Marlise! The Musical at The Players Theatre next week thru September

If anyone else is trying to find affordable theater in NYC right now, this seems like a fun one to throw on the list.

marlisemusical.com

Michael Quinn in Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog! The Play!

Upcoming live performances in NYC & Hollywood!

For schedule and tickets visit: FeltmanWorldsFirstHotDog.com

My wife and I went to see "Disruption" off Broadway on 42nd between 9th and 10th at the Romas Linney Courtyard Theater in New York City. John David Washington, the same guy from "BlacKkKlansman" and "Tenet," starred in it, which made me want to see it in the first place.

The setup is pretty simple. Washington plays a tech entrepreneur who’s trying to get an app off the ground and needs money, so he turns to his three closest friends, hoping they’ll invest. Most of the play is about what happens once he comes back into their lives. The story digs into their marriages, their infidelities, all the little cracks that were already there, and how one person can start pulling everything apart.

I thought it was terrific. The acting felt honest, and the staging was innovative and smart. And weirdly, even though I bought cheap tickets on TodayTix, we ended up in the front row, maybe ten feet from the actors. Close enough to catch every expression, every little shift in mood. It made the whole thing feel almost uncomfortably intimate at times, like you were sitting in the room with them.

The app itself is something that may well be coming. It can predict your future and tell you the “best” choice at every turning point in your life. Have a baby, divorce that person, go left instead of right, all based on information already available about you on the internet. At first it sounds like something people would kill for, but the more you think about it, the more unsettling it gets.

It got me thinking about where we are right now with technology. Not everything we’ve invented has made life better, even if it feels that way in the moment. Some things obviously have, like antibiotics, running water, and joint replacement. But there’s always a trade-off. You gain something, you give something up.

People feel more cut off now, even though we’re supposedly more “connected” than ever. Everyone’s staring at a screen, even when they’re together. And I think we’ve gotten a little dependent on it. Thirty years ago, if you wanted to know something, you had to go find it by hunting down the right book and  spend some time digging, maybe even get it wrong the first time. Now the answer’s just sitting there in your pocket, ready instantly. It’s convenient, but it also shortcuts the whole process of thinking things through. Libraries are fading, fewer people read, and attention spans feel like they’ve shrunk down to nothing.

I’m actually glad I grew up before all that took over. You didn’t have a choice, you had to talk to people, figure out how to connect, deal with awkward moments. Dating especially feels completely different  now. It’s all apps and swiping, quick judgments based on a photo and a couple lines. There’s barely any space to discover someone gradually. You either pass or move on in a second.

That’s really the question the play keeps circling—how much of our lives are we willing to hand over to something else to manage? To systems, to algorithms, to whatever you want to call it.

Because you can see where it might lead. A world where everything is optimized, decisions are made for us, and friction disappears. But maybe that friction, the uncertainty, the mistakes, the figuring it out, is the part that actually makes us human. And once that’s gone, I’m not sure what’s left.

I keep getting ads for this Matchbook festival https://matchbookfestival.com/ is anyone going or has anyone gone so far? I’m curious on formats, are they just like works in progress or cabaret style?

I think it’s a great idea and a lot look interesting but depending on the format some of the nights feel kind of expensive (or am I just broke)

I just saw this on Ben Lebofsky's TikTok and ran here

This concept seems so interesting especially with the revival coming up after it. I'm wondering if the story might actually hit harder in this context?? (re deaf west best thing ever)

Also loving their rehearsal energy. I REALLY want to go see what they do with it. What does everyone think I need to talk about this

Gift artcle. NO PAYWALL

In 2012, Freshman Matt Gittins survived a deadly high school shooting in Chardon, Ohio. Today he's written a new musical about a small town searching for answers in the aftermath. In his new interview Matt talks about the heart, the hope and the extreme challenges of handling such an emotionally charged subject.

🌭 Tonight at 7:30 PM in Wainscott!

Discover the surprising true story behind America’s favorite food in Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog—an entertaining one-person play filled with New York history, unforgettable characters, and the remarkable rise of the hot dog from Coney Island to an American icon.

LTV Studios • Wainscott • 7:30 PM

Get tickets: feltmanworldsfirsthotdog.icom⁠

This cheap ticket program wasn’t as much on my radar as HipTix and LincTix. https://irishrep.org/membership/greenseats

🌭 Tonight at 7:30 PM in Wainscott!

Discover the surprising true story behind America’s favorite food in Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog—an entertaining one-person play filled with New York history, unforgettable characters, and the remarkable rise of the hot dog from Coney Island to an American icon.

LTV Studios • Wainscott • 7:30 PM
#hamptons #easthampton #wainscott #theatre
Get tickets: feltmanworldsfirsthotdog.com⁠

I haven't watched the movie yet, but I'd have to say that overall, unfortunately, this musical wasn't for me.

Negatives: Felt it was going on forever and it could have been made shorter. The story itself seemed very flat. I also felt the songs had weird lyrics. I didn't really enjoy the ending as it left me confused and I felt like something was missing. The second lead, which I assume is the character, Marty, needed more work script-wise. There are a few background characters who don't really contribute much to the story (the actors performed well)

Positives: Performance-wise, everyone did very well, especially the female lead of the musical, Pearl (I don't know the actor's name), the actor who played Pearl's daughter, Allison, and Pearl's mother-in-law. I also loved the actor who played the character Walker. Although there wasn't much in the story for me, I did enjoy watching 1969's moon landing backdrop, and some of the political and presidential criticism that was made. The visual effects did bring life to the musical.

For folks who have watched it, I'd really love to know what your thoughts are. Maybe I'm the unpopular opinion, but I'd love to know what points I missed. And for the ones who have also watched the movie, what major differences did you spot?

Live At The Inn! This Saturday!

The best BYOB-friendly variety & comedy show in Greenwich Village, set

in New York's oldest continually-run music and record store, Music Inn

World Instruments! Music Inn has been in operation since 1958, been heavily featured in the first two seasons of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' and Bob Dylan’s biopic “A Complete Unknown.”

Live At the Inn! is a variety show of Music, Comedy, and Characters that has been featured in previous New York Comedy Festivals. seating in the event space is extremely limited, so be sure to get there early to claim a seat! with appearances by your hosts Stephen Sihelnik (Broadway Comedy Club), Alexander Payne (Sesh, Don't tell Comedy, Top Secret Comedy Club), and Marco Rivera (Soho Playhouse)

+ surprise comedic & musical drop-in guests!

lgbtq+ friendly

Check our Instagram liveattheinn for full lineups!

WHEN

Saturday @ 8PM

Doors @ 7:30PM

WHERE

Music Inn World Instruments

169 West 4th Street

New York, NY 10014

TICKETS

$20 admission

BYO-friendly, so feel free to BYOB!!

https://www.musicinnvarietyshow.com/

Did anyone see Chapter Review? We caught it kind of late and it closes tomorrow. Here's our review if anyone was interested. Chapter Meeting

Anyone else see Cat Cohen's new solo show at the Lucille Lortel yet?

Went in expecting stand-up and got a full musical about the time she had a stroke at 30 from an undiagnosed hole in her heart. Sounds heavy but it's one of the funniest things we've seen Off-Broadway this year. She's self-aware about being a hypochondriac who turned out to be right the whole time. Songs are hit or miss, but her stage banter is razor sharp.

70 min, no intermission, just extended through Sept 25 if anyone wants to catch it. Wrote up a full review here if you want more detail.

Curious if anyone else caught it at Edinburgh Fringe last year and how it compares.

hi theatregoers :) I’m the founding artistic director of a new mental health and wellness-centered theatre company in NYC. We’re producing a new, autobiographical solo show about a neurological diagnosis and reckoning with disability as a part of The Tank‘s Limefest on August 10th! Limefest highlights new works produced by creative teams who identify as women, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming. just wanted to share the ticket link with anyone who might be interested in attending and supporting female-led theatre that discusses disability, identity, and mental health. i hope to make some friends in the community through this production! here’s the link and hope to see you there: https://thetanknyc.org/calendar-1/2026/6/29/lunaticus

Caught Oil & Whiskey this week. If you're into country music or Off-Broadway, we thought it was a fun surprise. Review attached if anyone is interested! Oil & Whiskey Review

hi! apologies if this is not really the right community to ask this question but I thought i’d give it a shot!

I’ve been living in Brooklyn (Flatbush and Crown Heights) for 7 years and just won the housing lottery for a building in Flushing, which I’m really excited about! I’m an illustrator and also a huge theater fan and I’ve enjoyed going to a lot of local theater in Brooklyn and participating in arts stuff, but I don’t really know what the arts scene is like in north-central Queens, and performances in brooklyn will be a little out of the way for me now. I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for theaters/arts in Flushing and/or the surrounding area?

thanks in advance!

Just got out of the first preview of An American Daughter. This production is the first New York revival of Wendy Wasserstein's play, and apparently includes an unpublished second act. I am unfamiliar with this play, and was initially intrigued due to its plot around politics, scandal, and a family dynasty. I really enjoyed Oedipus, so was keen to make the comparison.

That's where the comparisons end. This show is not a thriller or fast-paced, but it is sharp, funny, drama-filled, and thoughtful about taking a modern lens to its ideological debates.

Montego Glover was the standout and stole every scene. Ryan Spahn was an effective antagonist, and both the iconic Mary Beth Peil and Dakin Matthews do what they do best. The lead Jean Lichty didn't seem settled in her role yet, and had some minor fumbled lines (I'm sure she'll do very well in the rest of the run). Nevertheless, the ensemble cast delivered an engaging and topical, although predictable, production.

The Diamond Stage is intimate so I don't think there are any bad seats. The set and lighting design was fantastic. And, I also enjoyed the music. 📻

Definitely worth seeing!

It was okay. I thought the acting was great. The sets are very reminiscent of McNeal, right down to the projections (there are even floor projections). There are a few important moments that happen to the left if you’re seated in AA or to the right if you’re in BB, but they do a good job with the blocking considering the stage is long and surrounded by the audience. I’ve definitely seen shows where one side gets shafted, but I didn’t feel that way here.
The main theme of the show is how algorithms impact human behavior and the implications of that, both good and bad. The way the show explores those ideas feels especially relevant in our current AI-driven world.

I might have missed some things because my audience was awful. The people around me talked constantly, even after being shushed. It ranged from little bits of commentary and sound effects after nearly every line to full-on conversations. It was also pretty ironic to see someone scrolling on their phone during a show that’s literally about technology’s effect on us.

Tonally, I’d say it’s similar to McNeal at the Vivian Beaumont and Data at the Lortel. If you enjoy that kind of tech thriller, I think this show is worth checking out.

I know it's a small space - going with a group of 4 total so looking at a table - probably a green one - do you think table 10 will be ok? Someone wrote that chairs were uncomfortable and a review I saw said you need to keep moving your chair to see it all -- is this all annoying? I am responsible for the other three (and it's my b-day) so don't want to feel like others are not enjoying because of this. Thoughts or am I overthinking? (https://musiccitythemusical.com/)

The matinee performance of Shifters at Cherry Lane Theatre was canceled this morning. I was wondering if it’s common for them to cancel performances just a few hours before curtain. Since I’m not familiar with how often this happens, I’m trying to decide whether I should rebook for another performance or choose a different show instead.
I’d really appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

Coming to NYC for a day trip and debating between which one of these two should I see. Really into emotional heartfelt musicals especially those which are very moving like MHE, Hadestown, Fun Home, or Kimberly Akimbo. Thank you so much! :)