Archives for May 3, 2018

The latest episode of Three on the Aisle, the twice-monthly podcast in which Peter Marks, Elisabeth Vincentelli, and I talk about theater in America, is now available on line for listening or downloading.

Peter, alas, was unable to join us in the studio—he had to write a last-minute piece about the Tony nominations for the Washington Post—but Elisabeth and I held the fort, thanks to the presence of our scheduled guest:

This week’s guest is two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage!

First she talks about her latest play, the much anticipated follow up to Sweat. Mlima’s Tale is told from the point of view of an elephant who’s killed for his tusks, which then travel around the world. It’s currently running at the Public Theater through June 3.

But she’s not here just to plug her play; she also has thoughts about this Broadway season and its lack of female representation. And she explains how to make a living as a playwright….

To listen, download the episode, read more about it, or subscribe to Three on the Aisle, go here.

In case you missed any previous episodes, you’ll find them all here.

Here’s my list of recommended Broadway, off-Broadway, and out-of-town shows, updated weekly. In all cases, I gave these shows favorable reviews (if sometimes qualifiedly so) in The Wall Street Journal when they opened. For more information, click on the title.

BROADWAY:
• Angels in America (two-part drama, R, alternating in repertory, extended through July 15, reviewed here)
• The Band’s Visit (musical, PG-13, most shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Dear Evan Hansen (musical, PG-13, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Hamilton (musical, PG-13, Broadway transfer of off-Broadway production, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• The Iceman Cometh (drama, PG-13, all shows sold out last week, closes July 1, reviewed here)
• My Fair Lady (musical, G, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Saint Joan (drama, PG-13, closes June 10, reviewed here)
• Three Tall Women (drama, PG-13, all shows sold out last week, closes June 24, reviewed here)
• Travesties (serious comedy, PG-13, closes June 17, reviewed here)

IN CHICAGO:
• Macbeth (Shakespeare, PG-13, remounting of Two River Theater Company production, closes June 24, original production reviewed here)

OFF BROADWAY:
• The Seafarer (drama, PG-13, closes May 24, reviewed here)
• Symphonie Fantastique (abstract underwater puppet show, G, extended through July 15, reviewed here)

CLOSING SOON OFF BROADWAY:
• Miss You Like Hell (musical, PG-13, closes May 13, reviewed here)

CLOSING SOON ON BROADWAY:
• Lobby Hero (drama, PG-13, nearly all shows sold out last week, closes May 13, reviewed here)

“Military glory,—that attractive rainbow that rises in showers of blood.”

Abraham Lincoln, speech in the House of Representatives (January 12, 1848)