fbpx Criticism | HowlRound Theatre Commons

Criticism

Here, you’ll find content about the art and practice of theatre criticism. Many pieces grapple with questions of how to diversify the field, making it more accessible for young people, queer folx, and critics of color. This section also contains all the pieces of criticism in the Journal, which we call “NewCrits.” NewCrits analyze productions and go beyond “thumbs up, thumbs down” reviews, placing the work(s) in question in a larger, broader context—whether that’s the context of the time or place it’s done in, the artists’ body of work, or its genre. Are you interested in writing a NewCrit? Check out our guidelines and best practices!

The Latest

On Between Two Knees, or About Other Futures
Essay
On Between Two Knees, or About Other Futures
by Sebastián Eddowes-Vargas
17 April 2024
Viewpoints for Achieving Authentic Representation of Roma Communities on Stage
Essay
Viewpoints for Achieving Authentic Representation of Roma Communities on Stage
by Tímea Éva Bogya, Márton Illés
27 March 2024
Should We Write Differently About Roma Theatre?
Essay
Should We Write Differently About Roma Theatre?
by Noémi Herczog, Éva Moharos
25 March 2024
In Praise of The Civilians at Fifteen
Essay

In Praise of The Civilians at Fifteen

3 March 2016

Jonathan Mandell writes about the work of The Civilians, which he says "may be the most vibrant socially conscious, avant-garde, investigative theatre company in the country."

Jody Christopherson’s Spin on Greencard Wedding
Essay

Jody Christopherson’s Spin on Greencard Wedding

1 March 2016

Marcina Zaccaria on Jody Christopherson’s Greencard Wedding at Dixon Place in New York City.

“Theatre Is a Great Equalizer”
Essay

“Theatre Is a Great Equalizer”

Alzheimer’s, Humor, and Actors Who Stutter

28 February 2016

Henrik Eger looks at a musical about Alzheimer’s in Philadelphia with actors with speech impediments.

From Gaza, with Love
Essay

From Gaza, with Love

25 February 2016

Patricia Davis on Mosaic Theatre's US premiere in Washington, D.C. of I Shall Not Hate, based on the life of Palestinian doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish.

Why Hamilton is Not the Revolution You Think it is
Essay

Why Hamilton is Not the Revolution You Think it is

23 February 2016

James McMaster on the politics of Hamilton and the need for a musical theatre revolution.

Ay, Carmela! Divided Politics for the Ages
Essay

Ay, Carmela! Divided Politics for the Ages

18 February 2016

Carlos Morton on the recent Los Angeles production of José Sanchis Sinisterra’s Ay Carmela

Royal Osiris Karaoke Ensemble’s The Art Of Luv (Part 1)
Essay

Royal Osiris Karaoke Ensemble’s The Art Of Luv (Part 1)

Elliot

11 February 2016

Amauta Marston-Firmino on Royal Osiris Karaoke Ensemble’s The Art Of Luv (Part 1): Elliot at the Under The Radar Festival in New York City.

Immersive Theatre, Defined
Essay

Immersive Theatre, Defined

Five Elements in Sleep No More, Then She Fell, and More

9 February 2016

Jonathan Mandell explores five common elements in immersive theatre, and what makes immersive theatre successful.

To Moscow?
Essay

To Moscow?

4 February 2016

verity healey on what four new Russian plays performed at London’s Frontline Club say about the present and future of theatre in Russia.

Photograph 51 at London’s Noël Coward Theatre
Essay

Photograph 51 at London’s Noël Coward Theatre

2 February 2016

Rhiannon D’Averc on Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51 now playing in London, starring Nicole Kidman.

Lynn Nottage Talks Research, Collaboration, and the Fracturing of America
Essay

Lynn Nottage Talks Research, Collaboration, and the Fracturing of America

28 January 2016

Holly Derr speaks with Lynn Nottage about her new play Sweat, a co-commission of Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Arena Stage, currently playing in Washington, DC.

There Is a Wonder That There Is a Happiness That Morning Is Is
Essay

There Is a Wonder That There Is a Happiness That Morning Is Is

26 January 2016

Andrew Bailes reviews Theater Oobleck’s production of There Is a Happiness That Morning Is by Mickle Maher.

Latins in La-La Land at the Freedlander Theatre
Essay

Latins in La-La Land at the Freedlander Theatre

19 January 2016

Melissa Huerta on the world premiere production of Migdalia Cruz’s Latins in La-La Land at the College of Wooster in Ohio. 

Theatre and Social Justice
Essay

Theatre and Social Justice

Everything Has to Come Out of Session

16 January 2016

Martha Steketee talks with Associate Artistic Director Estelle Parsons about a public series on social justice that has been created out of Actors Studio session work.

George is Dead but the Klunch is Up and Running
Essay

George is Dead but the Klunch is Up and Running

14 January 2016

Patricia Davis on the Klunch’s production of George is Dead by Elaine May in Washington DC.

Our Spiciest Year, or How We Accidentally Became Theatre Critics
Essay

Our Spiciest Year, or How We Accidentally Became Theatre Critics

12 January 2016

The development and origin of Hot Pepper Theater, spicy hot and succinct theatre reviews.

WTF?! How necessary is clarity in the theatre?
Essay

WTF?! How necessary is clarity in the theatre?

7 January 2016

Jonathan Mandell, unable to understand several recent plays, goes to the source to explain them, and then humorously debates how important it is for theatre to be coherent. 

2015 NewCrit in Review
Essay

2015 NewCrit in Review

29 December 2015

HowlRound Senior Creative Producer Jamie Gahlon reveals the most-shared NewCrit pieces of the past year, and a few of her own favorites. 

Every Body on the Dance Floor
Essay

Every Body on the Dance Floor

On Jérôme Bel’s Ballet

17 December 2015

Patrick Gaughan reviews Jérôme Bel’s Ballet at the Marian Goodman Gallery in New York City. 

Tennessee Williams’ The Mutilated Comes Home to New Orleans
Essay

Tennessee Williams’ The Mutilated Comes Home to New Orleans

15 December 2015

Brad Rhines reviews Cosmin Chivu’s revival of Tennessee Williams’ The Mutilated at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.

Will Eno’s Theatrical Rhythms
Essay

Will Eno’s Theatrical Rhythms

10 December 2015

Did 2014 reflect a kind of final critical understanding of Eno’s subject matter? Are we all finally ready to experience with him, according to his rhythms and speech patterns, the gentle devastation of small town family life? Perhaps yes to all of the above.

Shot, Shocked, Saved
Essay

Shot, Shocked, Saved

9 December 2015

Rob Onorato considers the differences between shock and surprise on stage, and the effects of violence and traumatic theatre in columbinus and Gloria.

Exploring Gay Panic Humor in Broadway’s Something Rotten!
Essay

Exploring Gay Panic Humor in Broadway’s Something Rotten!

8 December 2015

Manuel Betancourt on gay panic humor in Something Rotten! on Broadway.

Invisible Thread
Essay

Invisible Thread

Turning Well-Meaning into Well-Done

3 December 2015

Jonathan Mandell reviews the Second Stage production of Invisible Thread, a musical based on the real-life experience of theatre artists Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews creating a charity in Uganda.

Maytag Virgin, Quotidian Theatre's Sweet Success
Essay

Maytag Virgin, Quotidian Theatre's Sweet Success

2 December 2015

Patricia Davis on the world premiere production of Audrey Cefaly’s Maytag Virgin at Quotidien Theatre in Washington, DC.