Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.
These recommendations highlight plays which may not be on your radar, often from new writers or new companies. Whenever possible, there are links to previous productions and reviews, to give background to her choices. These are made with no commercial interest, as a service to both audiences and the productions.
Previous Speaking of Theatre Newsletters
Theatre in the Time of Corona | January 23, 2021 Dear theatre friends, What are you doing today at 3pm? May I suggest you buy a ticket for "Overflow" from the Bush Theatre in London? It's written by Travis Alabanza, who also wrote the wonderfully received "Burgerz," which I saw at the Edinburgh Festival (and shortlisted for my Award.) Travis has a unique, compassionate voice, as described in this four… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | January 16, 2021 Dear theatre friends, Finally, something exciting to share! Tonight, at 7pm, you can see the always exciting Marin Ireland in "Blue Ridge" by Abby Rosebrock. I completely agree with Brantley's New York Times' review-- Marin's performance is unforgettable. If you're otherwise engaged tonight, you can see the play on demand until the 19th.You don't need me to tell you… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | January 4, 2021 Dear theatre friends,Just six years ago, David Bowie's "Lazarus" premiered at New York Theatre Workshop. In the middle of the run, on Monday, January 11th, the cast was gathered to hear of David Bowie's death, to their shock and horror. I remember it all too well, because I was presenting "Key Change" in NYTW's adjacent,… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | December 17, 2020 Dear theatre friends,If you, too, are looking for indoor activities on this frigid, snowy day-- I have two ideas for you:At 6pm, join Sir Tom Stoppard, Jack O'Brien, and the cast of "The Coast of Utopia," including Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup, for Lincoln Center's Roundtable conversation. The best part? It's free!Also, time is running short for… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | December 8, 2020 Dear theatre friends, In this "business," we hold our collective breath until the New York Times' review comes out. As you probably are aware, a positive review can make a show, and the reverse is obvious. Today, that review for "The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk" was published-- and a Critics Pick, at that! The extra layer of… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | December 2, 2020 Dear theatre friends,Here we are-- the last month of annus horribilis, with several ideas to make it a bit less horribilis.No time to lose-- Irish Rep is having a reading tonight at 7pm of "Plaguey Hill," a new play by Paul Muldoon, read by Liev Schreiber.While at the irish Rep site, be sure to book for "Meet Me in St. Louis." Not… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | November 23, 2020 Dear theatre friends,Now that Thanksgiving has been effectively cancelled, we need some good theatre to raise our spirits. I try to find plays which will have real substance-- unlike a "Critic's Pick" in today's New York Times, which was described as "flimsy." I hope my choices will be engaging and memorable-- I do love getting… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | November 19, 2020 Dear theatre friends,With Thanksgiving arriving next week, we'll officially be entering the holiday season-- albeit a very, very different one from years past! Keeping that in mind, I'd like to ensure you have at least one extraordinary pleasure in store--- Emma Rice's "The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk" will be streaming from December 11th through the… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | November 1, 2020 Dear theatre friends,The death of Sean Connery yesterday reminded me of a sighting in Edinburgh in 2006:On a rainy afternoon, I was in a queue for the play "Black Watch," at the new-to-me venue, Drill Hall. A tall man in a red sweater was ushered past into the theatre. When I took my seat, I saw I… Read More
Theatre in the Time of Corona | October 28, 2020 Dear theatre friends,Here's something wonderful to look forward to:"The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk," which won my Award in Edinburgh in 2017, will finally be seen here! This was Emma Rice's final production for Kneehigh ("Brief Encounter"). Emma's new company, Wise Children, along with Kneehigh and the Bristol Old Vic, have collaborated on a production to… Read More