The Friday 5: My Favorite 2017 - 2018 Broadway Logos by JK

Long time readers of this blog know of my love for all things show logo. Truthfully, this season has been kind of lackluster in that department, and picking my 5 favorites was pretty easy.&n…

CD Review: The Band's Visit by JK

I've been a fan of David Yazbek since his first Broadway score for The Full Monty.  I've loved every one of his subsequent scores, even the love-it-or-hate it Women on the Verge of…

Ms. Broadway April 2018: Alison Pill by JK

She's had success in television, on film, and on the stage.  Her career spans comedy, drama, and even horror.  And now she's co-starring with two of the greatest actresses in the b…

Mr. Broadway April 2018: John Riddle by JK

He first caught my eye in the haunting Broadway run of The Visit, playing Young Anton to Roger Rees' Anton. What a beautiful dancer. Since then, I've followed his career in regional theater,…

Thoughts on JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE by JK

 I decided instead of a considered, thought out review of the broadcast of Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE on NBC, I'd jot down my thoughts as the show is happening.  I mean, if they h…

REVIEW: Three Tall Women by JK

Review of the Saturday, March 24, 2018 matinee preview performance at the Golden Theatre in New York City, New York. Starring Glenda Jackson, Laurie Metcalf and Alison Pill, with Joseph Mede…

THE FRIDAY 5: Things I Miss in the Theater District by JK

CD REVIEW: The Band's Visit - OBCR by JK

#MyBroadwayThing: Show-Specific Merch by JK

As you may have guessed from my previous #MyBroadwayThing blogs, I'm a collector.  And so it follows that over the last three and a half decades, I've done my fair share of show merch c…

THE BROADWAY OYMPICS: Team FROZEN by JK

The end of season push has begun again, and there are a ton of shows opening this spring! That means we've got lots of work to do to add new members to the Broadway Olympics Team.  This…

Remembering Sammy Williams by JK

I'm sad to have learned of the death of Tony Award-winning actor Sammy Williams over the weekend. I never had the privilege of seeing him perform, and I never had the honor of meeting t…

THE FRIDAY 5: LOVE, SIMON for Musical Theater Fans by JK

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the new film, Love, Simon at a preview screening last night.  I wish a film like this was around when I was a teenager struggling with my iden…

2017-2018 Broadway Playlist: Once On This Island (Revival) by JK

This week, we'll be picking the ONE song from the New Broadway Cast Recording of Once On This Island.  If you've seen this spectacular revival, you know how beautifully sung this score …

THE FRIDAY 5: Theater District Watering Holes by JK

JEFF'S TOP 5THEATRE DISTRICT WATERING HOLESOver the years, Mike and I have been known to enjoy an adult beverage or three during our Broadway binge trips. We like to try new places, but tend…

It's 1994 All Over Again by JK

Broadway loves repeating itself - nearly back to back revivals of The Glass Menagerie, and the so-soon-after-the original-closed production of Into the Woods, and the every-few-years return …

Ms. Broadway March 2018: Tamyra Gray by JK

I think I may be the only person in the USA who has never seen a single episode of American Idol. Though I have enjoyed many of the finalists in various Broadway shows, I'm always surprised …

Mr. Broadway March 2018: Ari'el Stachel by JK

If you Google Ari'el Stachel, you'll find a ton of articles. (Heck, Playbill posted a pictorial about him over the weekend!) You'd think he was the breakout star of The Band's Visit or …

REVIEW: Once On This Island by JK

Review of the Sunday, February 25, 2018 matinee performance at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City.  Starring Tamyra Gray, Norm Lewis, Alex Newell, Lea Salonga, Hailey Kil…

REVIEW: Come From Away by JK

Review of the Saturday, February 24, 2018 evening performance at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City.  Book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Scenic design b…

REVIEW: The Band's Visit by JK

Review of the Saturday, February 24, 2018 matinee performance at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City.  Starring Katrina Lenk, Tony Shalhoub, John Cariani,  Ari'el Stachel,…

REVIEW: Sweeney Todd by JK

Review of the Friday, February 23 performance at the Barrow Street Theatre. Starring Hugh Panaro, Carolee Carmello, Jake Boyd, Michael James Leslie, Eryn Lecroy, John-Michael Lyles, John Rap…

#MyBroadwayThing : Playbill Storage by JK

The image to your left is the one that started it all for me.  My very first Broadway show began what has become an obsessive collection. Before that fateful August afternoon in 1983, I…

THE FRIDAY 5: Top Disney on Broadway Shows by JK

In honor of Disney's Frozen, which began previews this week over at the St. James, this week's Friday 5 is all about my 5 favorite Disney stage shows.I've seen 10 Disney Theatricals producti…

THE BROADWAY OLYMPICS: Event 5: Escape to Margaritaville by JK

The 2018 Winter Olympics are winding down this week, but the Broadway Olympics are just getting started! So far you've awarded medals to cast members from Prince of Broadway, The Band's Visi…

LOGOS: Escape to Margaritaville by JK

Another element of my blog that I'm happy to relaunch is my series that looks at different show logos.  Longtime readers know that I love the art of Broadway logos nearly as much as I l…

REVIEW: Chess by JK

Review of the Sunday, February 18 matinee performance at the Eisenhower Theatre at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Starring Raul Esparza, Ramin Karimlo…

THE FRIDAY 5: 2018 Female Performances by JK

It's Friday, and it's time for the 5 things I'm thinking about going into the weekend!I'm seeing 11 shows between now and the first week of May (Chess on Sunday)! Over the last couple o…

2017-2018 Broadway Playlist: SpongeBob SquarePants by JK

Last week, we began our 2017-2018 Broadway Playlist, by selecting ONE song from the score to The Band's Visit to put on the final list. Nearly 200 of you voted - thanks! - and I was str…

When "The Best" Isn't Your "Favorite" by JK

POSE!Over 35 years (gulp!) of theater-going, I've developed my own tastes and set of standards when it comes to what I like, love and hate in shows. I've learned that my tastes sometimes jib…

Remembering Jan Maxwell by JK

Jan Maxwell: November 20, 1956 - February 11, 2018I, like many of you, was stunned and saddened to learn of Jan Maxwell's passing yesterday.  I had the honor of seeing her perform in tw…

THE FRIDAY 5: 2017-18 Theatrical ElementsCa by JK

This week, I thought I'd talk about the five (+ one honorable mention!) theatrical elements I'm most looking forward to this winter/spring of play-going.  And just like with the acting …