The Islamic State is losing its grip in its self-proclaimed caliphate, which, at its zenith included sizeable portions of Iraq and Syria.  Credit for this turn goes to the U.S.-supported campaign to re-take regions of the nascent state (most recently Fallujah in Iraq) and return them to lawful government control.  But as the grotesque terrorist […]

When it had its opening run on Broadway in 1964 (winning ten Tony Awards, including best musical), “Hello, Dolly!” was most praised for the star turn by Carol Channing, who made it the signature role of her career.  Five years later, the also heralded film version became a vehicle for Barbra Streisand, who helped make […]

Depending on which political talking head you listen to, the predicted result in the forthcoming presidential race can be any one of the following: Hillary Clinton will win in a landslide; Hillary Clinton will win handily; Hillary Clinton will win a squeaker; Donald Trump will win a squeaker; Donald Trump will win handily; or Donald […]

Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s “The Totalitarians” has received much critical praise for its farcical take on modern-day democracy in America.  Set in Nebraska, where the candidate for lieutenant governor is something of a cross between Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann (with perhaps a touch of malaprop-inclined George W. Bush thrown in), the play is riotous until […]