Zoglin’s View

I’ve been immersed in local politics for the past few weeks, trying to put some of my ideas on Democratic messaging into practice, in support of Bridget Fleming’s campaign for Congress (from the Suffolk County congressional district that Lee Zeldin just gave up to run for governor).  Her Republican opponent, Nick LaLota, has been faithfully regurgitating … Continue reading Paying Your Taxes: A Democratic Plot? →

A few months ago I wrote an article for the New York Times on Garth Drabinsky’s comeback to Broadway. The Canadian theater producer was riding high in the 1990s with prestige hits like Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime, but suffered an ignominious fall when his company imploded, he was charged with financial improprieties, and he wound up serving a … Continue reading Before the Fall: Revisiting ‘Ragtime’ →

Almost everyone I know feels bad about Al Franken. The former comedian and Saturday Night Live writer was emerging as one of the strongest Democratic voices in the U.S. Senate when he was forced to resign, in December 2017, amid a #MeToo scandal. It was sparked by a silly comedian’s prank — a photo of Franken pretending … Continue reading Al Franken: Back to the Punch Lines →

I wrote a book called Elvis in Vegas, so I probably know too much about the subject to fairly judge Baz Luhrmann’s new biopic, Elvis. But it’s hard not to have strong reactions to Luhrmann’s frenetic, fast-cut, over-the-top treatment of the King’s life and career.  Some of the movie is gratifying. I was glad, for instance, that it … Continue reading Elvis and the Colonel: How Baz Luhrmann Blew It →

The Tony Awards are this Sunday, and after two seasons disrupted by the pandemic, Broadway finally gets a chance to return to its usual self-congratulatory mode. My theatergoing this season has been spottier than usual, but I’ve seen all of the nominees for best musical and best play, so here’s a little wrap-up and prognostication. … Continue reading A Quick Guide to the Tony Awards →

I generally try to stay away from politics on this blog. But I’m obsessed with Democratic messaging — mainly, how bad it usually is — so, with the primary season heating up, let me play amateur political strategist for a few minutes.  Like many liberal Democrats, I’m constantly frustrated at the way the party has … Continue reading Democrats, Get Your Messaging Act Together →

Suffs, the new musical at the Public Theater, may be the first clear descendant of Hamilton. Like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit, the show is a lesson in American history, dense with exposition, mostly sung-through, and the product of a single creative mind. Like Miranda, singer-composer Shaina Taub has written the book, music, and lyrics — and also … Continue reading Could ‘Suffs’ Be the Next ‘Hamilton’? →

I’ve been reluctant to weigh in on the now-infamous Will Smith-Chris Rock slap at last week’s Oscar ceremony. The din was simply too great, and I wanted to wait and see how the whole thing would play out. Now that it has — decidedly not in Will Smith’s favor — I have just a few … Continue reading Will Smith and Chris Rock: Are We Done Yet? →

Is there anyone left who actually looks forward to the Oscars? Once the most eagerly anticipated and massively viewed event on the movie calendar, the show has become an annual ordeal: bloated, self-indulgent, with a steadily diminishing audience. Last year’s ABC telecast drew a paltry 10.4 million viewers, less than half the number who watched … Continue reading The Oscars’ Host Problem →

Broadway loves to welcome back its classic musicals, especially when accompanied by a major star to juice the box office, and provide at least a whiff of reinvention. But the new revival of The Music Man, starring Hugh Jackman, has gotten a surprisingly sour reception from many of the critics.  “A huge let-down,” wrote the New York Post. “The … Continue reading A New ‘Music Man’: No Trouble in River City →