Matthew Wexler, Author at 1 Minute Critic

The cast of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

‘Spelling Bee’ revival spells it out: J-O-Y

Matthew Wexler Aug 5, 2026 0

Twenty years on, "Spelling Bee" arrives Off-Broadway with fresh energy, proving the quirky musical's charm remains timeless.

5 regional theater productions worth the trip this August

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5 regional theater productions worth the trip this August

Matthew Wexler Aug 3, 2026 0

The end of summer brings an eclectic mix of plays and musicals.

Agosto Machado, Downtown (Altar), 2024. Pins, matchbooks, mirror, and papier-mâché; plastic and metal objects; book (Theater of the Ridiculous), photograph, jewelry, bananaflavored straw packets, New York City subway tokens; and original artworks by Arch Connelly, Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt, and Gilda Pervin. Collection of Jane Hait. © Agosto Machado. Image courtesy the artist and Gordon Robichaux, NY. Photography by Greg Carideo

Art

Before the Whitney Biennial closes, don’t miss the shrines of street queen Agosto Machado

Matthew Wexler Aug 1, 2026 0

Agosto Machado spent decades building altars to a vanished queer New York. Find his tribute inside the Whitney Biennial before…

Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular.

Reviews

I went to ‘Les Misérables’ at Radio City and came home a singing student revolutionary

Matthew Wexler Jul 28, 2026 0

One critic's neighbors have not recovered from a week of 'Les Mis' earworms. Here's what the arena concert spectacular gets…

Books

Before ‘Purple Rain’ hits Broadway, meet the photographer who knew Prince best

Matthew Wexler Jul 28, 2026 0

Broadway is getting ready to resurrect another pop icon when Purple Rain opens at the Majestic Theatre next March. Based…

Reviews

Cat Cohen turns a near-death experience into Off-Broadway’s funniest solo show

Matthew Wexler Jul 27, 2026 0

Cat Cohen turns a stroke and a hole in her heart into a sharp, funny Off-Broadway solo show at the…

Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead book cover

Books

What is art? What is crime? Colson Whitehead’s ‘Cool Machine’ lets its characters argue it out

By Melissa Iachan Jul 24, 2026 0

Ray Carney returns for one last job in 'Cool Machine,' Colson Whitehead's gritty, funny finale to the Harlem Trilogy.

Music

15 years in, Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway’s ‘Boom!’ hasn’t lost a beat

Matthew Wexler Jul 18, 2026 0

'Boom!' plays 54 Below for its 15th anniversary, with Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway proving sibling harmony still sells out…

Jennifer Nettles in "Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo."

Reviews

Jennifer Nettles can write a hit. ‘Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo’ needs more

Matthew Wexler Jul 17, 2026 0

Grammy winner Jennifer Nettles takes on a 17th-century poisoner's legend in 'Giulia,' now playing at PAC NYC.

Reviews

‘The Whoopi Monologues’ is a triumph, even divided five ways

Matthew Wexler Jul 13, 2026 0

Over 40 years after her Broadway debut, Whoopi Goldberg's characters get five new voices.

‘Spelling Bee’ revival spells it out: J-O-Y

5 regional theater productions worth the trip this August

Before the Whitney Biennial closes, don’t miss the shrines of street queen Agosto Machado

I went to ‘Les Misérables’ at Radio City and came home a singing student revolutionary

Before ‘Purple Rain’ hits Broadway, meet the photographer who knew Prince best

Cat Cohen turns a near-death experience into Off-Broadway’s funniest solo show

What is art? What is crime? Colson Whitehead’s ‘Cool Machine’ lets its characters argue it out

15 years in, Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway’s ‘Boom!’ hasn’t lost a beat

Jennifer Nettles can write a hit. ‘Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo’ needs more

‘The Whoopi Monologues’ is a triumph, even divided five ways

Have another minute? ⏰

‘Spelling Bee’ revival spells it out: J-O-Y

‘The Pass’ brings soccer’s closet drama to New York, but the tackles get sloppy

The future is already here: ‘Disruption’ brings AI anxiety Off-Broadway

5 regional theater productions worth the trip this August