
Theater Review News
The latest theater review stories, summarized by AI
Featured Theater Review Stories


Broadway's 'Swept Away': Avett Brothers' Folk Musical Faces Stormy Seas
"Swept Away," a new Broadway musical featuring songs by the Avett Brothers, opened at the Longacre Theatre, offering a peculiar mix of folk music and a storyline involving cannibalism. The 90-minute show, based on a fictionalized American whaling expedition, struggles to balance its dark themes with the band's melodic tunes. Despite impressive performances, particularly by Adrian Blake Enscoe, the production's second half, set on a lifeboat, fails to captivate, leaving audiences with a strange and unsettling experience.

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More Theater Review Stories
"Zendaya Shines in Support of Tom Holland's West End 'Romeo & Juliet' Debut"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hollywood Reporter

Tom Holland's return to the stage in Jamie Lloyd's modern take on "Romeo & Juliet" disappoints, with his subdued performance lacking the necessary passion. However, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers shines as Juliet, commanding the stage with her emotional depth and resilience. The production's minimalist aesthetic and innovative use of live camera projections add visual interest, but the overall muted approach detracts from the play's dramatic impact.
"Tom Holland's 'Romeo & Juliet' Falls Flat, Zendaya Shines"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo Entertainment

Tom Holland's return to the stage in Jamie Lloyd's contemporary take on "Romeo & Juliet" disappoints, with his subdued performance lacking the necessary romantic and dramatic heat. However, Francesca Amewudah-Rivers shines as Juliet, delivering a commanding and emotionally charged performance that stands out in an otherwise muted production.
"Sally & Tom: A Meta-Theatrical Examination of History and Power"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Vulture

Suzan-Lori Parks's play "Sally & Tom" at the Public Theater explores the relationship between Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson through a metatheatrical lens, but falls short in delivering a powerful impact. While addressing themes of race, ambition, and integrity, the play's tone feels muted and the characters' struggles lack sharp, deliberate focus. Despite some poignant moments from secondary characters, the overall portrayal of the theater company and the central debate feels awkward and lacking in depth. The potential for a charged and deliberate exploration of historical ambiguities is overshadowed by a sense of comfort and sentiment, leaving the audience awaiting an impact that never fully materializes.
"The Outsiders": A Broadway Musical Review
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Vulture

"The Outsiders" makes a strong entry into Broadway's singer-songwriter wave with a new musical form featuring a score and lyrics by Zach Chance, Jonathan Clay, and Justin Levine. The adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, set in 1967 Tulsa, captures the pangs and passions of being young and poor, with a focus on the Greasers gang. The musical's staging, performances, and choreography create an exhilarating movement world, while the characters' yearning for something more is portrayed with tenderness and depth.