In a Dark Dark House [B-]

Well acted, interesting show, but a little too predictable, and a little dull at times (very surprising for a LaBute show).

Frost/Nixon [C+]

This is an interesting show, but it seems to me that it trys to be historical, fictional, and dramatic all at the same time. I found myself admiring Frank Langella's nice performance when I should have been involved in the plot.

Warning: the show is 2 hours long with NO INTERMISSION - not for the faint of butts.

110 in the Shade [B+]

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs [B+]

Prelude to a Kiss [B-]

Dying City [C]

Jersey Boys [A]

Loved it. Go see it if you can get a ticket. Anybody born before 1960 should be overwhelmed with nostalgia - even if you didn't like The Four Seasons.

Prometheus Bound [C]

Curtains [C]

I'm going to say the exact same thing I said about "Les Miserables" about this show: Frankly, I'm not sure why, but this show just didn't "work" for me. Not my cup of tea, I guess.

Exits and Entrances [B]

Les Miserables [C]

Frankly, I'm not sure why, but this show just didn't "work" for me. Not my cup of tea, I guess.

The Cave Dwellers [A-]

Some Men [C+]

King Hedley II [C+]

Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell [A]

Spalding Gray's writing is really very good, and this might be the last time for quite a while that you get a chance to see it performed live. Good cast (the unknowns in the cast really shine - maybe outshining the "knowns").

It's a bit of a downer, but a must-see even so. It's emotionally involving and sad, but not depressing. (Compare this with "Howard Katz" which is pretty much the opposite.)

Mary Rose [B+]

Journey's End [B]

A Very Common Procedure [C-]

All that I Will Ever Be [B-]

Company [B]

Coast of Utopia: Salvage [B]

Our Leading Lady [C]

The Frugal Repast [C]

Adrift in Macao [B+]

Pure silly fun, but if you're in the mood for that kind of thing, it's lots of fun. This is a spoof on ...well on almost everything: Bogart, film noir, America in the 30's, gangsters, whatever.

Talk Radio [B]

Howard Katz [C-]

The worst of two worlds: depressing but not particularly emotionally involving.

The Secret of Mme. Bonnard's Bath [C]

Translations [C]

The Madras House [C+]

Follies [B]

Encores

A Midsummer Night's Dream [B+}

Theatre by the Blind

The Vertical Hour [C-]

Dutchman [C]

Toys in the Attic [B]

The Dirty Talk [A]

Frank's Home [C]

The Scene [B]

The Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck [B]

This is the second of a trilogy. This one gets the same B grade from me as part one. In fact, I thought most of "Shipwreck" was weaker than "Voyage" (part one); however the last 30-40 minutes were extraordinary, thus bringing the entire experience at least to the B level. It the next-to-last scene, Richard Easton finally achieves the level that I expect of him. He is wonderful as the Russian envoy: mixing in just the right amoung of pomposity, seriousness, and silliness. In the last scene, Ethan Hawke and Brian F. O'Byrne are excellent.

-barry

Spring Awakening [B+]

I loved the first act. That's a pretty good start. In the second act, the play began to get serious, and I didn't like what the play had to say. Also, the music became, with a couple of exceptions, somber which I also didn't like. Even so, I had a quite enjoyable evening.

Pro's:

• Good music (rock oriented)
• Excellent singing/voices
• Very good acting: personable, attractive, believable young actors
  
• Entertaining
• Excellent lighting
  

Con's:

• Disappointing (to me) plot/theme in the second act.
• Way too somber (for me) in the second act.

All in all, I do recommend this show: it's entertaining, unusual, and does make you think a little.