John Simon

“One can see where the $14 million went, though one cannot applaud their sense of direction.”

“Add dramatic lighting by Kenneth Posner and jolly wigs, dances and scuffles, and credit Sullivan’s engaging conception of the play.”

“About the kindest thing one can say is: It is at least a harmless kind of idiocy.”

“But the chief culprits are Lane’s scattershot book and Yazbek’s ho-hum songs, not one of them memorable.”

“With three great actors -- Vanessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines -- at their apogee, the enchanting revival of ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ is the best theater can be.”

“‘Lombardi’ never quite achieves the greatness of the coach’s briefly invincible team.”

“What is sorely lacking is a plot or character development, and certainly affection for the hapless actors which might enlist our empathy.”

“On second viewing, I found the play even more satisfying.”

“The result is a hash that neither honors the original nor justifies spoofing it at such length.”

“It is more than serendipitous when the newcomers surpass their predecessors.”

“Problems, like promises, abound. First, adultery seems very nearly to have exhausted its talent to titillate.”

“The amplification to arena volume shoehorned into a mere Broadway theater treats one’s eardrums as percussion instruments.”

“Avoid setting foot in ``Almost Heaven''; it is absolute hell.”

“Out of this curious quartet, Auburn creates emotionally and intellectually enveloping music.”

“You will be bombarded by some of the most beautiful and spectacular sights theater can offer from before and behind, so eyes in the back of the head will come in handy.”

“Fonda fans, of whom I am one, will not be disappointed, though they may be surprised.”

“Billy Elliot' really does have something for everyone, and that something is, gloriously, art.”

“Prebble's writing and the production dreamed up by director Rupert Goold are stunning enough to provide steady wonder, involvement and delight.”

“‘Everyday Rapture’ both is and isn't a show.”

“Denzel Washington is showing us why with a commanding performance in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's 1987 'Fences.'”

“The play suffers from three major ailments: pretentiousness, trickery and triviality.”

“But reality is not the issue here; rather, it is fantasy, music, singing and dancing, and some salty dialogue, as well as flawless production values and performance.”

“Ken Ludwig’s quarter-century old ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ is revived on Broadway with a deft cast including Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia and Jan Maxwell, under the direction of that expert comedian Stanley Tucci. And as before, it entertains.”

“Maria Aitken has decently directed a highly competent cast, all of them, however, suffering from not enough to work with.”

“Sheryl Kaller’s direction is savvy enough, as are Jess Goldstein’s costumes. Wilson Chin’s set design contends valiantly with the frequent changes of locale, and the acting is mostly good. Only Adam’s intended charm seems to me undercut by Patrick Breen’s machine-gun delivery and cadaverous looks.”

“‘Red’ is a compelling example of how a thinking theater can simultaneously entertain and educate.”

“For the first time, we are asked to review Noise... noise encroached on by a smattering of unmusical music, stultifying lyrics, banal dialogue and a story that carries triviality to new heights, or lows.”

“They are pretty shoddy, preposterous twists, too costly even gratis.”