An appreciation of Christopher Durang

We lost a good one this week. I threw a few thoughts together for the Washington Post, and you can find them here.

Yannick

Quentin Dupieux strikes again! I got to review his latest, Yannick, for the Times. And by "latest" I mean latest to be released in the U.S.: one more came out since, and his next is premiering at Cannes. I just love him. Click here for the review.

The Who's Tommy

I got to tackle the Broadway revival of The Who's Tommy for the Washington Post. Come for Pete Townshend, stay for the Daft Punk joke! Click here for the review.

Water for Elephants

My first byline in The Washington Post! I am beyond psyched, and honored. It's a review of the new Broadway musical Water for Elephants and I liked the production a lot. Click here for the review (gift link).

Limbo

Simon Baker gives a terrific performance in this new movie by Ivan Sen — a director I quite like. Check it out, but first check out my review for the Times.

March sci-fi movies

My latest sci-fi column is out! 

Meet Elsbeth…again

Longtime viewers of The Good Wife and The Good Fight are familiar with Elsbeth Tascioni, and now this fan favorite is getting her own show! I went to the set on two different days and talked to a whole bunch of people, including Carrie Preston, of course. Click here for the story.

The Hunt

I tend to like Rupert Goold's work but oof — this one is on the nose. Good performance from Tobias Menzies but the show is so overwrought. My review for the Times is here.

A Sign of the Times

I actually love Petula Clark songs, especially the ones she recorded with the brilliant Tony Hatch, but if you're going to do a jukebox of her hits, just do one and not this mishmash. My review is here.

Juliette Binoche interview

Juliette Binoche is of a generation and a personality with no patience or interest in media training, which makes her a wonderful person to interview. As you can read in my piece here.

Science fiction for February

 The latest installment of my science-fiction column is out, with more under-the-radar flicks. Thataway!

I Love You So Much I Could Die

Lucas Hnath's staging is inventive and bold but Mona Pirnot's play and songs just aren't sturdy enough to support it. My review of the New York Theater Workshop production is here.

Interview with Nina Conti

Happy to back on the ventriloquist beat! At long last, I got to interview Nina Conti! I've been a fan of this brilliant comedian for years and the Times finally let me talk to her. Click here for Nina (Monkey was otherwise engaged, I suppose). 

Some mighty fine Chita Rivera videos

As part of the Times's multi-pronged tribute to Chita Rivera, I pulled nine videos from YouTube. They will keep you entertained for while — a mini hommage to topflight American entertainement. Click here for the goods. 

Once Upon a Mattress

Call it typecasting if you will: Sutton Foster, Harriet Harris and Michael Urie are terrific in this Encores! production. It was a pleasure to review it for the Times.

Skiing Wolf Creek

It seems fitting to post this report from Wolf Creek, Colorado, as I wait to board a flight to another ski trip. Come for the photos of magnificent powder and scenery, stay for the reporting about plans that could change Wolf Creek forever. Click here for the article.

Super-duper late post about my return to Creede

I had to look at some of my old articles for a project and realized I hadn't posted my piece about returning to Creede, Colorado, in the summer of 2022! Better late than never, so here it is.

Our Class

I have a few reservations about Igor Golyak's staging of this play, but overall I recommend seeing the show — it's what we need right now. My review is here.