Eye On the Arts

New York, New York June 25, 2022 -- A metal grey cyclopean robot commands center stage in "The Orchard," Igor Golyak's adaptation of Chekov's The Cherry Orchard at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Immersed in filtered white light (by Yuki Link) and a scattering of snow, the characters file in looking quite vulnerable next to the machine. Reunited to determine the future fate of their country estate and glorious cherry orchard, the financially weary aristocratic Russian family, headed by Ranevskaya (Jessic Hect), attempt to cope with this time of impending loss. Raised on the estate and the grandson of a serf, Lopakhin (Nael Nacer) is the only one realistically assessing impending options and consequences. In one generation he's gone from peasant to businessman, so he understands how quickly an aristocrat's fortune can change. Surrounded by a family loosely connected to reality, Ranevskaya's mind wanders from the drowning of her seven year-old son in the

New York, New York June 18, 2022 -- "Yes Sir, Yes Sir" The Music Man is back on Broadway high- stepping to Meredith Wilson's irrepressible musical. Full of vim and bluster, Professor Hill transforms the citizens of River City, Iowa from skeptics to optimists on an innocently sunny day in 1912. Set in its ways, River City residents suspect all strangers, yet Professor Hill, the unscrupulous salesman, charms his way through town, sweeping the librarian off her feet and transforming a young boys life. This heartwarming tale rides on the talents of musical theater royalty, Hugh Jackman (Professor Hill) and Sutton Foster (Marian the librarian). Enjoying the audience's loving embrace, Jackman slides into River City mesmerizing everyone from the politicians and town elders to the young people and the straight-laced librarian. As important as any character, the music, songs and dance numbers carpet the show with joyous melodies and movement sequences. By amassing an

New York, New York June 18, 2022 -- Darkness falls off the black walls surrounding Macbeth in a tale of all-consuming desire for power at the Longacre Theatre. Before Macbeth unfolds, Michael Patrick Thornton congenially addresses the audience while nonchalantly wheeling around in his wheelchair. He sets the scene and informs us Shakespeare wrote Macbeth (as well as King Lear ) in 1606 while brooding during a pandemic lock-down. Director Joh Gold burrows into Shakespeare’s thick, heavy rich soil where slugs feast on living plants but where vegetables fruit despite attacks on their roots. In this pared-down production, actors are predominantly robed in black by Suttirat Larlarb in a spare, black space designed by Christine Jones. Off to the side, a clique of witches hunch over a mysterious brew they're cooking while listening to a podcast. When approached by the victorious, war-weary Macbeth (Daniel Craig) and his pal Banquo (Amber Gray--traditionally the role is playe