The Signature Theater Company’s terrific production of Leslie Lee’s The First Breeze of Summer launches their 2008/2009 season dedicated to the historic Negro Ensemble Company, a fertile home for African-Americans writers and actors for decades. Nicely directed by the esteemed Ruben Santiago-Hudson the touching revival of Leslie Lee’s ambitious pot boiler features a skilled ensemble headed by the impressive Leslie Uggams. She portrays Gremmar Edwards, the matriarch at the center of the well crafted tale about three generations of a middle class African/American family living in a small suburb of Philadelphia.

The Public Theater’s superb revival of their 1967 landmark rock musical, Hair, makes a potent connection to our current times with an inspired physical staging by Diane Paulus. She emphasizes the shared hunger for political change, which was evident then as well as today, to connect with the audience. And she draws passionate performances from her outstanding young ensemble for a triumphant production under the moons and stars in Central Park. The evening ends on a thrilling upbeat note, as the audience storms the stage for a joyous dance party, in a celebratory reprise of “Let the Sun Shine In.”

A. R. Gurney returns to Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters with the New York premier of his charming new comedy Buffalo Gal. Set in a regional theater where a production of “The Cherry Orchard” is about to be mounted, Gurney bows in homage to the greatness of Chekhov. He draws many amusing parallels to Chekhov’s characters and themes in this latest effort. Television star Susan Sullivan (Falcon Crest and Dharma & Greg) makes a fine presence as the fading Hollywood star at the center of his bittersweet tale, and the direction by Mark Lamos mines the backstage story for all the humor while lamenting the diminishing power of the theater and the changes wrought by the passing of time.

The plucky (title of show), which was a downtown sensation at the Vineyard Theatre over two years ago, has miraculously found its way to Broadway. The well crafted musical with only four performers and an electric piano was originally a surprise hit at the Fringe, where the little show flaunted its aspirations of taking their satire about nothing all the way to Broadway. That their dream seemed impossible added to the quirky charm of the comedy. But now here, part of the joke is missing along with the edge, and the musical feels decidedly small and self indulgent. Still you have to cheer the audacity of the show’s creators, Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell.

Donna Summer: Photo:Barry Gordin
Legendary singer songwriter and our own very favorite DISCO QUEEN now the EMPRESS Donna Summer ended her east coast "Stamp Your Feet" tour at The West Hampton Beach Performing Arts Center as part of WHBPAC 10th Anniversary season celebration.

The Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Christopher Durang’s scathingly funny The Marriage of Bette and Boo is the first New York presentation since the play debuted at the Public in 1985, when the word dysfunctional was barely a part of our vernacular. Walter Bobbie puts a solid ensemble through their paces in a consistently amusing broad staging of the playwright’s dark comedy that deals with stillborn babies, alcoholism, emotional abuse and cancer.

Caroline Rhea, Michael GelmanDan Gasby, B. SmithThe 2008 Bay Street Summer Gala Benefit Bash was back on the Long Wharf with music by 5th Avenue Band, Hank Lane Music, and catered by Robbins Wolfe eventeurs . Guest auctioneers Caroline Rhea and Michael Gelman kept the evening lively and the cast members of the upcoming production of Ain't Misbehavin' performed at the sold out event.
Photography: Barry Gordin

Sam Shepard’s new play Kicking a Dead Horse, directed by the playwright himself and starring the acclaimed Irish actor Stephen Rea, is a black comedy with a grim message. The tale making its American premier at the Public Theater is a potent metaphor about our current political atmosphere and the barren existence most Americans lead in pursuit of false values. Covering familiar Shepard themes and philosophies the thought provoking story is an inventive homage to Beckett. Although beautifully acted the evening doesn’t go far enough theatrically, and is continuously upstaged by the carcass of the character in the title, a dead horse.

Jaye Sears, Kathleen BattleThe luminous voice of the Grammy Award winning soprano Kathleen Battle has been heralded throughout the world. After witnessing the major milestones in her illustrious career, critics have been unified in singing her praises. Words like spellbinding, magical, mesmerizing have been used to describe her performances from the stages of the world’s leading opera houses and major concert halls. She has scanned the heights of the classical musical world with her unmistakable sound performing with leading orchestras world wide.

If you are looking for a Broadway show for the entire family, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, now playing a 10-week summer engagement, may be just the ticket. The evening is a colorful collection of musical numbers, where many of the talented acrobats and gymnasts dress up like animals from the jungle. Creator/director Neil Goldberg has spawned a jungle adventure themed musical, with songs by Jill Winters that have a driving disco beat to keep things lively. Although the outstanding routines, mostly acrobatic or aerial balancing acts are more than competent, the show lacks a needed spark of inventiveness.