Critic Spotlight: January 2022
[Interview posted as part of a monthly interview series by the American Theatre Critics Association January 6, 2022.] Martha Wade Steketee New York, New YorkPrimary Outlet: urbanexcavations Basics first: where do […]
Celebrating Sondheim’s Birthday with Garland and Others and “Songs I Wish I’d Written”
On the occasion of Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday a decade ago, I called upon a list of songs published on the occasion of his 70th that he said he wished […]
“Just in Time”: An Appreciation
Judy Garland performed a morphing and modulating arrangement of the Betty Comden and Adolph Green gem “Just In Time” for about seven years, between 1962 (when it was crafted for […]
Calm and Coiled: Musings on the Lolling styles of Hepburn and Garland
Back in 2010 and 2011 I played with a theme, a meme, of “lolling” through two of my favorite film divas Lolling served as a way for me to select among […]
Seth Sikes Embraces His Divas
[Original published in Theater Pizzazz, June 29, 2017.] I am a fan of the divas that inspire the passionate fandom Seth Sikes revealed in his June 24 cabaret show. I’ve […]
Mad Dogs and Englishmen at the Metropolitan Room
Cabaret stylist Gregory Moore takes as his inspiration for a splendid set of the Metropolitan Room a 1955 Coward engagement at the long-gone Las Vegas venue Wilbur Clark’s Desert Inn, […]
review: Among the Dead
by Hansol Junt Directed by Ralph B. Peña Featuring Will Dagger, Julienne Hanzelka Kim, Diana Oh, Mickey Theis Ma-Yi Theater Company @ HERE (SubletSeries@HERE) 145 6th Avenue November 6, 2016 – […]
Lorna Luft at 54 Below
Lorna Luft has always had a killer vocal instrument. There is television evidence as early as 1963 (The Judy Garland Show episode 15) of her 12-year-old’s self-possession and developing voice, and […]
What Was It Like to See Judy Garland’s Famous Carnegie Hall Show?
[article as originally published at TDF Stages, June 15, 2016.] Welcome to Geek Out/Freak Out, where theatre fans get enthusiastic about things. This week, Stages contributor Martha Steketee geeks out with […]
Sixth Annual Night of a Thousand Judys
[article originally published at Theater Pizzazz, June 8, 2016.] On Monday June 6, 2016, Judy Garland wrapped her arms around an entire city block on the Upper West Side of […]
Joan Sings Judy at 54 Below
[article originally published at Theater Pizzazz, June 4, 2016.] The petite figure appears in a delectable blue cocktail ensemble with sparkly clear heels determined to evoke another petite performer’s work […]
event musings: night of a thousand judys
Ali Forney Center Benefit Concert: Night of a Thousand Judys Written and Hosted by Justin Sayre Music Direction by Lance Horne Featuring Martha Wash, Madeleine Peyroux, Carolee Carmello, Lea DeLaria, […]
event musings: taylor mac jewish songs of 1900-1909
Sleep Fast! We Need the Pillow! Jewish Songs of the 1900s (1900-1909) Taylor Mac Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 8pm JCC Manhattan, 344 Amsterdam Avenue event site [Note: these are […]
review: end of the rainbow
End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter Directed by Terry Johnson Featuring Tracie Bennett, Tom Pelphrey, Jay Russell, Michael Cumpsty The Belasco Theatre, 111 West 44th Street April 2, 2012 — open […]
event musings: judy: a legendary film career
92YTribeca: Judy: A Legendary Film Career John Fricke presents clips and history Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 12 noon 92YTribeca, 2000 Hudson Street (at Canal) event site “People always expect […]
event musings: ruby slippers, body guards, little girls, and high tea
Afternoon Tea and viewing of a pair of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers Arabelle Restaurant, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 37 East 64th Street Pre-auction viewing and tea, hosted by Profiles in History Monday, December […]
urban excavations 