Theater Thursday - Cold War Choir Practice and Chinese Republicans

We received complimentary tickets to Cold War Choir Practice for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Cold War Choir Practice

Where: Robert W. Wilson MCC Theatre Space

             511 W. 52nd St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 10 and Up

When: Through April 5, 2026

The satirical Cold War Choir Practice bitingly brings back the paranoia of the Cold War Era.  Reaganomics, espionage, and the threat of nuclear war are all central to the plot. Even children are drawn into the anxiety of it all, as the choir mentioned in the show's title consists of children, known as the Seedlings of Peace, whose purpose is to foment detente between the two nuclear powerhouses, the United States and Russia. Surprisingly, there actually were such choirs, as the playwright actually belonged to one in her youth. 

This extremely exaggerated show is hilariously funny. The performances are pure joy and mostly over-the-top. The latter is particularly true of the choir members. Other standouts include Crystal Finn as a politician's wife, unwittingly indoctrinated into the role of a spy by a mysterious cult purporting to be something quite different and Lizan Mitchell as a no-nonsense grandmother. The former's blank expressions and demeanour are hysterical, and the latter's groundedness roots the play in reality. 

Although not strictly a musical, the show is billed as a play with music; the story is peppered with a handful of mostly ridiculous songs sung by the title choir. These were also written by the playwright, Ro Reddick. They greatly add to the already comic absurdity of the whole thing. 

And that's our view. For more about Cold War Choir Practice or to purchase tickets, visit mcctheater.org/tix/cold-war-choir-practice

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We received complimentary tickets to Chinese Republicans for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Chinese Republicans

Where: Laura Pels Theatre

             111 W. 46th St.

             New York, NY 

Who: Recommended for Ages 14 and Up

When: Through April 5, 2026

Chinese Republicans is about a group of women navigating surviving, and getting ahead in the corporate world despite their dual handicaps of being both women and immigrants or the children of immigrants. Bonded by their commonality, they meet monthly for lunch. When a new, younger employee joins the group, tensions flare, and they are each forced to reckon with both the sacrifices they have made to get where they are and those they are willing to make to continue moving forward. 

This show is both bitterly funny and scarily relevant. The performances are simultaneously sharply cutting and completely heartbreaking. Anyone who has ever been othered and/or struggled to find and hold their place in a corporate world that is clearly stacked against them can relate to this well-written show. 

And that's our view. For more about Chinese Republicans or to purchase tickets, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org/get-tickets/2025-2026-season/chinese-republicans

Tune in Saturday for Still More Theater Saturday.

Photo credits:

All Cold War Choir Practice production photos by Maria Baranova

All Chinese Republicans production photos by Joan Marcus

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