Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium

 Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium
Classic Stage Company
May 16, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Classic Stage Company’s production of Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium is inspiring.  Kudos to playwright Kirk Lynn for uncovering this unfinished Thornton Wilder play and bringing it to fruition.  The play encompasses Mr. Wilder’s philosophical point of view.  It has the powerful images contained in The Skin or Our Teeth, and the poetic scope of Our Town.  Director Rob Melrose orchestrates the action, putting focus on the repeated motifs that culminate in a poignant message. 

John (played by Joe Tapper) wants to work at the Emporium.  It’s all he thinks about while growing up at the orphanage, and the reason why he runs away from the farm he works on after he is adopted.  It’s not until he gets to the city that he realizes how hard it is to get a job there.  He meets Laurencia (played by Cassia Thompson), who works at the Emporium.  She starts to tell John how to get a job there, but he cuts her off before she can finish.  He runs off to apply through an independent employment agency, and ends up working at Craigie’s Departmental Store.  It’s not as glamorous, but it’s steady work and offers immediate satisfaction.  Just as he is about to achieve a top-level position at Craigie’s, John realizes he longs for something more. 

Candy Buckley & Joe Tapper
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Joe Tapper is full of ambition and chutzpah as John.  He strives to achieve his ultimate goal and becomes smaller when he settles for less.  He and Cassia Thompson have natural chemistry.  Ms. Thompson portrays Laurencia as grounded and sure of herself.  As the action progresses, it becomes clear that the calm security she project can dissipate at any time.  When the action culminates in the final scene, these two characters are united in a full understanding of their journey, and these two actors play it beautifully.  

Candy Buckley, Partrick Kerr, Joe Tapper, Eva Kaminsky, & Mahira Kakkar
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Candy Buckley plays numerous characters.  She is Bernice, an employee at the Emporium.  She plays Mrs. Foster, the woman who runs the orphanage with her husband.  She plays the Farmer’s wife who adopts John.  She is the woman who runs the independent employment agency.  Her most uniquely comic role is Ermengarde, the daughter of the man who own Craigie’s Departmental Store.  Ms. Buckley creates distinct and bold characters in each of these roles.  Her energy establishes a throughline, connecting every scene and leading the audience to Mr. Wilder’s stunning conclusion.  

Eva Kaminsky, Derek Smith, Candy Buckley, & Mahria Kakkar
Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

Derek Smith also plays numerous roles, and always opposite Ms. Buckley.  They are wonderful
together.  Mr. Smith’s characters challenge John, constantly pushing him out of his comfort zone.  Their scenes build with urgency, propelling the action forward and forcing John to make decisions to face his true calling. 

There are also strong and enigmatic performances by Mahira Kakkar, Eva Kaminsky, and Patrick Kerr.  Their roles and purpose in the story are constantly shifting, until the final scene, where it all falls into place. 

Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium is playing at Classic Stage Company through June 7.  As in all Thronton Wilder’s plays, it contains a strong message of hope, which is something we all need to feel at this time.  It is certain to ring differently for each audience member.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

The Adding Machine

The Adding Machine
The New Group
The Theater at St. Clement’s
May 14, 2026 

Photo courtesy of The New Group

The New Group production of The Adding Machine is mesmerizing.  Playwright Thomas Bradshaw makes striking revisions to Elmer L. Rice’s landmark 1923 expressionist play.  Director Scott Elliott captures a crisp style, brisk pace, and machine-like rhythm that draws the audience in to the desperation and isolation of the characters.  The cast is riveting. 

Mr. Zero (played by Daphne Rubin-Vega) is stuck.  He has been in the same routine job and bland marriage for twenty-five years.  His wife, Mrs. Zero (played by Jennifer Tilly), expects more from him.  She nags him, but he shows her no emotion.  Mr. Zero bickers with his co-worker, Daisy (played by Sarita Choudhury), while they both fantasize about getting married if Mrs. Zero should die.  When Mr. Zero’s Boss (played by Michael Cyril Creighton) fires him and replaces him with an adding machine, Mr. Zero stabs him to death.  The action takes a sharp turn as Mr. Zero faces the afterlife. 

Jennifer Tilly & Daphne Rubin-Vega
Photo courtesy of The New Group

Jennifer Tilly opens the show with an extensive monologue to her husband while he is asleep.  It is brilliantly delivered.  Ms. Tilly is dark and funny.  She skillfully sets the tone and pace for the rest of the play.  Dahne Rubin-Vega has a grounded presence as Mr. Zero.  This character is complex and carries the most challenging sections of the story.  Ms. Rubin-Vega physically communicates clear subtext in the numerous scenes where she does not speak.  She delivers an outstanding performance.

Daphne Rubin-Vega, Michael Cyril Creighton, & Sarita Choudhury
Photo courtesy of The New Group

Michael Cyril Creighton plays numerous character roles throughout the play.  He is bold and funny.  He often acts as the narrator, glibly connecting the action from one scene to the next.  Sarita Choudhury is enigmatic as Daisy.  Her character has many layers.  Ms. Choudhury differentiates these traits, then unites them in Act II as she makes a daring decision.

The Adding Machine has been extended through May 17.  It is playing at The Theater at St. Clement’s, the new home of The New Group.  This production engages your intellect and challenges your thought process.  Get a ticket before it closes. 

Domenick Danza

Hamlet

 Hamlet
National Theatre
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Harvey Theater
May 10, 2026 

Photo courtesy of National Theatre
& Brooklyn Academy of Music

The National Theatre production of Hamlet is crisp and bold.  Director Robert Hastle interprets this Shakespeare classic with simple and accessible splendor.  He includes elements and images throughout the production that transcend location and time period.  The text is clear.  The action is continuous.  The cast is outstanding.  They skillfully fill BAM’s expansive Harvey Theater with emotion, energy, and elegance. 

Hamlet (played by Hiran Abeysekera) grieves the passing of his father the King, while at the wedding of his mother, Gertrude (played by Ayesha Dharker) to his uncle, Claudius (played by understudy Phil Cheadle).  When Horatio (played by Tessa Wong) tells Hamlet she has seen the ghost of his father (played by Ryan Ellsworth) walking in the night, Hamlet follows her to the night watch.  There he is visited by the apparition, who tells Hamlet of how he was murdered by Claudius to obtain the crown.  This sets Hamlet on a quest for revenge, which is hampered by his palpable descent into madness. 

Hiran Abeysekera as Hamlet
Photo courtesy of National Theatre & Brooklyn Academy of Music

Hiran Abeysekera is captivating as Hamlet.  He is driven and strong.  His madness is visceral.  Mr. Abeysekera discovers moments throughout the play where Hamlet loses touch with reality.  His eye shift focus, and he is physically overcome.  These transitions are clearly triggered by action, and take their toll on him.  Each event takes longer to pass, and Hamlet's demise becomes inescapable.

Francesca Mills & Hiran Abeysekera
Photo courtesy of National Theatre & Brooklyn Academy of Music

Francesca Mills is vivacious as Ophelia.  She creates tender relationships with her father, Polonius (played by Matthew Cottle), and her brother, Laertes (played by Tom Glenister).  Her descent into madness is riveting and heartbreaking.  Mr. Cottle portrays Polonius as a caring and generous father.  Mr. Glenister is dashing and brave as Laertes.

National Theatre’s production of Hamlet is playing at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater through May 17.  It is a stunning production with glorious performances.  Get a ticket! 

Domenick Danza

Ragtime

Ragtime
Lincoln Center Theater
at the Vivian Beaumont
May 9, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Cetner Theater

The Broadway revival of Ragtime is truly brilliant.  Stephen Flaherty’s music vibrantly echoes throughout the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.  Lynn Ahrens’ lyrics and Terrance McNally’s book ring true in the telling of America at the turn of the twentieth century, and are strikingly relevant to the turmoil of our present day experiences.  The cast of forty-three works as one, creating genuine moments of emotion that viscerally engage every member of the audience.  The choreography, by Ellenore Scott, is pulsating and lively.  Lear DeBessonet’s direction is spot on perfection. 

It is the turn of the twentieth century in New York City.  Wealthy white business owners are building the economy, while their families live in secluded luxury in the northern suburbs.  Poor immigrants cross the ocean with dreams of America, only to live in tenement squalor and work for low wages.  Black musicians in Harlem create ragtime music, while their community knows the limits of their freedom.  When Mother (played by Caissie Levy) finds an abandoned Black baby in her garden, these worlds begin to collide.  With Father (played by Colin Donnell) away on an excursion, Mother does not know how to handle the situation.  The police find the baby’s mother, Sarah (played by Nichelle Lewis), hiding nearby.  Mother decides to take them both in and give them the care they need.  Meanwhile, Mother’s Younger Brother (played by Ben Levi Ross) is enamored by Evelyn Nesbit (played by understudy Marina Kondo).  He follows her everywhere, until one night when he wanders into a rally led by Emma Goldman (played by Shaina Taub), where his activist spirit is awakened.

Joshua Henry as Colehouse Walker, Jr.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Coalhouse Walker, Jr. (played by Joshua Henry), a musician from Harlem, finds out where Sarah is,
and travels to the suburbs to persuade her to return to him.  Sarah refuses to see him.  Coalhouse is unaware that Sarah had his child.  He persists, and she finally agrees to marry him.  While driving back to Harlem, they are victims of a racist attack, and nothing is the same again. 

Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis are phenomenal as Coalhouse and Sarah.  Their connection is genuine and their voices are outstanding.  Another phenomenal performance is delivered by Caissie Levy as Mother.  She is warm and tender, with a solid resolve.  Her singing is extraordinary. 

Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, & Brandon Uranowitz
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Brandon Uranowitz plays Tateh, a poor Jewish immigrant, who comes to America with his young daughter (played by Ellie May Sennett).  He sacrifices everything for her well being and safety.  In Act II, after he has achieved some success as a filmmaker, he meets Mother and her young son (played by Nick Barrington).  Their relationship turns the plot from tragedy to reclamation.  Ms. Levy and Mr. Uranowitz play their moments with quiet delight.  They are magical.

The revival of Ragtime is nominated for eleven Tony Awards this season, including Best Revival of a Musical.  This is a MUST SEE production.  It is playing at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre through August 2.  It has been extended a few times.  With new productions scheduled for next season it’s hard to predict if the show will be extended again, so get a ticket if you can. 

Domenick Danza

Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog

Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog
Chain Theatre
May 6, 2026

Photo courtesy of Feltman: World's First Hot Dog

Before Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, there was Feltman’s Red Hots, and in his solo show, Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog, Michael Quinn tells the whole story.  Mr. Quinn is warm and friendly.  He whimsically tells about the creation of this culinary delight, along with fascinating tales of Coney Island and Brooklyn history.  More touching is his personal connection to specific events, and the role he plays in keeping it alive.

In 1856, Charles Feltman (played by Michael Quinn), a fifteen-year-old German immigrant, arrived in New York with no money and a strong work ethic.  He goes from sleeping on the floor in the bakery where he works to owning the largest, most popular restaurant complex in the world.  The key to his success was when he realized that visitors to Coney Island wanted something to eat that they could carry in their hands while enjoying the sun and sand.  He meticulously worked on the recipe for the perfect German sausage, combined it with sauerkraut, mustard, and onions, and placed it inside his best-selling breakfast bun.  He named them red hots because of their bright color, and sold them by the hundreds.  A business rival called them hot dogs in an effort to shut him down.  Ironically, the name stuck, and sales boomed. 

Michael Quinn as Charles Feltman
Photo courtesy of Feltman: World's First Hot Dog

After Feltman died and the Great Depression forced his restaurant to close, Nathan’s Hot Dogs ruled the
Coney Island Board Walk.  Decades later, a young Michael Quinn was handed the recipe to Feltman’s hot dogs by his grandfather, which was given to him by Charles Feltman himself.  This started Michael on a mission.  He worked tirelessly to reclaim Feltman’s hot dogs’ place in American culture. 

Michael Quinn tells this story with his heart and soul.  The tale of an immigrant working hard to achieve the American Dream is one we all need to hear right now.  The colorful characters of Coney Island, all played by Mr. Quinn, make the story fun and captivating.  It all blends into his own personal journey of hard work, success, disappointment, and satisfaction. 

Photo by Mikiodo, Courtesy of Feltman: World's First Hot Dog

Feltman: World’s First Hot Dog had its premiere at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  It is playing at Chain Theatre through May 10, then returns to Chain Theatre June 10-14.  If you grew up in Brooklyn or spent time in Coney Island, you will be delighted by this solo show.  Mr. Quinn’s performance is entertaining, and his writing is concise and informative. 

Domenick Danza