‘A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical’ Review: Good Times Never Seemed So Glum
There are certainly some infectious sing-along numbers, notably “Sweet Caroline.” And Mr. Diamond had an early knack for jaunty (if derivative) 1960s guitar-driven pop, evinced by the smash “I’m a Believer,” which the Monkees made famous. But this smoothly produced show’s presentation of his semi-symphonic rock and sentimental balladry failed to convert me. I’m still not a believer.
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If the Refreshing ‘KPOP’ is the Future of Broadway, Consider Me a Stan
Against all expectations for a behind-the-scenes musical drama, KPOP’s storytelling is as sophisticated as its high-octane performances. Though the newly-opened Broadway musical at Circle in the Square Theater was a hit during its pre-pandemic run at Ars Nova, I was prepared to hate-watch it. Why? Because I wince whenever I hear the cheesy bops of […]
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In ‘A Christmas Carol,’ a Classic Tale Made to Feel Anew
“Marley is dead.” Everybody knows that. So it’s spoken, most assuredly, that first line of that familiar story. Starting with a match lit in the dark, a whole world starts to unravel around the sole performer who, with every small shift in his posture, and in the timbre of his voice, will embody almost every […]
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