Scheckontheater

“That this level of writing talent--not to mention an estimable cast of many comedic pros--could produce such a lethargic, laugh-free evening is a mystery and a tremendous disappointment.”

“Bassett is even better, stealing the show with her wildly raucous and earthy portrayal that fully mines her character’s humorous and otherworldly qualities.”

“Theatre Company is presenting a cannily timed revival of this largely forgotten work—a flop in its original 1963. London and Broadway productions—that offers a juicy star turn for Frank Langella. The 73-year-old delivers a mesmerizing performance as Gregor Antonescu, a Romanian financier whose fraudulent empire is on the verge of collapsing.”

“But by the end of this powerful and gorgeous new Follies, all doubts have been removed.”

“Daly delivers a commanding performance that is a master class all by itself.”

“The People in the Picture is an ambitious and well-meaning show, to be sure.”

“A semi-fictionalized account of the beginning of the AIDS crisis and the efforts of a group of dedicated activists to spur the city and country into action, this work, first seen in 1985 in a landmark production at the Public Theater, is relentlessly gripping and moving.”

“But this overly muted rendition, while occasionally displaying moments of stunning theatricality, provides little of the sugar that would help its medicine go down.”

“The production never quite crackles, with the actors delivering their comic banter in far too ponderous fashion.”

“Considering his brilliant comic turn earlier this season in the revival of La Bete and now his titanic performance in Jez Butterworth’s new play Jerusalem at the same theater, we might as well engrave actor Mark Rylance’s Tony Award right now.”

“There’s fun, if not musical comedy heaven, to be found in Sister Act, the new Broadway musical adaptation of the hit 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg. Featuring plenty of talent both on and off stage, the show boasts some terrific performances, an engaging ‘70s era-style soul-flavored score, and a few raucous laughs.”

“Despite its manipulative aspects, the play is nonetheless reasonably compelling due to the inherent emotional power of its subject matter.”

“Needless to say, the story ends happily, except for the hapless audience members who’ve had to endure the witless proceedings.”

“Such sequences as when the British officer is literally blown off his steed by a flying projectile and another in which Joey is confronted by a menacing tank are staged with a nightmarish intensity.”

“There's so much that works about Catch Me if You Can that it's easy to overlook what doesn't.”

“Not everyone in the large supporting cast is up to her level.”

“The immediate question, of course, is whether Radcliffe is up to the demands of his leading musical comedy role. The answer is a qualified yes. The young actor has clearly worked hard, very hard, and while his singing is merely pleasant at best, he displays a very likeable and charming stage presence as J.”

“But the overlong evening begins to wear thin over the course of its two-and-a-half hours.”