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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Arts

(Courtesy of Vertical)

Review: In ‘Sacramento,’ appropriately flawed characters are matched by an equally flawed plot

Michael Cera delivers a wonderfully awkward performance in a middling movie.
Oshmi Ghosh, Contributing Writer April 24, 2025

This review contains spoilers. If you know anything about Michael Cera, you’d approach “Sacramento” with the same expectation that I did: This is going to be incredibly...

(Courtesy of Graham Tolbert)

Review: In Bon Iver’s ‘SABLE, fABLE,’ everything is sparkling

This two-pronged project has unlocked a new level of passion and candor from the ballad pro.
Rory Lustberg, Staff Writer April 24, 2025

On “SABLE, fABLE,” Bon Iver steps into newfound light. Justin Vernon — the artist who created the project — has been known for his melancholy music since 2001. His most...

(Courtesy of Damon Baker)

Review: ‘John Proctor is the Villain’ wages war on the male abuser

Open up your SparkNotes: Kimberly Belflower’s new play stages a reexamination of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.”
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 23, 2025

This review contains spoilers. The new play, “John Proctor is the Villain,” confusingly introduced itself to Broadway. With an Instagram bio promising a show “running...

(Henry Bayha for WSN)

Review: ‘American Sublime’ at the Whitney responds to the Trump era

Amy Sherald’s first major museum show is on view in New York City until Aug. 10.
Eloise Maguire, Contributing Writer April 23, 2025

(Courtesy of The Wrecks)

Review: The Wrecks’ ‘INSIDE:’ is perfectly heartbreaking and upbeat

The indie band intrigues listeners by releasing the first half of a larger upcoming musical project.
Caia Cupolo, Contributing Writer April 23, 2025

The Wrecks’ last record was a cathartic breakup album, but after three years of writing, its newest project is far more introspective. The band’s new EP “INSIDE:” is the...

(Courtesy of Bleecker Street)

Review: ‘The Wedding Banquet’ subverts farcical formulas with a fruity, modern twist

In Andrew Ahn’s reimagining of the classic Ang Lee film, four LGBTQ+ friends find that marriage isn’t the solution to all their problems.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 22, 2025

The sound of Chinese drums beating opens Andrew Ahn’s film, “The Wedding Banquet.” A lion dancer appears, expertly moving with tradition and care. Then, in a shocking twist,...

(Daniel Yee for WSN)

Remembering William Finn: Finding joy in pain, at NYU and on Broadway

The composer-lyricist and Tisch professor was widely known for the award-winning Broadway musical “Falsettos” and nurturing young writers.
Ethan Li and Ella Sabrina Malabanan April 22, 2025

“The living was the prize / The ending’s not the story / Just saying my goodbyes” — William Finn, from “Elegies: A Song Cycle.” The theater community lost a treasured...

(Courtesy of Amanda Eisenberg)

NYU professor and journalist speaks about her new feminist novel

Amanda Eisenberg’s health care and political coverage informed and influenced her fiction debut.
Eleanor Jacobs, Music Editor April 22, 2025

Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of sexual assault. With the same learned tone she takes to describe her written coverage of political wrongdoing and disease, journalist,...

(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)

Books beyond Bobst: A conversation between Kublai Khan and Marco Polo, a Russian classic and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino  — Alexa Donovan, Arts Editor  “Cities, like dreams, are made of desires and fears, even if the thread of their discourse...

(Allina Xiao for WSN)

10 thought-provoking poems for National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, so here are some of our favorite lines of poetry to close out the month.

Poetry is a space to experiment with language — communications through this medium enables deeper emotional expression. This National Poetry Month, if you are looking to be inspired,...

(Courtesy of Marc Brenner)

Review: Sarah Snook redefines live theater in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’

The literary classic goes digital in Broadway’s newest masterpiece.
Amelia Knust, Staff Writer April 18, 2025

One woman, 26 characters and two uninterrupted hours of awe. This is exactly what hundreds of theatergoers flock to at the Music Box Theatre. Kip Williams’ newest theatrical...

(Courtesy of Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Smash’ makes a messy TV show even worse

The new Broadway adaptation of the 2012 NBC series struggles with the transition from screen to stage.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Deputy Copy Chief April 18, 2025

NBC’s 2012 series “Smash” is the ultimate guilty pleasure. Even though it is often described as a hate-watch, the show’s phenomenal original music by “Hairspray” composer-lyricists...