans who are the core audience to fill the giant Marquis Theater will thrill to the vibrantly staged songs they know and love and the Latino empowerment elements of Alexander Dinelaris's book.”

“The very welcome re-opening, with its cast intact, makes it a deserving and likely candidate for the Best Play Tony award.”

“This Pretty Woman being a musical, it's blessed to have Jerry Mitchell as director/choreographer to enliven this less than inventive adaptation and the energetic but more recording hits than story furthering songs by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance.”

“For anyone who appreciates delicacy, charm and intimacy in their musicals rather than the big, high-kicking, and splashy kind, there's nothing to beat She Loves Me .”

“Harmon once again proved himself to be a wonderful wordsmith and astute chronicler of the quandaries faced by the contemporary young adults.”

“As staged and performed this time around it's a most entertaining and enjoyable game that deserves a place on your not to be missed list.”

“In a season awash with musicals that are either revivals or adaptations of movies, Something Rotten! is that something new we've all been looking for.”

“Of course it's Helen Mirren's brilliant portrayal of Elizabeth II from age twenty-five to her eighties makes you hail this monarch and all the Prime Ministers with whom she has weekly briefing meetings or audiences.”

“Maybe the only one who could really make Cher's story soar would be the ageless ‘goddess’ herself.”

“The Children is indeed to be savored for its fine writing, direction, and acting.”

“The international cast of director Ivo van Hove's stunning new production underscores the fallout and suffering caused by narrow-minded, punitive group-think world-wide — and does so without obvious contemporary references to cheapen and diminish the viewer's own emotional response.”

“Unquestionably, it IS different from anything now on Broadway — the show most likely to be the season's must-see if you want to be part of any conversation among theater goers who pride themselves on being adventurous and committed to supporting theatrical innovation.”

“If ever the word ‘epic’ is fitting rather than an over-used clich, Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman is it.”

“Mr. O'Brien gives everyone a chance to have a standout moment or so. However, it's not until Nathan Lane's Editor Burns finally plants himself center stage that this production bursts into full-blown laugh-aloud mode...”

“And no sooner does the scrim curtain rise on the cluttered, unused porch of the Bentley Old Folks residence than you know you're in fine hands.”

“I don't see any Tonys on the horizon this time.”

“Now that I've had a chance to revisit Karam's family drama at the Helen Hayes, I'm pleased to report that it does indeed offer a satisfying hour and a half in the theater.”

“I don't think you'll be disappointed if you choose to see the Nixon-as-Regina . . .Foxes.”

“While Thurman fans and all eager to applaud any send-up of the current political Zeitgeist will probably keep the huge Hudson Theater's seats filled even without it receiving critical nods as a great play.”

“Blanchett and Roxburgh are electrifying...A well-paced three hours to be savored for the fine performances and interesting hints of themes to come.”

“If anything, the secrets, regrets and choices of this family drama have a more universal hit-home appeal than ever.”

“Her portrayal of Gladys — as she was, as she is now, and as she's is about to be — is nothing short of perfection.”

“It's a pleasure to have Jackson back on Broadway, memorably tackling this equally difficult role's enormous physical and verbal demands...”

“His script is so smartly written and chockablock with really funny one-liners that this Tootsie almost feels like a brand new show even though its plot still revolves around the basic conceit of an unemployed actor donning a wig, dress and earrings to be cast in a female role.”

“If I had to name the liveliest, most inventive and well worth seeing plays of the current Theater season, the revival of Stoppard's 1975 absurdist comedy, 'Travesties' would make my top three...This play's magnificent inventiveness can draw in someone who doesn't really understand it enough to love it...”

“Unfortunately, that rather touching finale comes too late to save this musicalized, fact-based feud from being a rather hum-drum addition to the current line-up of new Broadway musicals.”