Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).
Bio
I have been writing on theater since 1982. A graduate from Manhattan College B.S. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both English and Science. I have produced 14 shows on and off Broadway. I've seen over700 shows
Stories (322)
Filter by community
Grangeville.
"Grangeville" at The Signature Theatre is a soulful piece written by Samuel D. Hunter and is strongly directed by Jack Serio. As a two actor play, both Brian J. Smith and Paul Sparks work off of each other very well. It Is Sparks, however, that takes the show on his back and carries it over the goal line. As a country bumpkin living in Grangeville, Idaho, Jerry is a strong, but lost soul. He tries to keep what is left of his family together.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Art
A Brooklyn Dream
Immersive theater has become very popular when "Sleep No More" ran at the McKittrich for 14 years. Now playing at Rector St in the Wall St area, "Life and Trust". Both of the aforementioned are big productions. At "A Brooklyn Dream", the venue is small, but for the most part comfortable.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Mrs Loman
Mrs. Loman, which has a running time of 90 minutes is very good for the first 35 minutes. Writer Barbra Cassidy starts the play out with little snippets of the Loman family right after the death of father, Willy Loman. The shows first scene has Linda Loman (Monique Vukovic), Biff (Matt McGlade), Happy (Hartley Parker), Charlie, Willy's long time friend and confident. The fifth person, Bernard(Joe Gregori), who was a small figure in "Death of A Salesman" was on to bigger and better things as a lawyer who argued before the Supreme Court, here, he is a big part of the Loman's life in Brooklyn, N.Y..
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Critique
My First Ex-Husband.
"My First Ex-Husband" at MMAC Theater is four actors/comedians reading about eight stories of nameless woman that writer Joy Behar interviewed for her pithy play. Behar, Susie Essman, Tovah Feldshuh and Adrienne C. Moore each read two stories from different women explaining their hopeless marriages.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
English
"English" at the Todd Haimes Theatre is a play that you will either like or not like. As a Broadway transfer, this 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama gives its message very subtly. In Sanaz Toossi's play, you get the plot, not straight away, but in the words undertones.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Critique
Miss Julie
August Strindberg has always been a different kind of writer; his plays have many underlying messages in his works. "Miss Julie" is no different. In this three character play we get a class difference. It is more of a class warfare, however, so subtle, Strindberg presents three very different people to portray his writing.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Critique
Works & Process
Works and Process put forth two shows at the Peter B. Lewis Theater: "Going Dark" and" AlgoRhythm". "Going Dark" blended music across Jazz, Brazilian, Soul and Funk. The numbers were based off of street life and the direction went towards just that; at times the actors were chatting one another on stage , at other times the talented musicians entertained the audience with cool, breakthrough tunes.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
Gypsy
"Gypsy" is still in previews. This "Gypsy" at the Majestic Theatre is one you will either love or not like. For me, dating back to 1989 when Tyne Daly starred as Rose and onto Bernadette Peters in 2003 and Patti LuPone in 2008, the musical has vacillated as far as likeability. I did not really like Ms. Daly as Rose, Peters was much better in the role and Patti LuPone is by far the best of the class. Whereas LuPone belted out the songs, where she owned the role, Audra McDonald more dained in he efforts. LuPone was more believable than the current star in that she was Mama Rose!
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Critique
No Bull With Raging Robert.
"Fowl Play" at La MAMA is another tale by the Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre. The theater groups "Havel" also played here at the Ellen Stewart Theatre last season. The theater group is reminiscent of the theater company Bread and Puppet, in that it brings farce and the absurd to the political forefront. Like Bread and puppet too, this company has many subplots within its stories.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about a year ago in Beat
