By Michael Reubens These two one-man shows, one featuring a political satirist, the other a provocative in-your-face story teller are both must see vehicles in the Off-Broadway circuit and for very limited runs. The very much alive Will Durst in Durst Case Scenario: Midterm Madness completes its run at The Playroom Theatre on November 18th from San Francisco and the long-gone Lenny Bruce in I’m not a comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce, written and performed by Ronnie Marmo and directed by Joe Mantegna is in it’s New York Premiere and accepting reservations until December 30th. Now at The Cutting Room, following a…

By Michael Reubens At the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Plaza Hotel on November 5th, the 35th Annual Broadway tribute and Benefit Gala hosted by The Drama League – a proud organization supporting actors and Broadway creative teams – took place, honoring actor Nathan Lane for achievement in film, television and theater: it was a truly magical and exciting evening, full of musical entertainment, speeches. Surprises and joviality. Hosted by Mattthew Broderick, the event also honored Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership as a Broadway producer of American Theater. Mark Linn-Baker, Susan Stroman, Andrea Martin, Diane Paulis, Norm Lewis, Christine Baranski,…

Off-Broadway theatre review By Michael Reubens When it comes to family – blood-lines, Adoption or families of choice – decisions about relationships are the forefront of daily loving and living life to the full. Case in point Daniel’s Husband, a new play by Michael McKeever, now playing at the Westside Theatre (Upstairs). As the title of the piece implies, this is a portrayal of gay relationships, of choices, of values, respect and honesty. We meet four friends at a dinner party at Daniel’s home. Two couples seemingly enjoying themselves albeit playing word games, discussing politics and Sharing amusing anecdotes. There’s…

By Michael Reubens The far west side of Manhattan has been reinventing itself for many years and with it, gentrification, tower block apartments, businesses and restaurants. Ousía – meaning Essence/Flavor – on 57th Street at 11th Avenue is one prime example. This beautifully designed restaurant spares no expense at a glorious interior design and prime real estate grandeur. Close to the Hudson River and skyline of New Jersey, it has fine Mediterranean dining, Greek cuisine and a Happy Hour in an ambience that’s both tranquil and soothing. I had the pleasure of sampling the Happy Hour menu recently prior to…

By Michael Reubens I recently had the pleasure to attend two film screenings here in New York: Both focus on real-life people – both deceased – The first film about a journalist, the second, a film director. I refer to A Private War and Searching for Ingmar Bergman An American war correspondent based in London for The UK Sunday Times, Marie Colvin (Rosamund Pike) died courageously covering one of the most dangerous global hotspots in the Syrian city of Homs. Her photographer, Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan) is still alive. A Private War was directed by acclaimed Documentary film-maker Matthew Heinemann…

By Michael Reubens The title of The Waverly Galley at the Golden Theatre refers to a small privately owned art gallery in New York’s Greenwich Village. Other scenes in this highly passionate and emotional drama by Kenneth Lonergan focus on Upper West side Manhattan homes from 1989-1991. A highly-charged, deeply profound and extremely disturbing melodrama involves a woman of a certain age with alzheimers. The breakdown unraveling physically and mentally in a two year period, the stressful toll it has on her immediate family and an artist that pops into her life are themes of this complex drama. Elaine May…

Off-Broadway theatre review By Michael Reubens New and talented playwrights burst onto the worldwide theatre community from time to time and James Wallert is a prime example. Wallert has chronicled this thought-provoking documentary form of live theatre The Winning Side at the Acorn Theatre into a work of art. By laying out fundamentally asked questions and delving into historical facts, Wallert has researched the life and fast times of Werner von Braun, a Chief Rocket Engineer of Hitler’s Third Reich empire (1912-1977), the cloak and dagger movements associated with foreign governments, including the US., his clandestine love affairs and suspicious…

By Michael Reubens There’s something explosive happening right now on stage by the Roundabout Theatre Company at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. And that is Acclaimed British actress Janet McTeer who brings to life a stunning and highly-charged French actress, Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923). Bernhardt was way ahead of her time, a time when women were treated as subservient and no way entrepreneurs – especially running her own theatre in Paris – which she did, and very successfully. Among her many roles were Medea and Camille but it is Theresa Rebeck the playwright, that channels McTeer into Bernhardt as the…

By Michael Reubens The title above comes from just one of 600 songs Bob Dylan composed being part and parcel of a biographical play variation featuring the works of Dylan, interwoven in this award- winning London import about life in Dylan country, Duluth, Minnesota, USA. Written and Directed by Conor McPherson, this play with music is a true ensemble piece that needs to be seen at whatever cost and at too short a limited run at The New York Public Theater. Set in a Duluth Boarding House, we, the audience, eavesdropp at every opportunity as the plot thickens, while introduced…