“The Balusters” presented by the Manhattan Theatre Club

Broadway

4 out of 5 stars

David Lindsay-Abaire offers a telling look at a neighborhood association’s board in all its bickering glory.…

  • "A Night of Chekhov" at Actors Temple Theatre

    Beyond Broadway
    1.5 out of 5 stars

    During the three one-act plays that make up "A Night of Chekhov," characters protest repeatedly that they can't stand shouting. If only the actors and director had heeded those words…

  • “||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||” at Vineyard Theatre

    Beyond Broadway
    2 out of 5 stars

    You can appreciate the novel approach Eisa Davis takes in “||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||,” a work revolving around four teenage girls at a summer music program. But that doesn’t necessarily make for compelling theater…

  • "This Is Not About Me" at 59E59 Theaters

    Beyond Broadway
    4.5 out of 5 stars

    A British import — part of 59E59’s “Brits Off Broadway” series — wows with its distinctive style…

  • “Well, I’ll Let You Go” at Studio Seaview

    Beyond Broadway
    4.5 out of 5 stars

    “For me, 60, 70 years is not enough.” This line from Bubba Weiler’s “Well, I’ll Let You Go” is so romantic that Studio Seaview, the play’s presenter, even sells coffee mugs in the lobby emblazoned with it…

  • “Cable Street” at 59E59 Theaters

    Beyond Broadway
    4 out of 5 stars

    "Cable Street" somehow combines the grand, rebellious energy of "Les Miserables" and "Newsies" with a touch of "Hamilton"-esque hip-hop, despite its cast of just 13 actors playing multiple roles…

  • "Giant" at the Music Box Theater

    Broadway
    3.5 out of 5 stars

    As expected, John Lithgow delivers a fine portrayal of Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt’s “Giant,” a play that looks at the children’s book author in all his preening brilliance and tackles his anti-Israel and antisemitic views…

  • “Nicole Travola Is Doing Alright” at Soho Playhouse

    Beyond Broadway
    1.5 out of 5 stars

    Nicole Travolta is doing alright -- hence, the name of her show. But how she got there is another story, and that’s the gist of this confessional comedic endeavor…

  • “Lost in Del Valle” at Soho Playhouse

    Beyond Broadway
    4.5 out of 5 stars

    Ned Van Zandt has a story to tell. Make that several stories. It’s all revealed in “Lost in Del Valle,” his brilliantly engaging performance piece…

  • “Kenrex” at the Lucille Lortel Theatre

    Beyond Broadway
    4 out of 5 stars

    "Kenrex" is both a one-man show and flashy theatrical spectacle -- and it’s thoroughly enjoyable on both fronts…

  • “The Lost Boys” at the Palace Theatre

    Broadway
    4.5 out of 5 stars

    Early in “The Lost Boys,” there’s a wink-wink reference to the challenge of making a musical based on a movie. But no such worries here…

  • “Rheology” at Playwrights Horizons

    Beyond Broadway
    4.5 out of 5 stars

    In "Rheology," the playwright/director's physicist mother co-stars with him, brilliantly playing herself -- and that's not even the most remarkable thing happening onstage…

  • “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” at the Barrymore Theater

    Broadway
    4 out of 5 stars

    Don’t let its moments of easy, everyday conversation fool you. August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is a play of big ideas…

  • "The Rocky Horror Show” at Studio 54

    Broadway
    3 out of 5 stars

    This “Rocky” is often a lot of fun, though the cast has both hits (Luke Evans, Rachel Dratch, Stephanie Hsu) and misses (Juliette Lewis)…

  • “Beaches” at the Majestic Theater

    Broadway
    2 out of 5 stars

    “Beaches” serves as a solid showcase for Jessica Vosk, who plays the brassy character tackled by Bette Midler in the cinematic version…

  • “Schmigadoon!” at the Nederlander Theater

    Broadway
    4 out of 5 stars

    With its lampooning and revering of golden-age musicals, “Schmigadoon!,” based on Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio’s Apple TV series, is better realized on Broadway than television…

What we do

The 100 Word Review delivers exactly that: sharp, digestible critiques of theater and other cultural events, all in 100 words or less. (Because honestly, who has time to read more?) Plus, look for 200 word Q&As with theater pros, 300 word commentaries on the theater scene and occasional other news and features.