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 (235/0)
The World According To Micki Grant
I always love finding a hidden gem off off Broadway. The New Federal Theater in its new digs (or temporary, not sure) produced "The Life According To Micki Grant". Directed by Nora Cole, (I wasn't given a program), this musical focuses on the life of Minie Perkins, she became Micki by nickname and Grant after her first husband. "He was a good man so I kept his name," she tells us.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about 6 hours ago in Critique
Fall Broadway. No Bull With Raging Robert.
This 2024 Fall Season on Broadway maybe as exciting as the Spring 2024! Probably the most anticipated actor to come to Broadway is the recent Oscar winner, Robert Downey Jr in "McNeil" at Lincoln Center starting September 5th at The Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The acoustics in this theater should show off the acting chops of Downey, who is a behemoth of a fill actor.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).12 days ago in Beat
Staff Meal.
"Staff Meal" at Playwrights Horizon is a Dada type of play... think Tom Stoppard type of Dada. The play starts with two characters- Ben (Greg Keller and Mina (Susannah Flood), at a internet cafe, if you will type of scene. The prompter to the right of the stage keeps telling us "the next day" as the scenes touch on the absurd. Both are socially awkward and try to make the best of their meetings each and everyday. Writer Abe Koogler. who is apparently obsessed with restaurants, has written a play about a restaurant in "Staff Meal" (it is what the wait staff get to eat before the restaurant opens for the evening.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).14 days ago in Art
"Just Another Day"
"Just Another Day" at Theater 555 was written by Dan Lauria and directed by off Broadway guru, Eric Krebs. The play begins with projections of old stars of yesteryear to the song "No Strings Attached". When the two actors take the stage, Dan Lauria and Patty McCormack seem confused... at-least Dan (Man) does. McCormack (Woman) seems refined in her salmon colored sun dress. Often appalled at Lauria's language, she seems distant to his behavior.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).21 days ago in Photography
"Miller's Girl" No Bull With Raging Robert.
"Miller's Girl" which runs a tad over an hour and a half is never boring; it is also not great, either. The premise of the story is a good one... a "Lolita" type of writing which never hits the fever nor the depth of the famous book.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).28 days ago in Families
The Heart of Rock and Roll.
If you want a fun, glam jukebox musical, then "Heart of Rock and Roll" is for you. The musical is based on music by Huey Lewis; the plot, or book by Johnathan A. Abrams as well as story (also Tyler Mitchell) is a fun one filled with 80's references, IKEA jokes, aerobics and leggings!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Beat
Hell's Kitchen. No Bull With Raging Robert.
Hell's Kitchen as it is commonly known was a mostly Irish area in the 50's through the early 2000's. A tough area that was controlled by the "Westies" for many years in this lower class section of Manhattan. It is also the subject of a musical currently playing at the Shubert Theatre and is based on the life of Alicia Keys, or Ally as she is known as.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Filthy
The Great Gatsby. No Bull With Raging Robert.
"The Great Gatsby" at the Broadway Theatre is a grandiose musical replete with fantastic sets and glittering costumes. Steadfast to both the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the movie, the songs complement its plot in this two hour and fifteen minute whirlwind of a show.This Broadway version had its book by Kait Kerrigan, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Nathan Tysen
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a month ago in Geeks
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).about a month 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).about a month 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).2 months ago in Writers