Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

The Newsroom So you tuned in and loved The Newsroom , right? Me too ! As part of their coverage, Broadway.com will, each week, round up their favorite quotes from each episode. Here's what they liked from the premiere . (I personally liked it when Will McAvoy sardonically referred to America as so "star-spangled awesome," and I loved Johnny Gallagher's face when his Jim Harper had to reveal one of his sources to be his big sister!) Tune in Sunday at 10 for the next episode: More: Johnny Gallagher talks to Broadway.com about working on The Newsroom and keeping up with his Spring Awakening costars.  Did you see "The Buzz" from the LA and NY premieres? Catch them on You Tube: LA ; NY . Johnny Gallagher might sing on The Newsroom ! Upon finding out that both Gallagher and Jeff Daniels are singer/songwriters, Aaron Sorkin said, "Oh, there's going to be an episode when you [John] and Jeff are jamming." Amazing! Aaron Sorkin a...

Where to even begin when speaking about the extraordinary production on Uncle Vanya playing at Soho Rep. Well, let’s start with the brilliant playwright Annie Baker. Baker ( Circle Mirror Transformation , The Aliens ) not only succeeds but excels in adapting this Anton Chekov classic for 2012. The humor and modernist themes Baker found - all of which are present in Chekov’s work - are beautifully brought to life. Told through Baker’s carefully chosen words, this soap opera is about caring for ourselves and others and about being at peace with our lives.  Baker brings all sorts of classic, enduring themes to the forefront. The idea that the intellectuals are insufferable; that unremarkable lives breed boredom; that while failure is inevitable, for some it spells the end while for others it simply means resignation. Those who resign themselves to this type of life, as depicted in Uncle Vanya, may find purpose and solace in the mundane and routine. Set in the estate the sho...

The Newsroom Aaron Sorkin's new TV show premieres on HBO this Sunday, and I'm sooooooooo excited! Here are some finds to help you get ready: I had the privilege of attending an advance screening of the pilot episode and LOVED it !) New York magazine caught up with the brilliant scribe to talk about expectations for the show, upcoming projects and Don Quixote . Seriously. New York magazine's Vulture ranked Sorkin characters . It's a good list, with lots of fond memories for Sorkinites, but I think the top two choices should be flipped.  Hit Fix also spoke with Sorkin and star Jeff Daniels . Broadway.com points out the many theatre connections of The Newsroom , from its stolen-from-Broadway cast to Man of La Mancha quotes. Playbill offers "first look" photos from the pilot GQ got Sorkin to tell folks how to write an Aaron Sorkin script (Bonus: it includes some transcribed dialogue from the first episode.)) Have a question for Aaron Sork...

Oh. My. Thespis. I’m in love. The Newsroom is everything I had hoped it would; everything I expected it to be; and so many things I hadn’t yet imagined. In interviews leading up to the premiere, Aaron Sorkin has been bandying about the term “romantic” to describe the show. And you know what? It is. (Of course it is. Sorkin is the master of the perfect word choice.)  There is a wonderful and palpable romanticism of the journalist days gone by, the days of Murrow and Cronkite. And a romanticism about what the news could be. About an informed citizenry, “speaking truth to stupid,” as Mackenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer) says in the pilot, titled “We Just Decided To”.  And deciding to do something is really what this whole show is going to come down to. The climax of the first episode is set in motion when Jim Harper (John Gallagher, Jr.) is lucky enough to get some scoop on an emerging crisis. You could argue about the verisimilitude of his luck, but that’s not the ...

Tony Wrap Up The 66th Tony Awards are in the history books, and it was a great, performance-filled broadcast, with several well-deserved wins, a few surprises and lots of heartfelt speeches. Here are some things to help you gradually recover from Tony fever! Tony wrap up , including the full list of winners Pinterest board full of Tony pics , with red carpet and after party photos Official Tony photos from the Tony website ( and here's even more! ) Party photos , from the New York Times Vogue  followed four nominees , including eventual winner Nina Arianda, as they got ready for the Tonys. News: on the heels of its Tony win for Best Play, Clybourne Park  has extended its run. The Pulitzer and Tony winning play will now run through September 2 . Videos: (1) Broadway.com interviews the stars as they walk the red carpet  (below); (2) Steve Kazee after his win ; (3) Nina Arianda after her win ; (4) Side by Side by Susan Blackwell: Susan chats with the Tony wi...

The 2012 Tony Awards have been handed out! It was a great, permformance-filled broadcast, with host Neil Patrick Harris once again proving what an affable and versatile performer he is. I loved his effusive praise of the Broadway community, and the way he made Ted Chapin and Angela Lansbury's American Theater Wing speech watchable! (I also loved Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin's intro to the Best Revival category - now that's an intro!) There were definitely some surprises throughout the night, which makes any award more fun to watch. So, without any further ado, here is the full list of winners. (Winners are notated with an asterisk and bold type. Pictures to be added throughout the day.) Best Play  Clybourne Park , Bruce Norris* Other Desert Cities , John Robin Baitz Peter and the Starcatcher , Rick Elice Venus in Fur , David Ives Of course I wanted Starcatcher  to win, but this is extremely well-deserved. Clybourne Park  is a fantastic, classic, funny an...