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 (331)
Filter by community
The Fear of 13.
"The Fear of 13" at James Earl Jones Theatre is a riveting play based on the life of Nick Yarris. Making his Broadway debut, Adrien Brody is excellent in the lead role. Through a Ph,D student in the field of poetry, Jacki Miles (Tessa Thompson), Yarris relives his life, his hopes and his knowledge that he has acquired through reading over 1,000 books while on death row at the Huntington, Pennsylvania Correctional Facility. Miles has donated her time at the institution and shows up weekly to hear the concerns of the inmates on death row. She particularly is interested in Yarris's life. As she begins to bond with him, she tries to help him get off death row and out of prison entirely.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about 5 hours ago in Geeks
Giant
John Lithgow who plays Roald Dahl in "Giant" at the Music Box, looks physically very much like the writer that he is playing. He moves about the stage sometimes child-like, other times flashing the bad temper that Dahl was known for. The real life Roald Dahl was an intellect, a soft spoken gentleman who could become irate when talking about world issues, especially the children who have suffered from around the world due to war efforts.The two- and -a -half hour show starts off slow with Dahl (John Lithgow), his fiance Felicity Crosland (Rachael Stirling) and his close confidant, Tom Maschler (Elliott Levey) conversing about his new book about to be released. Writer Mark Rosenblatt tries to introduce the main characters, give some insight into their personalities. The play in the first ten minutes drags but picks up steam nicely when publicist Jessie Stone enters (Aya Cash).
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).about 9 hours ago in Beat
The Last Stop In Yuma County
"The Last Stop In Yuma County" is for the most part very well written and directed by Francis Galluppi. The movie is reminiscent of Sam Shepard's "Fool For Love", "The Bus Stop" and "Genius", all of which I saw on stage. All of these movies/plays take place in one area, one set. Like all of the aforementioned, "Yuma" is set in a diner where people are waiting for the full truck to arrive.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).4 days ago in Geeks
"The Pushover"
"The Pushover" at Chain Theatre is written by John Patrick Shanley who gave us some great works in "Doubt" and "Moonstruck". Another play that Shanley wrote, "Danny and The Deep Blue Sea" was another show that I have seen a few times which was great at the Lortel Theatre and awful at the Davenport Theatre. The world premier of "The Pushover" is not one of Shanley's best works, in fact, it is awful. Directed by Kirk Gostkowski, "The Pushover" never gets moving. The writing is all over the place as the audience sits and tries to make sense of the play unfolding before them. The four person show does not have great acting in it, Rebecca De Mornay, who I was looking forward to seeing onstage was bland, uninspiring on stage. Christina Toth as Soochi was out of her depth as a stage actor as was Christopher Sutton as the Therapist/ Kenny. Di Zhu as Pearl was effective at times, at other times the writing drowned out her acting ability.he four person show does not have great acting in it, Rebecca De Mornay, who I was looking forward to seeing onstage was bland, uninspiring on stage. Christina Toth as Soochi was out of her depth as a stage actor as was Christopher Sutton as the Therapist/ Kenny. Di Zhu as Pearl was effective at times, at other times the writing drowned out her acting ability.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).5 days ago in Beat
Monte Cristo.
In its 57th year, The York Theatre company still impresses audiences across New York City! Last night I had the pleasure of attending ""Monte Cristo" at the bucolic St. Jean's Theatre. This theater is the new home of The York Theatre company and it is more fitting for the make-up of The York Company. It has an orchestra pit, the stage is bigger and more elegant.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).20 days ago in Geeks
Death of A Salesman.
I have probably seen "Death of a Salesman" as much as any play on Broadway; from the great acting by Brian Dennehy, to the deep emotion of Philp Seymour Hoffman. The current "Death" at the Winter Garden Theatre is certainly better than the one I saw back in 2022, but this one too is not great. Still in previews the show never hits the emotion that it should. Nathan Lane who is a great comedic actor never pulls at our emotions the way Dennehy did. Director Joe Mantello who is coming off with Laurie Metcalf a great directorial job with "Little Bear Ridge Road, misses the mark here with both the pace and the emotional involvement. The play is never consistent throughout the three hours.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).21 days ago in Beat
Every Brilliant Thing
If "Every Brilliant Thing" is any indication of the Spring season then we are in for a great Spring 2026 on Broadway! Well before the show begins, Radcliffe ("Merrily We Roll Along, Lifespan of A Fact") is frantically recruiting people to play different roles in his 89 minute one man show. The theater is electric with Jazz music and the energy that Daniel Radcliffe brings before the show.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).28 days ago in Beat
The Ballad of Greenwich Village.
"The Ballad of Greenwich Village" Documentary. If you ever want to know about Greenwich Village, its history, then watch the 2005 documentary that was directed and written by Karen Kramer: "The Ballad of Greenwich Village".
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Critique
"The Jam"
The Jam" Documentary Review. The Jam" is a movie/documentary about the band who may just well be the most talented punk rock band. Formed in 1972 and consisting of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, all three grew up in Surrey, England.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Beat
A Bronx Tale.
Chazz Palminteri wrote "A Bronx Tale" in the 1989 as a play, it would become a movie in the 1990's and a Broadway musical in 2016. Tonight at The Morristown Performing Arts Center Palminteri brought his one man show in. Chazz is short for Calogero, the little boy who saw Sonny, the crime boss kill a man on 187 th Street in the Bronx.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).2 months ago in Beat
