Wonderful music, witty lyrics and brilliant symbolism fuel this most enchantingly beautiful operetta into both a philosophical satire and a travel adventure romance. This most difficult show is an artistic achievement filled with a cast of expert singers, charming innocence and deft comics, Candide is an eye-poping theatrical gem.
Read MoreFilled with gun-tooting, bank robberies and heaving drinking, Thieves Like Us is an entertaining show that grabs us and keeps us involved through. The pace is brisk and the action is wild. Beth Sagal’s, as the all-in-white-dress angel of death, sings torch songs to comment and underscore the action. The extensive use of newspapers including a giant paper that the actors keep unfolding vividly depict the sensationalize coverage of bank robbers.
Read MoreIn our age of telephones, cell phones, texting, and Skype, it is wonderfully nostalgic to return a world where letters are a works of art – witty, poignant, ever exploring and revealing the thoughts of their creators. And these letters are consistently interesting, not only revealing a bright, lively mind reacting to all that she is learning, but steeped in the gossip and concerns of a young girl coming of age. Dialogue nested in pleasant lyrics enhances the action.
Read MoreSet in a European perfume shop in the 1930s, the delightful characters inhabit a world suffused with love and longing. The central story revolves around the two feuding clerks, Georg and Amalia, who secretly find solace in their anonymous romantic pen pals, little knowing that their respective correspondents are each other
Read MoreGrowing up in a loving devout Christian Family with both her mother and father being deaf, Malinowski has a unique point of view and she is able to share that with the audience in a way that is absolutely hilarious, when she is not making you cry
Read MoreCaroline Neff gave a strong performance as Charlotte. We see both her innocent painful side as well as her naughty vicious side. Neff never flinches as she gave a scary look into teenage grief and the search for acceptance. Neff’s performance makes this show worth seeing. Peter Moore was also excellent as the cold, grief-stricken father. Be warned that graphic references and depiction of sex acts and violence occurs.
Read MoreIt boils down to this. Rock of Ages does not try to be something it isn’t. The show has its own identity with a vibrant cast that is clearly having fun with the material. No, it’s not your standard Broadway show, but the production knows this and doesn’t try to conform. Isn’t that what rock is all about?
Read MoreThe fight choreography is terrific. Kudos to fight director Rick Sordelet. Battles become even more vivid later in the play when Mercutio (Ariel Shafir) and Tybalt (Zach Appelman) — followed by Romeo (Jeff Lillico) and Tybalt — fight to the death. Here the combatants drop their swords and slug it out with their fists in an amazingly effective transition.
Read MoreBoth plays are highly recommended since each are filled with strong, emotionally wrenching performances. Director Rick Snyder lets his fine cast go for all the intensity contained. Cox and Baker quickly established a workable stage chemistry. These three actors sure leave it all on stage in these two short gems by one of America’s leading playwrights. Catch both plays-and for a massive jolt of Mamet, see both on the same day.
Read MoreSeveral things struck me as I watched Dan and Jeremy Kuhlman’s short film, “Thanks Mom.” First, I like the professionalism of the production – it sure played like a major motion picture. Smart editing, nice location shots and a blend of dark scenes and funny re-takes bend on pleasing Mom who financed the venture.
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