George Frederic Handel’s (1685-1759) first Italian opera composed for the London stage, Rinaldo, in 1711 was a spectacle that introduced Londoners to the joy of Italian baroque opera with its wonderful melodies and rich bel canto singing. The longer I’m exposed to the joys of opera, the more I admire the Baroque style opera with their exquisite singing that allows the performers to demonstrate their craft upon the melodious scores
Read MoreIf this show is going to Broadway and if it expects to draw more than an audience of 12 year old girls, it best tighten the storyline and make the dialogue and lyrics understandable. The hip-hop/rap songs were equal opportunity unintelligible items with the chirpy female lyrics.
Read MoreShe strongly relates to author Carson McCullers’ “Heart is a Lonely Hunter” in that it deals with how it is to feel so alone while still hunting for love and acceptance. In Jo’s world, only a few people are close to her: …
Read MoreThe title, The Price, has a dual meaning — on the surface the price is the amount haggled over and agreed upon for the apartment’s furnishings ($1,100). The price is also a fact of life. Whatever you do, whatever trade-offs you make in life, there is always a “price” that you’ll pay. Victor sacrificed a promising career in science to support his father. Walter, realizing that the father is more selfish than needy, went his own way and later, wanting his brother to speak to the illusion of the father’s neediness, refused Victor’s plea for a modest loan of $500– causing the final rift in an already fragile relationship.
Read MoreFilled with screaming and theatricality, this two hour absudists work is tedious and taxing. It is intended for those who love avante-garde styled European theatre. One can’t help but be impressed with the deep commitment of the players to the work. They fully engage their character’s foibles and zaniness and they deliver their dense speeches with ferocity and wit.
Read MoreWe like the three Blackwoods and we cheer for them despite our uncomfortable feeling that these misfits could be murderers. When Merricat acts out, we see how ugly provincialism can get as the girls strong bond allows them to survive. The action in act two is furious and the unraveling of the mystery who-done-it is resolved with a few clever twists.
Read MoreThe Petrified Forest hooks us quickly as Sherwood wastes no time introducing us to life in the Arizona desert during the 30’s. Sherwood alludes to the Red Scare (Communist struggle) as he depicts the Depression Era belief that “something is wrong with the social order.” We meet several defeated folks, a wondering intellectual and an optimistic, dreamy girl anxious to find her roots in France.
Read MoreWhen Carlton (Kevin Stark) is detained in the cage next to Tanya, the comedy increases as the federal bureaucrat (Carlton) rants about a conspiracy that is behind the nationwide civil strife afflicting the nation. Carlton solicits Shonda or Tanya to help him get the word to a journalist about The North Plan – documenting the existence of a list of citizens marked for arrest under the guise of being traitors. The wackiness almost reached farcical levels here.
Read MoreAlways…Patsy Cline has a true story basis in an incident that found super-fan Louise Seger (the terrific Janelle Snow) introducing herself to Patsy in 1961 at a Huston honky-tonk. The two women instantly became friends and confidants.
Read MoreMcGhan’s polished script puts a face on the middle class working stiffs who spent 35 years as airplane mechanics with fishing the Minnesota River as their main personal escape and recreation. The attention to details of these avid fisherman by McGhan and director Drew Martin nicely utilizes Alan Donahue’s impressive wooden wharf/pier set where the folks meet to socialize while fishing.
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