By Michael Reubens Affectionately known as “The Trocks”, this unique male dance troupe extroadinaire are making a welcome return to the Joyce Theatre for a short but must-see season of classical ballet highlights with a difference! With the world in a political and climactic spiral, a comedic style of classical ballet is a breath of fresh air and perfect timing in this hectic Christmas season. A positive respite is to see comedy intertwined with sophisticated Ballet as performed by talented Male dancers. Not since British pantomime in the UK do I remember leading men playing women’s roles so convincingly and…

By Michael Reubens “Ferociously Entertaining”, wrote Stephen Holden of the New York Times, when reviewing one of their many New York shows. Going on to say…”They deliver songs both famous and obscure in a delirious whoosh of lubricious exuberance…” I concur wholeheartedly. This is a class double-act and their choice of Christmas musical interludes went down a treat last night at the Laurie Beachman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street, as part of their final three part engagement – Wednesday’s at 7pm. This is not the first time I’ve seen these talented performers, nor will it be the last. Seeing both…

By Michael Reubens New York City or more specifically the Theatre-District of Manhattan is inundated with fine-dining and top of the line establishments on par with London, Paris and Rome, or closer to home, Los Angeles or Montréal. Oceana is in this league: primarily sea food and fish, however chicken and duck are equally displayed on the menu. Having sampled Happy Hour recently at their sister property, Ousía (*see 23 Oct review), I was curious how Oceana fared in the group. The third, OceanaPoke, will be on my list sometime in the future. First impressions are fearfully important and from…

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…