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The Who's Tommy is a revival of the rock opera directed by Des McAnuff, who also directed the original production over 30 years ago. The production brings an energetic and immersive experience to the story of a boy who survives trauma and becomes a folk hero. The show features advanced digital technology and a classic-rock score, and focuses on the strength of the music and the emotionally rewarding narrative. While the second act may slacken, the overall production is a powerful and dramatic experience that ends on a note of uplift. [Extracted from the article]

The musical adaptation of the novel "Water for Elephants" loses some of the original book's gritty and pungent qualities. The show softens and sanitizes the source material, removing much of the immersion in the seedy world of the circus. While the musical is energetic and well-performed, it lacks the darkness and depth of the book. The characters have been transformed into more genial and wholesome figures, and the depiction of circus life is largely pasteurized. Overall, the musical is enjoyable but lacks the provocative and adventurous nature of the original novel. [Extracted from the article]

In this review of the Broadway production of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People," the author praises Jeremy Strong's performance as Dr. Thomas Stockmann, the whistleblower who uncovers dangerous bacteria in the town's spa waters. The adaptation by Amy Herzog and direction by Sam Gold are commended for their intelligence and restraint. The play's themes of self-interest, corruption, and the spread of disinformation are noted as relevant to contemporary issues, such as the skepticism towards doctors' recommendations during the Covid-19 pandemic. The review also mentions the strong performances of other cast members and the small touches that add depth to the characters. [Extracted from the article]

The Notebook is a new musical adaptation of the popular Nicholas Sparks novel and film. The show features a score by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter. While the performance is elevated by the delicate and truthful performance of Maryann Plunkett, who plays a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease, the overall production falls short of truly transporting the audience. The musical moves the story forward in time and makes changes to the characters' races, but fails to explore their lives in depth. The abundance of love songs in the show tends to blur together, although some may find success on the pop charts. Despite its flaws, the musical is notable for its depiction of the suffering of the main character and the devotion of her husband. However, even these moments are softened by sentimentality. [Extracted from the article]

This article is a review of the Broadway revival of John Patrick Shanley's play "Doubt." Set in a Catholic school in the 1960s, the play explores the question of whether a priest has molested a child. The review highlights the cultural changes that have occurred since the play premiered, such as the rise of "alternative facts" and cancel culture, and how these changes give the play a fresh potency. The performances of Amy Ryan and Liev Schreiber are praised, as well as the scene between Sister Aloysius and Donald's mother. The review concludes by noting that the production feels as resonant as the original one did two decades ago. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: arts in review; North America; United States; Northeast U.S.; New York State; Political/General News; Arts/Entertainment; Theater; Content Types; Factiva Filters EN arts in review North America United States Northeast U.S. New York State Political/General News Arts/Entertainment Theater Content Types Factiva Filters N.PAG N.PAG 1 09/25/23 20230922 NES 230922 Theresa Rebeck's play at 59E59 Theaters roots an engaging human drama in a plant shop; at SoHo Playhouse, Max Wolf Friedlich's play depicts a session between a therapist and a tech employee who has recently suffered an emotional breakdown. The primary connection develops between Megan and Roger, when Megan asks for a job and soft-hearted Roger agrees almost against his will. The plant is plopped onto the counter of the small store run by Roger (Jeffrey Bean) by his friend Lou (Triney Sandoval), whose neglect of this gift from Roger rankles mightily. [Extracted from the article]