Author Archives: Christopher Arnott
Hello Yellow
Dael Orlandersmith’s two-character drama Yellowman is playing at Trinity Rep through April 3. It played at Long Wharf’s Stage II nine years ago this month. I recall that production well. I liked it quite a bit, but could only praise Orlandersmith’s own performance through backhanded compliments, since I’d felt she’d improved so much as a … Continue reading
Fast and Lewis
The Off Broadway run of Mark St. Germain’s drama Freud’s Last Session has been extended, and not for the first time. The dual analysis of Freud and C.S. Lewis now is not slated to leave the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater on West 64th St. until July 3, with the current cast of Martin Rayner … Continue reading
Where Did Death Sting First?
Death Takes a Holiday is becoming a musical, opening June 10 at the Roundabout in NYC. The NY Post shorthands the Albert Casella play on which it’s based as the basis for the Brad Pitt film Meet Joe Black, but theater junkies know it as a legendary, too-seldom-revived romantic drama from the 1930s. Connecticut theater … Continue reading
He’s Made His Bedford
Brian Bedford’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest has been extended through July 3. Haven’t seen it, and sniff every time I read a review which suggests that Bedford’s casting of himself as Lady Bracknell is somehow novel or groundbreaking. For me, Quentin Crisp will always be the quintessential male New York Bracknell (from … Continue reading
Won Before
The indie film Win Win is opening wide this week. Its director, Tom McCarthy, and its star, Paul Giamatti, both studied acting at the Yale School of Drama in the mid-90s, and I have indelible memories of each of them. As Duke Orsino, McCarthy provided exquisite framing moments for one of the best Twelfth Nights … Continue reading
Crock
Isn’t putting Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin in the film of Rock of Ages a little like putting Oliver Reed and Jack Nicholson in the movie of Tommy, or Steve Martin and Frankie Howerd in the Bee Gees’ Sergeant Pepper, or Eddie Izzard in Across the Universe? It seems to be one of those bragging … Continue reading
Gnomeo and Juliet sequels planned
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