This Damn Yankees is an intentional recreation of the 1955 work, It is rare that you’ll see Damn Yankees with no cuts and with a full orchestra and even rarer that you’ll see as fine a player as Rudy Hogenmiller playing Mr. Applegate. Damn Yankees is a clever, tuneful nostalgic trip back to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals. It is a trip worth taking.
Whether or not you’ve ever heard of the Andrews Sisters, I’m positive you’ve heard their music in one form or another. Their music and style has infused itself into American pop culture and there’s no shaking it loose. Although the younger generation didn’t grow up with the Andrews Sisters music, they’ve most likely heard their grandparents playing them or in the background of old cartoons and period films. A Musical Tribute to The Andrews Sisters is a thoroughly entertaining revue, making old and young feel nostalgic
The direction and construction of the play was superb. The actors were all extremely lively and realistic, holding their characters well as the play quickly jumped from vignette to vignette. Anne Joy gave an especially genuine portrayal of Evie, truly living on stage.
Theatre is capable of doing many things, but one thing it does exceptionally well is allow the viewer to step right into the lives of others. Eat Your Heart Out is one of those plays where you forget that you’re sitting in a theatre and instead become a fly on the wall of someone else’s life. This is not one to miss.
Although we idolize artists and their affect on us can be profound, their struggles are intrinsically human. An artist’s journey is no more profound than what the average person deals with day to day. The only difference between an artist and anyone else is that an artist chooses to express their thoughts and emotions through a medium designed for consumption. What to Listen For does a great job of describing the ineffable qualities of relationships and music; however some of the actors’ performances make the production fall just short of coherent. I recommend seeing this show if you’re looking for something new, but if you prefer seeing something more traditional and polished I would proceed with caution.
Funny, spectacular, and engaging, Ask Aunt Susan will entertain while sneaking in immensely timely commentary. It’s easy to find comfort on the internet, but at the end of the day we are all human beings who yearn for tangible interactions. If you find yourself buried in your tiny screens, come to the theatre and spend some time with Aunt Susan. Take the time to be in a physical room full of people instead of a chat room and let Ask Aunt Susan carry the burdens of the digital age.
But, I must say that the production worked nicely given is was a musical filled with teenage hyperactivity. Fans of the movie and fans of Broadway pop will find much to like here.
While both pieces, in their own way, were interesting. well sung and staged, The Clever One was more ambitious yet The Emperor of Atlantis was darker and more powerful. These seldom performed works are worthy of an audience as they are both historical as well as creative modern fairy tales rich in satire.
Everything this production has to offer can be derived by reading Saltzman’s bio and by listening to his recordings. On top of his meek performance, the production was peppered with video projections, which only seemed to function as a means for cheap laughs and a multi-media edge. The production wouldn’t have been nearly as disappointing if it hadn’t been based on an aggressive promise to present new music and profound ideas
Lifeboat is a tragic story with an uplifting resolve. The production’s playful nature and captivating characters make it best suited for a younger audience (8-12). With its ability to entertain, the play serves as an opportunity to introduce children to some WWII history. I recommend taking your children to see this show, at your discretion. Be sure to give them some context before viewing and be prepared to answer questions afterward. I do not recommend the play to someone seeking a deep and more involved WWII drama.
Schmuckler marvelously weaves his hauntingly melodic music upon his smart, witty and often poignant lyrics that presents each character’s emotional quirks. The voices were splendid and the multi-part harmonies were soaring. The arrangements by Doug Peck deftly played by Austin Cook and his seven member chamber orchestra created as marvelous sound that underscored and enhanced the romantic atmosphere of the piece.