Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).
Bio
I have been writing on theater since 1982. A graduate from Manhattan College B.S. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both English and Science. I have produced 14 shows on and off Broadway. I've seen over700 shows
Stories (226/0)
Uncle Vanya.
For the modern theater lover "Uncle Vanya" at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater may very well be for you. This "Vanya" is not the typical play by Chekhov; in its new rendition by Heidi Schreck, we get more modern language, modern costumes (Kaye Voyce) and modern direction by Lila Neugebauer. Vanya (Steve Carell) has spent most of his life farming the land so that Alexander (Alfred Molina) can carry on with his art studies as a celebrated professor and teacher. Both Molina and Carell as well as Alison Pill as Sonya are standouts in this production, laying waste to all the other actors in the cast. Where the sound resonates in this well appointed theater (Mikhail Fiksel and Beth Lake), the sets by Mimi Lien are unimpressive. Lap Chi Chu gives us the support on lighting and her moods vary well amongst this two hours and fifteen minutes. "Uncle Vanya" is slow at times, very slow due to Neugebauer's direction. Actors don't always blend well causing pockets of weakness in the dialogue. Both William Jackson Harper as Astrov and Anika Noni Rose as Elena cannot hold the stage nor the attention of the audience. Since the show is put in modern language, these two actors appear more like people in the inner city rather than stage professionals; even their body language goes anathema to this great classic. In a slow-go of this play, the show does pick up almost half way through the first act. The dialogue and the melding of characters never fully catches its stride however. We get a mesh-mosh of thoughts, feelings and adversity, but the true feelings are never brought to the forefront emotionally. At the end of the play we get to hear Vanya rant about his feelings, how he gave up his life for the farm which is weakly portrayed at the back of the theater. The audience never feels his pain as Carell holds back and we never feel the strong emotions. More comedic than serious, he is at his best when the show has him bantering about. In Voyce's costumes we get both the elegant and the mundane. Never overwhelmed by the garb, it fades away like much of this play does. For the modern theater lover, however, there are a lot of things in this show that you will like. The sets which never really blend with the show are intricate and give meaning to the modern. The deft sound keeps the play eery at times especially with the reverbs at different times during the performance. The backdrop in the second act is clever even though it is difficult to sift through the conventional writings of Chekhov... it goes against the grain of what we have seen in the past. "Uncle Vayna" is a mixed bag and is not for everyone, it takes the conventional completely out of the picture and puts us in the new world of modern.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).a day ago in Beat
Suffs.
Robert Massimi From:[email protected] To:Robert Massimi. Sat, Apr 20 at 9:59 AM For the modern theater lover "Uncle Vanya" at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater may very well be for you. This "Vanya" is not the typical play by Chekhov; in its new rendition by Heidi Schreck, we get more modern language, modern costumes (Kaye Voyce) and modern direction by Lila Neugebauer.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 days ago in History
Lempicka
Robert Massimi From:[email protected] To:Robert Massimi. Sun, Apr 14 at 10:51 AM When the Tony's get announced look for "Lempicka" to get more than a few nominations! In what is one of the best Broadway shows I have seen this spring, the musical has a little something for everyone at the Longacre Theatre. At times the show has a little glam, at times it is Bohemian, and at all times it is fast moving with a very good plot. As Tamara De Lempicka Eden Espinosa is flawless in her role; she commands the stage with her deft acting and singing.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).12 days ago in Writers
A Sign of The Times.
In what is one of the best shows I have seen this season, "A Sign of The Times" at The New World Stages is a rapid fire, feel great musical! Set in Centerville, Ohio, the year is 1965 and on this New Years Eve Matt has asked Cindy to marry him. She questions her life, her parents life and where marriage will take her.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).27 days ago in Critique
All American Sex Addict.
"All American Sex Addict/Woke AF" at The Sargent Theatre of Actors is unique play. The real positive about this play is the even level of actors in this show; no one stands above the other in any noticeable way. In many off off Broadway shows one or two actors are leaps and bounds above the rest of the cast, but not here:the blend and workmanship is pretty consistent throughout the 80 minutes due to nice direction by Phoebe Leonard- Dettmann. While the female actors put forth a better performance than the male actors, the plot of the story keeps the audience locked in and we never really see any weak links.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Critique
Dreamgirls
"Dreamgirls" at the bucolic McCarter Theatre on the grounds of Princeton University is as good here as when I saw it back in 1982 on Broadway! The story and songs remain the same, however with a deft staging (stage and lighting cut between glam and jazzy sheik).
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Critique
Water For Elephants.
"Water For Elephants" at the Imperial Theatre will enjoy what I think will be a long run on Broadway. Like "Music Man" and "Back to The Future", this wonderful musical will appeal to people of all ages and all walks of life. The music and lyrics by Pigpen Theatre Co. are not overly memorable, the choreography by Jesse Robb is simple and plain, however, the acting, the book by Rick Elice the direction by Jessica Stone and the circus design and acrobatics by Shana Carroll (Cirque du Soleil's Crystal) are outstanding.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Critique
The Notebook
"The Notebook" is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The 2004 movie was directed by Nick Cassavetes, from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi. In its current Broadway production, the book is by Bekah Brunstetter and the music and lyrics is by Ingrid Michaelson.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Critique
Doubt. Theater Review.
"Doubt" originally played at the Manhattan Theatre Club before transferring to the Walter Kerr Theatre in 2005. The play won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the Tony Award for Best Play. In 2008, "Doubt was made into a movie that starred Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. The original play would star Brian F. O'Byrne and Cherry Jones.This parable takes place in 1964, in the Bronx at a Catholic grade school where most of the students are Italian and Irish. Writer John Patrick Shanley (Moonstruck) brings forth what Catholic School was like back in the 60's... the regiment, the rules and its codes.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Beat
The Fantasticks
The Bergen County Players version of the longest running musical is as simple as the one that I saw back in the late 80's at The Sullivan Street Playhouse in The West Village. With limited staging, Director Ray Yucis is able to move his talented cast about the stage with ease.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Critique
Seven Year Disappear.
"The Seven Year Disappear" is a non linear, performance art play that deals with a mother, Miriam (Cynthia Nixon) and her son, business partner (Taylor Trensch). Nixon is a famous artist who has left her son Naphtali for seven years only to return leaving him confused. The illusion of Bi-Polar disorder surfaces as both mother and son struggle with mental disorders and substance abuse. Writer Jordan Seavey has created a body of work in which the audience decides what the play is really about... the journey here is the thing; and quite a journey it is!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Critique
King Lear.
Robert M. Massimi. Many of the New York City more noteworthy theater companies have been around for a long time and Frog & Peach is one of them. The company was based out of The Sheen for many years and now puts on many of their plays at Theatre at St. Clements on West 46th St.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Critique
