Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).
Bio
I have been writing on theater since 1982. A graduate from Manhattan College B.S. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both English and Science. I have produced 14 shows on and off Broadway. I've seen over700 shows
Stories (319)
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Spamalot
Is the present cast as good as when it first opened on Broadway in the early 2000's? Debatable. Where Tim Curry absolutely killed it as King Arthur and under Mike Nichols brilliant direction, "Spamalot was a sensation back when. Under the book by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle this musical is still a brilliant piece. Director (and choreography) Josh Rhodes takes this great piece based on the 1975 movie Monty Python and The Holy Grail now playing at the St. James Theatre and keeps the side splitting laughter front and center.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Geeks
Harmony
"Harmony" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre is apropos for the times that we live in now. The book by Bruce Sussman is based on a group of harmony singers that meet in Germany in 1927. Rising to popularity and fame even though the world is facing a depression, the musical starts out at New York Cities Carnegie Hall in 1933 where the six singers decide whether to return to their native homeland, Germany. The group is worried about the overtures of antisemitism and that Adolf Hitler is rising to power. The group has three Jewish members and three Gentile members who are tight knit and genuinely like one another.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Geeks
Ode To The Wasp woman.
"Ode To The Wasp Woman" at Actors Temple Theatre is a very up and down play that has as many good things in it as it does pitfalls. The story has its premise in four actors who died prematurely. Sean Young who plays Susan Cabot, Douglass Everett Davis is George Reeves, Payton Georgiana is Barbra Payton and Josh Alscher is Alfalfa from "The little Rascals" fame.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Beat
I Need that. Theater Review.
"I Need That" at American Airlines Theatre involves the life of Sam (Danny DeVito), his best friend, Foster (Ray Anthony Thomas) and his daughter, Amelia (Lucy DeVito). Sam is a hoarder and a hermit; he hasn't cut his lawn for eight months and the inside of his house looks as bad as the outside. Theresa Rebeck who wrote this play brings into question about how a man chooses to live his life. Sam has no TV, no phone and he seems happy living his life; nothing seems to outwardly bother him. He misses his dead wife Ginny, she too hated to throw anything away.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
Sabbath's Theatre.
"Sabbath's Theater" at the Romulus Linney Theater is a stream of consciousness play, John Turturro gives a masterclass for one hour and forty minutes. Without an intermission it is he who locks in the audience. The play which is written by Philip Roth is as raw, edgy as anything Kafka would write. The people who came to watch were artistic, even Bohemian. "Sabbath's Theater is a throw back to the days of La MAMA, Truck and Warehouse Theater. Directed by Jo Bonney, nothing is left to the imagination... it is sex and sex and sex.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
The Play That Goes Wrong
"The Play That Goes Wrong" is still funny and engaging. I first saw the show at the Lyceum Theater when it was on Broadway and then again when it moved to The World Stages. Like many Broadway and off Broadway shows that run a long time,casts changes make the show different over time. Live theater is not like watching your favorite movie over and over with the same result. When you watch a show day in and day out it is never the same result.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Geeks
Jim Messina and Pablo Cruz.
Jim Messina has been around music for a long time. His mellow, folksy music has dated back to Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and the duo of Loggins and Messina. His talents run from acoustic guitar, Mandolin, dobro, bass and vocals.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Critique
Merrily We Roll Along.
"Merrily We Roll Along" will be a top Tony contender for Best Musical come June. The show has everything in a great musical... great singing, excellent acting, big staging and effective lighting. Director Maria Friedman has the three main stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Johnathan Groff and Lindsey Mendez in top form.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Poets
Itzhak Perlman In Concert.
Considered one of the great violinists, Itzhak Perlman was born in Israel where at an early age he contracted Polio. Disabled for most of his life, Perlman became a world renowned violinist playing the worlds most important venues.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Geeks
Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge at Circle In The Square is the singer telling you her life in remembrance and song. As she takes the stage it is evident that she has die hard fans in the audience. Under the smoke and purple lighting, Etheridge is bigger than life; so his her booming, raspy voice. Abigail Rosen Holmes has the lighting in between a nightclub feel and a concert. The set (Bruce Rodgers) is a simple one, the focus is clearly on the woman who's name is on the marque.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Art
Purlie Victorious.
The problem with "Purlie Victorious" at The Music Box is two fold. The first problem is that director Kenny Leon has some of the actors at time inaudible; most strikingly so is Kara Young (Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins). While Leon reaches desperately for the laughs, many of the jokes are not heard among the audience and we are constantly playing catch up to try to hear where we are in this farce that at times is slow and flat. The second problem is that the play is confusing. We are never sure if we are in the early 60"s or whether we are at the turn of the 19th century.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Geeks
Duran Duran in Concert.
Duran Duran last evening at Forrest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York was as much a throw back the the great 80's music as it was an entertaining evening for the standing, sold out crowd. On the jumbo-trons, the silhouette through the smoke of this legendary band as they took the stage. Duran Duran is as much showmanship as it is talent and the front-man, Simon Le Bon played it off deftly.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 years ago in Beat
