Dear theatre friends,
Since theatre companies have wound up the autumn season and the holidays are soon upon us, there’s not much new to recommend this month. Fortunately, there have been some extentions and revivals of good work you might be able to fit in.
“Appropriate” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, starring Sarah Paulson, is a Second Stage production at the Hayes theatre. I saw an off-Broadway production at Signature in 2014– its a story of an unusually fraught family reunion. You might like to read this New York Times Critics’ Pick review of that production.
“All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain” has been garnering excellent reviews and has now been extended until February 25th. Written and performed by Patrick Page (“Hadestown”) at the DR2 theatre.
“Prayer for the French Republic” by Joshua Harmon and directed by David Cromer, begins December 19th on Broadway, after a very successful Off Broadway run last year. It won multiple awards and is tragically so timely dealing with anti-semitism over five generations. Here’s the New York Times review from the original production.
Sorry for the short notice, but try not to miss “The Life and Times of Michael K” at St. Ann’s Warehouse, only until December 23rd. It was the big hit at the Edinburgh Festival, and is brought by Baxter Theatre (Mies Julie’) and Handspring Puppets, directed by Lara Foot. It’s adapted from J. M. Coetzee’s Booker Prize-winning novel.
Looking ahead to January, Motus, a well respected Italian company, will present “Of the Nightinggale/Envy the Fate” at La Mama. You’ll have only five days, January 10th-15th, to see this thirty year old, inventive group brought to you by Under The Radar.
The second in the Brian Friel trilogy at the Irish Rep, “Aristocrats” will begin performances on January 11th. It has been hailed as his “Chekhovian masterpiece” and was well received in it’s prior Irish Rep production of 2009. I don’t know how I could have missed it then, but I certainly will not again!
Soho Rep and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Companies are co-presenting a revival of “Public Obscenities” January 17th- February 18th at Theatre for a New Audience. Its original production last March received glowing reviews, such as this from The New York Times”.
Finally, for those who’ll be in London by January 27th, don’t miss “Ulster American” by David Ireland. Originally staged at the Edinburgh Fringe, it was my 2018 Award Winner. It still hasn’t announced a New York run, however, with Woody Harrelson in this hilarious three-hander, I know it will be a surefire hit here, too.
That’s all for now. Best wishes for happy holidays, and happy playgoing!
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.