Performing Arts
Nov 18, 2009
To Appreciate or to Feel? That is the Question
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst elegantly deconstructs her experience of "The Good Dance," as envisioned by Brooklyn's Reggie Wilson and Senegal's Andreya Ouamba; in the process, she offers trenchant insights about the varied ways art may work on the viewer.
Oct 28, 2009
The Boundaries of Force and Harm
Quinton Skinner
Theater critic Quinton Skinner weighs in on Mixed Blood's new production, Lynn Nottage's "Ruined", directed by Aditi Kapil. He calls it a "play of startling intelligence and acuity," a powerful story of survival in extremity.
Oct 22, 2009
Old-Time Radio 2.0
David Doody
Writer David Doody profiles the creative team behind Radio Happy Hour, two guys who have been refashioning playfully zany old-time radio shows for hip, young audiences -- first in Minneapolis and now, New York City.
Oct 7, 2009
What the Heart Wants
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst gives a glimpse into the underpinnings of Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater's new production, "Tales from the Book of Longing," which investigates the adult complexities of want, desire, and yearning.
Sep 23, 2009
Dance the Unending Monsoon
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst weighs in on Ananya Dance Theatre's new work, "Ashesh Barsha,", the final installment in their performance trilogy on the environmental crisis. Plus: A preview of Ragamala's "Dhvee (Duality)", created with Çudamani, Oct 1 & 2.
Sep 18, 2009
Winners by any other name: The Ivey Awards
Jaime Kleiman
Jaime Kleiman offers a mini-history of the TC theater bash-that-could, the democratic-minded Ivey Awards. This year's "honorees," selected by a pool of 150 avid theatergoers, will be recognized in an awards ceremony September 21 at LaSalle Plaza.
Sep 16, 2009
The Play and Power of Women in Hip-hop: B-Girl Be
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst reflects on Intermedia Arts' annual month-long celebration of women in hip-hop -- think you don't like this kind of thing? "Go anyway," Darst says. These b-girls will surprise and delight you.
Sep 9, 2009
A First Look at "smithsoniansmith (as is)"
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst previews the densely layered "smithsoniansmith," a new dance work by the HIJACK duo and Scott Heron. Darst will review the show again this spring, when the artists plan to perform it as a larger-scale production.
Aug 18, 2009
Love, According to Dave
Britt Aamodt
Britt Aamodt offers an in-depth profile of emerging screenwriter turned playwright, David Ash -- the local writer/director of the underground film festival favorite, "Love: A Documentary," and a new play, "Connected."
Aug 7, 2009
FRINGE SHORTS: "Tales ... of the Expected" by Ari Hoptman
Max Sparber
Max Sparber appreciated Ari Hoptman's dry, quirky wit very much -- read on for Sparber's take on the production, which he says is inspired by early MAD MAGAZINE and Jay Ward's "Fractured Fairy Tales" in equal measure.
Aug 4, 2009
FRINGE SHORTS: "The Three Bonnies" by DA Dance
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst took in the horse-filled, cowboy-themed dance show "The Three Bonnies" by founding Zenon member Denise Armstead and found it to be an ambitious but puzzling production.
Aug 3, 2009
FRINGE SHORTS: "Fearsome Critter" by Mother/Destroyer
Matthew Everett
Playwright Matthew Everett will be sending back dispatches from the festival all week. Here's his take on "Fearsome Critter," a show, which he was happily surprised to discover, that totally faked him out.
Aug 3, 2009
FRINGE SHORTS: Cathy Wright's "Thrower of Light"
Lightsey Darst
Dance critic Lightsey Darst will be sending in dispatches and short reviews throughout this year's Fringe Festival. Here, she kicks off our Fringe coverage with a brief on Cathy Wright's itch-and-grit movement piece, "Thrower of Light."
Jul 29, 2009
Agony and Ecstasy: Inside the Fringe
Jaime Kleiman
Jaime Kleiman's engaging feature gives an inside glimpse into the pressure-cooker of making a Fringe show, as seen through the eyes of a few first-time producers.
Jul 28, 2009
MOMENTUM: Sally Rousse and Megan Mayer
Lightsey Darst
In this, the second in her two-part review of this year's MOMENTUM: New Dance Works offerings, Lightsey Darst gives her thoughts on the performances created by Sally Rousse and Megan Mayer.
Jul 21, 2009
MOMENTUM: Vanessa Voskuil and Sachiko Nishiuchi
Lightsey Darst
Lightsey Darst took in the first weekend's MOMENTUM: NEW DANCE WORK performances, and she weighs in on the madding crowd and fiery flamenco of this year's first shows, by Vanessa Voskuil and Sachiko Nishiuchi.
Jul 7, 2009
The Accidental Playwright
Jaime Kleiman
Actor and theater critic Jaime Kleiman profiles Aditi Kapil -- an Ivey Award-winning writer, actor, and director -- about her new work, the benefits of an international perspective, and the lucky happenstance that's bolstered her career crafting plays.