GYPSY (2025: Audra McDonald)
January 13, 2025
GYPSY Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Jule Styne Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Directed by George C, Wolfe Starring Audra McDonald and Danny Burstein Majestic
Main Index
LINDA LAVIN — Interview by Frank Evans
December 30, 2024
LINDA LAVIN: She’s Singing! She’s Singing! Come Listen! Interview by Frank Evans [Editor’s note: Back in the early years of Aisle Say, when I still
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
December 29, 2024
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Music by Will Aronson Lyrics by Hue Park Book by Aronson and Park Directed by Michael Arden Starring Darren Criss, Helen J.
A WONDERFUL WORLD: The Louis Armstrong Musical
December 29, 2024
A WONDERFUL WORLD: The Louis Armstrong Musical Book by Aurin Squire Conceived by Andrew Delaplaine and Christopher Renshaw Directed by Christopher Renshaw Featuring James Monroe
DEATH BECOMES HER
December 11, 2024
DEATH BECOMES HER Book by Marco Pennette Music & Lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey Based on the screenplay by Martin Donovan and David
WE ARE YOUR ROBOTS
December 6, 2024
WE ARE YOUR ROBOTS Book and Lyrics by Ethan Lipton Music Composed and Performed by Ethan Lipton, Vito Dieterle, Eben Levy and Ian Riggs Directed
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Arlekin)
December 6, 2024
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE written by William Shakespeare adapted & directed by Igor Golyak for Arlekin Theatre Company at the Classic Stage Company Theatre Reviewed
LEFT ON TENTH
November 3, 2024
LEFT ON TENTH by Delia Ephron Based on Her Memoir Directed by Susan Stroman Starring Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher Official Website Reviewed by David
FRANKLINLAND
November 3, 2024
FRANKLINLAND by Lloyd Suh Directed by Chika Ike Starring Thomas Jay Ryan and Noah Keyishian Ensemble Studio Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer There’s a whole
HOLD ON TO ME DARLING
October 25, 2024
HOLD ON TO ME DARLING by Kenneth Lonergan Directed by Neil Pepe Starring Adam Driver Lucille Lortel Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer Nearly
McNEAL
October 25, 2024
McNEAL by Ayed Akhtar Directed by Bartlet Sher A Production of Lincoln Center Theater at the Vivian Beaumont Starring Robert Downey, Jr. Reviewed by David
FATHERLAND
October 25, 2024
FATHERLAND Conceived and Directed by Stephen Sachs New York City Center Stage II Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer There’s a lot to be said
OUR CLASS (Return Engagement)
October 3, 2024
OUR CLASS by Tadeusz Słobodzianek Adapted by Norman Allen, from a translation by Catherine Grovesnor Directed by Igor Golyak An Arlekin Players Presentation at Classic
CELLINO v BARNES
October 1, 2024
CELLINO v BARNES Written by Mike B. Breen and David Rafailides Directed by Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse Starring Eric William Morris and Noah Weisberg
YELLOW FACE
October 1, 2024
YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang Directed by Leigh Silverman Starring Daniel Dae Kim A Production of the Roundabout Theatre Company Todd Haimes Theatre Reviewed
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (2024)
September 5, 2024
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, Dean Fuller Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Marshall Barer Starring Sutton Foster, Michael Urie
N/A
August 8, 2024
N/A by Mario Correa Starring Holland Taylor and Ana Villafañe Directed by Diane Paulus Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center Official Website Reviewed by David
THE SABBATH GIRL (Musical Version)
August 8, 2024
THE SABBATH GIRL Book by Cary Gitter Based upon his play Lyrics by Cary Gitter and Neil Berg Music by Neil Berg Directed by Joe
KING LEAR via Compagnia de’ Colombari
July 19, 2024
KING LEAR Adapted and Directed by Karin Coonroad A Production of Compagnia de’ Colombari Company Website Show Webpage Recently at LaMama Further Venues TBA Reviewed
THE GREAT GATSBY (Triggering vs Earning – Part 2)
May 11, 2024
THE GREAT GATSBY (Triggering vs Earning—Part 2) Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald Book by Kait Kerrigan Music by Jason Howland Music by
SUFFS (Triggering vs Earning – Part 3)
May 11, 2024
SUFFS (Triggering vs Earning—Part 3) Book, Music and Lyrics by Shaina Taub Directed by Leigh Silverman Music Box Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (Triggering vs Earning – Part 4)
May 11, 2024
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (Triggering vs Earning—Part 4) Book by Rick Elice Music and Lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co. Based on the novel by Sarah Gruen
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
April 12, 2024
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE By Jeffrey Hatcher & Mitch Albom Based on the book by Mitch Albom Directed by Erwin Maas Starring Len Cariou and Christopher
THE NOTEBOOK
April 12, 2024
THE NOTEBOOK Book by Bekah Brunstetter Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks Directed by Michael Greif and Schelle
TEETH
April 12, 2024
TEETH Book and Music by Anna K. Jacobs Book and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson Based on the screenplay by Mitchell Lichtenstein Directed by Sarah
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
March 20, 2024
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by James Lapine Directed and Choreographed by Eamon Foley Axelrod Performing Arts
THE WHITE CHIP
February 26, 2024
THE WHITE CHIP by Sean Daniels Directed by Sheryl Kaller MCC Theater Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer [I wrote most of what follows in 2019,
THE CONNECTOR
February 26, 2024
THE CONNECTOR Book by Jonathan Marc Sherman Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Direction and Concept by Daisy Prince MCC Theater Reviewed by David Spencer
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I COULD DIE
February 26, 2024
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I COULD DIE Written and Performed by Mona Pirnot Directed by Lucas Hnath New York Theatre Workshop Reviewed by David Spencer
THE LIFE AND SLIMES OF MARC SUMMERS
February 26, 2024
THE LIFE AND SLIMES OF MARC SUMMERS Written by Alex Brightman Music by Drew Gasparini Directed by Chad Rabinowitz Starring Marc Summers New World Stages
THE CHRISTINE JORGENSEN SHOW
February 26, 2024
THE CHRISTINE JORGENSEN SHOW By Donald Steven Olson Directed by Michael Barkavia and Zoë Adams Featuribng Jesse James Keitel and Mark Nadler 59E59 Reviewed by David
DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES
February 26, 2024
DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES The Musical Book by Craig Lucas Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel Based on the teleplay and screenplay by JP
SPAMALOT
December 19, 2023
SPAMALOT Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle A new musical (lovingly) ripped off from the motion picture
HARMONY (Broadway Transfer)
December 19, 2023
HARMONY (Broadway Transfer) Book and Lyrics by Bruce Sussman Music by Barry Manilow Directed and Choreographed by Wayne Carlyle Ethel Barrymore Theatre Official Website Reviewed
THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
December 19, 2023
THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA by Tennessee Williams Directed by Emily Mann Pershing Square Signature Center Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer It is high
I NEED THAT
December 15, 2023
I NEED THAT By Theresa Rebeck Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel Starring Danny DeVito A Production of the Roundabout American Airlines Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer
MIND MANGLER
December 15, 2023
MIND MANGLER by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Fields Directed by Hannah Sharkey New World Stages Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer English actor-writer-raconteur Stephen
THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA
December 15, 2023
THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA Book, Music and Lyrics by Michael John La Chiusa Directed and Choreographed by Graciela Daniele A Production of Lincoln Center Theater
SCENE PARTNERS (Vineyard) WAITING FOR GODOT (Polonsky) ARCADIA (Bedlam)
December 15, 2023
SCENE PARTNERS (Vineyard) WAITING FOR GODOT (Polonsky) ARCADIA (Bedlam) Reviewed by David Spencer Here’s a quick overview of some shows that are nearing their run—in some
MONSIEUR CHOPIN
December 15, 2023
MONSIEUR CHOPIN A Play With Music Written by and Starring Hershey Felder Directed by Joel Zwick 59E59 Theatres Reviewed by David Spencer Every one of
LONE STAR
December 15, 2023
LONE STAR by James McClure Directed by Joe Rosario Theatre Row Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer A friend of mine says of productions featuring
PURLIE VICTORIOUS
October 31, 2023
PURLIE VICTORIOUS A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by Ossie Davis Directed by Kenny Leon Starring Leslie Odom, Jr Music Box Theatre Official Website
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE
October 31, 2023
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE Created and Performed by Patrick Page Directed by Simon Godwin DR2 Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer Patrick Page’s
GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!
October 31, 2023
Written by Scott Brown and Anthony King Directed by Alex Timbers Starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells James Earl Jones Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS
October 31, 2023
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen Directed by Gordon Greenberg New World Stages Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer Theatrical
PARTNERSHIP
October 31, 2023
PARTNERSHIP by Elizabeth Baker Directed by Jackson Gay A Production of the Mint Theatre Theatre Row Reviewed by David Spencer Partnership by British dramatist Elizabeth
JOB
October 31, 2023
JOB by Max Wolf Freidlich Directed by Michael Herwitz Closed but of note Webpage at Soho Playhouse Site Reviewed by David Spencer I don’t really
Back To The Future: The Musical
August 25, 2023
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL Book by Bob Gale Music & Lyrics by Alan Silvestri & Glen Ballard Based on the film, screenplay by
The Cottage
August 25, 2023
THE COTTAGE by Sandy Rustin Directed by Jason Alexander Featuring Eric McCormick and Laura Bell Bundy Hayes Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer The
HERE LIES LOVE
August 25, 2023
HERE LIES LOVE Concept, Music and Lyrics by David Byrne Music by Fatboy Slim Additional Music by Tom Gandey & José Luis Pardo Developed and
THE SHARK IS BROKEN
August 25, 2023
THE SHARK IS BROKEN by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon Directed by Guy Masterson Starring Ian Shaw, Alex Brightman and Colin Donnell John Golden Theatre
PART ONE: End-of-22/23-Season Tie-Up
July 15, 2023
PART ONE: End-of-22/23-Season Tie-Up Reviewed by David Spencer This season has been such a personally busy time for me—family stuff (mostly positive, but complex); writing,
PART TWO 23/24 Season Jump Start
July 15, 2023
PART TWO 23/24 Season Jump Start Reviewed by David Spencer Same principle here: I’ll sum up each of the following relatively new offerings by telling
THE LIFE OF PI
April 20, 2023
THE LIFE OF PI Based on the novel by Yann Martel Adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti Direction by Max Webster Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre Official Website Reviewed
SHUCKED
April 20, 2023
SHUCKED Book by Robert Horn Music and Lyrics by Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally Directed by Jack O’Brien Nederlander Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer
A DOLL’S HOUSE
April 20, 2023
A DOLL’S HOUSE by Henril Ibsen A new version by Amy Herzog Directed by Jamie Lloyd Starring Jessica Chastain Reviewed by David Spencer A famous dramatist
PARADE
April 20, 2023
PARADE Book by Alfred Uhry Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Co-conceived by Harold Prince Directed by Michael Arden Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Official
SMART
April 20, 2023
SMART by Mary Elizabeth Hamilton Directed by Matt Dickson Ensemble Studio Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer Smart is being presented as a play about the
BAD CINDERELLA
April 20, 2023
BAD CINDERELLA Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Book by Emerald Fennell (Adaptation by Alexis Scheer) Lyrics by David Zippel Imperial Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David
PICTURES FROM HOME
February 26, 2023
PICTURES FROM HOME by Sharr White based on the photo memoir by Larry Sultan Starring Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein and Zoë Wanamaker Directed by Bartlet
SOME LIKE IT HOT
February 26, 2023
SOME LIKE IT HOT Book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin Music by Marc Shaiman Lyrics by Shaiman & Scott Wittman Based on the screenplay
A BRIGHT NEW BOISE
February 26, 2023
A BRIGHT NEW BOISE by Samuel D. Hunter Directed by Oliver Butler Signature Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer A new employee is hired to be a
THE WANDERERS
February 26, 2023
THE WANDERERS by Anna Ziegler Directed by Barry Edelstein A Production of the Roundabout Theatre Company at the Laura Pels Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer Gosh,
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE
February 26, 2023
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond Book by Anthony McCarten Directed by Michael Mayer Broadhurst Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer A
COLIN QUINN: SMALL TALK
February 26, 2023
COLIN QUINN: SMALL TALK Written and Performed by Colin Quinn Directed by Bobby Moresco Returning March 30 Greenwich House Theater Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer
Part I: DEATH OF A SALESMAN
December 11, 2022
Part I: DEATH OF A SALESMAN By Arthur Miller Directed by Miranda Cromwell Starring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke Hudson Theatre Official Website
Part II: A RAISIN IN THE SUN
December 11, 2022
Part II: A RAISIN IN THE SUN by Lorraine Hansberry Directed by Robert O’Hara Public Theater Reviewed by David Spencer When I attended the revival of
Part III: 1776
December 11, 2022
Part III: 1776 Book by Peter Stone Music, Lyrics and Conception by Sherman Edwards Directed by Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus A Production of
Part A: ONLY GOLD
December 11, 2022
Part A ONLY GOLD Book by Andy Blankenbuehler & Ted Malawer Music and Lyrics by Kate Nash Directed and Choreographed by Andy Blanklenbuehler MCC Theatre
Part B: & JULIET
December 11, 2022
Part B: & JULIET Book by David West Read Music and Lyrics by Max Martin Directed by Dominic Fallacaro Stephen Sondheim Theatre Official Website Reviewed
Part C: ALMOST FAMOUS
December 11, 2022
Part C: ALMOST FAMOUS Book by Cameron Crowe based upon his screenplay Music and Lyrics by Tom Kitt Directed by Jeremy Herrin Bernard B. Jacobs
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
December 11, 2022
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG by Suzan Lori-Parks Directed by Kenny Leon John Golden Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer There’s a lot of symbolism carried by Topdog/Underdog,
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE
December 11, 2022
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE Book by Terrence McNally Music by Stephen Flaherty Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Based on the screenplay by Barry Develin Directed
REMEMBER THIS: THE LESSON OF JAN KARSKI
September 29, 2022
REMEMBER THIS: THE LESSON OF JAN KARSKI by Clark Young and Derek Goldman Directed by Derek Goldman Starring David Strathairn Polonsky Shakespeare Center A Production
TWO JEWS TALKING
September 29, 2022
TWO JEWS TALKING by Ed. Weinberger Directed by Dan Wackerman Starring Hal Linden, Bernie Kopell and Tim Jerome Theatre at St. Clement’s Official Website Reviewed
OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO
September 29, 2022
OUR MAN IN SANTIAGO by Mark Wilding Directed by Charlie Mount The AMT Theater Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer You kind of sense trouble from
KINKY BOOTS
September 29, 2022
KINKY BOOTS Book by Harvey Fierstein Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper Based on a screenplay by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth Starring Callum Francis
THE KITE RUNNER
August 9, 2022
THE KITE RUNNER Adapted by Matthew Spangler Based on the novel by Khalid Hosseini Directed by Giles Croft Starring Amir Arison Hayes Theatre Official Website
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
August 9, 2022
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF by Tennessee Williams Directed by Joe Rosario Theatre at St Clements Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer Briefly taking a
NOTRE DAME DE PARIS
August 9, 2022
NOTRE DAME DE PARIS Book and lyrics by Luc Plamondon Music by Richard Cocciante Based on the novel by Victor Hugo Directed by Giles Maheu
INTO THE WOODS
August 9, 2022
INTO THE WOODS Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by James Lapine Directed by Lear deBessonet St. James Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer
HANGMEN
June 3, 2022
HANGMEN by Martin McDonaugh Directed by Matthew Dunster John Golden Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer A little known fact in the US is that,
MJ
June 3, 2022
MJ Book by Lynn Nottage Directed by Christopher Wheeldon Neil Simon Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer I’m as entertained—well, almost as entertained—as anyone by
MACBETH
June 3, 2022
MACBETH By William Shakespeare Directed by Sam Gold Starring Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga Longacre Theatre Official Site Reviewed by David Spencer Director Sam Gold’s staging
MR. SATURDAY NIGHT
June 3, 2022
MR. SATURDAY NIGHT Book by Billy Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandell Music by Jason Robert Brown Lyrics by Amanda Green Directed by John Rando
AMERICAN BUFFALO
May 18, 2022
AMERICAN BUFFALO by David Mamet Directed by Neil Pepe Starring Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss Circle in the Square Theatre Official Website Reviewed
A STRANGE LOOP
May 18, 2022
A STRANGE LOOP Book, Music and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson Directed by Stephen Brackett Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer A Strange Loop is an
POTUS
May 18, 2022
POTUS by Selina Fillinger Directed by Susan Stroman Sam S. Shubert Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer I’ve long since come to the conclusion
FUNNY GIRL
May 18, 2022
FUNNY GIRL Music by Jule Styne Lyrics by Bob Merrill Book by Isobel Lennart Revised Book by Harvey Weinstein August Wilson Theatre Official Website Reviewed
HARMONY
April 27, 2022
HARMONY Book and Lyrics by Bruce Sussman Music by Barry Manilow Directed and Choreographed by Wayne Carlyle National Yiddish Folksbeine at Edmond J. Safra Hall
THE MINUTES
April 27, 2022
THE MINUTES by Tracy Letts Directed by Anna D. Shapiro Studio 54 Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer Because I’ve spent so much of my
THE PATSY
April 18, 2022
THE PATSY by Barry Connors Directed by Jack Cummings III Performed by David Greenspan A Production of The Transport Group Abrons Arts Center Reviewed by David
PLAZA SUITE
April 18, 2022
PLAZA SUITE by Neil Simon Directed by John Benjamin Hickey Starring Sara Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Hudson Theatre Official Website Reviewed by David Spencer
BIRTHDAY CANDLES
April 27, 2022
BIRTHDAY CANDLES by Noah Haidle Directed by Vivienne Benesch Starring Debra Messing A Production of the Roundabout Theatre Company American Airlines Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer
HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE
April 27, 2022
HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE by Paula Vogel Directed by Mark Brokaw Starring Mary Louise Parker, David Morse and Johanna Day A Production of Manhattan
TO MY GIRLS
April 27, 2022
TO MY GIRLS by J.C. Lee Directed by Stephen Brackett A Production of 2nd Stage Tony Kiser Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer In 1968, there
ON SUGARLAND
March 12, 2022
ON SUGARLAND by Aleshea Harris Directed by Whitney White New York Theatre Workshop Reviewed by David Spencer I try to veer from hyperbole, so do understand
SPACE DOGS
March 12, 2022
SPACE DOGS Performed and Written by Van Hughes and Nick Blaemire Directed by Ellie Heyman MCC Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer I’ve long since understood—and accepted,
MADE BY GOD
March 12, 2022
MADE BY GOD by Ciara Ní Chuirc Directed by Olivia Songer Irish Repertory Company Reviewed by David Spencer I can’t quite make up my mind about
ENGLISH
March 12, 2022
ENGLISH by Sanaz Toossi Directed by Knud Adams Atlantic Theatre Reviewed by David Spencer A sweet little ensemble play with flashes of profundity is English by