Colorful, characterful, and full of worldly wisdom, The Last Sorcerer—by a skilled and imaginative composer, to a text by the great Russian novelist— receives a superb world-premiere recording, with Met mezzo Jamie Barton and bass-baritone Eric Owens.
Theater Review: A Three-Hour “Bright Room Called Day” Befuddles at the Public Theater
Tony Kushner attempts a re-write of his first professional play. The results are decidedly mixed.
Music Feature: The Tedeschi Trucks Band — Home for the Holidays
The Tedeschi Trucks Band is capping another remarkable year of transition and growth, some of it spurred by tragedy.
Coming Attractions: December 1 through 15 — What Will Light Your Fire
Arts Fuse critics select the best in film, dance, visual art, theater, music, and author events for the coming weeks.
Theater Review: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express” — Neither Noir nor Romp
Ken Ludwig’s stage version of Murder on the Orient Express is an enjoyable diversion.
Book Feature: Terry Tempest Williams on the Agonies of “Erosion”
Terry Tempest Williams thinks that we must seize opportunities to save an increasingly endangered world — we don’t have a choice to feel powerless against the forces that seek to exploit and destroy the beauty of life on this planet.
Concert Review: Robyn Hitchcock — Reigning Godfather of Mind Expansion Music
The Brit-born iteration of mind-expansion music — from Syd Barrett onward — favors clever wordplay and musical accessibility.
Music Commentary: Why You Should Buy 45s
Let the unimaginative people diddle around with their baseball cards and stamp collections. This is the kind of irrational, eccentric passion that you will be remembered for.
Film Review: “The Irishman” — A Blood-Soaked Cautionary Tale
For all its cinematic zest and superb acting, The Irishman offers a bleak demonstration of what happens when you sell your soul for too little.
Book Review: “Galway Girl” — Anarchic Fury
Jack Taylor has always been a version of the reluctant detective, but now he seems more impotent than ever — distracted, beat down, and very tired.