Author Archives

University administrator and teacher by day, theater and arts critic by night.

James Jorden 1954-2023

The writers of the Box and James’s friends are saddened to announce the death of the inimitable founder of Parterre Box.

Director Terry Nolen’s second production of this Sondheim work is an intriguingly different take on the piece.

Unholy Wars is most an opera when it is, with “Lascia ch’io pianga,” actually an opera.

In sum: not a perfect Simon Boccanegra—is there such a thing?—but a grand and often great one.

In 90 minutes, Rene Orth’s riveting work gives us everything we could want in a new opera.

Composer and lyricist Adam Guettel’s return to the theater impresses but divides our critics.

The soprano arrived at Carnegie Hall on May 31 with something to prove.

Sharon’s reordering is the boldest aspect of his production, and for me it’s effective.

At all of these vocal contests, I ask myself the same question: What are the judges looking for?

What do you see when you look at Into the Woods? The musical might serve as a theatrical Rorschach test.