CurtainUp (defunct)

“Most likely van Hove's vision is going to thrill new viewers as much as it may also alienate old fans.”

“Notwithstanding the value of this play's dramatized vision of life for black enlistees before President Truman signed an executive order in 1948 ending segregation in the armed services, it is the play's character-driven plot that keeps us in its thrall from start to finish.”

“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.”

“The overstimulating production doesn’t help center an already wildly unfocused script.”

“But the overstuffed goodies of the performances come with a price.”

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

“Jamie Lloyd directs a compelling, minimalist take on Pinter's play with impressive Broadway debuts by Zawe Ashton, Charlie Cox, and Tom Hiddleston.”

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

“A brightly wrapped, intricately decorated package with little inside.”

“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.”

“To sum up, this is indeed a not to be missed star turn by Jackson, with enough positive assets to overcome the directorial missteps.”

“That said, What the Constitution Means to Me is a compelling exploration of this vital document.”

“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.”

“Shaw's play is more cerebral, depicting lengthy debates and indulging the thought experiment of allowing each character to possess a justified, reasoned perspective, even if one comes into direct conflict with another.”

“Washington makes the sequence intimate, suspenseful, and powerfully poignant.”

“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”

“You can, nevertheless, absolutely expect to laugh, even if perhaps not as often or as hard as that person next to you.”

“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.”

“The true to the novel approach does seem to cause the dialogue to prompt unintended laughs from the audience. Maybe to ease the unrelieved gloominess of the staging and narrative... I've always been a Zola fan, though this story of a seemingly emotionless young woman ready to burst into life has never been my favorite.”

“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.”

“Don't be alarmed if this vicious musical with its vivaciously venomous score catapults you out of the theater on a high and keep you smiling even if it's into a sweltering summer night.”

“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.”

“Kinky Boots has similarly been resuscitated and revitalized into a terrifically entertaining musical with plenty of heart as well as with a plethora of heels by its collaborators.”

“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.”

“Rent , it seems, has grown with age, rather than tarnished.”

“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.”

“Far from light-hearted but deeply felt and spiritedly envisioned, Amazing Grace impressively joins the much heralded Hamilton (still previewing prior to its official opening on Broadway) as another stirring historical period musical adventure.”

“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.”

“Since Bandstand is emotionally complex and largely unsentimental, it's likely to connect with the intellect and the heart of spectators of many, perhaps all, ages.”

“This spirited, sci-fi musical by Joe Iconis (music and lyrics) and Joe Tracz (book) became an internet sensation after its 2015 engagement at Theater of Red Bank, NJ.”

“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.”

“Some transfers from film or book to stage work and some don't.”

“Except for the final scenes, this is a mostly mild-mannered staging of a play that begs for more emotional credibility from the two the leads who lack the spark to make us care.”

“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.”

“He has added just enough more exuberant dancing and production values to make it now the most irresistible musical in town.”

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

“A curious gumbo of music, dance, and storytelling that will undoubtedly bring smiles to some, and shrugs to others...If the story sounds corny, it is. But the cliche gains oomph, thanks to the terrific cast...What makes this piece hum are the songs spiced with island magic...Nolan and Luff are the aces here.”

“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.”

“My major qualm with this production, under the attentive direction of Arin Arbus, is that the play set in front of us is arguably less about Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune than it is about Audra and Michael in the spotlight.”

“This visually rich, wonderfully paced, aurally thrilling production keeps us wide-eyed and on tenterhooks for more than two hours.”

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

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

“Gary is a comic concoction that will hit home with some theatergoers but make many wince, especially at the excessive use of low comedy and bloody stage business.”

“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.”

“When O'Neill once said about the play that it was written more to be read than staged, he might have added ‘and more to be mourned than mounted.’”

“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.”

“Mayer convincingly sells 'Little Shop of Horrors' as a near-perfect piece of musical theater writing.”

“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.”

“One can only hope that she'll return to New York soon in a play that's wonderful throughout and not just in its finale.”

“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.”

“All appear to have their work cut out competing with this production's overwhelming aural and visual effects.”

“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.”

“It is an impressive sight to serve for the beginning of This Island , and it creates a bit of timely realism for the 1990 musical by the composing team of Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) that is all about survival, magic and believing.”