Author: Valerie Adams Rigsbee
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Reviews for THE COLLABORATION are In…
Sometimes great source material does not make for great art; and The Collaboration’s looks to stand as proof positive. Though the same examination of artists made for a great movie in Basquiat, this play presents caricatures spouting viewpoints and leaves much to be desired. Jeremy Pope succeeds slightly better at playing Jean-Michel Basquiat than Paul Bettany as Andy Warhol, but even these talented actors can only do so much with a bad script.
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The Reviews for BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY are In…
Stephen Adly Guirgis’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play’s Broadway premiere is a an absolute critical success. Featuring a memorable performance from Stephen McKinley Henderson and an ultra talented supporting cast, Between Riverside and Crazy is character-driven storytelling at its very best. Director Austin Pendleton has created a riveting production that is not to be missed.
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Reviews For AIN’T NO MO’ Are In…
Garnering some of the greatest critical acclaim in recent memory, Jordan E. Cooper’s Ain’t No Mo’ is nothing less than a triumph. Through the use of comedy and biting social commentary, this exemplary cast of six takes audiences on a crazy surprising ride. Fly to the Belasco to catch this one before it closes.
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Reviews for OHIO STATE MURDERS are In…
Ohio State Murders brings together three incredible luminaries: actress Audra McDonald, director Kenny Leon and playwright Adrienne Kennedy and the end result is a wow. Audra is on her way to earning yet another Tony with a subtle, heartbreaking and varied performance of both young and old Suzanne. And Leon handles Kennedy’s complex script with absolute finesse.
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Reviews for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are In…
Jefferson Mays is no stranger to playing multiple characters or one-man shows. Starring as every character in A Christmas Carol, this is a manic production with striking lighting and sound design, and leans into the spookiness of the story. Sometimes the critics got lost in the multiple characters, sometimes in the blurring of the heavy-handed production design, but overall, everyone was grateful to see a vivid new interpretation of this classic show and grateful that Mays was at the center of it all.
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Reviews For MIKE BIRBIGLIA: THE OLD MAN AND THE POOL Are In…
Mike Birbiglia’s latest Broadway show received universal praise. A smart script and talented comedian with full control of the room make for a fun evening of theatre. If you’ve seen a Birbiglia show before, you know just what’s in store, as he relies on much of the same things that have worked for him before; and they work perfectly once again.
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Reviews for WALKING WITH GHOSTS Are In…
Critics ultimately felt Gabriel Byrne’s memoir adaptation of “Walking with Ghosts” to be mediocre. Though the actor is undoubtably talented and watchable, the script felt one-dimensional and like it never quite dove in deep-enough or connected stories to a satisfying level, and that Lonny Price’s hands off direction made for two hours of watching a man whose best work comes from his subtle reactions, simply talk and talk. That said, the man himself is more than engaging, and some of the stories he tells and the way he tells them in the show are indeed wonderful. So if you’re a Gabriel Byrne fan, this show might still satisfy. If not, you might be better served looking elsewhere.
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Reviews for TOPDOG/UNDERDOG are In…
A fantastic revival of Suzan-Lori Parks’ award-winning two-hander, Topdog/Underdog just opened at the Golden Theatre. Press are raving about the superb direction, phenomenal acting or their appreciation for how well this 20 year-old play has stood the test of time.
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Reviews for THE PIANO LESSON are In…
Critical reviews for The Piano Lesson all echo a sentiment of feeling the production nearly nailed it. Though full of strong performances all around, most felt the play was directed a bit unevenly and that design and select moments were pushed just a bit too far. Simpler and subtler moments were praised, like Samuel L. […]
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Reviews for DEATH OF A SALESMAN are In…
A reimagined new revival of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Death of a Salesman opened on Broadway, led by a black Loman family. Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke received high praise for their performances, and the already incredible script enjoyed extra richness because of the focus on the characters’ races. Critics did find the design elements less successful, and certain moments fell flat or were too heavy-handed; however, most found this remounting of a true American classic arresting and effective.
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