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"Staff Meal" is a play by Abe Koogler that takes unexpected turns, moving from a rom-com parody to a satire of haute cuisine to a moment of meta-theatrical mischief. The play follows the evolving relationship between Ben and Mina, who meet in a coffee bar and gradually open up to each other. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that there are darker elements at play. The narrative also shifts to focus on a waiter's monologue about a haunted wine cellar and a character who hijacks the play to share her life story. "Staff Meal" challenges conventional storytelling and explores themes of obsession, celebrity culture, and the desire for easily digestible meaning. While it may confuse and frustrate some theatergoers, it offers a refreshing departure from traditional narratives. [Extracted from the article]

The Lincoln Center Theater's production of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" at the Vivian Beaumont stage in New York struggles to create a cohesive and intimate experience for the audience. Despite a cast of talented actors, including Steve Carell in the title role, the production fails to establish meaningful connections between the characters. The expansive stage and sparse set design further contribute to the lack of intimacy. While there are some standout performances, the overall production feels hollow and fails to capture the depth and complexity of Chekhov's work. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a review of the Broadway revival of the musical "Cabaret," set in Weimar-era Germany. The production, directed by Rebecca Frecknall, stars Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee and Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles. The review praises Redmayne's seductive performance and the visually appealing costumes and choreography. However, it criticizes the lack of chemistry between Rankin and her co-star Ato Blankson-Wood. The review also mentions the depiction of the Emcee as a Nazi sympathizer, which is a departure from previous productions. Overall, the review suggests that while the production has its strengths, it falls short in some areas. [Extracted from the article]

"Suffs" is a Broadway musical produced by Hillary Clinton and written by Shaina Taub. The show tells the story of the fight for the 19th Amendment and women's right to vote in the United States. It features an all-female cast and highlights the talents of women. While the musical succeeds in showcasing the accomplishments of its creators and performers, it can be overwhelming at times with its broad cast of characters and numerous triumphs and setbacks. Overall, "Suffs" is a rousing and engaging production that explores an important moment in history. [Extracted from the article]

Ralph Fiennes stars in a production of "Macbeth" by Washington's Shakespeare Theatre Company that emphasizes the play's contemporary relevance. Directed by Simon Godwin, the production focuses on the cycle of violence and killing in a conflict-rattled world. The performance takes place in a former TV studio in Washington's Brentwood neighborhood, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a war-ravaged country. Fiennes delivers a captivating and intense performance, portraying Macbeth as a character affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. The adaptation by Emily Burns is intelligent and economical, and the rest of the cast delivers first-rate performances. The production draws parallels to current events without violating the text, creating a "Macbeth" that speaks to the current historical moment. [Extracted from the article]

"The Outsiders" is a musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton's classic 1967 novel, directed by Danya Taymor and featuring a talented young cast. The story depicts the rivalry between two gangs in Oklahoma, the "greasers" and the "socs," and explores themes of loyalty and tragedy. The musical is well-crafted, with a folk-rock score and a talented cast that brings emotional depth to their performances. While some may find the story dated or sentimental, those looking for a nostalgic exploration of teenage angst will find "The Outsiders" to be a rewarding experience. [Extracted from the article]

The Irish Repertory Theatre's Friel Project presents a production of Brian Friel's play "Philadelphia, Here I Come!" The play explores the ambivalence of a man named Gareth O'Donnell as he prepares to emigrate from Ireland to Philadelphia. The protagonist's divided consciousness is represented by two separate characters, one embodying his public persona and the other his private thoughts. The production is praised for its luminous grace and the actors' performances, which delve into the comedy and tenderness of Friel's writing. The play examines themes of regret, longing, and the strained relationship between Gareth and his father. [Extracted from the article]

"Stalker" is a magic show performed by Swedish duo Brynolf & Ljung that combines impressive sleight of hand tricks with mind-reading abilities. The show explores the theme of stalking in the digital age, highlighting how social media and algorithms invade our privacy. The performers engage with the audience, involving volunteers in card tricks and mind-reading demonstrations. The show incorporates pop culture references and vintage elements, creating an entertaining and mysterious experience. The finale reveals the methods behind the tricks, breaking the traditional magician's code. [Extracted from the article]

CORRECTION APPENDEDPROVINCETOWN, Mass. -- Loneliness, the condition into which we are born, and from which we spend much of our lives trying to escape -- whether through love and sex, [...]

What's your greatest fear? If you're a normal, neurotic New Yorker, it's probably the big inevitable: death. Some theatrical therapy for this eternal anxiety, the nagging 4-in-the-morning jitters about -- [...]

It's often said that we live in an era that prizes speed and brevity above all else. There's long been fast food, but now there's fast fashion, too. Why take [...]

PRINCETON, N.J. -- A Roman Catholic priest faces what might be called a crisis of humanity, rather than a crisis of faith, in ''Bathing in Moonlight,'' the gauzy new play [...]

It's not unusual for theater, like many of the arts, to address a pressing social or political issue. But what strikes me as unusual this fall is that most of [...]

Worst theater director's idea ever? Maybe bringing onstage a large, high-resolution flat-screen television, on which is projected, multiple times, the shower scene from ''Psycho.'' I am by no means a [...]

There's an upright piano on the stage of the Atlantic Theater Company, where ''Marie and Rosetta,'' a new play by George Brant, supplemented by some mighty music-making, opened on Wednesday [...]

In the monologue that begins ''Aubergine,'' a drama by Julia Cho about family, food and mortality that opened on Monday at Playwrights Horizons, a woman named Diane (Jessica Love) speaks [...]

Imagine, if you can, a musical comedy called ''La Guardia!'' Picture a chorus angrily lamenting their canceled flights. A frustrated plaint from an overtaxed ticketing agent trying to calm them. [...]

Everybody's pretty much crazy in love in Shakespeare's ''Twelfth Night,'' so it seems natural to include a shout-out to the Beyonc song of that name in the contemporary musical adaptation [...]

You've seen the musical, now see the spoof. That's the formula used by Gerard Alessandrini for his long-running ''Forbidden Broadway'' revues, which poke merry if sometimes merciless fun at hit [...]

AN ACT OF GOD God will soon be leaving the building, or at least the Booth Theater, home to David Javerbaum's sublimely irreverent and flat-out hilarious play, in which the [...]

CORRECTION APPENDEDHas anyone ever enjoyed a layover? Either it is nerve-janglingly short or grindingly long. ''The Layover,'' a disappointing new play by Leslye Headland that opened on Thursday at Second [...]

PITTSFIELD, MASS. -- Try to top this for typecasting: The daffy, adorable Annie Golden plays, yes, the daffy, adorable Annie Golden in ''Broadway Bounty Hunter,'' a sweet if slight goof [...]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- A woman's right to choose -- how to live her life, or how to end it -- provides an oblique theme linking the two plays that close [...]

CORRECTION APPENDEDStrange but true: To experience the pleasure of traditional repertory theater on a significant scale -- to watch actors perform multiple roles in different plays over the course of [...]

Alice Austen may not be a household name, but scholars of early photography or early feminism may be familiar with her remarkable life. Austen -- who was born in 1866 [...]

It could be argued that James Houghton, who died this week after a battle with cancer, did more for the American theater during the past quarter-century than anyone else -- [...]

If there's anyone you definitely do not want at a party celebrating your coming wedding, it's the mean-girl central character in ''Engagements,'' a bitingly funny but overly sour comedy by [...]

Byline: CHARLES ISHERWOOD If I soon end up in a psychiatric ward, could someone please send the bill to Andrew Lloyd Webber? It has been about four days since I [...]

If I soon end up in a psychiatric ward, could someone please send the bill to Andrew Lloyd Webber? It has been some four days since I saw the revival [...]

As a drunken and possibly lunatic millionaire, Santino Fontana gives a performance of ineffable sweetness in ''Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater,'' an odd duck of a musical by [...]

Who, or what, is really in charge of our destiny? We like to believe that our will, our imagination, our reason are meticulously clicking away, taking hold of the future [...]

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- It's hard to imagine more ideal summer entertainment than the exhilarating production of ''The Pirates of Penzance'' swashbuckling across the stage -- and often tumbling merrily off [...]

On a bright July Monday in 1895, Robert Coombes, 13, and his 12-year-old brother, Nathaniel, called Nattie, set off from their East London home to see a cricket match. Before [...]

CORRECTION APPENDEDLight barely seems to penetrate the atmosphere of ''The Merchant of Venice'' in the brooding, powerful production from Shakespeare's Globe that's being presented through the weekend as part of [...]

''What's going on?'' When Jarran Muse, playing Marvin Gaye, sings those words and a verse or two of the song they come from in ''Motown: The Musical,'' which has opened [...]

Do the Japanese have an expression similar to the British one, noting the folly of bringing coals to Newcastle? Maybe something about bringing a tuna fish sandwich to a sushi [...]

''Small Mouth Sounds,'' a quiet gem of a play by Bess Wohl that was first seen Off Broadway at Ars Nova last year, has been restaged at the Pershing Square [...]

Most art forms evolve and change radically over the years. A French painting created today is unlikely to resemble one created in the 18th century. But the genre of Japanese [...]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Marisa Tomei, who stars in the Williamstown Theater Festival's buoyant new production of Tennessee Williams's ''The Rose Tattoo,'' may at first blush appear to be literally a [...]