Dear theatre friends,
Sorry for the oversight– I should have recommended “Chester Bailey” in last month’s email. It has already received glowing reviews and stars the ever-wonderful Reed Birney and his son, Ephraim Birney. Extended until the 20th of this month.
I’m delighted that the magical “Fiddler On the Roof in Yiddish” is returning to NY, directed by Joel Grey and starring Steven Skybell as Tevye. You needn’t know a word of the language (supertitles) to thrill to this production, which I saw when it debuted at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Not ordinarily a musical fan, I almost sang and danced along with the cast! It most deservedly won Drama Desk and Outer Circle Awards. In time for the holidays, buy tickets for yourself and for everyone on your gift list– it’s pure joy!
Another unforgettable revival is Pulitzer Prize-winning “Between Riverside and Crazy” by the hugely talented Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Austin Pendleton. I do hope that Mr. Guirgis’s “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” will also be returning soon to New York. I remember it well, having seen it a second time at the Edinburgh Fringe. Now, twenty plus years on, a new generation could be witnessing the unstoppable energy and insight of an earlier gem. Run to see this one!!
To champion new writing, please try “Good Enemy”. a world premiere by Yilong Liu. It concerns a Chinese-American father trying to connect to his far more assimilated college age daughter, yet unwilling to confront memories of his own early life. An ensemble cast is brought to you by Audible at the Minetta Lane Theatre.
A good bet for a winning play is “My Broken Language” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Quiara Alegria Hudes (“Water by the Spoonful”), which is beginning the Signature Theatre season. She’s adapted her recent memoir about growing up with a Puerto Rican mother and a Jewish father in Philadelphia.
Speaking of Pulitzer winners, do go downtown to see ‘A Delicate Balance,” Edward Albee’s relentlessly haunting play. I’m curious to see this co-production of The Transport Group and National Asian American Theatre Company, and how today’s actors reprise roles indelibly played by Glenn Close and John Lithgow in 2014.
That’s all for now. I hope to sit next to you in the theatre—soon!
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.