ELYSA GARDNER

ELYSA GARDNER

New York, New York
Elysa Gardner is Contributor for the Sun.

Ms. Gardner has written about theater and music for The New York Times, The…

Latest Articles

Culture

A Beloved Actress, Jean Smart, Returns to Broadway, but Taking on ‘Call Me Izzy’ May Not Have Been Her Best Choice

Under Sarna Lapine’s direction, Smart seems curiously small and dim, as if she’s as oppressed by the material as her character is by her predicament. In the end, Jamie Wax’s play inspires pity more than empathy.

Marc J. Franklin
Culture

Taylor Mac Is Back With a Takedown of Cultural Philanthropists, ‘Prosperous Fools’

Unfortunately, the playwright’s distinctive blend of irreverence and whimsy isn’t as finely tuned as it has been for some other projects, and the results can seem self-indulgent and silly.

Hollis King
Culture

Both Haunting and Hilarious, John Krasinski in ‘Angry Alan’ Plays a Patsy Wooed by the Rants of the ‘Manosphere’

The actor finds humor in his character’s cluelessness and self-pity, sustaining a breezy, ironically cheerful vibe through much of a production that is likely to shake you to your core.

Jonny Cournoyer
Culture

While Somewhat Predictable and Prosaic, ‘Lunar Eclipse’ Serves as a Showcase for Its Two Gifted, Game Players

Reed Birney manages to lend grit and poignance to dialogue that can border on boilerplate, while Lisa Emery, who was delicious in a far more sinister role in ‘Ozark,’ proves equally adroit at fleshing out her character.

Joan Marcus
Culture

With ‘Eurydice,’ Playwright Sarah Ruhl Casts a Fresh Eye on Greek Myth of Musician Orpheus and His Doomed Bride

In Ruhl’s version Eurydice arrives in the underworld to discover another man who loves her just as intensely as Orpheus does: her father. Brian d’Arcy James and Maya Hawke play the reunion to enchanting, ultimately heartbreaking effect.

HanJie Chow
Culture

The Best of Theater: A Guide to the Upcoming Tony Awards

Our theater critic surveys the major categories, offering highly subjective takes on who should be taking Tonys home and at least somewhat educated guesses on who will be doing so.

Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
The New York Sun

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