The world premiere season of “The Truth Quotient,” written by Richard Manley, directed by Eric Parness for Resonance Ensemble, and playing at The Beckett Theater at Theater Row, is sure to be a success. A spinoff of Karel Capk’s 1922 Broadway drama “R.U.R,” “The Truth Quotient” raises a slew of questions regarding the nature and importance of truth, love, reality, and humanity, challenging its audience to consider a world in which we could pay for artificial company in the appearance of human loved ones who have passed us by.
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1 Comment | Posted on January 11, 2013 | Categories: Art, From the Blog
tags: Arts on a Budget, nyc, Renny Grinshpan, The Beckett Theater, theater
Conceived by Julia Jordan with music and lyrics by Juliana Nash, Murder Ballad tells (or sings) the story of a passionate love triangle gone fatal. With our dear city as the backdrop, the play begins with Sara, (Karen Olivo, known for her role as Vanessa in “In the Heights”) breaking up with Tom (Will Swenson) after years of dating. She rebounds by marrying Michael (John Ellison Conlee) and, quickly thereafter, has his child. A couple years go by and the child goes off to school. With Michael at work, Sara is left to reflect on her past with Tom, and even arrange to meet with him to settle her thoughts. One thing leads to another, and a full-blown affair ensues. I won’t divulge any more of the plot, other than to say that things get heated, hearts get broken, and yes – as the title of the show indicates – someone is murdered.
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No Comments | Posted on November 22, 2012 | Categories: Art, Entertainment, From the Blog, Theater
tags: manhattan theatre club, murder ballad, plays, Renny Grinshpan, theater
‘Idiotic floozy’ was the first description that the character of Jane in Sean Baker’s Starlet brought to mind. Jane, played by Dree Hemingway, is a frustrating young Floridian recently re-located to California. Dree has moved in with her friend Melissa, reminiscent of Snooki, and Melissa’s obnoxious boyfriend Mikey.
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No Comments | Posted on October 25, 2012 | Categories: From the Blog
tags: cinema, coming soon, Film review, jullianne adams, movies, new releases, nyc, startlet, theater
It’s hot this week. Very hot. When I woke up yesterday morning, I knew the day’s mission: find a way to cool off. That’s not too hard to do in New York. Most venues are air-conditioned, you can hear the ice cream truck singing in almost any neighborhood, and frozen margaritas seem to be a la mode at happy hours. But those are the more obvious choices for the dog days of summer; there’s much more to do in the city. What did I do? I spent the night along the Great White Way. Broadway, that is! Read the complete post »
No Comments | Posted on June 21, 2012 | Categories: Attractions, Entertainment, From the Blog, Nightlife, Only in New York, Theater
tags: Broadway, Hannah Kloepfer, theater
Image courtesy of Hollywood Reporter
Needless to say, the Twizzlers went back in by bag when I realized that “B” meant I had a second row seat at the BAM Harvey Theater. This wasn’t the mezzanine – this was the real deal. I was about to experience Kevin Spacey (American Beauty; LA Confidential) breathing on me during Richard III. Now, everyone who knows me also knows I love Shakespeare. I’m no connoisseur, but I sure know my trochaic feet from my pyrrhic ones. So, when I sat myself down in aisle B and prepared for Richard III, I was stoked.
The last time I saw a Shakespeare play at BAM was in 2008. Patrick Stewart had the title role in Macbeth. Director Declan Donnellan chose to set the play in utilitarian Russia. From a tonal point of view, the Russian aspect entertains the sense of bleakness that prevails in Macbeth. Yet, to be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the production. Macbeth is also an exercise in lust for power. Its main strength is derived from the characters’ strongest desires for the throne.
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2 Comments | Posted on March 1, 2012 | Categories: Entertainment, From the Blog, Theater
tags: Brianna Clark, Kevin Spacey, Richard III, shakespeare, theater
A snapshot from Once, courtesy of broadway.com
Opening this Month:
Once opens March 18th at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Directed by John Tiffany and based on the hit independent movie, Once is a play about an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant that are quickly drawn together into a complicated love affair.
Performances: Tues – Thurs at 7pm, Wed & Sat at 2pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sun at 3pm
Address: Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 252 West 45th Street
Death of a Salesman: The masterpiece by Arthur Miller, begins performances March 15th starring the wonderfully talented Philip Seymour Hoffman. Make sure you don’t miss this wonderful play, directed by Mike Nichols, about the pressures and delusions of the American Dream.
Performances: Mon-Sat at 8pm, Sat at 2pm
Address: Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 West 47th Street
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No Comments | Posted on February 23, 2012 | Categories: Entertainment, From the Blog
tags: Simone Marie Martelle, theater, Theater Forecast
Image c/o The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Facebook page
INY Theatre: December Forecast
With the holidays just around the corner, what better time of year than to go see a show on a New York City Stage? Don’t know which one to see? Here are some brand new shows that will be opening this month:
Broadway:
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess is a classic known for its unforgettable song “Summertime”. Now starting previews December 17th, the classic has been re-imagined by director Diane Paulus, musician Dierdre Murray and playwright Suzan-Lori Parks for its Broadway return. Starring 4-time TONY winner Audra McDonald, this musical tells the story of the crippled Porgy and his love for Bess, leading him to a dangerous confrontation with her boyfriend.
Performances: Tues at 7pm, Wed-Sat at 8pm, Wed – Sat at 2pm, Sun at 3pm
Runtime: 2hrs 30mins
Address: Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 West 46th Street
Website: http://www.porgyandbessonbroadway.com
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, featuring the songs “Come Back to Me” and “She Isn’t You”, is a re-imagined version of the 1965 stage musical and 1970 film (with Barbra Streisand). It opens December 11th. After putting his female patient under hypnosis, a psychiatrist (played by Harry Connick, Jr.) discovers the patient’s previous life and falls in love with her.
Performances: Tues-Fri at 8pm, Sat at 2pm & 8pm, Sun at 3pm
Runtime: 2hrs 15 mins, with 15 minute intermission
Address: St. James Theatre, 246 West 44th Street
Website: http://onacleardaybroadway.com/
Off-Broadway:
Maple and Wine, a comedy by Jordan Harrison, will open for its New York premiere on December 7th. Katha and Ryu decide to forsake their modern 21st-century life and move to a community of 1950s re-enactors.
Performances: Tues at 7pm, Wed-Fri at 8pm, Sat 2:30pm & 8pm, Sun 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Address: Playwrights Horizons/Mainstage Theater, 416 West 42nd Street
Website: http://playwrightshorizons.org/current_season.asp
Closing this Month:
The Addams Family, the one and only creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky musical will be closing on December 31st, so hurry down to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and buy a ticket before it’s too late!
Performances: Tues at 7pm, Wed-Sat at 8pm, Wed & Sat at 2pm, Sun at 3pm
Address: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street
Website: http://www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com/
-Simone Marie Martelle
No Comments | Posted on December 3, 2011 | Categories: Entertainment, From the Blog
tags: Simone Marie Martelle, theater, Theater Forecast
With red lights marking the entrance, the Peoples Improv Theater and school entices passersby like myself to come inside for a night of fun and laughs. The red and black theme continued indoors from the overhead clock between two chalkboards behind the bar, to the staff uniforms and general décor down to the bowed red statue of a friendly, grinning man next to the box office by the door. Since I arrived early for the first show of the evening, I had plenty of time to admire the setup of the combined coffee shop and bar in the lobby. The bar serves five-dollar beers and six-dollar wine as well as espressos and other drinks with sandwiches, hotdogs, pastries and snacks. While comfortably roomy early on, expect the place to become increasingly crowded as the night wears on.
As the crowd gathered by the bar, I made a discreet escape to the less crowded inner hallway to mingle and chat over the pictures of past celeb visitors like Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell lining the walls. After a few more minutes we were led into the main theater to take our seats. While small as expected of a blackbox theater, there was room enough to seat around sixty people and every seat filled up quickly. The seats were stiff but I soon forgot that as I watched PIT students take over the stage with their quick thinking and ready wit to enact scenes on the fly given to them through audience suggestions. Each show begins and ends with a small talk back with the performers that added to the interactive nature of the shows, along with the occasional breaking of the fourth wall during performances. The ultimate interactive feature of the night starts with the final show Improdome, the free Improv jam where you can join in with students, faculty or other audience members.
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No Comments | Posted on November 14, 2011 | Categories: From the Blog
tags: acting classes, Comedy, Improv, Kimberly Hernandez, theater
The New-York Historical Society Re-opens Friday!
Thursday, November 10
Thursday Night Out at the Magnet Theater
Come enjoy four comedy shows, free pizza, and $2 beers! Featuring amix of improv veterans and new talent.
7 pm, The Magnet Theater 254 W 29th St at 8th Ave,1 to 28th St. Tickets $5
New York Comedy Festival
The New York Comedy Festival is already underway, so be sure to catch performances all around the city by Tracy Jordan, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, Ricky Gervais, Louis C.K. and more!
See website for complete schedule. Wed, 11/9-Sun, 11/13. $20-$100
The 14th Annual New York Chocolate Show
You (hopefully) had a taste of chocolate during October’s Chocolate Weekend, now get ready for the world’s largest event dedicated to chocolate. More than 65 chocolate companies from around the world gather to share trade secrets, demonstrate recipes, and ruin (read: enhance) your diet.
The Metropolitan Pavilion. 125 W 18th St Suite #804 (btwn 6th and 7th Ave). (212) 463-0200. Thurs, 11/10-Sat 11/12: 10AM-7PM; Sun, 11/13: 10AM-6PM. 1 to 18th St. Tickets: $30-40.
Friday, November 11
Re-opening of the New-York Historical Society
After their huge renovation project, the N-YHS is reopening, and is better than ever! Check out their website for tons of fantastic events this weekend like late night champagne , evening trivia, a mystery scavenger hunt, and much more!
170 Central Park West. A,B,C to 81st or 86th St, 1, 2 to 79th St.
Pavilion of Art and Design (PAD)
This inaugural fair, building on the tradition of PAD fairs in London and Paris, brings together 49 international galleries. There will be modern art, design, decorative arts, jewelry and tribal art from the1890’s to today all on display. Even if you’re not a collector you can still feel classy strolling through what the international Herald Tribune called “the most intelligently conceived selling show in the Western world.”
Friday November 11 – Monday November 14th 11 am – 8 pm, Park Avenue Armory at 67th St. 4. 6 to 68th St/Hunter College.
Martha Wainwright with Alexa Wilding Residency at City Winery
This soulful songstress recently released an album of live Edith Piaf covers. An evening of wine coupled with her sultry voice is sure to be a relaxing way to end to your week. If you’re busy this Friday, you can catch Martha again on the 21st with Nath Ann Carrera.
City Winery. 155 Varick St (at Spring St). (212) 608-0555. Fri, 11/11, 6PM seating, 8PM show. A/C/E to Spring St. Tickets: $22-28.
Saturday, November 12
The Quidditch World Cup on Randall’s Island!
Harry Potter fans and seasoned athletes unite for the sports event of the season, featuring 100 teams playing everyone’s favorite magical sport. Check out our interview with Alex Benepe, Quidditch Commissioner! The Huffington Post gives you 10 reasons to go!
Sat-Sun at Randall’s Island. Tickets start at $5.00!
Sunday, November 13
Diego Rivera Murals
In 1931, MoMa brought Rivera to New York city and gave him studio space for six weeks. He worked around the clock and created five murals, later adding three more. This show will include these murals which have not been displayed for over 80 years as well as full scale drawings, smaller working drawings, and archival material. The show, focusing on Rivera’s work in New York City, offers a look at the intersection of art and radical politics in the 1930’s.
November 13- May 14th, MoMA 11 West 53rd st (btw 5th and 6th ave) E.M to 5th Ave – 53 st, B.D.F.M to 47-50 sts.
The Poetry Society of New York Launch Party
The Poetry Society of New York producers of The Poetry Brothel and the New York Poetry Festival, is celebrating the release of a series of new books by their publishing house with a series of performances, art installations, and dancing!
10 pm, Le Poisson Rouge 158 Bleeker st (btw Thompson st and Sullivan st) 1.2 to Houston st, A.B.C.D.E.F.M to W 4 st. $10 cover.
No Comments | Posted on November 10, 2011 | Categories: Entertainment, Event-Related, From the Blog, Weekend Forecast
tags: art, beer, chocolate, Comedy, history, music, Quidditch, theater, weekend
Photo c/o Bonnie & Clyde official website
Navigating the New York theater scene needn’t be scary. In this monthly column, Simone Marie Martelle guides us through Broadway’s best bets. (And off-Broadway. And off-off-off Broadway…)
Opening this Month:
Another month of new plays opening in New York! If have the time (and money), make sure you see these exciting new plays:
Private Lives, a beautiful play written by Noël Coward, opened on Broadway November 6th at the Music Box Theatre on 45th Street. Amanda, played by Sex and the City’s Kim Cattral, and Elyott (Paul Gross), meet again in the French Riviera while honeymooning with their new spouses. Passions are rekindled as both realize they are still in love with each other and they quickly elope to Paris, hoping that this time, they can make it work.
Performances: Tues 7pm, Wed-Sat 8pm, Wed & Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm
Runtime: 2 hours and 15 mins (with 15 min intermission)
Address: Music Box Theatre, 239 West 45th Street
Website: http://www.privatelivesbroadway.com/
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1 Comment | Posted on November 6, 2011 | Categories: Entertainment, From the Blog, Native's Pick
tags: Broadway, Inside New York Theater, Simone Marie Martelle, theater, Theater Forecast, Tickets
