Shirley Not?

Catching up with the indispensible LA Observed blog, which reported over the weekend that theater writer Don Shirley is rumored to be among those soon to depart the LA Times. Does that make the Weekly's two Stevens (Leigh Morris and Mikulan) the only local observers with a background covering the scene for more than a decade? Institutional memory takes another hit.

"Rent" Asunder

These two wildly diverging reviews, by the NY Times' A.O. Scott and the LA Times' Carina Chocano, make fine back-to-back reading. Can't wait to hear more arguments like this—and it's not just because I find myself more in Scott's camp that I wonder whether the outrage Chocano showers on the film is wisely spent. (Her colleague, the hot air generator Kenneth Turan, prasies Syriana in exactly the sort of terms that make me want to look for a scathing takedown, as much as I look forward to the film.)

Albee There

My first non-musical in a while, and I liked it.

Another Sign of the Apocalypse

This had to happen sooner or later.

Go East, Young Man

I'm as surprised as anyone that I actually like the new Rent film, considering how I felt about the show. Crow has seldom tasted so good.

Such a Tsuris

A peculiar and rough-hewn evening at this premiere English translation of a Yiddish play, but I did have a better time than at Woman in White.

Return of the Lord

My review of the latest from Lloyd Webber is here.

TV or Not TV

My review of Rinne Groff's new play at the Public is here. Her work stood out at Louisville a few years ago, and it's nice to see her getting the Public forum (though my peers have been mixed, here and here).

Nothing To Be Done

A thoroughly creditable production of a 20th century classic, reviewed here. (It did put me in mind, though, of another revival I adored.)

Flood Plain

Another gem.

Rocky Mountain Low

To answer a snide comment below: A show like this new John Denver musical is not why I came to New York. But a job's a job.

Free Spot

The new musical Bingo apparently had its start at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse. Not sorry I missed it there. My review is here. One good West Coast import that I didn't mind, though: the peerless Beth Malone.

Doleful Matter Merrily Set Down

From the same creative well as the Broadway Sweeney Todd, a bangup production of The Winter's Tale, reviewed here.

Hear Me Singing "Yes"

My review of the best Gothic chamber musical ever is here. It measures up quite well to the London production, recalled here.