The Real Ivanov

The Real Ivanov
Initiative Productions
Classic Stage Company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater
August 20, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions
& The Real Ivanov

The Real Ivanov is Laura Strausfeld’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s four act play, Ivanov.  The play runs one hundred minutes and skillfully captures the despair of the main character.  The cast, under the direction of Ms. Strausfeld, delivers truthful and grounded performances of these distinctly drawn characters.  The conflict and instability that drive their choices are clear and urgent.  It is a well-conceived production that packs a powerful final moment. 

Ivanov (played by Sam Underwood) is deeply despondent.  His wife, Anna (played by Ivory Aquino), is sick with tuberculosis.  Her doctor, Lvov (played by Elijah Guo), has informed him that she has only a few weeks to live and his anxious behavior is making it worse for her.  Lvov advises Ivanov to take Anna to a more calming environment, but since he is in debt to Lebedev (played by Spencer Aste), he cannot afford to accommodate her needs.  Ivanov spends time visiting Lebedev, his wife, Zinaida (played by Sarah Long), and their daughter, Sasha (played by Amelia Mason).  During these visits, Ivanov and Sasha grow close.  When Anna discovers their relationship, her physical condition deteriorates.  After her death, Ivanov becomes engaged to Sasha, but his depression keeps him from going through with the marriage. 

Ivory Aquino & Sam Underwood
Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions & The Real Ivanov

Sam Underwood fully embodies Ivanov’s sense of melancholy.  The audience feels it from the opening moment, then watches it deepen in every encounter he has with other characters.  He is distant in his relationship with his wife, Anna.  Ivory Aquino uses this distance to portray Anna as sturdy, committed, and determined.  The scene where she confronts Ivanov on his betrayal is honest and brutal.  It drains her of any life force she has left.  Sam Adegoke portrays Borkin with an abounding zest for life that magnifies Ivanov’s depression.  Jordan Lage fills the role of Count Shabyelski with a cynicism that drives him forward, which contrasts with Ivanov’s inability to make a decision.  Lebedev states that Ivanov’s engagement to Sasha has brought confusion to his home.  Spencer Aste’s portrayal of Lebedev skillfully illustrates this effect.  Mr. Underwood uses all of these encounters to fully explore the depth of Ivanov’s depression.  

Sam Underwood & Amelia Mason
Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions & The Real Ivanov

Amelia Mason delivers a tragically stubborn performance as Sasha.  The character tells her father the doubt she has about her upcoming marriage to Ivanov, yet she refuses to listen to Ivanov when he confesses the severity of his depression.  Sasha does not let go of the ideal of her conviction.  It is a stunning performance.  She and Mr. Underwood have amazing chemistry.

Kimberlee Walker is charming as Babakina.  Much to her delight, she is wooed by Count Shabyelski.  She and Jordan Lage are wonderfully playful in these roles.  

Elijah Guo is both sensible and sensitive as Dr. Lvov, who unsuccessfully hides his love for Anna.  He and Ms. Aquino share a tender connection, while the sparks fly between him and Mr. Underwood. 

Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions & The Real Ivanov

This adaptation retains the setting of the late 19^th century Russia.  Ms. Strausfeld wanted to preserve every precise line of Chekhov’s writing.  She carefully used translation tools, while deliberately cutting the repetitions.  She is aware that audiences listen to theatre differently today than they did when Chekhov wrote this play in 1887.  Her goal was to trim the play down to a concise one hundred minutes.  She succeeds beautifully, allowing the action to rise as the characters push against consuming obstacles amid personal, social, and economic turmoil.

The final scene of the play is brilliantly staged.  Ms. Strausfeld set it in a long, narrow hallway, which runs diagonally across the playing area (with audience seating on all four sides).  Not only is this drastically juxtaposed to the open spaces of the previous scenes, but it creates a severe obstacle for the characters to connect and communicate, which pushes Ivanov to his fatal decision. 

The Real Ivano is playing at Classic Stage Company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater through September 19.  It is a stimulating and visceral production.  

Domenick Danza

The Bathroom Attendant

 The Bathroom Attendant
Sparkplug Productions
125 Bank Street Theatre
August 15, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Sparkplug Productions
& The Bathroom Attendant

The stakes are high from the opening moment of Tom Kelly’s play, The Bathroom Attendant, and continue to rise until they reach a deadly height. The dialogue is raw and the characters are desperate for a pay off.  Director Andrew Block magnifies the urgency and pushes this amazing cast to the edge. 

It is 2018 in a rundown apartment complex outside Las Vegas.  Johnny (played by Dan Patrick Brady), a one-time prize fighting champion, gets a surprise visit from Connor (played by Evan Klein), the nephew of one of his childhood friends from Brooklyn.  What starts out as reminiscing of the good old days and gathering autographs on fight memorabilia turns into partnering on a blackmail scheme.  Connor witnessed and videoed a well-loved baseball star beating a young woman in the parking lot of the Bellagio the previous night.  He knows he can get a large amount of money for the video if he threatens to turn it over to the tabloids.  Johnny’s friend Tina (played by Kate Miller) gets in on the scheme because she has a friend at the Bellagio who could deliver a still photo from the video with their message to the baseball star.  They come up with a fool proof plan that falls apart one piece at a time, plunging them into unexpected danger. 

Evan Klein, Dan Partick Brady, & Kate Miller
Photo courtesy of Sparkplug Productions & The Bathroom Attendant

Dan Patrick Brady viscerally portrays Johnny, this down-and-out champion who is chased by loan sharks and working as a bathroom attendant.  Kate Miller equally matches his grit as Tina.  She has more optimism than Johnny, but her years working in adult films taught her how to be tough.  Evan Klein portrays Connor as naive and starstruck.  What he witnesses and experiences drastically changes him.  The dynamic between these three characters drives the action, and these three actors make it work beautifully.  Their banter builds in tension and impact, until it reaches the point of no return. 

Mari Blake as Bambi
Photo courtesy of Sparkplug Productions & The Bathroom Attendant

Mari Blake plays Bambi, the young woman who is beaten on the video.  Tina uncovers some information about her identity, but the audience only gets brief glimpses of her, until the final scene.  Ms. Blake uses the backstory established from Tina’s inquiry to portray a character lost in despair.  She and Mr. Klien create powerful moments in this short final scene that put them on an equal plane.  It is a powerful ending to a jarring story.

The Bathroom Attendant is playing at 124 Bank Street Theatre through August 30.  It is an unsettling play, skillfully written, directed, and performed.    

Domenick Danza

The Lost Boys

 The Lost Boys
Palace Theatre
August 11, 2026 

Photo courtesy of The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys is a truly spectacular musical!  The book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch is tight and clear, thoroughly developing the characters and raising the action at a scintillating pace.  Music and lyrics by The Rescues echo the 1980s period of the story and energizes the plot line.  The entire cast delivers moving performances that touch the soul and jar the emotions.  Director Michael Arden blends effective lighting design (by him and Jen Schriever), brilliant scenic design (by Dane Laffrey), and impressive choreography and daring aerial choreography (by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christoher Cree Grant) with amazing casting to create a phenomenal production. 

Lucy Emerson (played by Shoshana Bean) moves her two sons, Michael (played by LJ Benet) and Sam (played by Benjamin Pajak) to Santa Carla to get away from their abusive father.  She is hired by Max (played by Paul Alexander Nolan) to work in his video store.  Sam meets Edgar Frog (played by Miguel Gil) and Alan Frog (played by Jennifer Duka), self-appointed vampire hunters, while browsing in a comic book store.  Michael is captivated by Star (played by Maria Wirries), a girl he meets on the Boardwalk.  Through her, Michael, who is yearning for a sense of belonging, gets involved with David (played by Ali Louis Bourzgui) and the rest of the Lost Boys.  Little does he know the choices that lie ahead. 

LJ Benet & Ali Louis Bourzgui
Photo courtesy of The Lost Boys

Ali Louis Bourzgui is beguiling as David.  He has total control over Star and gains a powerful hold over Michael.  LJ Benet and Maria Wirries build a resilient relationship as Michael and Star.  As the truth of the story unfolds, it is their connection that keeps the action moving. 

Shoshana Bean is strong and endearing as Lucy Emerson.  The backstory of her teen years as a hippy in the 1960s allows her to build her character into a bold and daring single mother.  Paul Alexander Nolan carefully creates a trusting relationship with her as Max.  It is this gradual build that allow for a shocking surprise in the final scene. 

Shoshana Bean, Benjamin Pajak, & LJ Benet
Photo courtesy of The Lost Boys

Benjamin Pajak, Miguel Gil, and Jennifer Duka build a genuine friendship as Sam, Edgar, and Alan.  Their characters successfully bring the comic element into this dark story.  Their timing is impeccable.  Their youthful enthusiasm turns into brazen bravery that brings the action to a dramatic conclusion.  At age fifteen, Benjamin Pajak has a long list of stage and screen credits.  He is exceptional in this role.  He is maturing into a phenomenal Broadway performer with an unlimited future ahead.

This creative team has done a monumental job adapting this 1987 cult classic into a Broadway musical.  The Lost Boys is sure to have a long run at the Palace Theatre, but don’t wait to see it.  Get a ticket right away! 

Domenick Danza

Hungry Women

 Hungry Women
Black Watch Theatre
SoHo Playhouse
August 6, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Black Watch Theatre & Hungry Women

Melissa Maney’s play, Hungry Women, is a masterpiece in craft, imagination, and thematic relevance.  The action of this ninety-minute piece covers a two hundred year time frame, yet the images and vernacular keep it tight and contained.  Director Daniella Caggiano cast four phenomenal women in these valiant characters.  They rise with the action, taking the audience on an incredible journey. 

The action starts one hundred years ago in Massachusetts.  Ruth (played by Julia Lester), Mary (played by Zoe Dean), and Eden (played by Mariyea) are having tea and lamenting the recent and sudden loss of their husbands and sons.  Victoria (played by Sophie Zmorrod) enters, dressed in the clothes of her deceased husband, and tells them that the county is littered with the bodies of dead men.  The women discuss the challenge of burying the dead and surviving in a world without men.  Victoria, who now prefers to be called Vic, serves lunch, sandwiches made from the body of their dead husbands.  The ladies are aghast, then one by one they recall the abuse and servitude they endured under the heavy hand of their husbands’ dominance.  As they eat, their hunger grows in magnitude. 

Julia Lester, Zoe Dean, Mariyea, & Sophie Zmorrod
Photo courtesy of Black Watch theatre & Hungry Women

The action transitions to a present-day classroom, where Melanie (played by Zoe Dean), Valerie (played by Sophie Zmorrod), and Elizabeth (played by Mariyea) question their teacher, Rebecca (played by Julia Lester), about the history that was erased with the extinction of men.  They have a séance to bring back the male spirits, and are brutally schooled of their callousness and control.  This takes the action forward one hundred years in the future.  Regina (played by Julia Lester) reigns with supreme dominance.  When Violet (played by Sophie Zmorrod) gives birth to a male child, the power system is thrown off balance, and a decision must be made. 

Mariyea, Sophie Zmorrod, Julia Lester, & Zoe Dean
Photo courtesy of Black Watch Theatre & Hungry Women

The four characters in each of the acts are distinct and strong, yet their traits are transported through the time periods.  Julia Lester is staunch and firm as Ruth/Rebecca/Regina.Zoe Dean portrays Mary/Melanie/ Meredith as naïve and curious.  Sophie Zmorrod’s Victoria/Valerie/Violet is rebellious and probing.  Mariyea’s Eden/Elizabeth/Eleanor is intellectual and stoic.  This consistency keeps the conflict alive over the expansive time frame.  The fact that discourse repeats itself through the centuries is historically accurate and, in terms of this play, herstorically compelling.  These four women deliver monumental performances, keeping the conflict fresh and new in each of the acts, until it lands in a stunningly satisfying final moment.

Mariyea, Sophie Zmorrod, Julia Lester, & Zoe Dean
Photo courtesy of Black Watch Theatre & Hungry Women

Act I contains monologues that give insight into each characters’ previous experiences.  These monologues are skillfully written and come at the moment each character must face their fear in order to make a crucial decision.  They are each delivered flawlessly.  Director Daniella Caggiano seamlessly transitions the action from the moment to introspection then back to the moment, bringing the pain the characters experienced into the urgency of the present situation.  Their decision propels the action forward and affects future generations.  The images from these monologues recur in the second and third acts, creating a throughline of memory and trauma.

The Black Watch Theatre production of Hungry Women is playing at SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam St., NYC) through August 30.  Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:00, and Sundays at 5:00.  This play challenges your understanding of gender equality and illustrates the harmful outcomes of dominance and control.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Marilyn Monroe Exposed, The Musical

Marilyn Monroe Exposed
The Musical
Actors Temple Theatre
August 3, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Marilyn Monroe Exposed, The Musical

Marilyn Monroe Exposed, The Musical gives insight into the accomplishments, contributions, and mystery of this film icon.  The show distinctly explores evidence of her death.  Documented as a suicide, Playwright Cornell Christianson offers evidence that proves otherwise.  Mr. Christianson is quoted as saying that “half the dialogue [in the show] is from interviews, letters, and diaries” uncovering the truth that Marilyn Monroe was murdered.  The musical is structured like a detective mystery, revealing evidence and shining light on numerous suspects, until the final scene when the murderers are finally disclosed. 

The show opens on the morning Sgt. Jack Clemmons (played by William Delargy) receives a phone call that Marilyn Monroe (played by Romy Hansen) was found dead in her bed.  Upon arrival at her home, Sgt. Clemmons meets Marilyn’s doctor (played by Chris Donovan), who already ruled her death a suicide.  Contrary to this, Sgt. Clemmons notices there is no evidence of suicide on the scene.  After meeting Marilyn’s maid (played by Shannon Compton), he discovers that the police were not called for a number of hours after the body was discovered, and the maid destroyed evidence by doing laundry.  Sgt. Clemmons follows every clue and compiles a long list of high-profile suspects, who he interrogates at length. 

Romy Hansen as Marilyn Monroe
Photo courtesy of Marilyn Monroe Exposed, The Musical

Rony Hansen is stunning as Marilyn Monroe.  The eye goes to her in her first entrance, even though she is in an ensemble dance number and donning the brown hair of Norma Jean.  Ms. Hansen is nervous and vulnerable as Norma Jean, then gracefully matures into the screen legend everyone knows.  Ms. Hansen reveals the true Marilyn in her off-screen relationships.  Her manic-depressive behavior and fear of abandonment are visceral.  Ms. Hansen does a beautiful job portraying all sides of this icon, delivering a genuine and touching performance.

Craig M. Cartwright plays Arthur Miller.  The interrogation between Sgt. Clemmons and Arthur Miller takes up a large portion of the show.  Mr. Cartwright is captivating as Arthur Miller.  He is grounded, charming, and direct in telling his stories about Marilyn, which introduces numerous scenes from her career and personal life.  In these scenes we find out about her relationships with her first acting coach (played by Sara Jane Beneke), Joe Dimaggio (played by Michael DeRosa), Lee Strassberg (played by Daniel Rubinson), and JFK (played by Chris Donovan).  The structure of these scenes is skillfully developed and directed, going from interrogation directly into moments depicting Marilyn’s experiences.  When the action returns to the interrogation, information is processed and suspects are added to the list. 

Photo courtesy of Marilyn Monroe Exposed, The Musical

Playwright Cornell Christianson says he has two goals for this production.  First is to celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s greatness.  Second is to vindicate her by removing the stigma of suicide from her legacy.  He succeeds on both objectives.  The script clearly informs of the effects Marilyn had on the movie industry as well as female empowerment and sexuality.  She gained artistic control of her scripts and started her own production company, which adds to the evidence that she was not in the frame of mind to take her own life.  The play also dramatizes recordings from the night she died, which definitively names her murderers.  Director CB Murray builds this final scene with a high level of danger and suspense.  You will have to see the show to find out for yourself.

Marilyn Monroe Exposed, The Musical is playing every Monday night at 7:30 at The Actors Temple Theatre (339 W. 47 St., NYC).  The full cast does an amazing job in this musical that sheds a new light on the life and death of Marilyn Monroe. 

Domenick Danza

Giulia, The Poison Queen of Palermo

 Giulia
The Poison Queen of Palermo
PAC NYC
Perelman Performing Arts Center
August 1, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Giulia,
the Poison Queen of Palermo

Giulia, The Poison Queen of Palermo is a potent new musical.  Set in 1650, and based on the life of Giulia Tofana, it tells a fiery tale of faith, dark magic, vengeance, and rage.  The passion illuminates throughout Jennifer Nettles’ book and score.  The writing is tight and clear.  The characters are all well developed.  The conflict steadily rises, as intrigue carries the story through to the end.  The score drives the action, and the lyrics reveal the inner thoughts and motivations of the characters.  The choreography, by Austin McCormick, sets the pace and style for the production.  Director Mary Zimmerman skillfully brings it all together.  

Giulia (played by Jennifer Nettles) runs an apothecary in Palermo.  All the women of the town come to her with their ailments.  When her husband, Carlo (played by Matthew Amira), starts to mishandle her daughter, Vitoria (played by Naomi Serrano), Giulia poisons him with one of her deadly potions.  After that, the women of Palermo come to her for solutions to their abusive marital problems.  The newly appointed Governatore (played by Christopher M. Ramirez) sets his eye on Vitoria, so when the Cardinale (played by Quentin Earl Darrington) needs a scapegoat for the cause of the drought and hard times facing the citizens of Palermo, they choose to blame Giulia and her apothecary.  They claim it is a center of witchcraft. 

Jennifer Nettles & the Women of the Ensemble
Photo courtesy of Giulia, The Poison Queen of Palermo

Jennifer Nettles is captivating as Giulia.  The character is driven by a clear sense of righteousness.  The more action she takes, the more determined and powerful she becomes.  She bonds with a extraordinary ensemble of women (Emily Fink, Aubrey Matalon, Jamila Sabares-Klemm, and Maya Sistruck) to create a quietly vindictive rebellious cause that changes the structure of their lives.  Naomi Serrano carries the torch as Giulia’s daughter Vitoria.  Her character grows from a naïve young girl to a determined vigilante.  She is fearless.  Didi Romero is funny and fabulous as Duchessa.  She delivers a bold character that is conniving and self-serving. 

Christopher M. Ramirez as Governatore
Photo courtesy of Giulia, The Poison Queen of Palermo

Christopher M. Ramirez and Quentin Earl Darrington are cunning villains as Governatore and Cardinale.  They both have a powerful presence that pushes against the close camaraderie of Giulia and the women.  Sam Simahk is strong and endearing as Father Paolo.  His steady sense of justice gives Giulia and Vitoria supportive guidance, both spiritually and emotionally.  There are also impressive performances by Andrew Kober, Matthew Amira, and Bre Jackson.

Photo courtesy of Giulia, The Poison Queen of Palermo

Act I succinctly and skillfully sets up the characters, time period, and situation.  Act II is full of dark twists and dramatic turns, deepening the action and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. 

Giulia, The Poison Queen of Palermo has been extended at PAC NYC (Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St.) through August 2.  Unfortunately, at the time of this posting, the production played its final performance.  Keep your eye peeled for future productions.  Hopefully, this will not be the last we see of this show.  It is a phenomenal and unique musical, with a fervent message of empowerment and change. 

Domenick Danza

As You Like It

As You Like It
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
The Drilling Company
July 23, 2026 

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of As You Like It is a perfect way to spend a summer evening.  This marks the company’s thirty-first year of presenting free summer Shakespeare on the Lower East Side, and they never cease to amaze.  Director Hamilton Clancy has again brought together a phenomenal cast of highly skilled actors who fill the parking lot on the corner of Norfolk and Rivington with joy and enthusiasm. 

Roselind (played by Lia Bonfilio), daughter of the banished Duke (played by Chris Martel), falls in love with Orlando (played by Patrick Hart), after he wins a wrestling match against Charles (played by Raphael Del Rio).  When Rosalind is accused of treason and banished from the court by her uncle (also played by Chris Martel), her cousin Celia (played by Thammie Laine Quach) decides to go with her.  They flee to the Forest of Arden.  Their servant, Touchstone (played by Andy Rowell) reluctantly joins them.  For safety, Rosalind disguises herself as Ganymede, and Celia disguises herself as Aliena.  Their journey through the Forest of Arden brings confusion, challenge, discoveries of love, and awakenings of self-awareness that none of them expect. 

Patrick Hart & Lia Bonfilio
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Lia Bonfilio and Partick Hart explore the multiple layers in Shakespeare’s words, creating stimulating moments of sincere emotional connection as Roselind and Orlando.  They have a wonderful, natural chemistry that penetrates through any disguise Rosalind chooses to wear. Thammie Laine Quach’s Celia/Aliena brings humor to Rosalind’s tricking of Orlando in the forest, until she meets up with Oliver (played by Emmanuel Elpenord).  Mr. Elpenord is captivating as Oliver.  He and Ms. Quach develop a beguiling connection. 

Thammie Laine Quach & Andy Rowell
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Rosalind meets Silvio (played by Dan Teachout) and Phoebe (played by Lizabeth Allen) in the forest, and becomes a foil for their love.  Mr. Teachout portrays Silvio as a simple and honest peasant.  Ms. Allen’s Phoebe is cunning, yet easily distracted.  They are charming together.  The scenes they share with Ms. Bonfilio are genuinely riveting. 

Andy Rowell delivers a bold and daring Touchstone.  He is meek in his initial departure from the court,  yet wild and adventurous when seeking love, which he finds with the seductive Audrey (played by Carly Grisson).  David Marantz portrays Jacques as a grounded philosopher, and delivers Shakespeare’s “Seven Ages of Man” with intrigue, humor, and wisdom.  

Emauel Elpenord, Carly Grissom, Adama Joy Sall, & David Marantz
Phtoco courtesy of The Drilling Company

There are also distinctive performances by Chris Martel, Robert Arcaro, Raphael Del Rio, Carly Grisson, and Adama Joy Sall.  Director Hamilton Clancy stepped into the role of Corrine due to an actor’s illness.  He was smooth and confidant, as always.  The original music by Natalie Smith, Andrew Gombas, Adama Joy Small, and David Marantz beautifully transforms the atmosphere of the parking lot into the mystical and magical Forest of Arden.

As You Like It is playing in the parking lot on 145 Stanton Street, between Norfolk and Suffolk on the Lower East Side through August 1.  Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM.  The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot productions are always a summer treat.  Don’t miss this one! 

Domenick Danza