It makes sense that NBC’s new sitcom (one of only three half-hour comedies on the entire network since they massacred their iconic Thursday night block) comes from an Office alum. Superstore creator Justin Spitzer spent seven seasons in Scranton writing for a large ensemble of wacky underachievers living unglamorous lives at a paper company and […]
One of the unexpected pleasures of New Rep’s current season—exploring themes of “identity”—is the inclusion of several small-cast shows. Shrugging off the expense and complications of large casts and cluttered sets, we are left with a few talented individuals charged with making their story relevant enough to hold our attention. New Rep’s production of Via […]
For the past three years, I’ve been ranking every film I see- just the new releases, from January 1st to December 31st. The rankings are subjective, based entirely on how much I enjoyed and/or connected with or appreciated the film rather than on some sort of objective artistic criteria. Basically, this is a list of […]
You are probably familiar with the work of James Joyce. It’s less likely that you are familiar with his only known play, Exiles. So if you are a Joyce fan, now is your chance to see this lesser-known work playing at the Red Sandcastle Theatre on Queen East, directed by Ryan Borochovitz. It makes sense […]
One of the latest revivals to hit the West End, Guys and Dolls is a classic piece of light-hearted entertainment, a thoroughly enjoyable romp which is sure to cure those pesky January blues. Set in a dizzying yet dazzling den of debauchery within the New York City underworld, Guys and Dolls tells the tale of […]
After two episodes, Showtime’s Billions is on just as steady ground creatively as it is commercially (the premiere put up the biggest cross-platform debut numbers the pay channel has ever earned). The scripts are razor sharp, the execution top-notch, and co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien’s partnership with finance journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin has paid […]
A revived musical has just pulled into town. SpeakEasy Stage Company has brought back the musical Violet, directed by Paul Daigneault, musical direction by Matthew Stern, to the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion. Jeanine Tesori (music) and Brian Crawley (book and lyrics) first joined forces to adapt Doris Betts’ short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim” into a musical […]
For the past three years, I’ve been ranking every film I see- just the new releases, from January 1st to December 31st. The rankings are subjective, based entirely on how much I enjoyed and/or connected with or appreciated the film rather than on some sort of objective artistic criteria. Basically, this is a list of […]