Posts by Victoria Dammer

Picture of Victoria L. Dammer

Victoria L. Dammer

Graduate of Harvard with a Master of Journalism, Victoria L. Dammer is a brilliant writer, world traveler, entrepreneur, sportswriter, and freelance photographer. She currently writes Broadway and Off-Broadway reviews for The Front Row Center and Openingnight.online. She writes the Jets Fan Chatter column for TapInto.net, an online franchised newspaper with over 15 million readers. Her travel pieces will transport you to exotic and exciting places. Her food articles will make you hungry, and her photography will inspire you. She writes book reviews and poetry. Victoria is a member of The Players NYC and The Harvard Club NY, where she is a member of the Shakespeare in the Afternoon Special Interest Group.

Matt Baker. Photo courtesy of Hannah Celeste
Cabaret
Victoria L. Dammer

Australian Jazz Pianist Matt Baker

The incredibly personable Baker, currently living in New York City, was accompanied by an all-star band from the local jazz scene, including Grammy-nominated vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, 3rd generation jazz musician trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III, guitarist Max Light, Kevin Hailey on double bass and Curtis Nowosad on the drums.

Read More »
Nothing Stays the Same: How to Heal After the Heartbreak of Divorce by Lori Tartaglia.
Human Interest
Victoria L. Dammer

Nothing Stays the Same

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce, with second marriages reportedly having an even higher percentage rate of failure. Forbes Advisor contributing writer Christy Bieber, J.D., provides statistical input on a graph in her May 4th article entitled Revealing Divorce Statistics in 2023, showing divorce rates have declined since 2002. Yet most of us know far too many casualties of dissolved marriages.

Read More »
Hampton Junction Nonna’s Kitchen. Photo courtesy of Hampton Junction
Dining
Victoria L. Dammer

Hampton Junction Nonna’s Kitchen

Tonight’s special at Hampton Junction Nonna’s Kitchen was a roasted veal chop, perfectly prepared medium rare, accompanied by grilled asparagus and roasted potatoes. Exquisite is the word for this dish. Next, we consumed a personal pepperoni pizza with a light homemade crust and crispy. Then, right out of the pasta-making machine, the cheese ravioli were filled with a light-as-a-feather ricotta stuffing, ideally seasoned, and served in light oil and garlic with white wine reduction, garnished with broccoli rabe and sundried tomatoes.

Read More »
Major Curda and Dorcas Leung in ROMEO AND JULIET. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
Off Broadway
Victoria L. Dammer

Romeo and Juliet

Hansol Jung’s stage interpretation of Romeo and Juliet doesn’t challenge the work of Shakespeare’s classic but enhances it by bringing her version to a new audience, and the final standing ovation was proof of her success.

Read More »
Andre Royo in Audible Theater's production of "Drinking in America," written by Eric Bogosian and directed by Mark Armstrong. Off-Broadway / Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane, NYC). Photo (c) Jeremy Daniel
Off Broadway
Victoria L. Dammer

Drinking in America

Royo delivered a resounding performance, transforming into over 12 characters experiencing the stages of alcoholism and its effects on each character’s interaction with himself and others. At times, it’s hard to tell who Man is, as his toxic masculinity dominates and elevates with the abuse of alcohol.

Read More »
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 »
Tyce Green in Turn the Beat Around at 54 Below. Photo by Gloria Alvarado
Cabaret
Victoria L. Dammer

Turn the Beat Around at 54 Below

The thrill of the disco era returned to 54 Below on March 1 for an exciting night as the famous and glamorous nightclub opened the dance floor to all who came to participate in two sold-out shows of Turn the Beat Around.

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 »
Music
Victoria L. Dammer

Colvin, Cohn, and Jarosz at MPAC

The Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is the place to be on any night after dinner in Morristown, and it had the hottest ticket in town when Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, and Sarah Jarosz took the stage.

Read More »
Abraham Lincoln's Great Coat. Public domain from America, picturesque and descriptive (1900).
Literature
Victoria L. Dammer

Lincoln’s Greatcoat: The Unlikely Odyssey of a Presidential Relic

Arduous journeys begin with fascination. So does Reignette G. Chilton’s mysterious, sometimes scandalous, and ultimately glorious book about the splendid, custom-made greatcoat Abraham Lincoln wore on his fatal last night at Ford’s Theatre in 1865, entitled Lincoln’s Greatcoat; The Unlikely Odyssey of a Presidential Relic.

Read More »

 Readers may also be interested in About Opening Night Reviews, Authors at Opening Night, and Opening Night Reviews, You may also want to visit our friends at The Front Row Center and A New Yorker’s Point of View.