OpeningNight.Online Theater Logo

Reviews & Articles

Find Reviews by Category
The Company of the 2021-2022 national tour of CATS. Photo by Matt Matthew, Murphymade.
Musical Theater
Victoria L. Dammer

CATS at the Mayo Performing Arts Center

There are so many beautiful songs in the first and second acts, too many to list. Still, song after song and with mindboggling dance presentations, the theatergoers waited in anticipation to hear Grizabella’s full performance of Memory, and it didn’t disappoint. It was so powerful that everyone in the theater held their breath momentarily.

Read More »
In a scene of The Conductor at The Theater for the New City. Above: Brian Simmons as Warren Chipp. Below: Imran Javaid as Shashi Parmar. Photo by Jonathan Slaff.
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

The Conductor at the Theater for the New City

The Conductor celebrated emotionally charged discourse governed by mutual respect, intellectual rigor, and passionate argument without the hostility, recriminations, and violence sometimes seen in today’s national debate. As with any well-crafted, intellectually fueled discourse, Reed’s work evoked exciting questions and ideas for viewers desiring continued debate.

Read More »
Britt Genelin as Catherine in a scene from Washington Square. Photo by Pavel Antonov
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

Washington Square at the Axis Theatre

The cast, setting, dramatization, and well-crafted script evoked yearning, hope, sadness, heartache, and disillusionment. Sharp’s adaptation explored family, love, and social status themes as Catherine navigated whether to follow her heart or obey her father’s wishes. The audience was inexorably drawn into a story conveyed through a 90-minute production in a seemingly virtual moment.

Read More »
Hercules at the Papermill Playyouse
Music
Victoria L. Dammer

Hercules at the Papermill

Who can forget the critically acclaimed 1997 Disney animated musical comedy film Hercules? The outstanding and award-winning movie is currently attracting full-house crowds in an unforgettable production, thanks to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.

Read More »
Hyun Ju Baek performs her play "Han!" directed by Thomas Richards at La MaMa (The Downstairs). Photo by Jonathan Slaff
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

Han! by Theatre No Theatre at La MaMa

The well-crafted descriptive language in Han! was fundamental to creating vivid and evocative imagery that transported viewers to other times, places, and states of mind. Through rich sensory details, figurative language, dance, movement, and expression, Hyun Ju Baek created a virtual, tangible, and intangible world, drawing the audience into her vision while inviting them to experience it uniquely.

Read More »
A Scene from Kissing the Floor with Christina Bennett Lind (Annie) and Leon Ingulsrud (Paul). Photo by Russ Rowland
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

Kissing the Floor at Theater Row

Kissing the Floor was a well-conceived, powerful dramatization akin to the legendary “sins of the father,” ably expressing the overpowering tragedies of Antigone brought to life in the demise of a family during the Great Depression. It is a profound exploration of human nature, grief, and the destructive consequences of–so many things.

Read More »
The Village! 2023. Photo by Peter Yesley
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

The Village! A Disco Daydream at Dixon Place

Tonight’s Disco Daydream was an immersive fun-fete celebrating the universal quest for elusive love and where it might be found. The cast touched hearts and drew inspiration from an empathetic audience that sighed at hints of romance, camaraderie, and reminiscences of disco’s glory days. The music never stopped in this story of love and tragedy as it unfolded through incredible dance routines, driving music, humor, charm, and physicality.

Read More »
Shedding Load. From 59e59.org
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

Shedding Load at 59E59

Shedding Load represented an exciting portent of American theater. It garnered an intense attraction to those who understand and appreciate the vitality and expressive power of dramatic arts. This art form makes us empathize, hurt, care, reflect, and remember.

Read More »
Vit Horejs as Vanek, Theresa Linnihan as Brewmaster. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
Off Broadway
Edward A Kliszus

AUDIENCE by Václav Havel

Audience was presented with fine acting, powerful multi-dimensional visuals, cultural significance, context and import, rich vigilance, and irony.

Read More »