Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson Form an Unlikely Friendship in 'Learning to Drive' by Rex Reed

The major achievement of this film is the way it suggests every life has value if you just take the time to look.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 6:31am on August 21, 2015☆⚑

Rubin Foundation Unveils New Grant, Website by Ryan Steadman

The Rubins commit to funding NYC institutions that need it most

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 3:49pm on August 15, 2015☆⚑

Benedict Cumberbatch Begs Audience Members Not To Tweet During Plays by John Bonazzo

The heartthrob, currently starring in Hamlet, is the latest celebrity to lose his patience with cell phones in the theater.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:56am on August 10, 2015☆⚑

Mark Duplass and Nick Kroll on the Final Season of 'The League,' and the Future of TV by Vinnie Mancuso

I caught up with Mark Duplass and Nick Kroll expecting to discuss The League, FXX's raunchy and semi-improvised fantasy football comedy which begins its seventh and final season September 9t…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 7:50pm on August 7, 2015☆⚑

City Pledges $10M to Nonprofit to Build Bronx Studio Space for Artists by Elizabeth Gurdus, Elizabeth Gurdus

Spaceworks, a nonprofit devoted to providing artists with affordable, accessible studio space throughout the city, has just been promised $10 million from the city to continue its efforts in…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 7:46am on August 4, 2015☆⚑

'King Liz' Zeroes in Brilliantly on the Internecine World of Sports by Rex Reed

With a spectacular performance by Karen Pittman as a centerpiece, King Liz is a real midsummer surprise.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:07am on July 29, 2015☆⚑

An Appreciation of 'Guilty Pleasure' Operas by James Jorden

What a lot of opera queens flock to is a corner of the repertoire that can be best labeled "guilty pleasures," pieces we all know are of dubious artistic quality"but what fun to listen!

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 2:35pm on July 22, 2015☆⚑

See Shakespeare In the City This Summer, Without the Hassle by Rebecca Muller, Rebecca Muller

Take part in the NYC tradition of Shakespeare in the Park this summer without the fuss of waiting in long lines.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 2:35pm on July 22, 2015☆⚑

E.L. Doctorow, Author of 'Ragtime' and 'Billy Bathgate,' Has Died at 84 by Ken Kurson

A few of Doctorow's books sold enormously, a few were made into very good films. His was, in short, a very important literary career.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:18pm on July 22, 2015☆⚑

The Mystery of Marlon Brando by Rex Reed

A new documentary does little to demystify the enigmatic actor.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 7:52pm on July 21, 2015☆⚑

Cynthia Nixon and Penny Fuller Star in 'Kinship' at the Williamstown Theatre Festival by Rex Reed

The play is a whiff of smoke that heads for a brick wall, but the acting is of such a high caliber that it's worth seeing.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 6:04pm on July 21, 2015☆⚑

Colin Quinn: Why Is Everyone Such a Wimp on Race? by Faye Penn, Faye Penn

New Yorkers used to be straight shooters, but now we're boring, polite and afraid, comedian Colin Quinn argues in a new book and one-man show.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:05pm on July 16, 2015☆⚑

An Off-Broadway Revival of 'Ruthless!' Is Both Malicious and Delicious by Rex Reed

Can't hate this musical.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:10pm on July 15, 2015☆⚑

Turner Prize Winning Artist Douglas Gordon Takes Ax to Theater After Bad Review by Ryan Steadman

Hacky playwright/ artist hacks up theatre.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:17pm on July 15, 2015☆⚑

Musicals That Should Be Adapted For TV by Orly Greenberg, Orly Greenberg

I'm a huge fan of theater. I love live shows; I think they're perhaps the best way to watch very old or very young people talk and sing very loudly at you. I also love television. However, I…

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 8:36pm on July 14, 2015☆⚑

Want to Drain Your Cell Phone Battery? Text In A Broadway Theater by John Bonazzo

It's not just rude, it's pointless- most theaters have terrible cell service just because of the way they were built.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 5:18pm on July 10, 2015☆⚑

William Inge's Posthumous Comeback by Rex Reed

A newly discovered work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright premiers in Williamstown.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:46am on July 8, 2015☆⚑

A Promotion at ABT Takes Center Stage by Robert Gottlieb

A look back at ABT's season: Promotions, a hollow Cinderella and a deeply moving Antony Tudor work.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 9:48pm on July 7, 2015☆⚑

Williamstown Theatre, A Path to Broadway, Gets New Head, New Style by Philip Boroff, Philip Boroff

As the Festival kicks off its 61st season with a blistering schedule of eight productions in two months, there are changes in store.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:49pm on July 1, 2015☆⚑

Royal Ballet's Brief NY Season Was Erratic, But Not Without Gems by Robert Gottlieb

The Royal Ballet presented an erratic repertoire in New York, with works we seen regularly for the most part, and a few fantastic gems.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 7:55pm on June 30, 2015☆⚑

The Lost Boy: Gideon Glick Shines in 'Significant Other' by Rex Reed

The summer season's best surprise.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:55am on June 24, 2015☆⚑

Yoko Ono Ushers In the Summer With a Sunrise Performance at MoMA by Alexandra Peers, Alexandra Peers

Dancing and chanting "sunrise," while sporting a flower-bedecked pale fedora, she was lit in the darkness by rows and rows of iphones held aloft.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 7:25pm on June 23, 2015☆⚑

Joe's Pub Recalls the Lost Art of Love Letters, Starring Women of Note by Eliza Dumais, Eliza Dumais

Women of Letters showcases eight women at each event, all featuring of some contemporary talent or relevance. Writers, entertainers, musicians and artists alike are invited to participate

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 1:54pm on June 17, 2015☆⚑

On the Town With Rex Reed by Rex Reed

A disappointing 'Qualms' as well as worthwhile tributes to Cy Coleman and Judy Garland.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 2:48pm on June 16, 2015☆⚑

When Operas Cross Genres, It's Mishmosh " or Magic by James Jorden

Two small-scale operas offer different results

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:11am on June 13, 2015☆⚑