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 (318)
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The Circle of Blood.
It takes all shapes and styles for a play. Agamemnon: The Circle of Blood at LA MAMA Downstairs is an interesting, nuanced kind of show. The play is based as much on video artistry as it is on the solo artist: Rafika Chawishe. Out of Ayos, the play can take place in pretty much anytime the earth has existed. As it is set in Greek times, the modern music and sound design (Manolis Manousakis) and video (Asteris Koutoulas) is earry at times; edgy and absorbing at other times.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Joyce Theater Company.
New York City has all of these off the beaten path venues and that is what makes New York City the greatest city in the world! The Joyce Theater has been around for many years; last night I had the pleasure of watching the Limon Dance Company (' over the O in Limon).
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in FYI
Potus
Having had the opportunity to review "Potus" on Broadway a few years back, I passed on it. I have been fortunate to be a Broadway critic for many years and I get to chose which shows that I want to see. The reason I passed on it was that it looked kind of foolish. After reading fellow critics reviews I was glad that I passed as they had murdered it. When this show came on schedule at The Bergen County Players I figured "why not".
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in FYI
Ashes&Ink.
"Ashes & Ink" at AMT on West 45th st has a lot of nice things working for it. The story is a unique one in that Molly (Kathryn Erbe) has a sound media business with her sister, Bree (Tamara Flannagan). Molly listens to the many sounds of birds, can decipher which bird is which, can quote their learning patterns and other fun facts.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Left on Tenth
During the show, "Left on Tenth" at the Jones Theatre, Delia (Julianna Margulies) tells the 4th wall audience that in her life "she takes two steps forward and one step back". Indeed her life seems this way. As a high strung, comical figure, Delia is a writer; her mother and father were writers too. Based on sister Ephron's memoir, "Left" is autobiographical. From the writers of "You've Got Mail" comes this warm, charming and heart- ripping new play that has many great things going for it!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Art
Hold and The Godling
Last evening at the Gene Frankel Theatre we were presented with a short, "Hold" and a full length play, "The Godling". Written by Mark Borkowski, the two plays had two different directors. Under the direction of Shira-Lee Shalit,"Hold" was a twenty minute farce that left the audience in stitches. The blend between Gerry (Santo Fazio and Bernie (Rich Pecci) was tremendous. Able to feed off of each other, the two gave the small theater audience a Broadway quality performance! Rather than make this performance campy, director Shalit went for the absurd and in doing so she hit it out of the park. While all three characters were excellent here, it was the brother's that brought this to the height of raucous farce.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
People of the Book.
The Urban Stages has put on a play that I like to refer to as a hidden gem; on off off Broadway play that is edgy, with great writing as well as interesting. Yussef El Guindi has written a play that has almost perfect symmetry to it. He presents four characters (a square), gives us four points a view; he brings out the jealousy in the men and shows us the support by their strong woman.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Starship
Starship, and its predecessor, Jefferson Airplane were born out of San Francisco, California. As a continuation of Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship continued on with many of the original artists leaving the band to go in different directions. Jefferson Airplane would record many songs of note before their final breakup.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Wolves
"Wolves" just isn't good! Stars George Clooney (Michael Clayton) and Brad Pitt star in a ridiculous silly movie about a cleaner, or fixer, if you will. What makes "Wolves" so bad is not as much as the weak story, but the stupid banter between Pitt and Clooney.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Yellow Face.
"Yellow Face" at the Todd Haimes Theatre is a difficult play to review in many ways. David Henry Hwang has made himself the lead actor, and he fills the story this semi-autobiographical story with lots of real life people that were involved in the "Miss Saigon" musical ruckus. Even though Hwang is detailed about the occurrences that shrouded the 1991 Tony Award Musical, the play's bad guy is made up and the writer doesn't reveal this until the show's end. First produced in 2007 at The Public Theater, the play focuses more on the laughs than it did back at The Public.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Art
Mc Neal
"McNeal" Illusion vs Reality. What is the best play in this very early fall theater season, "McNeal" at Lincoln Center, has Robert Downey Jr, playing Jacob McNeal. Mr. Downey was custom made for this role; his firebrand, rapid fire style as the Nobel Laureate for Literature keeps the pace flowing for the one hour- forty five minute intermission-less play.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Art
