In the 1800s being gay was a death sentence, let alone entertaining the prospect of an interracial relationship. Another widely known, controversial part of American history was unfolding during this time: slavery and the concept of “owning” people. Unearthing a unique story funneled through the filter of a folktale, Midnight might feel a little Hadestown, … Continue reading Theater Review: Midnight
Theater Review: Good Time Charlie
As a gay movie and theatre obsessive, I’m not sure any recent show I’ve seen has quite checked all my boxes like Good Time Charlie. This autobiographical deep dive from playwright and lead star Ryan J. Haddad comes from a specifically queer perspective, one fully grounded in the reality of a young male living with … Continue reading Theater Review: Good Time Charlie
Theater Review: School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play
Going into School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, my expectations were admittedly low. How would a play that never leaves one location manage to maintain a consistency throughout, establish concise character arcs, and somehow make cultural specificity a colorful delight? Structured around a Miss Ghana pageant audition, this unique show from Tony Award-nominated … Continue reading Theater Review: School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play
Theater Review: Oh, Mary!
Welcome to the Thunderfuck Administration! Oh, Mary! is a farcical delight that revels in the incredible comic timing of underrated drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck. The play is brilliantly written and constructed, building towards gradual payoffs that are extremely satisfying to watch unfold. Additionally, the entire ensemble contributes to the greater whole, becoming a cohesive unit … Continue reading Theater Review: Oh, Mary!
Theater Review: Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
Despite having numerous accolades and many Tony nominations, my interest was not quite piqued for rom-com musical Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York. How good could a two-hander show really be, especially considering the breadth of other productions currently on Broadway? I have never been so relieved to be completely off base. This … Continue reading Theater Review: Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
Theater Review: Paranormal Activity
The first time watching Paranormal Activity in a sold out theater crowd nearly twenty years ago was an experience unlike any other. That found-footage phenomenon took the world by storm in an unprecedented crowd-funding tactic where you had to “demand” the movie to play at a theater near you. The $15,000 budgeted horror would go … Continue reading Theater Review: Paranormal Activity
Theater Review: The Real Ivanov
As my first ever brush with Chekhov, The Real Ivanoff, now in performances off Broadway, was quite the eye-opener. This ensemble-driven piece centers on a depressed writer named Ivanoff, played by the very talented Sam Underwood. As we follow his complicated character and his many connections, the play centers on moral quandaries and emotional highs … Continue reading Theater Review: The Real Ivanov
Theater Review: Music City
An immersive musical fueled by dozens of country music hits set at a near-perfect replica of a Nashville dive bar? On paper, Music City simply sounds like a show that would not be my cup of tea. Country is one of the very last music genres I would ever gravitate towards, and thus, I did … Continue reading Theater Review: Music City
Theater Review: Label•less
What does it mean to be human? What does true tolerance towards others and their differences actually look like? Label•less, an Off-Broadway fusion of dance and live performance, explores these questions in a literal sense. The show consists of people from all walks of life giving extended monologues that flesh out their personal struggles. Each … Continue reading Theater Review: Label•less
Theater Review: A Walk on the Moon
Based on the rather obscure 1999 film of the same name, A Walk on the Moon distills the movie’s energy, then recalibrates it into a riveting musical with powerhouse vocals. Its concept seems deceptively small scale: a bored housewife starts a wild affair with a blouse salesman in the heat of summer. Yet, the book … Continue reading Theater Review: A Walk on the Moon