Here I take a look at “The Michaels” and “Dr. Ride’s American Beach House”, two Off-Broadway plays of very different substance that trade in the same, refreshing approach of eschewing bombast and declaration for delicacy and introspection.
All tagged Ars Nova
REVIEW: A Lin-Manuel Miranda-less “Freestyle Love Supreme”
“Freestyle Love Supreme” is an abundantly joyful and amusing freestyle, improvisational, hip-hop comedy show created by Thomas Kail, Anthony Veneziale, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. A pricey enterprise given that it is, fundamentally, an improv show, lovers of wordplay will take great pleasure in the clever and witty rhymes that the rotating cast of rappers and beatboxers come up with on the spot based on audience suggestions, and cynics will see a well-marketed cash grab.
REVIEW: The Bengsons are back in “The Lucky Ones”
The Bengsons follow up on “Hundred Days” with another musical docu-concert, “The Lucky Ones”, which serves as a sort of prologue or prequel. Abundantly surprising, deeply intimate, and simply gorgeous, they have created another wonderful show that brims with rawness, honesty, and humanity.
NOTES: RIP “The Great Comet” (2012-2017)
“Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812”—a musicalized 70 page excerpt from Tolstoy’s “War in Peace”—plays its final performance on Broadway today. “Comet” was not my favorite show, but I can’t help but feel sad about its sudden demise.