Michael Gordon Shapiro

A funny and compassionate chronicle of a couple's romantic life, full of lovable nuance, detail, and personality. A story rich with particulars, which in turn make it more universal. ... full review

What might have merely been a solid crime thriller is turned into a delightful blend of suspense and comedy as audiences get to vote on story direction at several critical junctures. The audience participation is more than a gimmick; it makes you feel emotionally invested in the outcome of a story of which you're the partial author. ... full review

An intriguing historical "what if" story, reminiscent of the film The Last Temptation of Christ in how it depicts an attempt to forsake destiny for a more ordinary life. The play is a bit too in love with its subject, at times feeling like a documentary (or hagiography), but once it arrives at its central premise there's a worthwhile payoff. The story is made vivid by devoted and intense performances from a talented cast. ... full review

Miss Stroll takes the well-explored genre of the struggles-in-Hollywood autobiography and infuses it with playful energy, deft character impressions, and enough sincerity to keep the piece grounded. Far from a self-indulgent monologue, the show is truly a performance, with sly comedic songs about the vagaries of Hollywood, artful use of visuals, and a whirlwind of well-choreographed stage antics. Of particular note are Ms. Stroll's enactment of supporting characters in her story, such as a fat-sh... full review

An alternately funny and sympathetic look at relationships (or lack thereof) via a train of two-person vignettes, each of which inherits one character from the prior one. An interesting side effect is that a character who seems to be an interloper or heartless antagonist in one scene can show an inner depth in the next. The dialogue is sharp, the humor funny, and thank god you don't actually see anyone's schlong. With each vignette is about ten minutes and an hour running time overall, this show ... full review

A real gem of a piece, a dark romantic folktale that feels huge despite the intimate staging. The story of a puppeteer falling for a tragically captive young witch moves along effortlessly thanks to a gorgeous score that's at once contemporary and neo-romantic. A talented cast makes a historical/mythological libretto feel sincere, and the leads in particular fill the room with their gorgeous voices - which are given real opportunity to shine with soaring vocal lines. The story may bear the we... full review

A heartfelt and no-punches-pulled personal narrative of a teen's fight and triumph over cancer. Though a biographical vignette can't offer the structured rise-and-fall of a work of fiction, Joy Juice offers plenty of laughter, twists, and drama. Danny's affable personality and down-to-earth delivery helps give uplift to a sometimes harrowing account, and keeps the weighty subject matter from getting lachrymose. Though you know from the get-go that Danny survived and triumphed, the sometimes-funn... full review

There's tremendous talent in both the material and performance of this show, even if it doesn't jell as a story. The songwriting (probably a more accurate term despite the operatic approach) is often evocative and mesmerizing, and Bianca Gisselle's voice grabs you from the get-go. The show's atmosphere, utterly committed cast, and ambitious scope IMO make it worth the price of admission. That said, the relationship of music to story is often tenuous, and it's difficult to interpret what's happeni... full review

Full disclosure: the playwright is a collaborator and friend of mine. Those biases disclaimed, I'll say that this is a powerful, true-to-life, and unfortunately timely piece that delivers a dramatic punch with sympathy, compassion, and humor. Friends Like These doesn't strive to provide answers to the events it depicts, but it creates such strong attachment to its characters that you can't help but be swept along with them through their crests and troughs. ... full review

A respectable production of the venerable Off Broadway hit, thought it falls short of the virtuosic quality of the same company's "A Man of No Importance" at last year's Fringe. The piano/harp instrumentation adds a delightful layer of color to the score, but the placement of those instruments on opposite sides of the stage sacrifices some rhythmic coordination between the musicians. Acting and vocal talent ranges from adequate to very good. If the material resonates with you, you'll find it wel... full review