By Cynthia Citron HOLLYWOOD, California — To be perfectly honest, I have absolutely no idea what this play is about. It is called Driving Wilde but the only relation it has to Oscar Wilde is that it is playwright Jacqueline Wright’s tedious version of Wilde’s classic The Picture of Dorian Gray and the actor who plays […]
Rethinking Dorian Gray Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastLOS ANGELES By Cynthia Citron Ernest was a boy full of sadness and woe, And, I think you’ll agree, justifiably so. His mother had died, and just as he feared, His father then, literally, just disappeared. Leaving him, at thirteen, all alone, Feeling abandoned and on his own. But he soon met a girl, the
For the love of Lily Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — A million years ago I worked in the Public Relations Department at Boston University. At the time there were 72 schools and colleges flourishing in the Greater Boston area, all bombarding the Boston Globe with press releases about their activities and feeling rewarded if that prestigious newspaper granted them a couple of
The journey of Ram Dass Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — It is virtually impossible to review the beautiful new film After the Wedding because to reveal any of the plot would inevitably unravel all the rest of it. It’s a convoluted story, filled with twists and turns, secrets and surprises, impeccably presented by three extraordinary actors: Julianne Moore, Michelle
‘After the Wedding:’ A tale of love and grace Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia Citron NORTH HOLLYWOOD, California — It’s been nearly 35 years since the beloved film star Rock Hudson died of a heretofore unknown disease called AIDS.At the time, Ronald Reagan, who had been a movie star himself (although not a beloved one) was president. Hereacted to news of the malady that was soon to
Play blames Nancy Reagan for indifference to AIDS Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Cynthia CitronLOS ANGELES — The play takes place on a nearly empty stage, unencumbered by scenery or props, except for a row of shiny black folding chairs and a toilet seat that the actor holds in front of his face as he enters, after emitting the sound of vomiting from backstage. And to illuminate
Love, Madness and Somewhere in Between Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — It’s a film that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. Not only because it’s one helluva good film, but also because it’s Robert Redford’s last film. At least he said it is. He announced his retirement last year just before shooting The Old Man and
Always banking on Robert Redford Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — The play Mysterious Circumstances consists of seven actors playing some 26 different characters, as well as “others” too insignificant to identify specifically. And so the stage was a chaos of people coming and going, often dressed in costumes very different from the ones in which they had previously appeared, and delivering their crucial commentary in a variety of nearly impenetrable British
Sherlock Holmes fan himself subject of a deep mystery Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — It’s difficult to watch Barra Grant portray her mother in the biographical play that she authored without remembering the devastating biography that Christina Crawford wrote about her own mother, Joan.Grant’s mother was Bess Myerson, the only Jewish girl ever to be named Miss America, and the title of Barra’s play, Miss America’s Ugly Daughter, establishes the tone
Tale of the beauty queen’s daughter Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Cynthia Citron SHERMAN OAKS, California — Can you imagine seeing the name “Melvyn Kaplofkis” up in lights on Broadway? Well, neither could he. So he changed it to “Mel King” and became “The King of Brooklyn.” But the Jewish stand-up comic in this one-man show is actually named Danny DiTorrice and he tells his
‘The King of Brooklyn’ tells his story Read More »
Cynthia Citron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA