MICHAEL JACKSON 1958--2009 RIP

Editor’S Notes: Rock Of Ages, Joe Turner’S Come And Gone, Mary Stuart, Reasons To Be Pretty …more, much more, as the race continues to the Tonys finish line, by Jeannie Lieberman on Apr. 25

The Wiz <= new Lighthearted throughout, often delightfully silly with powerhouse performances though not yet Broadway ready. , by Michael Patrick Hearn on June 22

9 To 5 <= new Its Dolly Parton’s show from the first downbeat of her Grammy winning song, “9 to 5”, that frames the show, by Eugene Paul on May 10

Rock Of Ages A new musical built around golden oldies from the 80’s. Loud, fast, flashy, trashy and barrels of fun. Drinks extra. , by Eugene Paul on Apr. 18

Hair To examine the show as a “musical” is to do it an injustice- the sum is greater than its parts though current political climate mitigates its message, by Jeannie Lieberman on Apr. 18

Billy Elliot A brilliant concept of storytelling through movement so the overall picture of a town in crisis and Billy’s story are seen at once, by Jeannie Lieberman on Nov. 25

Shrek A new musical which is a treasure trove of children’s’ fables overlaid with adult foibles. , by Eugene Paul on Dec 20

Accent On Youth <= new There's No Magic, But Mtc's Revival Offers Two Hours Of Thoughtful, Well-Played Comedy, by Andy Smith on May 10

Desire Under The Elms <= new Fierce energetic drama involving a defiant farm boy, his tyrannical father, and the father’s new sexy wife is still riveting to watch, by Deirdre Donovan on May 10

Waiting For Godot <= new . . . all that existential stuff becomes more than merely accessible as it transcends into something glorious. , by Simon Saltzman on May 5

Reasons To Be Pretty <= new The Tin Man Gets a Heart! LaBute Finally Cuts His Characters Some Much-Deserved Slack, by Andy Smith on Apr. 30

The Norman Conquests <= new The Old Vic’s smash hit revival will have you rolling in the aisles through three plays. Laugh your sides off one by one or all the way. , by Eugene Paul on Apr. 29

Mary Stuart <= new Legendary Queen Bees battle for supremacy in three engrossing hours of intrigue, by Andy Smith on Apr. 29

The Philanthropist Matthew Broderick and cast are adrift in revival of Christopher Hampton’s 1970 comedy of academia and sexual politics, by Victor Gluck on Apr. 29

Joe Turner's Come And Gone Theatrical magic for which actors as well as audience need feel grateful. August Wilson can only be happy for them and for himself., by Eugene Paul on Apr. 23

God Of Carnage James Gandolfini returns to the stage in new play by author of Art which is a ferocious comedy of bad manners, by Victor Gluck on Mar. 29

Blithe Spirit Everyone who loves Coward’s brittle and witty plays will appreciate the sublime staging of this joyous production, by Simon Saltzman on Mar. 15

33 Variations …a fascinating, elegantly written, absorbing play with an interestingly developed leading role., by Simon Saltzman on Mar. 8

The Pirates Of Penzance <= new A rousing, high-energy version which excelled in all areas of stagecraft, plus , by Edward Lieberman on June 7

Coraline Imaginative, magical, and delightful stage musical of the cult novel by Neil Gaiman is a treat for young and old alike , by Victor Gluck on June 9

Dr. C. (How I Learned To Act In Eight Steps.) You’ll be shocked to discover that innovative theater is alive and very well indeed. Astonishing., by Eugene Paul on June 8

Kooza <= new Cirque du Soleil returns to Randall’s Island with an exciting new show that combines acrobatics and the art of clowning, by Victor Gluck on Apr. 28

Twelfth Night <= new Wizard director Daniel Sullivan whips this all-star cast into such a delightful soufflé that this oft-seen comedy seems fresh and light, by Victor Gluck on June 29

Planet Connections Theatre Festivity <= new Short plays about Dorothy Parker, Emily Dickinson, and Anne Sexton offering delectable morsels of poetry, and two are worth traveling for., by Deirdre Donovan on June 25

In Conclusive Woman <= new Confessional multimedia one-woman show is seven plays in one with important themes and heavy subtext,, by Victor Gluck on June 23

Our House <= new A diatribe aimed at the decaying values of network television. But Rebeck’s drama is too dated to have real impact. , by Deirdre Donovan on June 23

Waterwell’S #9 <= new Hanna Cheek, David Ryan Smith, Matt Dellapina and Kevin Townley created a revue based on how technology has changed us., by Eugene Paul on June 22

Sweet Storm <= new In deepest rural Florida in 1960, they can’t tell the raging in their blood from the raging of Mother Nature in another guise, by Eugene Paul on June 15

The Pied Pipers Of The Lower East Side <= new Wayne and Dawn and Billy and Dear live together and love together. They’re fulfilling their ideals. It can’t last., by Eugene Paul on June 14

Night Sky Astronomy and the cosmos become a fascinating metaphor for aphasia when a professor loses her ability to speak, by Victor Gluck on June 10

Vieux Carre <= new Second tier WIlliams but the Pearl, under Austin Pendleton's direction, gives it a first rate revival, by Deirdre Donovan on June 4

Groundswell <= new Powerful new post-apartheid play from South Africa is leisurely storytelling in the manner of Athol Fugard & David Mamet, by Victor Gluck on June 7

A More Perfect Union <= new examination of the role of “context” in the High Court has taken on greater importance than could have been anticipated, by Edward Lieberman on June 1

When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder <= new tough, rough, gruff play with remarkable actors operating as an ensemble with not one stray movement , by Wickham Boyle on May 16

It Pays To Advertise <= new 1914 satire of business and advertising proves to be pertinent all over again in Metropolitan Playhouse revival, by Victor Gluck on May 14

Galileo <= new The Milk Can Theatre Company has staged Galileo with unmistakable dedication to Bertolt Brecht’s rarely-produced masterpiece , by Deirdre Donovan on May 7

Music:Cabaret

Jim Van Slyke: The Sedaka Show <= new “The Sedaka Show” deserves serious recognition ... a well structured, dynamic show by an artist overdue for more recognition., by John Hoglund on June 29

Jan Abrams “On My Way To You,” At Metropolitan Room <= new the warmest, most sincere show this side of West End Avenue., by John Hoglund on June 22

Ute Lemper At Poisson Rouge <= new Lemper celebrates the release of her new autobiographical album “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow” , by Deirdre Donovan on June 16

Patty Clark At Sardi's a shining set of standards sung by a consummate pro in a league with swing greats, by John Hoglund on May 13

Leading Men Iv Concert At Birdland <= new Taking in over $10,000 for BC/EFA, this annual testosterone circus of talent is a must see, by John Hoglund on June 7

The Broadway Musicals Of 1931 It was the great Depression Era, but what up-lifting musicals there were in 1931 to help make people forget. , by Simon Saltzman on Apr. 1

Music:Concerts

The Broadway Musicals Of 1970 <= new …a reminder how much audiences love to applaud wonderful performers in a terrific show., by Simon Saltzman on June 15

The Broadway Musicals Of 1944 …another diverting evening in which both the obscure and the revelatory were taken out of mothballs for our pleasure., by Simon Saltzman on May 17

The New York Pops 26Th Birthday Gala a wildly diverse, entertaining evening of great music and splendid performances., by Elliot Rush on May 6

Regional:Musicals

I Love You, You’Re Perfect, Now Change <= new In twenty scenes and songs, two men, two women explore the trials and tribulations of finding love and mates., by Eugene Paul on June 29

The Pirates Of Penzance A rousing, high-energy version which excelled in all areas of stagecraft, plus , by Edward Lieberman on June 7

Dance

Ailey Ii At The Ailey Citigroup Theater Absolutely amazing that a company so youthful should be so professional both in creativity and technique, by Jeannie Lieberman on Apr. 18

Horse Guest Company At Eliot Feld’S Mandance Project a new and powerful work about the body and how it moves, relationships, within and separating from a group, by R. Pikser on Apr. 9

Features & Interviews

65Th Annual Theater World Awards, 2009 for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performances during the 2008-2009 theatrical season , by Eugene Paul on June 10

Interview -Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter Laura Freeman Debuts At Joe’S Pub <= new New York debut at Joe’s Pub with her sad and funny one-woman show “Luna Tart Died of a Broken Heart.”, by Deirdre Donovan on May 21

The 23Rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition <= new This year’s star studded competition raised a total of $3,407,858 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. , by Elliot Rush on May 3

Editors Notes: Blithe Spirit, West Side Story, God Of Carnage, Impressionism …and we are only half through the season’s new arrivals………. , by Jeannie Lieberman on Mar. 29

Editor’S Notes: Natasha Richardson, Distracted, Firebrand Of Florence, The Good Negro, Incident At Vichy ...and the season is just stepping into high gear, stay tuned… , by Jeannie Lieberman on Mar. 22

Editor’S Notes: Shrek, 33 Variations, Guys & Dolls, Ruined, The Savannah Disputation what's hot, what's not on the Theater Scene, by Jeannie Lieberman on Mar. 8

Editor’S Notes March '09 Some reflections on the current Theater Scene, by Jeannie Lieberman on Feb. 28

Editor’S Notes: Exit The King, Irena’S Vow, Happiness, Chasing Manet …new shows are coming in like subway cars at rush hour – hang on…, by Jeannie Lieberman on Apr. 10