Kraig Klein, Author at The Statesman

“Sunset Boulevard: The Musical” is back!

by Kraig KleinArtsOctober 16, 2019October 16, 2019

“Sunset Boulevard: The Musical,” currently being revived at Northport’s John W. Engeman Theater, is a curious little show. It’s a musical adaptation of a 1950 film noir with music written by legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (as the playbill proudly boasts).

Lincoln Center’s “My Fair Lady” is an old musical with modern feminist values

by Kraig KleinArtsFebruary 9, 2019February 9, 2019

“My Fair Lady” is an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play “Pygmalion,” a variation of the Greek myth of Pygmalion. In the original myth, Pygmalion was a sculptor who fell in love with his statue of a woman, and after praying to the goddess Aphrodite, his fetishized statue is brought to life.

“Man of La Mancha” Comes to Northport Theater

by Kraig KleinArtsOctober 21, 2018October 21, 2018

The musical had its New York City premiere in 1965 at the ANTA Washington Square Theatre in Greenwich Village before moving uptown to Broadway’s Martin Beck Theatre in 1968.

Stony Brook should be more tolerant of religious holidays

by Kraig KleinOpinionsSeptember 28, 2018

But Stony Brook isn’t as tolerant as it depicts itself to be. How else can you explain the fact that we have no days off for important religious holidays?

Patchogue Theatre’s Flashdance the Musical is just average

by Kraig KleinArtsSeptember 10, 2018March 19, 2020

Having never seen the original film, I cannot say whether the musical is an improvement, but I can say that the show’s flaws prevented me from taking any interest in the source material. On the other hand, the people I attended the show with and most of the audience seemed to love it, so there may be something that eluded me.

Political correctness could cost us valuable lessons

by Kraig KleinOpinionsJuly 15, 2018

If we totally eliminate such “inappropriate” material, we lose these learning experiences.

Anime spring 2018 preview

by Kraig KleinArtsMay 6, 2018

Make sure to take a break from studying, and when you do, why not check out a new Japanese animated series? Here is a brief list of what to watch during finals week and what to avoid.

The Onion Bagel: Curing our bloodlust caused by violent media

by Kraig KleinFeatured OpinionsApril 8, 2018

Even games aimed at children, such as the “Super Mario” and “Sonic the Hedgehog” series, ooze with psychopathic material.

Review: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical, “In the Heights,” fails to live up to his reputation

by Kraig KleinArtsMarch 29, 2018

I attended the John W. Engeman Theater’s revival of “In the Heights,” but left the theater incredibly confused as to how the musical could have possibly won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Review: The Band’s Visit creates memorable staging

by Kraig KleinArtsMarch 18, 2018

“The Band’s Visit,” currently running at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, is one of the shortest shows on Broadway right now.