Glengarry Glen Ross Review: Mamet's Pulitzer Winner Offers Al Pacino, Bobby Cannavale …And Disappointment by Jonathan Mandell

It is easy to see 45th Street this week as the Tale of Two Mamets. David Mamet's new play, "The Anarchist" is a verified flop, set to close two weeks after it opened. Meanwhile, "Glengarry G…

Top Ten Lists of Top Ten Theater in 2012 by Jonathan Mandell

Here are the ten best plays or musicals that opened (mostly in New York) in 2012, according to 10 critics, including me. That is what this post will wind up being, anyway. I don't have 10 ye…

Golden Boy Reviews: Clifford Odets Boxing Drama Back on Broadway by Jonathan Mandell

Clifford Odets' Golden Boy, first presented on Broadway at the Belasco Theater 75 years ago, is back at the Belasco, for the second-ever Broadway revival about a man who defies his family an…

Love Lessons From The Stage by Jonathan Mandell

Can theater teach us anything about love? Three very different shows I reviewed this week all believe so " the Flux Theatre Ensemble’s production of "Hearts Like Fist,” "The Drun…

The Anarchist Review: Real-Life Riveting Story Turned Into Mamet Mush by Jonathan Mandell

When I first heard about "The Anarchist," David Mamet's play pitting Patti LuPone as an incarcerated violent radical against Debra Winger as her jailer, I immediately pictured the townhouse …

Chaplin Silenced, Anarchist Scolded, Dead Accounts Dead on Arrival by Jonathan Mandell

T'was not a great week to be jolly for many in New York theater, with stars leaving shows, closing announcements, and Broadway openings marred by pans. On the other hand, there was some good…

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean sings "Who Am I" in Les Miserables Movie by Jonathan Mandell

David Mamet Will Not Be Quoting The Anarchist Reviews In Ads by Jonathan Mandell

just a wearying lecture~Hollywood Reporter strangely gassy~New York Magazine heavily embroidered slip of a play….where ideas on eschatology, etymology, phenomenology and, yes, criminology …

Stage Acting Tips by Jonathan Mandell

James Cagney’s tip for actors: ”Never relax, and mean what you say.” Sir Ralph Richardson: Before you leave the dressing room, look in the mirror and ask yourself: ̶…

The Worst Broadway Show of 2012? by Jonathan Mandell

Broadway 2012 was not the worst year ever, but there were so many shows that flopped, critically and/or commercially, that the competition for worst of the year is fierce! You decide: Take t…

New York Theater November 2012 Quiz by Jonathan Mandell

How well were you paying attention to New York theater news this month? The answers to the 10 questions below were in my New York Theater blog or in my Twitter feed,@NewYorkTheater  

Dead Accounts Review: Slight, Odd Hate Letter to New York by Jonathan Mandell

After departing "Smash," the television series she created that looks with fluttering heart at the making of a Broadway musical, Theresa Rebeck apparently has changed her mind about New York…

My Name Is Asher Lev: What does it take to be an artist? What is the artist's responsbility? by Jonathan Mandell

"As working, and sometimes non-working, actors, we’re focused on paying the bills. It’s only in the rehearsal room and on the stage that we can remember why we do all this. Becau…

Hardworking Holiday Week in The Theater by Jonathan Mandell

Of the ThaBroadway shows still to open this season, four will do so by the end of next week: Dead Accounts, this Thursday, November 29 The Anarchist, December 2 Golden Boy, December 6 Glenga…

Sorry Review: Election Day With The Apple Family, And Why Theater Should Be More Like Television by Jonathan Mandell

The worst, and most common, insult a critic typically levels at a play is that it resembles a TV series. But at its best, television gives us the time to understand a character more deeply t…

Should Ill Theatergoers Stay Home? What About The Disabled? by Jonathan Mandell

About half an hour into the play "Sorry" at the Public Theater yesterday afternoon, the actor Jay O. Sanders suddenly announced: "Somebody is ill. Is there a doctor in the house?" A woman in…

Holiday Gifts For Theater Lovers by Jonathan Mandell

Call them theater lovers or theatre lovers or drama queens or Broadway Babies: If you have somebody in your life who goes to shows, you can choose among many gifts to make them happy " from …

Broadway Openings 2012-2013: When and Where by Jonathan Mandell

Nov 29, 2012: Dead Accounts - MUSIC BOX THEATRE Dec 02: The Anarchist - JOHN GOLDEN THEATRE Dec 06: Golden Boy - BELASCO THEATRE Dec 08: Glengarry Glen Ross …

Thanksgiving Day Means Turkey Lurkey Time by Jonathan Mandell

Turkey Lurkey Time comes closest to the official Broadway anthem for Thanksgiving. It is a song with music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David from Act 1 of Promises, Promises, that is…

A Christmas Story Review: More Dogs Than Annie, More Elves Than Elf; A Minimum of Treacle by Jonathan Mandell

"A Christmas Story," a musical based on the beloved holiday movie about a Midwestern family during the Depression, does "Annie" one better: It features TWO actual dogs rather than one, and m…

The Giant Mystery of Scandalous Performers, And Spike: The Week on Broadway by Jonathan Mandell

It was a giant week in New York theater, or at least a “Giant” week — one of the shows that opened in this busy week. Three shows opened on Broadway " and one has already c…

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Review: Durang Makes Chekhov Funny, Keeps Him Sad by Jonathan Mandell

The audience applauded David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver but not the other four cast members when they first entered the stage at the performance I saw of Christopher Durang's new play,…

Theater Subscriptions: Does anybody subscribe anymore? What are alternatives? by Jonathan Mandell

Robert Falls, the artistic director of  the Goodman Theater in Chicago, recalls the way he was able to get good seats with his subscription to the Lyric Opera. One day Danny Newman, who h…

Giant Review; The Eyes of Texas This Time Are Not on Elizabeth Taylor or James Dean by Jonathan Mandell

The news out of Texas the night I saw the musical "Giant" was that a Texas school district had \canceled a play about two gay penguins; that  a third George Bush " George P. Bush " was th…

Scandalous Review: Kathie Lee Gifford's Broadway Term Paper by Jonathan Mandell

At the end of "Scandalous," the gossip columnist Louella Parsons asks: "Was she a true woman of God? Or just one hell of a woman?" She is talking about colorful radio evangelist Aimee Semple…

The Performers Review: Gag-worthy Gags about Porno on Broadway by Jonathan Mandell

As Chuck Wood, the aging porno star in "The Performers," a Broadway comedy about the adult film industry featuring an A-list cast, Henry Winkler becomes sentimental when accepting an award f…

The Mystery of Edwin Drood Review: No Mystery It's Back on Broadway by Jonathan Mandell

At the very beginning of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," the well-designed revival of Rupert Holmes' inventive musical cleverly adapted from Charles Dickens' last and unfinished novel, a chara…

Theater and Politics: Election Week Debates by Jonathan Mandell

Is New York City, or New York theater, completely back to normal? Hell no. Because of all the canceled performances, Sandy cost Broadway about $8.5 million and the effect continues. Opening …

Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 Review by Jonathan Mandell

  Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, by the greatly talented Dave Malloy ends November 17 at Ars Nova" an extension from its original closing date.  See it!  This is a s…

The Thrill of Creation: Chaim Potok's Asher Lev Goes From Page to Stage by Jonathan Mandell

Chaim Potok's My Name Is Asher Lev is brought to life Off-Broadway. His daughter, collaborator and star reflect on the late author and rabbi's need to create.

Annie Review on Broadway by Jonathan Mandell

The timing seem ideal for a Broadway revival of "Annie,"  and director James Lapine is attempting a timely approach to this story of optimism triumphing in a bleak era.  Lapine's "Anni…