NEW ON NYTHEATRE.COM

Review: DEGENERATION X by Martin Denton
Degeneration X, a new multimedia play created by Leah Bachar (author) and Meredith Edwards (director), uses live action and pre-recorded video to tell the truly gripping story of Xavier, a young man who is stricken with a rare, incurable disease that will eventually make him blind. In the weeks and months before he completely loses his vision, he is plagued with hallucinations and an increasing inability to focus and concentrate. Much of the play/film deals directly with his condition and his response to it, and when it sticks to this theme Degeneration X is both harrowing and fascinating.

Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by Judith Jarosz
William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of his most frequently produced comedies. There are many reasons for this. The play is well balanced with some earnest sincerity coupled with likable humor. There are multiple equally sizable roles for the cast, that each provide a moment or more for the artist to shine. It is an audience favorite. It's cute, it's fun, and it can be a laugh riot--which is what make this production so disappointing.

Review: THE RYAN CASE 1873 by Victoria Linchong
"Watch your step" the guy at the box office said, "it's dark in the 1800s." I made my way down into the basement of the Lower East Side bar Fontana's, where the tinny sound of traditional Irish pipes wafted over four sections of folded chairs. Being a little wary of interactive theater, I took a chair in the back near the entrance and was soon joined by my friend, who was as mystified as I was as to what we were about to see. Our conversation was abruptly ended by the jarring screech of a police whistle as a big burly guy wearing a brogue and a derby hat marched through the audience bellowing, "On yer feet! On yer feet, recruits!"

Review: THE LOMBARDI CASE 1975 by Ed Malin
The Lower East Side is seedy again in Live-in Theater's unique, interactive crime show The Lombardi Case 1975. If you don't remember this side of the neighborhood, you will have fun walking the streets collecting clues on a pleasant weekend afternoon. First, you meet at The Living Room on Stanton Street and get briefed on the facts of the murder case by Officer O'Donnelly (Walter DeForest) and Chief Miller (Tom Staggs). The participants (no "audience" here) form teams and learn how to say "Yes, Chief." Armed with a map, some mug shots, and some notepads, the teams spend an hour walking a circuit of about a dozen blocks.

Review: POOL (NO WATER) by Leslie Bramm
What I truly enjoyed the most about pool (no water): it is a piece of theatre. Playwright Mark Ravenhill creates a series of large metaphors, and expresses them through visual symbols and poetic language. He captures the ugly part of jealousy and recognition that's in all of us. One Year Lease has done an excellent job in bringing this ensemble-driven play to fruition. They should serve as an inspiration to other theatre groups. You can still take a chance on the bold.