Still More Theater Saturday - A Play on Words and The Misfortunes of a Spy and Her Mystic

We were given a complimentary tickets to A Play on Words for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: A Play on Words

Where: 59E59 Theatres

             59 E. 59 St.

             New York, NY 

Who: Recommended for Ages 18 and Up

When: July 8, July 12, July 16

Playwright Bryan Dykstra's work is always very thoughtful. On the surface, his plays seem very simple, but they are always surprisingly deeper than they first appear. His latest A Play on Words is no different. The gist of this show is an amusing argument between friends over semantics. However, it really makes you think about the way we use words. As the play drifts into more political territory, the point is driven even further as we think not only about words and their usage but also about how the same words affect different people in different ways. If you are interested in a show that makes you laugh but also makes you think, A Play on Words is a good choice. 

And that's our view. The remaining performances of A Play on Words at 59E59 Theatres are sold out, but for more about the show, which is part of 59E59 East to Edinburgh Festival and will soon be heading to said festival, or to purchase tickets to see it there, visit https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-play-on-words

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We were given complimentary tickets to The Misfortunes of a Spy and Her Mystic for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Misfortunes of a Spy and Her Mystic

Where: 59E59 Theatres

             59 E. 59 St.

             New York, NY 

Who: Recommended for Ages 16 and Up 

When: July 8, July 12, July 26

Joy Donze's The Misfortunes of a Spy and Her Mystic blurs the line between advocate and adversary. This extremely thought-provoking and timely piece explores how people's otherness can be used as a weapon to control them. Akaina Ghosh is a ray of sunshine as the free-spirited Maida, whose parents (who do not appear in the play) are trying to have her committed to a mental health institution. Donze herself gives a heartfelt performance as a woman caughter between her job requiring her to spy on Maida and her genuine feelings for Maida. The third member of the cast, Deidre Lovejoy is also quite good in the role of Donze's characters sympathetic boss.

And that's our view. The remaining performances of The Misfortunes of a Spy and Her Mystic at 59E59 Theatres are also sold out, but for more about the show, which is also part of the 59E59 Theatres East to Edinburgh Festival and will also soon be heading to the festival, or to purchase tickets to see it there, visit fringepicks.com/show/edfringe%3A2026MISFORT. 

Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Picture used in this post are our own.  Any concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.

Theater Thursday - The Loved Ones

We received complimentary tickets to The Loved Ones for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Loved Ones

Where: Irish Repertory Theatre

             132 W. 22nd St.

              New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 14 and Up Due to Language and Themes

When: Through August 2, 2026

Nell and her grieving daughter-in-law are preparing to scatter her son's ashes when two strangers come into their lives, one of whom has a surprising connection to them. This show is full of surprising twists and turns and shocking revelations. It is extremely poignant and completely gut-wrenching.  Yet, plenty of humor sprinkled throughout provides moments of relief and temporarily lightens the heavy mood. 

The four-member cast, consisting of Alana Raquel Bowers, Donna Lynn Champlin, Clare O'Malley, and Maryann Plunkett, is absolutely stellar. It is impossible to pick one performance that stands out above the others. If you are dealing with grief, you may want to skip this show, but otherwise, it is definitely a must-see.

And that's our view. For more about The Loved Ones or to purchase tickets, visit irishrep.org/whats-on/the-loved-ones.

Photo credits:

All The Loved Ones production photos by Carol Rosegg

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.    

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Inspired by MetroCard

What: Inspired by MetroCard

Where:  New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store

              16 Vanderbilt Ave.

              (Inside Grand Central Terminal)

               New York, NY

Who: All ages

When: Through October 26, 2026

In 1993, New York City first introduced MetroCards to replace subway tokens. Not even twenty years later, as technology continued to advance at an ever faster pace, MetroCards were already on their way out, and OMNY cards began rolling out in 2019. Just this past December, MetroCards were retired altogether.

The current exhibit at the New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store pays tribute to this recently retired technology in an extremely fascinating way through art. Not only is the MetroCard celebrated as art in and of itself, but it is also used as the basis for creating art. Alongside a display of fancy MetroCards created for various occasions, there are numerous works of art made using MetroCards. The latter includes both art made out of MetroCards and art made on the backs of MetroCards. There are even a few wearable outfits made of MetroCards in the exhibit. It's all quite quirky and fun and definitely worth a visit. 

And that's our view.  For more information about the New York Transit Gallery and Store and/or the Inspired by MetroCard exhibit, visit www.nytransitmuseum.org/exhibits/#gct

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own.  Any concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.