Thursday, December 8, 2011

Theater

Arts & Leisure

Hugh Jackman Keeps His Pants On

Hugh Jackman with fans after the opening night of his Broadway show.
Charles Sykes/Associated Press

Hugh Jackman with fans after the opening night of his Broadway show.

The fantasy of Hugh Jackman: your dream lover, your gay best friend, and no embarrassing meltdowns.

Portal to Off Off Broadway’s Early Days

A recent donation to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will give the public more access to memorabilia from Caffe Cino, the birthplace of Off Off Broadway.

More News and Reviews
Theater Review | 'Maple and Vine'

Exchanging Lattes for an ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ World

Maple and Vine Marin Ireland and Peter Kim as a couple tired of stress in a play by Jordan Harrison at Playwrights Horizons.
Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Maple and Vine Marin Ireland and Peter Kim as a couple tired of stress in a play by Jordan Harrison at Playwrights Horizons.

In Jordan Harrison’s play “Maple and Vine,” stressed-out New Yorkers move into a community that tries to recreate the 1950s.

ArtsBeat Blog

Could a Reconceived 'Cinderella' Get Invited to a Broadway Ball?

"Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella," based on the 1957 television musical starring Julie Andrews, will be reconceived with the intent of bringing it to Broadway in 2012.

Theater Review | 'Neighbourhood Watch'

A Genteel Neck of the Woods Becomes a Genteel Fortress

“Neighbourhood Watch,” part of the annual Brits Off Broadway festival, will probably not be ranked high among Alan Ayckbourn’s staggering output.

Theater Review | 'Mad Women'

Happy Little Bluebirds May Fly, but Judy and Mom Just Crashed and Burned

The one-man show “Mad Women” at the Club at La MaMa finds John Fleck reflecting on his childhood.

ArtsBeat Blog

'Kibitzer,' a Forgotten Play Reworked by Edward G. Robinson, Gets a Reading

After having the leading role in an early version of the play, Robinson contributed to a reworking of it.

Theater Review | 'Once'

A Love Affair With Music, Maybe With Each Other

The talented creators of “Once,” a musical inspired by the 2006 film starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, faced a big problem that they’ve only partly resolved.

Leo Friedman, Photographer of Broadway’s Glamour Years, Dies at 92

Mr. Friedman was a ubiquitous presence in and around New York theaters in the 1950s and 1960s

That Wish for a BB Gun, Set to Song and Dance

“A Christmas Story” has been turned into an almost $5 million musical, currently on a five-city tour, with hopes to build a holiday franchise in whatever locale it plays.

Show Reviews

Recommended shows from Ben Brantley, Charles Isherwood and other theater critics for The New York Times.

The Jazz Singer
The Cherry Orchard
Misterman
Elective Affinities
Blood and Gifts

Recent show reviews from Ben Brantley, Charles Isherwood and other theater critics for The New York Times.

Brits Off Broadway: Neighbourhood Watch
Maple and Vine
Mad Women
Once
The Jazz Singer
Multimedia
Scenes: Leo Friedman

A look back at the career of the photographer Leo Friedman.

‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’

Scenes from the stage adaptation of the 1983 film.

Theater Listings for Dec. 2-8

A selected guide to theater productions in New York, including those opening and in previews.

Recent Reviews
Theater Review | 'The Jazz Singer'

Mama and Papa Versus Life Upon the Wicked Stage

In style and content “The Jazz Singer” is undeniably a period piece, schmaltzy and partly calcified by some dated dialogue. But its core themes endure.

Theater Review | 'Happy Hour'

Life Is Grim, and Then Things Tend to Get a Lot Worse

The Atlantic Theater Company is presenting “Happy Hour,” a wearying evening of short plays by Ethan Coen.

Theater Review | 'The Cherry Orchard'

Breaking the Fourth Wall to Let Chekhov Out

John Turturro and Dianne Wiest star in Andrei Belgrader’s heartbreakingly funny production of Chekhov’s “Cherry Orchard,” at the Classic Stage Company.

Theater Review | 'Misterman'

The Force of a Personality Can Conjure Up a World

The electrifying Cillian Murphy seems to inhabit every millimeter of the wasteland in which he has been let loose in “Misterman,” Enda Walsh’s one-man play.

‘BAM: The Complete Works’

A bumper-car ride down memory lane for habitués of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

News and Features

A Second Arrival for ‘Once’

The stars of the film “Once” and those of the stage musical discuss what is similar — and what is not — about the two versions.

Blue-Eyed Boy and His Possessed Puppet

Steven Boyer maintains the illusion of two simultaneous performances in “Hand to God,” as a teenager and his violent and vulgar puppet alter id.

Judd Woldin, ‘Raisin’ Score Composer, Dies at 86

Mr. Woldin also traveled with the Ink Spots and Lionel Hampton, and played in the “Hello, Dolly!” orchestra on Broadway.

Opening Soon

Many of these shows are currently in previews.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide

Plan your holiday shopping with The New York Times 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Podcast: Around Broadway

Charles Isherwood compares Hugh Jackman, Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin on stage.

From the Archive
Multimedia Features

Interviews with performers, designers and others in the theater, on Broadway and off.

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