David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Thrilled to share that an opera I've been developing with Scott Davenport Richards and Robin Guarino will be part of next year's return of the great VOX opera lab! Our opera is called ROBESON/MOSCOW, it's big, and scarily relevant to [waves arms around] www.voxamericanopera.org/finalists 221
Reposted by David CoteSorrowscopes @sorrowscopes.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Capricorn: One skill that will help this week is hibernation. Seriously. Try to figure out how to turn into a bear. 319350
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Delighted to share my first piece for the Brooklyn Rail, a Q&A with the outstanding Jay Wegman, who has programmed a jaw-dropper of a season (his 10th at NYU Skirball Center): Angélica Liddell, Romeo Castellucci, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Milo Rau and lots more. brooklynrail.org/2026/09/thea...brooklynrail.orgJAY WEGMAN with David Cote | The Brooklyn RailThis month, Jay Wegman celebrates his tenth year as artistic director at the New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The past decade also happens to be a period in which many Ne... 011
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 01/09/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/i-loved-th...davidcote1.substack.comI Loved This Movie: Late FameArs brevis; vita longa 121
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 29/08/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/two-shows-...davidcote1.substack.comTwo shows to ring (wring?) out the summerIn the final schweaty days of August, may I recommend two refreshing stage diversions Off-Off Broadway? 021
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 14/08/2026This week's #wordlesentence: Highfalutin Bully Edition! “Don’t snipe or feign privy knowledge, you wimpy dweeb, or I will toss you over the fence, whereupon you will noisily crash and clunk.” 8/13: CRASH 8/12: WIMPY 8/11: FENCE 8/10: SNIPE 8/9: CLUNK 8/8: PRIVY 8/7: FEIGN 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 03/08/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/after-the-...davidcote1.substack.comAfter the end of the end of the partyA horseshoe path in media, surviving grief, and struggling up that hill 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 31/07/2026This week's #wordlesentence “It was more a valve than a plume from which grape jelly pumped with the consistency of putty, prompting the ex-sonar operator to murmur, ‘aloha,’ like a Hawaiian poser.” 7/30: FLUME 7/29: VALVE 7/28: SONAR 7/27: POSER 7/26: GRAPE 7/25: ALOHA 7/24: PUTTY 000
Reposted by David Coteslips slips @slipsslips.bsky.social · 28/07/2026As a longtime theater critic and librettist, it's no surprise @davidcote.bsky.social is attracted to the messy tangibility of slips slips—as with the stage, you can expect to get your hands dirty if you want to engage. Check out his profile in our newsletter: slipsslips.substack.com/p/contributo... 043
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 24/07/2026This week’s #wordlesentence! “His mind locked in orbit around surf churn and the scuba gear in his lorry, the diver slid from the booth as the Big Petrol shill rabbited on about legal technicalities.” 7/23: ORBIT 7/22: LORRY 7/21: SHILL 7/20: DIVER 7/19: CHURN 7/18: BOOTH 7/17: LEGAL 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 17/07/2026This week's #wordlesentence! “A stout, avian specimen perched high on a butte, tearing into a trout steak snatched from a canal with a clack of the beak and defiant screech which sounded like, ‘pshaw!’” 7/16: BUTTE 7/15: PSHAW 7/14: STEAK 7/13: STOUT 7/12: CLACK 7/11: AVIAN 7/10: CANAL 010
Reposted by David CoteAmerican Theatre @americantheatre.org · 14/07/2026At Arena Stage, Hana Sharif's departure raises questions about the often fraught relationship among executive leadership, staff, and boards at American theatres. In our reporting, we found that there were conflicts over what art belongs, working conditions, and sustainable paths forward financially.americantheatre.orgHana Sharif Leaves Arena, Leaving Questions for the FieldThe artistic director’s departure, after just 3 years, from the helm of the D.C.’s flagship theatre has ignited a debate about the American theatre’s systemic challenges. 053
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 12/07/2026live your life so "effortlessly posh" is in your obit headline 042
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 10/07/2026This week's #wordlesentence! “The swami could not amend his weakness for demon drink, and stroked his bamboo baton (or ‘danda’) wondering whether to enjoy the pizza with a Hot Toddy or Singapore Sling.” 7/9: AMEND 7/8: DEMON 7/7: SLING 7/6: TODDY 7/5: SWAMI 7/4: PIZZA 7/3: BATON 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 03/07/2026This week's #wordlesentence: Weimar Edition! “In a crude attempt at friendliness, the Emcee urged the cabaret maven to scoop up the puppy, but the latter, feeling acute unease, decided to demur.” 7/2: MAVEN 7/1: DEMUR 6/30: PUPPY 6/29: CRUDE 6/28: EMCEE 6/27: SCOOP 6/26: ACUTE 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 25/06/2026I'm barking for joy after seeing Bailey Williams's THE FAMILY DOG, which is a tiny bit like if OUR TOWN had a sickly canine as the Stage Manager. Really it's a phenomenal piece of ensemble writing and acting that is zany, weird, bitterly funny and wrenchingly sad www.clubbedthumb.org/productions/...clubbedthumb.orgProductions | clubbed thumb 020
Reposted by David CoteHeather Anne Campbell @heathercampbell.bsky.social · 24/06/2026can’t believe a narcissist is being so publicly humiliated by a reflecting pool 502243445591
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 20/06/2026This week’s #wordlesentence: Romeo & Juliet Carnival Attraction Edition! “Insert the token, gain entry, and it will amaze you how your presence will quell the broil, break the sepia haze of ancient grudge.” 6/18: ENTRY 6/17: TOKEN 6/16: AMAZE 6/15: BROIL 6/14: SEPIA 6/13: QUELL 6/12: BREAK 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 12/06/2026this week's #wordlesentence. On the Waterfront Edition! “As we saw his cheer morph into testy impatience, the mafia don jerked a thumb toward a schooner trying nobly to align with the wharf in a storm.” 6/11: TESTY 6/10: ALIGN 6/9: WHARF 6/8: MAFIA 6/7: THUMB 6/6: MORPH 6/5: NOBLY 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 05/06/2026This week's #wordlesentence “Steel alloy shone in his smile and a notch in his braces held a blob of chili as a Chopin étude formed the basis of a cafeteria soundtrack under the clang of silverware.” 6/4: ALLOY 6/3: NOTCH 6/2: BASIS 6/1: CHILI 5/31: ETUDE 5/30: SMILE 5/29: CLANG 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 05/06/2026new review up at 4 Columns www.4columns.org/cote-david/t...4columns.orgThe Maids 020
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 03/06/2026The first of what I hope are several pieces for a smart and stylish new online magazine for NYC theater www.readthehat.com/articles/clu...readthehat.comHow Clubbed Thumb “Moves Fast and Builds Things” for Summer’s Strangest Party — The HatAfter three decades of producing must-see downtown plays, artistic director Maria Striar continues leaning into new work that defies categorization. 061
Reposted by David CoteChaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 02/06/2026Thinges fall apart Data centers take holde 311821
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 01/06/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/pod-save-u...davidcote1.substack.comPod Save Us From Another Man as PresidentAn irreverent podcast dramatizes the women who ran for POTUS 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 31/05/2026activists outraged — and granted moral superiority — that millennia of atrocities persisted into their adolescence 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 29/05/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/see-a-show...davidcote1.substack.comSee a Show Now, Thank Me LaterI NOTICED…you’re looking for a bit o' theater to see? 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 29/05/2026new #wordlesentence: Mock Wodehouse Edition! “See here, chap—stuff the bloody golf game; the niece is recumbent on the couch getting vocal rest: why don’t you make a visit whilst I chuck this divot into the woods?” 5/28: DIVOT 5/27: STUFF 5/26: COUCH 5/25: VISIT 5/24: NIECE 5/23: CHUCK 5/22: VOCAL 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 27/05/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/research-f...davidcote1.substack.comResearch for Review: The Maids (2014)So hard to find good help anymore 100
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 22/05/2026new #wordlesentence ! O thou dull, dusty Wreck of Time! Thy fatal Bylaw all do see Yet fain loath am I t’agree With th’unmoved Mover Creed: That ev’ry Death doth Nature feed, That Dying with Living should rhyme. 5/21: AGREE 5/20: WRECK 5/19: DUSTY 5/18: LOATH 5/17: BYLAW 5/16: MOVER 5/15: CREED 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Short-ish takes on recent-ish shows davidcote1.substack.com/p/thursday-c...davidcote1.substack.comThursday Critic's PicksI NOTICED... you're looking for something to see? 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Honor as always to help with these awards! news.ssbcrack.com/2026-theatre...news.ssbcrack.com2026 Theatre World Awards Honorees Announced - SSBCrack NewsRecipients of the 80th Annual Theatre World Awards were announced recently, highlighting exceptional debut performances in both Broadway and Off-Broadway 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 15/05/2026This week’s #wordlesentence: Arctic Fashion Edition! “I didn’t waver in the store, but now the newly purchased satin parka seems dowdy; just clock the lumpy umbra I cast on the snow.” 5/14: WAVER 5/13: DOWDY 5/12: CLOCK 5/11: NEWLY 5/10: PARKA 5/9: SATIN 5/8: UMBRA 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Spreading the word about a handful of wonderful opera companies that make New Yorkers want to sing! www.tdf.org/on-stage/tdf...tdf.org5 Companies You Need to Know: Indie Opera in NYC | TDFWhere to see new works and reinvented classics, often in English! 021
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 11/05/2026The Banality of Evil…Can Be Banal open.substack.com/pub/davidcot...open.substack.comThe Banality of Evil…Can Be BanalAn Off Broadway revival of The Receptionist exposes the void—not in a good way 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 08/05/2026This week's #wordlesentence: Oversleeper Edition “She tried to bring coffee to the tardy riser, but the latch wouldn’t budge; a steamy plume rose from the mug which one might liken to a puffy, lazing cloud.” 5/7: BUDGE 5/6: LIKEN 5/5: LATCH 5/4: RISER 5/3: PUFFY 5/2: BRING 5/1: PLUME 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 01/05/2026This week's #wordlesentence “Drunk, with a syrupy gloss thickening his tongue, he said ‘quack’ when he meant ‘crock,’ seeing eerie women surrounding the rural cottage, each holding a bottle of maple rum.” 4/30: CROCK 4/29: RURAL 4/28: QUACK 4/27: EERIE 4/26: GLOSS 4/25: WOMEN 4/24: DRUNK 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 29/04/2026open.substack.com/pub/davidcot...open.substack.comWag the Doggerel: LateNonce verse from a poetaster 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Qualified praise for a musical that could have been much worse...and considerably better. How The Lost Boys Breaks the Vampire Musical Curse open.substack.com/pub/davidcot...open.substack.comHow The Lost Boys Breaks the Vampire Musical CurseSurprisingly, these children of the night don’t suck 030
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 25/04/2026TONIGHT @ 7:30 open.substack.com/pub/davidcot...open.substack.comHelp Us Celebrate “I’ve Got the Shakes: Performing Richard Foreman”Hear from actors who spent time in Richard Foreman's head 020
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 24/04/2026New #wordlesentence “I can’t stand it anymore, the belle thought, scowling at his dozing clump: the pathetic weave on his scalp, his toady status at work, how his snore whistled like the tweet of a dying budgie.” 4/23: TWEET 4/22: SNORE 4/21: CLUMP 4/20: WEAVE 4/19: STAND 4/18: TOADY 4/17: BELLE 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 24/04/2026open.substack.com/pub/davidcot...open.substack.comThe Rocky Horror Show: Our Lust Is So SincereRichard O’Brien’s pansexual sci-fi freakout is the party we desperately needed 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 22/04/2026I pray to god they didn't get to Tracy Gill www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...rollingstone.comRed-Pilled Morning-Show Host Stars in First Clip From The Onion's InfoWars TakeoverIn exclusive first look at The Onion's InfoWars takeover, Jim Haggerty has rid himself of "corporate shackles" to helm "The Jim Haggerty Show." 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Oops I did it again substack.com/@davidcote1/...substack.comDown Another Rabbit Hole at Manhattan Theatre Club’s The BalustersMy flamethrower is all out of kerosene 020
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 20/04/2026Democracy Dies in Darkness, then Gets Back Up to Eat Your Braaaaaaaaains 020
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 20/04/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/fallen-ang...davidcote1.substack.comFallen Angels: Real Housewives of London Get Lit, Spill TeaNoël Coward's wafer-thin marital comedy returns to Broadway after 70 years 000
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 16/04/2026Thoughts on Broadway's Exoneration Drama The Fear of 13 open.substack.com/pub/davidcot...open.substack.comThoughts on Broadway's Exoneration Drama The Fear of 13Adrien Brody suffers (and endures) movingly 010
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 14/04/2026About the time I work a big padded but and a poop-shaped hat davidcote1.substack.com/p/help-us-ce...davidcote1.substack.comHelp Us Celebrate “I’ve Got the Shakes: Performing Richard Foreman”Hear from actors who spent time in Richard Foreman's head 130
David Cote @davidcote.bsky.social · 13/04/2026davidcote1.substack.com/p/all-the-st...davidcote1.substack.comAll the Stupid Names for This PlaceSticks and stones will break my bones…so don’t throw sticks and stones 000