William J Cataldi

Ewing Reviewing 2019 William J Cataldi

Hundreds of plays are being performed Off- and Off-Off-Broadway every day. 2019 saw the rise of #MeToo, with new female scenarios focusing on discrimination and abuse. We caught up on Shakespeare with Richard III, Hamlet, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, and an all-female Troilus and Cressida. We were thrilled by the Greeks, with new operas based on Oedipus Rex and The Bacchae, including the fascinating Comedian's Tragedy, a new play in the Grecian style exploring Aristophanes' mid-life crisis. Aaron Posner, Max Wellman, and Neil LaBute, brilliant modern authors were honored in festivals, as were the greats Tennesee Williams and Arthur Miller. Musicals came out of the woodwork. Bat Out of Hell and Spring Awakening explored the versatility of Rock 'n Roll, with We Are the Tigers, I Spy a Spy, and the stunning Jilted to Perfection, offering a more orthodox approach. The incomparable Gilbert and Sullivan were still with us, reminding us how much our theatrical traditions owe to their genius. Add The Cradle WillRock, perhaps the most politically charged work in theatrical history, and the technologically advanced Looking at You, possibly the most remarkable musical produced all year, and you have a season of Independent Theater almost impossible to describe. Reviews on these works can be found inside, along with countless new plays and playwrights that deserve attention. We believe we've provided a clear picture of performance art that should be treasured. If you're interested in the theater, this book is for you.