Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test

The Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test is our personal and highly opinionated Commuter's Guide to New York theater and cultural events, with an emphasis on Broadway and Off-Broadway theatrical productions. The test is simple: is an event worth the always expensive, time consuming, and too often horrendous struggle to commute to New York City from New Jersey, Long Island, Upstate New York or Connecticut? Only truly great or near-great performances and productions may meet this stiff challenge!

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Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States

James Camner is an antiquarian dealer of autographs, manuscripts and printed music and books of Opera, Classical Music, Theater, Dance, and Film, as well as a published author of more than 10 books on the performing arts including "How to Enjoy Opera" (Simon and Schuster), "The Great Opera Stars in Historic Photographs" (Dover), "Stars of American Musical Theater in Historic Photographs" (Dover - with Stanley Appelbaum); was for over 20 years a reviewer for Fanfare Magazine and has written feature articles and reviews for Opera News.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Venus in Fur, a play by David Ives at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. This is a sizzling game of cat and mouse, a comedy drama with an edge, very erotic, but not a bit of nudity. Brilliant writing by David Ives and astonishing acting by Nina Arianda who appears to be a once in a generation talent. Ariandia is ably matched by Hugh Dancy in a two hander that is superbly directed by Walter Bobbie. The play looked smashing on the stage of the state-of-the-art Friedman Theatre (our favorite Broadway venue). We missed this play which made Nina Arianda a star at the CSC, and were thrilled to get this second chance. It is likely that "Venus in Furs" is going to get across the board rave reviews that combined with its sexy subject matter will make it a very hard ticket. Right now, in previews, it is an easy purchase at the half price booth. But half or full price, this is a not-to-be missed event showcasing an actress capable of physical comedy and with a voice capable of any accent or inflection, reminding me of the young Meryl Streep when we saw her in The Cherry Orchard. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade A+