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 (230/0)
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).3 months ago in Critique
Dionne Warwick.
Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Dionne Warwick would sing for her church every Sunday ( Sound familiar? ). Warwick established fame at an early age. In 1962, she was discovered by Burt Bacharach and Hal David gaining her first hit "Don't Make Me Over". Within the decade she had 18 consecutive Top 100 Singles.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).3 months ago in Beat
Netflix "Lover, Stalker, Killer"
In watching the Netflix "Lover, Stalker, Killer" it is one of those gems that has a ton of twists and turns. The stories plot is about a mechanic that recently gets divorced and tries to find relationships on a dating site. Just coming out of a marriage he tells the woman up front that he doesn't want a serious commitment.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).3 months ago in Criminal
NY Philharmonic.
The New York Philharmonic over the years has changed and it keeps experimenting and changing. In the late 90's and well into the 2000's, I was a season ticket holder. The Phil at that time was experimenting with traditional pieces in the first act with new, more contemporary pieces for the second act. As a more traditionalist it led to me giving some Julliard student waiting outside hoping to get in to see the performance receiving two really good tickets!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).3 months ago in Critique
Days of Wine and Roses and Dead Brains.
"Days of Wine and Roses" in its movie form starring Jack Lemon and Lee Remick was more subdued and macabre than this musical version that opened at Studio 54 last night. The story is pretty much the same as the movie version, only we get a more upbeat tempo with the music and it goes anathema, unfortunately with the plot. The plot deals with alcoholism between the two main characters: Kirsten Arnesen (Kelli O'Hara) and Joe Clay (Brian D'Arcy James).
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).3 months ago in Art
Crime and Punishment.
"Crime and Punishment" "Is This The Behavior of A Sane Person"? "Crime and Punishment" by Fydor Dostoevsky at the Gural Theatre and produced by Phoenix Theatre had a run in Nyack, N.Y. Theater Festival last year where it was highly praised. As a condensed version of this masterpiece, the 90 minutes for the most part goes by quickly. The superb acting by all three actors, the gothic style staging, the sound, the music makes this an excellent off Broadway night out!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).4 months ago in Beat
Prayer for the French Republic
"Prayer for the French Republic" is a moving- thought provoking play by Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews). The plays premise is how safe a Jewish family is in modern day France. Harmon through his characters gives us a history lesson about how Jews have been slaughtered throughout time and what the reason is behind man's inhumanity toward men. Directed by Davis Cromer, this three hour plays moves quickly and never lets you out of the action on stage; we stay transfixed and focused in this heartfelt play.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).4 months ago in Writers
Leave The World Behind. Movie Review.
"Leave The World Behind" stars Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Kevin Beacon and Mahershala Ali and is directed by Sam Esmail. The movies plot is an attempt to make sense of today's basic amenities of technology breaking down as the characters desperately try to figure out why.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).4 months ago in Poets