Heated Rivalry Review: Two NHL Rivals, One Secret Relationship, Zero Stereotypes
Two NHL rivals turn a locker room moment into a years-long secret relationship that slowly becomes something more. Heated Rivalry flips the script on romance, trading meet-cutes for hookups and delivering a story that’s as comforting as it is hot, with two men who feel real, not like a stereotype.
The PushOver Feels Off From The Start
At The Chain Theatre, John Patrick Shanley’s Pushover sets out to deliver danger, desire, and volatility but never quite lands. Despite a compelling premise and a standout turn from Di Zhu, the production struggles to find the heightened tone that defines Shanley at his best, leaving behind a play that feels more confusing than captivating.
Soviet Cinema and the Importance of Local Theaters
A first encounter with Soviet cinema leads to a packed screening of Secret Agent at Metrograph, where stunning visuals, quiet paranoia, and a room full of regulars remind one writer why movie theaters still matter.
Juliette Campbell Of Shanghai Mermaid Isn’t Just Hosting Parties. She’s Curating New York at Its Best
At Estonian House, Shanghai Mermaid transformed a Lunar New Year party into something rare for NYC: an event that was as culturally grounded as it was visually stunning.
The Fringe Shows We’re Betting On (Part TWO)
Part two of our NYC Fringe Festival coverage leans into the personal. From a solo show about learning to drive at 40 to save a marriage, to a darkly funny spiral through alcohol and memory, to a glittering, high-energy love letter to New York and the artists who survive it—these are stories about risk, reinvention, and what it costs to keep going. Meet the creators bringing it all to the stage.
The New York Belly Dance Festival Balances Glamour and Grit
The New York Belly Dance Festival offers a multi-day look into belly dance through workshops, performances, and community-driven events, highlighting both the technical precision and cultural depth of the form.
Kabin, a Scandinavian Bar by Alexandra Tangen, Has Found Its Place in SoHo
A Scandinavian cabin in the middle of SoHo. Kabin, Alexandra Tangen’s cocktail bar, brings Nordic design, inventive drinks, and a surprisingly cozy energy to downtown NYC.
Start Here: The Fringe Shows We’re Betting On (Part One)
Frigid’s NYC Fringe Festival is where new theater still feels risky, alive, and worth showing up for. We’ve rounded up a few shows we can’t wait to see, and talked to the artists behind them. This is Part One.
A Ruthless Female Lead Who Refuses to Be Redeemed: The Favorites Review
An obsessive, cutthroat ice dancer who refuses to apologize for her ambition, The Favorites by Layne Fargo is messy, toxic, and surprisingly compelling, even when it completely exhausts you.
At La Pecora Bianca, Even the Pasta Has Emotional Regulation
At La Pecora Bianca, the food is balanced, the crowd is chaotic, and the sourdough toast might take a tooth. A reliably good Upper West Side spot with just enough edge to keep it interesting.
Body Count at SoHo Playhouse Examines Sex Work Without the Usual Tropes
Body Count at SoHo Playhouse offers a sharp, often humorous look at sex work, challenging familiar narratives while exploring the emotional labor and power dynamics at its core.
An Inconveniently Perfect Flower for New YorK
Daffodils may be New York’s official flower, but the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden makes a compelling case for a new symbol, one that feels far more like the city itself.
Modern Warrior’s Behind The Lines: A 9/11 Story
A haunting, deeply human performance, Modern Warrior: Behind The Lines brings two men face to face with the events of 9/11 and the war that followed. Told in their own words, their stories linger long after the stage goes dark.