Broadway Reviews

The Phantom of the Opera

Join me for a little jaunt down memory lane to a magical place that is alive and well. Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, directed by theatre legend Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group, is the longest-running show in Broadway history. A recent revisit to this lavish production got me to thinking about what it takes to make a show age so beautifully.Well, you start with a story that reeks of sexuality, mystery, innocence and passion. Then you...

Bandstand

Bandstand is a musical that treads the razor's edge - is it a romance or is it a veterans' salute? It is both, and makes no apologies. At times it also makes no sense, but the underpinning, which is the cost of war, carries the day. The opening number "Just Like It Was Before" puts us on notice that the world is filled with double meanings. Set in Cleveland in the latter half of 1945, this is the story of one G.I., Pfc. Donny Novitski (Corey Cott) who makes it home with all his ghosts in tact....

'The Book of Mormon' review

Read our five-star review of The Book of Mormon on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

MARY POPPINS

Review by Barbara Mehlman 16 Nov 2006I've always had a love-hate relationship with the Disney Corporation, but I rarely spent much time thinking about it -- until now. It came back in a rush after I saw the gorgeous production of "Mary Poppins" with, unfortunately, a very ordinary star.The love part started when Disney took a chance on New York, and spent $34million to renovate the crumbling New Amsterdam Theatre, located on 42nd St. -- the first street of a decaying Theatre District that...

Dear Evan Hansen

When my eyes are wet and it's all I can do to not join the dialogue on the stage and my giggle box has completely turned over, I am having a really really good time. This reviewer is not a huge fan of musicals by any means - too much distraction and not enough story in most cases - but Dear Evan Hansen is a show that holds you tight with its honesty of story told in a way that delights you to your very toes.Every aspect of what you see, hear and feel hums in perfect harmony throughout the piece....

A Bronx Tale - The Musical

It is the rare Broadway show that leaves its audience disturbed by gun violence and racial slurs even as they go happily humming doo-wop on their way out of the theater. And indeed it is the rare Broadway show that attempts to portray gangsters as something other than secretly good-hearted slobs. But such is the case with A Bronx Tale, a winningly performed but losing-ly scripted musical based on a movie based on a one-man show based partially on actual events.Playwright and actor Chazz...

Review of Christmas Spectacular starring The Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

Yes, it's (already) that time of the year again, folks! We haven't even carved the Thanksgiving turkey yet, but that doesn't stop those fabulous Rockettes from donning a sparkling outfit or two and bringing us their annual Christmas Spectacular once again. No siree bub!Last night, I found myself in the vast Radio City Music Hall, sat across the aisle from an 8-year old boy and how I wished I could have been in his shoes for the night. Childhood should be brimming with awe, wonder and magic, and...

'Hamilton' review

Read our five-star review of Hamilton on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

SHREK THE MUSICAL

Review by Barbara Mehlman and Geri ManusTake one slimy green ogre with a bad attitude, one less than delicate belching princess, one sassy donkey, and a vertically challenged would-be prince; add music and a set that is downright swampical and watch an odd fairy tale come true. But "Shrek the Musical" is more than a feel-good children's story with a twist: it digs deep into our inner mush to find out where inner beauty lies and how we recognize our self-worth.Based on William Steig's 1990...

In My Life

Book, music and lyrics by: Joe Brooks Directed by: Joe Brooks Produced by: TBF Music Corp Cast: Jessica Boevers, Christopher J. Hanke, Roberta Gumbel, Chiara Navarra. Synopsis: A musician with Tourette�s syndrome and a journalist with obsessive compulsive disorder meet cute at a grocery store - with some help from above - and begin an unlikely and slightly dysfunctional romance that proves that life�s greatest affliction is the one they share � true love. The advance word on In My Life,...