Still More Theater Saturday - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

We received complimentary tickets to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for review purposes. All opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Where: Public Theater 

             425 Lafayette St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for ages 12 and up

When: Through December 6, 2026

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the story of a man who ages backwards, is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although the original is set in Baltimore, Maryland, the Brad Pitt movie version was mostly set in New Orleans, and the current musical is set in a Cornish fishing village, drawing on writer-director Jethro Compton's own background. This gives the story a quaintness and a deep sense of community.

This show is beautifully staged, beautifully acted, and beautifully sung. Andrew Durand is sweet, charming, and sometimes heartbreaking as Button.  Most of the other performers play several roles. At times, some even play animals or small children. Kudos to Kris Saint-Louis and Claire-Frances Sullivan, who brilliantly capture the youthfulness and naivety of Button's young children. Another standout is Kelsee Kimmel as Button's wife, Eloween. Her portrayal is equally full of heart and spunk. 

The music, a mix of folk and sea shanties, is quite important. Although there is spoken dialogue, the plot is mainly told through song. However, the cast's voices are so clear and well enunciated that you never lose any of the story.

The cast members also make up the band. Most of them play more than one instrument. Some even play as many as three or four. They effortlessly slip in and out of roles and from one instrument to another at a moment's notice and without missing a beat.

All in all, the show is just an absolute delight. If it isn't the next show to move from the Public Theater to Broadway, it should be!

And that's our view. For more about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or to purchase tickets, visit publictheater.org/productions/season/2627/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.

Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All The Curious Case of Benjamin Button production photos by Joan Marcus

All images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used with permission. Address concerns regarding image usage here.

Theater Thursday - A Beat of Our Own

We received complimentary tickets to A Beat of Our Own for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: A Beat of Our Own

Where: McCarter Theatre

             91 University Pl.

             Princeton, NJ

Who: Recommended for ages 10 and up based on content and themes.

When: Through October 25, 2026

A Beat of Our Own is a musical about college students involved in the world of Bhangra competition. The show offers meaningful lessons about accepting others and their differences and about not putting labels on other people.  It does so through a heartfelt story that really hits you emotionally, plus it's full of engaging songs and extremely lively dancing. You won't want to miss it!

And that's our view. For more information about A Beat of Our Own or to purchase tickets, visit www.mccarter.org/abeatofourown.

Photo credits:

All A Beat of Our Own photos by T. Charles Erickson

All images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used with permission. Address concerns regarding image usage here.

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Martha Graham: The Mother of Psychological Dance

What: Martha Graham: The Mother of Psychological Dance

Where: New York Library for the Performing Arts

             40 Lincoln Center Pl.

             New York, NY

Who: All ages

When: Through January 2, 2027

Martha Graham was not only a legendary dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She was an absolute game-changer. Before, her dance was mainly something entertaining to watch and pretty to look at, which often objectified women. She was the first one to show that dance could be so much more. It could actually express one's inner state. 

She was the first to form an all-female dance company and the first to intergrate her company. She also led the charge to commission original American music for dance, among other things. Her work influenced not only the world of dance but other area as well, including acting. 

The current Graham exhibit at the New York Library of Performing Arts traces her illustrious career. It includes numerous pictures, posters, and more, plus a few costumes and set pieces from some of her dances.  Additionally, numerous monitors are available throughout the exhibit, displaying interviews and/or performance clips from some of her dances on a continuous loop. 

And that's our view. For more information about this free exhibit, visit www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/martha-graham-mother-psychological-dance

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own.   Address concerns regarding image usage here.