Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).
Bio
I have been writing on theater since 1982. A graduate from Manhattan College B.S. A member of Alpha Sigma Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both English and Science. I have produced 14 shows on and off Broadway. I've seen over700 shows
Stories (319)
Filter by community
"Temping"
Robert M. Massimi. Theater put forth in these peculiar times. An immersive play that involves just one person, seated at a desk and working as a temp for an actuary firm. Like going to the office, you are given a desk, a computer, a phone and of course a Brother printer. Not an easy field to work in, being thrown into a desk as a temp with no knowledge of how an actuary does his job is part of the fun. The audience member is given instructions on how to answer messages, given further instructions on the computer and receives some of the wackiest of information via the Brother.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).5 years ago in Geeks
One Man, Two Guvnors.
Robert Massimi. Last evening I watched "One Man, Two Guvnors" on PBS. Having been starved for theater; especially as a drama critic, I was excited to watch what was a Tony winner back in 2012. The shows synopsis: Francis Henshall (James Cordon) finds himself working for both a gangster and a criminal in hiding, both of whom are linked in a web of schemes, extortions and romantic associations. To prevent discovery, Francis must do everything to keep his two guvnors apart.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).5 years ago in Geeks
A Non Globalist's Society.
People are talking about voting November 3erd. What is being said is "this is the most important election ever". The truth is, they're right, it is. I have watched American jobs being shipped overseas since the 1970's. I have watched American factories leave cities like: Troy, N.Y., Paterson, N.J., Detroit, Michigan and East St. Louis. The opt word for this is globalization; the idea that being part of the greater world is for the greater good. Since the 1970's , both parties have gave away good paying factory jobs to places like :China, Korea, Vietnam, Shri Lanka and India. Many of these politicians have lined their own pockets doing so and all the while hurt our country.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).5 years ago in The Swamp
"Tartuffe" MIP/FIAF.
Robert Massimi. "Tartuffe" is a Moliere classic. It is a story about Orgon, his perfect family and a pious fraud named Tartuffe. It was never really clear to me how a successful man like Orgon could be so taken by Tartuffe but he is and his family feels the effects of it. Orgon and his mother are so in rapture by this man that they get to the point where they make no decisions without the advise and opinion of Tartuffe.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
Another Missed Broadway Function.
Robert Massimi. Last Friday was The Drama Leagues annual Gala which was to be held at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of New York City, in the center of Broadway. It was to include a red carpet and interviews with the talented artists who would have been up for Tony Awards this June. It is a Gala that if you are lucky enough to be invited too, as I was, that honors all the big players in Theater today. From writers, producers, directors and actors, May 15th was the date on everyone's calendar.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
"Rules of Desire"
In a play that starts slow but picks up steam as it moves along, director William Roudebush creates a suspense among the three characters in "Rules of Desire" The play takes place on a Navy ship where we at first meet a stowaway named Felicia (McKenna Harrington). In William Mastrosimone's new play, he deftly introduces his characters, and then develops their stories over the course of the 90 intermission less minutes. At first we have no idea why Matt(Tristan Biber) has brought this teen aged girl on board of this nuclear ship, other than he is infatuated with her. Risking a court martial and embarrassing his Admiral father, he has thrown caution too the wind.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
"Manahatta" Yale Repetory Theatre.
Robert Massimi. Throughout time, things have both changed and have also stayed the same. Playwright Mary Kathryn Nagle constantly brings us from the present, to the past and somewhere in the middle. This play has many constants, variations and much symmetry too it. In the one hour and forty intermission less minutes we go back and forth between a Wall Street firm where a talented, young Indian woman with a propensity for mathematics, who is originally from Oklahoma, lands a job in investment banking. Proud of her Indian roots, she has lost many of the customs and the traditions of her culture. Even though she has to go back and forth to tend to her dying father, she has her eye on the prize... the glory of being a Wall Street big shot.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
Pinter and Howe at DirectorFest.
Robert Massimi. Member Dramatists Guild. The Drama League has been doing this for 36 years! DirectorFest gives a culmination of directors a chance to work with both new and established writers. In venues across Manhattan, DirectorFest runs over five weeks and this year will feature productions of John LaChiusa's "Hello Again" and Harold pinter's "The Lover"; revivals of "Appearances" by Tina Howe and Marcus Gardley's "The Sporting Life Of Icarus Jones"; "The Drowning Girls" by Beth Graham and "Pure", created by Belgium director Bakalov.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
"American tranquility"
Robert Massimi. "American Tranquility" is a very resonant one man show that is separated into four subplots (or different scenes). Daniel Damiano is an award winning playwright and a real good actor as well. He has performed "American Tranquility" in New York City (at the PIT Loft, The Downtown Urban Arts Festival, the East Village Playhouse and, last summer at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington DC.). In the past Mr. Damiano written "The Lepers";"Harmony Park;"Day of the Dog" and "Wild Boar" which was a 2019 finalist for both the Newman'Woodward and the Janet & Bruce Bunch New Play Award.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
"Grand Horizons"
Robert Massimi. In Bess Wohl's playwriting debut on Broadway comes a warm and witty production filled with raucous laughter and delightful acting. Nancy (Jane Alexander and Bill(James Cromwell) decide to get a divorce after fifty years of marriage. It seems that things have been building up for quite some time and the two want to call it quits. As Bill is aloof towards his marriage, he is equally so towards his children and pretty much the same towards everything and everyone he comes in contact with. A former pharmacist, Bill is a regementated person who never missed a day of work in his life. Although not bitter from the outset, it becomes obvious as the play goes on. Not happy about having a gay son, Brian (Michael Urie), he is dismissive towards Brian's weaknesses, his melodrama and his profession. Although Bill respects Ben (Ben McKenzie) a little more, he can't be bothered that his wife is to give birth any day, nor does he share any emotion with his daughter-in-law.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
"She Waits"
Robert Massimi. "She Waits" is the newest production by 99c Theater Co. The Company itself was founded by actor and producer, Lindsay Nolin, and co- produced by Shawna Wigney. The Companies mission is to collaborate with up and coming artists of all backgrounds. The creators want the productions to be artist driven and to be at the nexus of the creative process.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
"Paradise Lost"
Robert Massimi. In The Fellowship For Performing Arts, Max McLean brings forth another body of work that is loyal to the Theater Companies mission... Christian works worldwide, that have a message, as well as inspirational embodiment within its work. In "Paradise Lost" Lucifer has been banished from heaven. Being beaten, he is vindictive and wants revenge. He turns his eye to the Creator's new world, a Paradise inhabited by creatures- male and female - made in his image. Adam and Eve have dominion over this garden of delight where they live in joy and happiness. God gives one stipulation to this place of bliss, they must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
By Robert M Massimi. ( Broadway Bob).6 years ago in Geeks
