Matthew Burns

SWEENEY TODD to Open at Playhouse on the Square in Collaboration with Opera Memphis
by Stephi Wild - Jun 3, 2026

Playhouse on the Square and Opera Memphis announced their first co-production since 2011, staging SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at the Overton Square Performing Arts District in Memphis, TN.

Review: IRVING BERLIN'S ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Apr 17, 2026

There’s no business like show business, and The Royal Theatre is proving exactly that with its lively, crowd-pleasing production of Annie Get Your Gun, running now through April 19. Nestled in the heart of downtown Benton, this historic venue once again transforms into a toe-tapping Wild West spectacle, reminding audiences why this Irving Berlin classic has remained a staple of American musical theatre for decades.

Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL JR at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Apr 2, 2026

SomeBODY once told me that Shrek The Musical Jr. would be a fun night at the theatre, but what I experienced at The Royal Theatre in Benton was a joyful, high-energy celebration of young talent, teamwork, and the kind of storytelling that reminds us all why we fell in love with theatre in the first place.

The Royal Theatre to Present Irving Berlin’s ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
by Gillian Blum - Mar 22, 2026

The historic Royal Theatre announced its upcoming production of Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun (Stone), the beloved classic musical featuring songs by legendary composer Irving Berlin.

Odyssey Opera And BMOP To Present THE LAST SAVAGE At The Huntington Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 9, 2026

Odyssey Opera, in collaboration with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, will present Gian Carlo Menotti's comic opera THE LAST SAVAGE at the Huntington Theatre on March 13, 2026. This semi-staged production, conducted by Gil Rose, features a cast of internationally recognized artists and promises a fresh take on Menotti's satirical work.

Review: DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 12, 2026

Welcome to 2026! To kick off the new year, I headed to The Royal Theatre in Benton for The Young Players’ production of DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS THE MUSICAL, directed by the amazing Justin A. Pike—and what a magical way to start the year.

Review: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Dec 27, 2025

What did our critic think of THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre?

Review: JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Sep 18, 2025

During my time of writing reviews for The Royal Theatre in Benton, I have seen so many wonderful productions, but.... JEKYLL & HYDE: THE MUSCIAL may be my favorite! From the first time I heard Frank Wildhorn’s sweeping score, this show has held a special place in my heart, and seeing it brought to life at The Royal Theatre in Benton made that love burn even brighter.

The Royal Players Set Cast For JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL
by Michael Major - Aug 25, 2025

The Royal Players and the historic Royal Theatre are excited to bring the chilling tale of the struggle between good and evil to life with the musical Jekyll & Hyde.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON to Present Final Extension at the Ambassadors Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2025

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON will present its final extension at The Ambassadors Theatre. Learn more about the run and see how to purchase tickets here!

Review: THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jun 10, 2025

If you're looking for a few of your favorite things this June, make sure one of them is a ticket to The Sound of Music at The Royal Theatre in Benton.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Launches 'Loyalty Card' Scheme and 'Curious Corner'
by Stephi Wild - May 29, 2025

The three-time Olivier Award winning new British musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON has announced two brand new audience initiatives at The Ambassadors Theatre.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Opens Custom-Built Pub at the Ambassadors Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Mar 27, 2025

The Ambassadors Theatre, home of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, launched a new custom-built pub at the venue, ‘The Pickled Crab', based on the fictional drinking house on the North Cornish Coast.

Review: INTO THE WOODS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Mar 14, 2025

I have loved Into the Woods ever since I saw the 1987 production on PBS. The way it mashed up all those fairy tales into one story completely blew my mind — and then when most of the characters died, I couldn’t believe it. It was wild. Honestly, I still think it’s wild, and I’m still obsessed. So, when I heard that my favorite, Bob Bidewell, was directing this Stephen Sondheim classic (Book by James LaPine) at The Royal Theatre in Benton — playing through Sunday, March 16 — I knew I was ready to go back Into the Woods.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Extends Run at the Ambassadors Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 4, 2025

To celebrate its four Olivier nominations, new British musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON has extended booking at the Ambassadors Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!

Review: SEUSSICAL JR at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Feb 26, 2025

Oh, the things you can think when you see a musical that lingers in your mind for days after you've left! That's exactly what’s twirling in my head after visiting The Young Players at The Royal Theatre in Benton to see Seussical Jr., which I had the chance to catch on Sunday, March 23. I don’t usually like going on the last day, but thanks to the groundhog, the weather made it difficult to get there any sooner. 

Review: THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Jan 19, 2025

What did our critic think of THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre?

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON Extends Run at The Ambassadors Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 13, 2025

The producers of the new British musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON have announced that booking has now extended until Saturday 26 April 2025 at The Ambassadors Theatre.

Video: Watch Scenes from THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 15, 2024

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is now open at the Ambassadors Theatre. The production stars Olivier Award winner John Dagleish as Benjamin Button. Watch video highlights of the cast in action!

Review: HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Aug 22, 2024

Magical! The Royal Theatre, 111 S Market St, in Benton, brought pure, heart wrenching magic with their production of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, based on the Victor Hugo novel and Book by Peter Parnell, with songs from the Disney film written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Because I have not read the story or watched the movie, I really didn’t know what I was about to experience, and I’m thrilled about that, because wow! This one blew me away! Of course, I knew it would when I saw that the creative team was led by Co-Directors Bob Bidewell and Dariane LyJoi Mull and Music Director Angela Coller. The whole performance was spectacular, but the music....the music....was Broadway worthy.