I wasn’t looking forward to sitting through the new Michael Jackson musical. Then I saw it.
Filled with exhilarating versions of the songs Jackson made into music videos and took on world tours, “MJ” is a dance musical of the first rank. If you look back at the choreography in those videos of the late 1980s and early 1990s — “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal” and, of course, “Thriller” — you’ll see that by comparison Wheeldon and the exquisite dancers of “MJ” have boosted the muscularity and grace of the pop star’s signature movements. It’s now a veritable Corps de Moonwalking.
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Dominique Morriseau Excavates the Glory of Blackness in ‘Skeleton Crew’
As Black folks like to say, when Dominique Morisseau wrote Skeleton Crew, she put her whole foot in it. For those who aren’t in the know, that means the play is a spectacular blend of lyrical language, political analysis, and delightful humor that prioritizes Black lives and sensibilities over respectability politics. The play follows three […]
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Have Yourself a Very DTLI Christmas
The DTLI Critic Cohort got together to bask in some holiday season warmth by sharing their favorite shows of the year, favorite theater moments, and their resolutions for the new year. Jose Solís: What was your favorite night out on Broadway? Ran Xia: Isn’t that just Six uncontested? Christian Lewis: Yes, Six and Diana […]
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