New York Christopher Peterson New York Christopher Peterson

Review: “The Melting Pot” at the Access Theatre

About two years ago, during my last semester of college, I had the chance to serve as the dramaturge of a one-act drama called Medusa’s Tale. The play was a fascinating mixture of both Greek mythology, as well as the exploration of contemporary issues of gender and sexual assault. During that time, I came to respect and appreciate this play, as well as its author, Carol Lashof. It’s a big reason why this past weekend, I was intrigued and eager to see Ms. Lashof’s latest work, The Melting Pot, during its premiere at the Access Theatre.

Read More
Canada Christopher Peterson Canada Christopher Peterson

Review: "Animal Farm" at Soulpepper

Some momentary glimpses into oppressive societal norms make this ‘Animal Farm’ noteworthy but, given our current Canadian political climate today in our own country and south of the border, this story should spark more discussion on the political spectrum and it doesn’t.

Read More
New York Christopher Peterson New York Christopher Peterson

Review: “One More Time with Malice” at the Robert Moss Theatre

Depression and mental health. HIV and AIDS, and the impact it particularly has had on gay couples. Bigotry toward the LGBTQ community. The economic struggles of those who can’t keep up with the cost of rent and health insurance. These are all themes which have been tackled before in theatre, and I’ve seen many plays that do a fine job at doing so. Yet all of them play a part in the story of Rob Cardazone’s new play One More Time with Malice, which recently premiered at the Robert Moss Theater.

Read More
New York Christopher Peterson New York Christopher Peterson

Review: “Time Stands Still” at Theater for the New City

Anyone who’s ever been in love knows that it isn’t always easy, and that it doesn’t always end pretty. As people grow with each other, they realize that their interests aren’t as mutual as perhaps they once were, and that perhaps the idea of the person whom they once loved no longer matches up with whom they really are. This is a very basic premise that is explored in the play Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies, which was recently revived for an Off-Off-Broadway run at Theater for the New City.

Read More
San Francisco Christopher Peterson San Francisco Christopher Peterson

Review: "Seeds" at Utopia Theater Project

When soldiers returned home from World War II, many protected their families and loved ones from what they experienced on the battlefield. However, in Anne Yumi Kobori’s new play Seeds, these secrets haunt these soldiers, as they attempt to readapt to life after the war.

Read More
Connecticut Christopher Peterson Connecticut Christopher Peterson

Review: "Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" at Long Wharf Theatre

Playwright Ken Ludwig is making the rounds here in Connecticut with another piece that originated at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton in 2015. This time, it’s an adaptation of another mystery writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his illustrious pipe-smoking sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, with a reworking of one of Doyle’s most famous Sherlock Holmes stories, The Hound of Baskerville.

Read More
New York Christopher Peterson New York Christopher Peterson

Review: “Phantom of the Paradise in Concert” at the Secret Loft

There are plenty of classic shows, books, and films out there that are just ripe for parody. Among this endless list of such examples is The Phantom of the Opera, both the musical we often think of when we hear that title, as well the novel it was based on. Yet despite this, it’s not frequently common to find very many Phantom parodies out there. However, there is one – Phantom of the Paradise – which I had the chance to see staged in a concert format at the Secret Loft earlier this week.

Read More
Off Broadway, New York Christopher Peterson Off Broadway, New York Christopher Peterson

Off-Broadway Review: “Amy and the Orphans”

Ms. Brewer rises to deliver an exceptional performance full of fierce bravery, standing tall to deliver an unwavering curtain closing speech comprised of familiar movie lines that cuts to the emotional core. It is a moment that is so honest the words spoken take on a completely new meaning that resonate heartbreaking hope.        

Read More
United Kingdom Christopher Peterson United Kingdom Christopher Peterson

Review: "The Play That Goes Wrong" - UK Touring Production

It's very rare that a play is considered mainstream, plus popular among audiences of all ages and demographics. However, that seems to be the case with Mischief Theatre's farce, The Play That Goes Wrong. After a hugely successful run in London's west end, the production is now on a tour of the United Kingdom. So I thought I best go and see what all the fuss was about.

Read More
Off Broadway, New York Christopher Peterson Off Broadway, New York Christopher Peterson

Off-Broadway Review: “Kings” at the Public Theater

It is difficult for a script and a cast of actors, even as talented at this “King’s” cast, to compete with the reality of the headlines. The challenge comes not only from the vigor of the daily news but also from the somewhat dated material in the narrative itself. Under Thomas Kail’s uneven direction, the actors often appear to be talking “at” one another instead of engaging in believable conversation.

Read More
Los Angeles Christopher Peterson Los Angeles Christopher Peterson

Review: Bravo to "The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk"

Taking my teenage daughter to see The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, I had no idea this beautiful production would be such a fascinating historical love story. I thought it might enlighten her about the great painter Marc Chagall, yet soon discovered it was also about his hardship and bigotry as a Jew living through both World Wars.

Read More
Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

Broadway Review: “Farinelli and the King”

Mark Rylance gives awakening to the recitative from Handel’s “Ho perso il caro ben” a truly mystical tone. And Sam Crane brings an authentic vulnerability to his role as Farinelli that counterpoints brilliantly with the tempered desperation of Mark Rylance’s Philippe.

Read More