By Sandi Durell     It would be better to begin with the fact that this production is part of the Ensemble for the Romantic Century, written by Eve Wolf and directed by Donald T. Sanders, so that first and foremost is the attention to the classical music of the...

    By Sandi Durell     With rumors swirling and many folks talking about our beloved Metropolitan Room, I wanted to get it, as they say, straight from the ‘horse’s mouth.’ In this case, the managing partner, our dear friend Bernie Furshpan with whom I spoke and who sent...

    By Sandi Durell     I had a terrific phone conversation with cast member, the lovely Kelli Rabke (Children of Eden, Les Miserables, Joseph. . .), appearing in Small Town Confessions, to find out more about Phil Geoffrey Bond‘s comedy (directed by Stephen...

  By Sandi Durell Video by Magda Katz   The Metropolitan Room was abuzz, once again on August 3, and filled with fans of the renowned Finkel Brothers – Ian and Elliot – sons of the famous Fyvush Finkel, an entertainment legend who passed away at the age of 93 in 2016. Each has his...

    By Sandi Durell     How does one effectively create a musical about the most flamboyant entertainer in history? Well, to better understand the man, his music, his genius you might want to begin by seeing the big Broadway-style production currently part of this season’s...

  Photo/Video Interview by Sandi Durell   Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Dames at Sea, Zorro) is a Queen, a Broad and Rules!  She will be returning to Feinstein’s/54 Below with a new take on her signature cabaret show Rule Your Kingdom, where she takes no prisoners. She comes with...

    by Sandi Durell     The Broadhurst Theatre will celebrate its 100th Birthday this year and 54 Below will hold a fabulous centennial evening of songs and stories on August 16 at 7 and 9:30 pm, performed by many who graced the stage, hosted by Jennifer Ashley Tepper and...

  by Sandi Durell     The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein, returns to his namesake Feinstein’s/54 Below August 8 thru September 3 (see calendar for specific showtimes), to present his brand of ‘Showstoppers’ – it all begins...

      By Sandi Durell     Playwright Dominique Morisseau has written an intense and powerful play that is thought-provoking, but nothing new. Do private school kids escape the violence and racisim so much a part of the inner city schools? And when it comes to troubled...

  For actor/singer/comedienne/Broadway, film and TV star Tovah Feldshuh, it couldn’t be more accurate . . . Aging is Optional!   And so the wonderfully inspirational Ms. Feldshuh returns to Feinstein’s/54 Below on August 1 and 3 at 7 pm to preach what she practices. She...

    The crystalline-voiced Liz Callaway returns to Feinstein’s/54 Below with a new show . . . The Beat Goes On . . featuring pop hits (and Broadway and the movies too!) from the 1960s.  This Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner made her Broadway debut in Sondheim’s Merrily...

      By Sandi Durell     We are each inspired by others who allow us to dream. Ella was that great inspiration to Andrea Frierson – book writer and performer in Me and Ella (two time Helen Hayes Award nominee, with numerous Broadway credits) that is currently in...

By Sandi Durell I am astonished that it took me so long to finally have this pleasurable theater experience at Penguin Rep in Stony Point, NY! When Artistic Director Joe Brancato contacted me about coming up, I did put it on my list, but . . . you know how life is . . . you get busy, you...

    By Sandi Durell       You’re in the Army Mr. (or Ms.) Jones!   Only one of the unexpected turns in Randy Weiner (Sleep No More, Queen of the Night) and Ryan Heffington’s (Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ music video) newest offering currently ensconced under the Highline. The...

  All of us here at Theater Pizzazz wish everyone a peaceful and Happy July 4th.     Watch the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, positioned on the East River off Manhattan between 24th and 41st streets, starting at about 9:20 p.m. ET and lasting 25...

    By Sandi Durell     Expect the unexpected in Martyna Majok’s play at Manhattan Theatre Club.   It’s a play about everyday and extraordinary people who are hurting, lost and lonely as we peer into their lives of what could be two separate plays within the same...

  The inimitable Kate Burton, starring alongside Kevin Kline currently on Broadway in Present Laughter, was honored today with a caricature that will appear on the legendary wall at Sardi’s.   Present for the unveiling and signing were cast members including Kristine Nielsen,...

    By Sandi Durell     The End of Longing, at MCC Theater, can best be described as the angst of four present day dysfunctional almost 40-somethings, drowning in their own dissatisfaction while struggling to survive and connect in the only way each can. This dark comedy,...

  Winners for the 62nd Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced at The Town Hall on June 5.  Sandi Durell with Mark Ryan Anderson (on camera) were on hand to hear what the winners had to say. Check out Parts 1 and 2 Interviews here! And take a look at more photos ‘On The Red...

    By Sandi Durell     Each time I have the opportunity to listen to Veronica Swift, young in years – old in soul, it reinforces the fact that this up and coming jazz star in the making has it all. She grows before my very eyes.   Now that she has a residency on...

      By Sandi Durell     You might quickly want to say ‘What? Another jukebox musical?’ . . . ah, but wait a minute this almost concert-like, hi-energy, non-stop musical, returning to the Bucks County Playhouse, featuring 27 songs of a young genius’ meteoric rise to...

  by Sandi Durell The stars came out to Sardi’s to accept their Awards from the Outer Critics Circle on May 25 . . . they already knew they were winners!  Over a delicious luncheon the journalists, critics, writers, press agents and  guests mixed and mingled and included: Bette...

      By Sandi Durell     Exposing a tradition and its rituals can be enlightening and horrifying. Such is bacha bazi – an underground illegal practice in the Muslim world condemned by the Quran, especially prevalent in Afghanistan, where wealthy men buy young pretty...

      By Sandi Durell   There is definitely a gene that morphs from parent to child that enables that child to absorb a talent. So it is with Tony Bennett’s daughter Antonia who grew up performing alongside her father when she was a wee one. Not only was she on the stage...

    By: Sandi Durell     Yes, in fact, the turntable stage revolves continuously as Hamish Linklater’s The Whirligig makes its points of intertwining the happy, sad and tragic lives of families and friends in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, currently ensconced by The New Group...