Patrick Maley

Patrick Maley, J.D., Ph.D. is a lawyer in New Jersey and author of After August: Blues, August Wilson, and American Drama (University of Virginia Press, 2019). His work also appears in Modern Drama, Theatre Journal, Comparative Drama, Field Day Review, Eugene O'Neill Review, Irish Studies Review, and New Hibernia Review. He also reviews theater regularly for The Star-Ledger and NJ.com.

Articles by Patrick Maley

9 February 2025

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: Henry IV at Polonsky Shakespeare Center

Polonsky Shakespeare Center ⋄ January 30– March 2, 2025

By Patrick Maley

Jay O. Sanders is a “resplendent” Falstaff in this combined rendition of Shakespeare’s two Henry IV plays. Patrick Maley reviews.

27 January 2025

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: Beckett Briefs at Irish Rep

Irish Repertory Theatre ⋄ 15 Jan-9 Mar

By Patrick Maley

Irish Rep presents an excellent triptych of Samuel Beckett’s lesser-seen short plays. Patrick J. Maley reviews.

25 November 2024

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: Music City at the West End Theatre

West End Theatre ⋄ 27 Oct-22 Dec

By Patrick Maley

Crack open a cold one and enjoy some country music at this new musical from Bedlam. Patrick J. Maley reviews.

20 February 2024

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: Sunset Baby at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre ⋄ 30 Jan-10 March

By Patrick Maley

A new Dominique Morisseau play leaves Detroit behind to its detriment, but picks up some excellent performances.

14 October 2022

Reviews • Broadway • NYC

Review: The Piano Lesson at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre

Barrymore Theatre ⋄ 19 September-15 January

By Patrick Maley

Director LaTanya Richardson Jackson brings a revival of August Wilson’s classic play with a starry cast and little splash. Patrick J. Maley reviews.

11 April 2022

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: Confederates at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre ⋄ 8 March-17 April

By Patrick Maley

Dominique Morisseau “leaves the confines of realism…and offers a challenging new paradigm” in the second play of her Signature residency. Patrick Maley reviews.

21 February 2022

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: The Merchant of Venice at Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience ⋄ 5 February-6 March

By Patrick Maley

Director Arin Arbus digs into Shakespeare’s play to show us, anew, what’s been there all along. Patrick Maley reviews.

14 February 2022

Reviews • Broadway • NYC

Review: Skeleton Crew at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre ⋄ 27 December-20 February

By Patrick Maley

Dominique Morisseau’s play is the centerpiece of her “Detroit Project” trilogy, and also its heart. Patrick J. Maley reviews.

13 February 2022

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway • Opera

Review: Intimate Apparel at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater

Mitzi Newhouse Theatre ⋄ 13 January-6 March

By Patrick Maley

New dimensions are drawn from the characters of Lynn Nottage’s play in an operatic adaptation with music by Ricky Ian Gordon. Patrick J. Maley reviews.

23 July 2020

Reviews • NYC • Off-Broadway

Review: The Weir at Irish Repertory Streaming

online ⋄ 21st – 25th July 2020

By Patrick Maley

An online rendering of Conor McPherson’s The Weir highlights our pandemic loneliness. Pat Maley reviews.