It is short, quite melodic with a rich sound from the eleven member orchestra. It is easy to understand as it is sung in English (with English subtitles). It contains a contemporary story and it is sung by two outstanding young performers – Matthew Worth (Charlie) (baritone) and Sara Jakubiak (Beatrice)( soprano). And Three Decembers features the fabulous mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade as Madeline, the matriarch.
The story tries to do too much (again an outside director would have argued for massive cuts). Despite these major flaws and the poor British accents and the over-acting by the quirky British cousins, there is a worthy play lurking here.
Writer and Performer Jennifer Jajeh, gives a wonderful first hand account of her journey through America and the Middle East as a Palestinian woman.
How delightful to find such an original and amusing “parody-plus-tribute” to the golden age of Broadway musicals. If ever you longed to return to their past glory, now is the moment, and Marriott Lincolnshire is the place.
The Drowsy Chaperone was first “great” Broadway musicals of the 21st Century! Under Marc Robin’s slick staging and expert choreography, with his brilliant cast – lead by James Harms as the Man in Chair, with the fabulous Tyler Hanes and Tari Kelly – Marriott Theatre’s in-the-round stage enhanced the intimacy and charm of the musical. Robin’s production exceeded the National Tour (which I also adored.) This is one of the finest shows Marriott Theatre has produced in the last few years.
With its catchy rhythms, brilliant lyrics, and often hilarious observations of everyday life, it is in my opinion the best musical of the twenty-first century. For one week, the touring company is setting up shop at the Bank of America Theatre, so if you have yet to witness this side-splitting show now is your chance.
The story is very madcap and full of great lines and colorful characters, but it lacks a human touch. These characters do not seem to care for one another all that much, even Lloyd and Martin who are best friends.
Based on the highly theatrical and over staged production by director James Palmer, The Love of the Nighingale plays out as a confusing, manic work cluttered with pointless performance art movement and faux ballet. The works creeps along at such a slow pace that the 105 minute worked seem 5 hours long.
David Harrower’s translation of Bertolt Brecht’s 1943 parable, The Good Soul of Szechuan is a gritty work featuring crude humor and references to heroin sales and the low qualities of the human condition. Director Shade Murray and his cast of 18 players utilize Brecht’s epic theatre techniques that features pop/rock songs as actors play several roles, use bare staging with actors changing on stage.
The interplay between American Brenda (Ginger Lee McDermott) and her adopted Chinese daughter Jade (Christine Bunuan) – told in vignettes that swing from the Jade’s winsome childhood, through her rebellious teens, to her ultimate maturity – reinforces a vivid, compelling look at personal identity.