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 (310)
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'Exposed'
Robert Massimi. In writing on theater since 1982, the shows I enjoy the most are the "hidden gems" that are performed at off Broadway houses. Exposed is one of those "hidden gems." Brilliantly written, directed and acted, this 85 minute intermission-less play seems to go by with the blink of an eye.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'The Trial of the Catonsville Nine'
Robert Massimi. Catonsville Nine had some real good things to it; the play had some disturbing things, and some elements that did not belong. The play is put forth by the Transport Group at the Abrons Arts Center. The play takes place on the stage with the audience in the round. A small, intimate setting, the audience can view the desks that hold Life Magazine's pictures of the war. The desks also hold what look like bomb devises, a record player and file cabinets.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'True West'
Austin (Paul Dano) is the mild brother, a Hollywood screenwriter holed up in his mother's house and working away at his newest screenplay. Lee (Ethan Hawke) is the wild brother, a desert rat and sometimes thief, with a long history of problems.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
Directorfest
Robert Massimi. 35 years ago, the Drama League founded the first home in North America dedicated to the development of young directors—the Drama League Director's Project, which today includes dozens of award-winning fellowships, residencies, and education opportunities for directors on Broadway, off-Broadway and at hundreds of regional and international theater companies. The Director's Project today boasts 350 alumni, many famous names, such as Mark Brokaw, West Hyler, Pam MacKinnon, Alex Timbers, Michael Mayer, and Sam Gold, to name a few. The list is too big to name all the people that this project has put forth. It gives many great artists the opportunity that they normally would not have had to develop their craft as stage directors.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'A Man For All Seasons'
Robert Massimi. A Man For All Seasons at The Acorn Theater is a play about Sir Thomas More not yielding his beliefs about God nor mankind. Set in 1530, King Henry the Eighth wants a divorce from his wife, (she cannot produce a son) for the King. More, who has been promoted to Chancellor, lives a very good life with his family. A lawyer by trade, he is the most respected of all the clergy. The King trusts him, as do many of the Catholic religious order. More (Michael Countryman) see trouble brewing, however. More is not only a humble, pious man, but one who can read through people. He knows that the King will want his blessing on his divorce. As More stays silent on the subject, his wife Alice (Carolyn McCormick) presses him to speak on behalf of the King. Sir Thomas, never one to be intimidated, stays mum to the end and loses it all, his home, family and his freedom.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
Two Plays: 'A Number' and 'Night, Mother'
Robert Massimi. 'Night, Mother' Night, Mother is a resonate deep unforgettable play. I first saw it in 1983 on Broadway and was moved by it. It is a play about a woman, Jessie (Erin Cronican), who will be committing suicide in two hours. Within the two hours, we hear her thoughts on life as well as her loves and her failings. Jessie goes about her business as if it is just another night. On this night, however, she points out everything that her mother will need when she is gone. Jessie has left nothing to caution. She tells her mom where the food is, rations her pills and throws out the garbage for her. It will be Jessie's last night on this Earth.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'Real'
Robert Massimi. Real is a 70-minute show that starts quickly and picks up the pace even faster as it goes on. Real is the type of play where you cannot blink or you can miss a relevant part to what writer Rodrigo Nogueira is putting forth. An abstract play that has great lighting and some serious moments to it. Lighting designer Kia Rodgers does a terrific job with romantic lighting as well, in between scenes hitting the bare brick wall with just one sexy blue light to give this play a further allure of abstract, bordering on sultry.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'Vice'
Robert Massimi. Vice is a weak attempt at Dick Cheney's life. Cheney, played excellently by Christian Bale, was a movie that, like Mr. McKay's The Big Short, tries its hand at comedy in a serious movie and fails miserably. Even by Mr. McKay's liberal standards, the movie incorporates fire, flooding, opioids and rioting into the movie without reason. Is McKay saying that it is Dick Chaney's fault? The audience was left confused by this scene.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
2018: A Look Back On New York City Theater
Robert Massimi. 2018 had a lot of great theater, some so-so and some, terrible. Here is a look back at 2018. Let's begin, first, with the really good. Ferryman was the best thing I saw all year, that is saying something since this was a great year for both plays as well as musicals. Even though To Kill A Mockingbird was met with good reviews, I think it is a prime contender for many Tony Awards. Jeff Daniels and Celia Keenan-Bolger should easily be nominated for their rolls in Mockingbird. Waverly Gallery was also a great show. Eline May should be nominated for best actress in her roll as a women suffering from dementia. A Lifespan of a Fact, will, or should get a few Tony nominations, but Lifespan just wasn't in the league of the aforementioned. Lifespan never lived up to the hype. I personally liked it. It had three great actors in it and was very amusing, however, critics were lukewarm towards it.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'Noura'
Noura at Playwrights Horizon is a play written by and starring Heather Raffo. The story premise is that the characters are all Iraqi immigrants. Unlike most genres of this type, all the people in this story are successful. The husband and long time friend are both doctors. Noura herself is an architect. Noura's husband begs her for a daughter (they have a son), but she doesn't want one, and we find out at the end of the play why.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'Daniel's Husband'
Few plays make you think about and debate a play the way Daniel's Husband does. The play is set at Daniel Bixby (Ryan Spahn) and Mitchell Howard's (Matthew Montelongo) home. It focuses on gay marriage, but it is much, much more than that. The premise is five main characters... Mitchell and Daniel, Mitchell's agent Barry, Barry's newest love interest, Trip, and Daniel's mother, Lydia (Anna Holbrook). Michael McKeever the Playwright gives us the obvious, but he gives us the not so obvious that hits us one way or the other. Who is really selfish? Who is willing to give a little? What character will we side with?
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
'Wounded'
Wounded is a complex play. It is the type of play that has you forming an opinion and then changing it half way through the show and then has you in another direction by the end. Set in Tommy and Angelica's apartment, it is the story of a wounded veteran who is now incapacitated and has his wife and wife's boyfriend to care for him. The set looks like something thrown together, but as the show goes on you begin to realize that it is made to look like hell because that is where all three are, in hell. Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm has written this play about not one, but two wounded warriors. Samuel's (Kyle Felts) injuries are not known until well into the play. Angelica (Tanya Gorlow) has a difficult task in that she still loves Tommy (Scott Kuza), but wants a somewhat normal life for herself. She had to quit school and put her architectural aspirations on hold to care for Tommy. She tries her best to comfort Tommy and tries to make him think as if that should help him snap out of his mental disability.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).7 years ago in Geeks
