NEW YORK ARTS & CULTURE REVIEW

Discover what deserves your time in New York and beyond—through the eyes of Opening Night’s critics

Broadway Touchdown. Optional video soundtrack By Edward Kliszus

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Thoughtful reviews, vivid photography, and music that brings the story to life.

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FEATURE STORY

Samara Joy: The Bronx’s Silken Voice Ascends

August 31, 2026 No Comments

At 26, Bronx-born vocalist Samara Joy has gathered six GRAMMY Awards — Best New Artist among them — and an NAACP Image Award, while critics invoke Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae in the same breath. From gospel roots in Castle Hill to triumphs at Carnegie Hall and the Village Vanguard, her album Portrait crowned the 68th GRAMMYs. This fall, her septet tours North America before crossing to Europe’s great concert halls.

UPCOMING PICKS

Upcoming Picks

Smoke Jazz Club presents the George Cables Quartet

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

Legendary pianist George Cables performs music from his most recent, acclaimed release, “The George Cables Songbook,” featuring his beloved compositions. Cables will be joined by his incredible quartet with saxophonist ...

Upcoming Picks

54 BELOW PRESENTS SETH SIKES WITH ACCLAIMED PIANIST TEDD FIRTH IN THEIR NEW SHOW “TOGETHER AT LAST!”

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

54 BELOW PRESENTS THE RETURN OF AWARD-WINNING VOCALIST SETH SIKES WITH ACCLAIMED PIANIST TEDD FIRTH IN THEIR NEW SHOW “TOGETHER AT LAST!” FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST MARILYN MAYE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – 7:00 ...

Upcoming Picks

Dark Comic Thriller Premieres THE EDGE MOTEL

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

The Dream Up Festival in association with the Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Artistic Director) presents the World Premiere of THE EDGE MOTEL by Tom Rowan (GLAAD Media Award ...

Upcoming Picks

August 29, 2026August 31, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

Falls for Jodie, written by Eric Micha Holmes and directed by Terrence I Mosley at The Tank (312 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018), September 24-October 18. A Tank Core Production 1980. New Haven, Connecticut — ...

LATEST REVIEWS & ARTICLES

Off Broadway

September 6, 2026September 6, 2026

Tulis McCall

n a small nowhere town in Pennsylvania, Rock (Marc Kudisch) is giving the final touches to his doomsday bunker. Remember ...

Off Broadway

September 5, 2026September 3, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

he setting is a reformatory home for wayward young women in New York City in the early 1900s, based on ...

Jazz

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

Holli Harms

The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band plays pretty much every Thursday at Birdland Jazz Club. Their next dates start ...

Off Broadway

The Whisperer in Darkness Review: NYC’s Best Horror Theater Experience

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

A sonic descent into madness that's as entertaining as it is eerie, The Whisperer in Darkness delivers cosmic horror with ...

Off Broadway

August 15, 2026August 15, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

ISLA is a bilingual miracle of shadow puppetry, live guitar, and three-part harmony — the true story of three sisters ...

Musical Theater

Once In a Lifetime, Again at the AMT Theater

August 9, 2026August 9, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

Once In a Lifetime, Again” is that rare festival discovery worth crossing town for: a tender, funny, rock-and-roll-hearted musical about ...

Music

Love is Not a Verdict: Teatro Grattacielo’s Così fan tutte at La MaMa

July 18, 2026August 31, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

Rarely does a comedy leave you laughing and quietly undone at once. Teatro Grattacielo's Così fan tutte did exactly that ...

Dance

When the Orchestra Fell in Love: The Symphonic Experience at Tilles Center

July 17, 2026July 17, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

Rarely does an afternoon of music leave you both heartbroken and hopeful. The Massapequa Philharmonic's Romeo & Juliet did exactly ...

Cabaret

Women Who Rock You™ — Songs From Janis to Alanis & More

June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

On a dark Monday at City Winery, Mary Bridget Davies turned a concert into a séance. Moving from Melissa Etheridge ...

Concerto

Young Virtuosos & Classic Magic: The Barbara Brandt Winners’ Concert with the PACS

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

Edward A Kliszus, Editor-in-Chief / Music and Arts Critic

Five teenage laureates, one believing orchestra, and an evening that proved to us why the concerto endures: as a stage ...

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