TIME STANDS STILL A REVIEW

The horror of war and it's lasting effect on humans is the main idea of Donald Margulies's solid and sometimes gripping new play TIME STANDS STILL.
It is the story of Sara, a photographer and James, a journalist who have been together for years and share a common passion for documenting the realities of war,but when Sara is seriously injured taking pictures they are forced to return home and face the prospect of a conventional life style.
It's a provacative premise for a play and Mr Margulies gives it an honest and sympatico treatment. He is greatly aided by Daniel Sullivan's adroit staging and a cast of four that play together beautifully.
As the scarred photographer Laura Linney is marvelous ,proving once again what a fine actress she is, and Brian D'Arcy James is heartbreakingly effective as her journalist partner. They are given superb support by Alicia Silverstone and Eric Bogosian as their well meaning if somewhat overbearing friends.
While it may not be a major work, TIME STANDS STILL is another notable play from a talented playwright,and it should have a long and happy life.
At THE SAMUEL J. FRIEDMAN THEATRE 261 WEST 47th STREET N.Y.C.

THE ORPHAN'S HOME CYCLE PART 3 A REVIEW

Now that the final part of Horton Foot's remarkable three part biographical epic THE ORPHAN'S HOME CYCLE has opened, I can finally say that this is the peak of the season so far and will be remembered by me as one of the best events I have seen in over 55 years of theatregoing.
Part three [subtitled The Story Of A Family] begins with the author becoming a father for the first time,and ends with the death of the head of the family and the playright's resolve to go into the theatre.
As with the other two parts, Michael Wilson's staging is remarkably fluid, the acting company work so well together that they are a joy to see, and the sets, costumes, and lighting are part and parcel of a beautiful experience that no serious theatregoer can afford to miss.
THE ORPHAN'S HOME CYCLE is memorable and unmissable. A truly remarkable theatre adventure,and the best three evenings you will ever have at the theatre.
At THE SIGNATURE THEATRE COMPANY 555 WEST 42nd STREET N.Y.C Thru May 8th.

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE A REVIEW

Except for Death Of A Salesman, I have always thought that A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is Arthur Miller's best play. This great American tragedy about a Brooklyn longshoreman's unatural attraction to his 17 year old neice and the shattering effect it has on his wife was first presented in 1955 as part of a double bill of one acts, and was a moderate success at that time[ 149 performances] with Van Heflin in the leading role. I thought that it was wonderful then[I was only 12 years old at the time] and I thought it was still wonderful in it's two major Broadway revivals, and in a brilliant Off-Broadway one in 1965.
Now this great play takes on a new life in director Gregory Mosher's remarkably effective staging. It is also blessed by an outstanding acting company with Liev Schreiber,Scarlett Johansson, and Jessica Hecht powerfully effective in the three central rolls. Ms. Johansson is especially notable as the neice who has the guts to stand up to her overprotective uncle.
The settings by John Lee Beatty and the lighting by Peter Kaczorowski catch the mood of the play brilliantly and Jane Greenwood's costumes are right on the mark.
This A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is a memorable revival of a classic play.
At THE CORT THEATRE 138 WEST 48th STREET N.Y.C.

PRESENT LAUGHTER A REVIEW

The plays of Noel Coward can be tricky to pull off. They require the lightest touch in the acting and staging departments,and this touch is very much in evidence in Nicholas Martin's bright, lively staging of PRESENT LAUGHTER.
This is Mr Coward's light comedy about getting old while trying to stay young. It is about an aging, self-absorbed,and self pitying actor trying to stay young at any cost. Written in 1939 and first done on Broadway in 1946[with Clifton Webb in the leading role] , this has become one of Mr. Coward's most durable plays. It is full of wit and sophistication,and if it is done right can be quite touching as well.
This production is almost always on the right track. As the aging actor trying to challange Father Time, Victor Garber could not be improved upon. He has the wit and skill to make what could have become an annoying egnomaniac into a likeable and engaging person. He is backed up by a strong supporting cast, and Mr. Martin's staging is full of zip and zing.
The scenery and costumes by Alexander Dodge and Jane Greenwood respectivly are first rate, and Rui Rita's lighting sets them off superbly.
While it is not a classic, or even first rate Coward, this production of PRESENT LAUGHTER is bright, witty, and very satisfying.
At THE AMERICAN AIRLINES THEATRE 227 WEST 42nd STREET N.Y.C.

CARMEN A THOUGHT

The amazing Metropolitan Opera has done it again. Using a brilliant new concept by Richard Eyre [the talented theatre director making his Met debut] the Met has come up with a magnificent new take on everyone's favorite opera CARMEN.
Mr.Eyre has taken this old favorite and made it into a sexy, action filled masterpiece, and in the title role Elina Garanca generates so much erotic heat that she almost sears the paint off Rob Howell's brilliantly inventive scenery, and his costumes are attractive, colorful and serve the
production well.
This is a CARMEN for the 21st century. It is beautifully sung,very well conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin, and has a sexiness and inventiveness rarely found in other productions of this old favorite.
All in all, another memorable afternoon at the opera.
At THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE LINCOLN CENTER N.Y.C.

STIFFELIO A THOUGHT

STIFFELIO is not one of Verdi's better known operas, but the Met Opera has[for the first time since 1998] revived it in a superb production that should make it better known.
It deals with seduction, lust, and forgivness and i.s blessed by some incredibly beautiful and romantic music. It needs a conductor who understands Verdi's concept and it has the perfect man in Placido Domingo who is as expert in the pit as he is onstage.
Expertly staged and designed, this STIFFELIO is a gem, and it's good to have it back.
At THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE LINCOLN CENTER N.Y.C