variety Archives - 1 Minute Critic

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El Mago Pop announces first-ever magic stadium tour

Matthew Wexler Dec 12, 2025 0

Spain's highest-grossing entertainer El Mago Pop takes illusion to stadiums globally, starting at Santiago Bernabéu with stops in Miami and…

"The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions" at Park Avenue Armory.

Reviews

This queer fantasia says “faggot” nearly 100 times and owns every single one

Matthew Wexler Dec 5, 2025 0

"The Faggots and Their Friends" transforms a 1977 queer parable into a multi-disciplinary provocation that's bold, sprawling, and unapologetic.

The cast of The Second City's "Holidazed and Amused."

Reviews

The Second City unwraps seasonal satire in ‘Holidazed and Amused’

Lauren Emily Whalen Dec 2, 2025 0

The Second City's holiday show delivers sharp seasonal sketches and laugh-out-loud moments, even when the improv Ghost of Christmas Present…

"The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions," Manchester International Festival, 2023.

Hot Sec

From underground cult classic to theater spectacle, this queer manifesto finally lands in NYC

Matthew Wexler Dec 1, 2025 0

Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta's 1977 queer manifesto becomes creative resistance at Park Avenue Armory with baroque music and a…

Company XIV's "Nutcracker Rouge." Photo by Mark Shelby Perry.

Reviews

15 years in, ‘Nutcracker Rouge’ remains NYC’s sexiest holiday tradition

Bobby McGuire Nov 23, 2025 0

Company XIV's "Nutcracker Rouge" celebrates 15 years of baroque burlesque. Austin McCormick's adults-only holiday tradition delivers.

'ROB LAKE MAGIC with Special Guests The Muppets."

Reviews

Rob Lake saws his Broadway debut in half, Muppets and all

Lindsay B. Davis Nov 13, 2025 0

Vegas illusionist Rob Lake brings The Muppets to Broadway—barely. Turns out giving Kermit and Miss Piggy second billing doesn't sit…

Culture

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE’ proves drag’s mainstream moment is revolutionary

Matthew Wexler Oct 22, 2025 0

RuPaul's empire thrives at Flamingo Las Vegas with "Drag Race LIVE," where Asia O'Hara hosts a joyful celebration of drag…

"The Wizard of Oz" at Sphere. Photo provided.

Culture

Dorothy gets an AI makeover for Sphere’s supersized ‘Wizard of Oz’

Matthew Wexler Oct 20, 2025 0

Dorothy goes digital in Sphere's ambitious reimagining of "The Wizard of Oz." Spoiler: the tornado steals the show.

Lord Nil and the company of "Lord Nil: Seven Deadly Sins."

Reviews

Smell burnt toast? It’s not a stroke, you’re at ‘Lord Nil: Seven Deadly Sins’

Matthew Wexler Jul 31, 2025 0

"Lord Nil: Seven Deadly Sins" finds an America's Got Talent quarter-finalist's impressive escape acts undermined by lackluster storytelling at Stage…

NYC Off-Broadway Week picks: Mexodus, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 11 to Midnight.

Hot Sec

El Mago Pop announces first-ever magic stadium tour

This queer fantasia says “faggot” nearly 100 times and owns every single one

The Second City unwraps seasonal satire in ‘Holidazed and Amused’

From underground cult classic to theater spectacle, this queer manifesto finally lands in NYC

15 years in, ‘Nutcracker Rouge’ remains NYC’s sexiest holiday tradition

Rob Lake saws his Broadway debut in half, Muppets and all

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE’ proves drag’s mainstream moment is revolutionary

Dorothy gets an AI makeover for Sphere’s supersized ‘Wizard of Oz’

Smell burnt toast? It’s not a stroke, you’re at ‘Lord Nil: Seven Deadly Sins’

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NYC Off-Broadway cheat sheet: ‘Mexodus,’ ‘Spelling Bee,’ TikTok stars Cost n’ Mayor & more

6 women, 1 room, infinite timelines: ‘The Dinosaurs’ at Playwrights Horizons

Carnegie Hall gets its groove back with The New York Pops

‘Hamnet’ chases modern grief, but sacrifices historical truth