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 (234/0)
'The Mushroom Cure'
The Mushroom Cure is a one-person, one-act only play. It is performed by Adam Strauss who presumably has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder himself. The play starts out with Strauss trying to make a decision about buying the IPOD or the I RIVER. He goes through the pros and cons of each, and he can't decide. He goes through the whole process again, and he learns towards the IPOD. After deciding on the IPOD, he buys the I RIVER. He then beats himself up over the terrible decision. Sounds funny right? It is, but there is just one problem. OCD is a real problem. As a person who has had it since I was a child, the wacky things we do is funny to people watching our corky things but it is a real problem, hence the word disorder. Strauss portrays the compulsion brilliantly. How he beats himself up for not doing things that was he indecisive about from the beginning is funny to the audience but very accurate.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
'Hamlet'
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, or SITPL as it is referred to, has been performing behind the Climente Theater since 1995. The Drilling Company is now the sole producer of SITPL. When it first started under Jennifer Spahr, she was the sole director and producer of the productions. Soon after her retirement, the Ludlow 10 began to produce Shakespeare and in 200 the Drilling Company co produced with the Ludlow 10. In 2005, The Drilling Company was the sole producer of what we see today in the "Parking Lot." In its 24th year, we find Director Karla Hendrick putting on Hamlet, and with a big twist. For the first time, Hamlet is played by a women (Jane Bradly), who I saw last fall in Gabriel-A Polemic. Bradly was quite good in this role; her facial expressions and timing made the show fun.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
'Head Over Heels'
Robert Massimi. Head Over Heels at The Hudson Theater started out with much energy and excitement for the opening song, "We Got the Beat." The show was based on the Go-Go's songs and the performance had excellent choreography. The show's main nexus was based around the king of Arcadia, Basilius (Jeremy Kushnier), and his family. The king is looking for a suitor for his cherubic Pamela (Alexandra Socha), but she is not interested in a man. Her younger sister Philoclea is interested in a boy, however, Musidourus(Andrew Durand), a shepherd who is of no royal blood. This leads to a problem because the King will not allow it. The Queen, Gynecia (Rachel York), does not commit to anything. She goes through motions without any conflict. She sees a lot but says nothing as she would rather not rock the boat.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
'A Walk on The Beach'
Robert Massimi. A Walk on The Beach at the Theater for The New City is an introspective of a heavy debate about a sculpture in Hyannis Massachusetts. The debate is whether or not John Kennedy Jr should be shown next to his father walking on the beach as an adult or a 3-year-old. At first, sculptor David Lewis (Jack Coggins) wanted young "John John." Ted and Caroline Kennedy would approve it if it was an older John Jr. David made a mock up of the sculpture to the horror of Charlie (John Carhart), an editor for the local newspaper. Between Charlie and the newspaper's board, they try to do everything to stop it from being presented to the local residents. The tempers start to get short between David, Charlie, and David's wife, Nancy (Elizabeth Bove). Nancy is out to protect her husband and is more worried that he will fall back into alcohol, (he's been sober for 22 years.) David has an ace in the hole; however, Louis (David Shakopi) is politically connected and intends to talk directly to Ted Kennedy and raise money for the statue as well. The only problem is as the pressure starts to boil, the Kennedy's do not want to get involved in a controversy. David feels that the deck is stacked against him. The only thing that keeps him going is the visits on the beach by JFK himself (James Earley.) JFK inspires David to do what is in his heart. He tells him that we never know what is right or wrong until we make the final decision.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
'The Property' Theater Review
The Property at The Clurman Theater is a play about Irene (Rachel Botchan), her husband Eddie (Warren Kelly), her ex husband Vernon (Sam Tsoutsouvas) and a person who rents their cottage named Greg (John Long) and her son whom she tries to control, Todd (Phil Gillen). Produced by New Light Theater Project, Ben Josephson's play deals with Irene who is in a loveless relationship with Eddie. Eddie is anathema to her ex husband, a swashbuckling real estate magnate who could care less about anybody but himself. He is a proud capitalist, unlike Ed who is a socialist. Ed is always about the people. He constantly preaches to his step son to be honest and caring of others. Irene likes the advice Ed gives Todd. She is a doting mother and any attention heaped at Todd is good. Both mother and child, however, think Ed is a buffoon. Ed is in a dead end job at the book store he works at, but he doesn't care because he loves to read and quote the great writers. His collection of books is spectacular and reading is the only thing that he truly loves. Irene is willing to put up with Eddie because he is safe, he would never cheat on her like her ex, he is good to her son, and everything is status quo, until Greg shows up to rent their cottage.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
God Can't Save This Queen
Robert Massimi. God Save Queen Pam at The Players Theater is in the same genre as the movie Ralph, where a nobody schlub is exalted to the hierarchy. Actress/ writer Erin Murray Quinlan is a happy-go-lucky bartender in Secaucus, NJ when Col. Eleanor Ainsley and Major Johnathan Digby show up at The Tiki Bar in the Meadowlands, just outside New York City, to inform her that she is to be the new Queen of England. She is next in line to the throne as England just lost their king, who suffered a heart attack at the altar. The would-be queen, Lady Fenella de Dieul (Marie Minette Linder), is none too happy about losing her crown due to the king's untimely death and will do anything to get it back. Her goofball son, Augustus de Dieul, is forced to go along with his mom's scheme to get her to the throne. Pam (Erin Murray Quinlan) has to learn in short order the rules and protocols of being queen. She is overwhelmed by the massive meetings and structure that it takes to be the queen. She clearly hates the job and all the structure and stiffness that goes with the job. She is not allowed to date the handsome Major Jaimie Toben (David Ventura), who has deep feelings for her right off the bat. Pam is a cross between Melissa McCarthy and Roseanne Barr, she is quite comedic and the first fifty minutes get on nicely.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks