Review: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at The Paramount Theatre
by Jay Irwin - Oct 12, 2022
Chances are you were forced to read Harper Lee’s classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird” in school. And why not, it’s stunning. But have you seen the recent Broadway adaptation? This adaptation from the amazing Aaron Sorkin, directed by Bartlett Sher, currently playing at the Paramount Theater, takes all that’s great about the source material and presents it in a way that will make you remember why it’s such an enduring classic and why you were forced to read it.
Review: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at Osceola Arts
by Joseph Harrison - Sep 20, 2022
There’s no arguing that musicals made from movies can be hit or miss. Broadway has had it’s share of them over the last few decades. Sometimes they work well (e.g., HAIRSPRAY, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE PRODUCERS) and sometimes not so much (e.g., CARRIE, KING KONG, DRACULA) but there is something particularly thrilling about seeing a fan favorite brought to life on stage. That is certainly the case for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, the musical version of the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy film of the same name. And lucky for fans (of either the film or the musical) the current production at Osceola Arts in Kissimmee is absolutely fabulous – from the first bolt of lighting to the last thunderclap (and audience clap) – it’s a non-stop, rollicking good time.
BrightSide Theatre to Present SHE LOVES ME in October
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 27, 2022
BrightSide Theatre Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak have announced that they will begin their 10th season with She Loves Me, running from October 14 through 30th.
BWW Review: CATF's THE HOUSE OF THE NEGRO INSANE is a Riveting, Mind-Blowing Experience
by Andrew White - Jul 11, 2022
Terence Anthony's offering at this year's Contemporary American Theater Festival, 'The House of the Negro Insane,' will sweep you up in a tornado of emotions and deliver a few gut-punches as well, with riveting characters whose challenges make our own problems look as trivial as that fly landing on your picnic blanket. A polished piece of playwriting, this piece-now finally launched, after the long COVID hiatus-should find its place on stages across the country.
THE SEAGULL Leads July's Top 10 New London Shows
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Jul 1, 2022
July continues a fantastic summer of theatre in London. From Emilia Clarke's West End debut in Jamie Lloyd's version of Chekhov's The Seagull to Anything Goes returning to The Barbican,
here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!
BWW Review: “THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI” Stakes Claim to His Name at Jobsite Theater
by Drew Eberhard - May 22, 2022
The show opens with a Ghost Light center stage. As most shows of a Brechtian nature go, characters of nondescript fashion layout the evening events in the manner of Prologue. The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, or as it is subtitled “The Parable Play,” tells the story of the rise of Arturo Ui a fictional Chicago Mobster as he ruthlessly tries to control the Chicago vegetable market despite opposition. A political satire based on Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Nazi Germany prior to the events of World War II.
BWW Interview: BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY's Greg Alverez Reid Returning Under Phylicia Rashad's Guidance
by Gil Kaan - Apr 12, 2022
Already in previews, Center Theatre Group’s Associate Artist Phylicia Rashad directs Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky at the Mark Taper Forum, with opening night April 13th. Set in 1930’s Harlem, the cast includes Joe Holt, Nija Okoro, Dennis Pearson, Greg Alverez Reid and Kim Steele. I had the opportunity to question Greg on some behind-the-scenes of Blues, as well as his history with his storied director.
bergenPAC Announces November Lineup of Shows
by Stephi Wild - Apr 12, 2022
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, pairs up with the Squirrel Nut Zippers and their multi-platinum blend of 1930’s era jazz, swing, and folk on Wednesday, November 2 at 8:00 p.m. One of the greatest performers and voices of our time, Linda Eder, will showcase her diverse repertoire that spans Broadway, Standards, Pop, Country, and Jazz on Sunday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine will perform one of the world’s most beloved ballets and one of Tchaikovsky’s most captivating masterpieces, Sleeping Beauty, on November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
North Coast Repertory Theatre to Stage AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO
by Marissa Tomeo - Apr 8, 2022
Award-winning actor/director Frank Ferrante re-creates his acclaimed New York and London stage portrayal celebrating America's greatest comedian - Groucho Marx. You will feel as though Groucho is back, as Ferrante sings, dances and performs classic routines on the North Coast Rep stage, May 2nd & 3rd, 2022 at 7:30pm.
Danielle De Niese to Star in LA VOIX HUMAINE
by Marissa Tomeo - Apr 1, 2022
Actor, singer and television personality Danielle de Niese will star as ‘Elle’ in a new film of LA VOIX HUMAINE, Jean Cocteau’s one-woman drama set to music by Francis Poulenc, shot on location in London and Paris. Directed by James Kent (Aftermath, Testament of Youth), with Cinematography from Laurie Rose (High Rise, Rebecca) and designed by Peter Francis (The Father, The Children Act) the film will have its UK premiere on BBC Two in the spring.
BWW Review: SHE LOVES ME at Signature Theatre
by David Friscic - Mar 10, 2022
A creamy confection drenched with a masterful book by Joe Masteroff, the classic rom com of musicals She Loves Me moves with amorous and sparkling abandon at the acclaimed Signature Theatre. A large ensemble cast delivers the goods in this superb intermingling of old-world charm and contemporary relevance. The race for romance is on and this production feels like a breezy interlude from the cares of the world thanks to the meticulous synchronization of every element of this classic musical. Under the Direction of Matthew Gardiner, professional polish and pizazz permeates every facet of this production.
BWW Review: SHAKESPEARE: DRUM & COLOURS - HAMLET from Seattle Shakespeare Company
by Jay Irwin - Feb 20, 2022
Who? What? Where? Why? These are the questions I wish the current production of “Hamlet” from Seattle Shakespeare Company had been able to answer but sadly did not. As part of their “Drum & Colours” series, which muddied things even more, this “Hamlet” lacked pacing, intent, interesting or effective staging, and coherence, making this one of the worst productions I’ve ever seen.
BWW Review: Southeastern premiere of TRAV'LIN: A 1930S HARLEM MUSICAL ROMANCE at The Winter Park Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - Feb 15, 2022
What a pleasure it is to discover a hidden (or not so hidden!) gem. Such was the case for me this weekend, when I visited, for the first, but certainly not last, time the Winter Park Playhouse in Winter Park (Orlando), FL. The theatre, which positions itself as Central Florida’s only professional musical theatre, is presenting its latest production, the Southeastern premiere of J.C. Johnson and Garry Holmes’ TRAV’LIN: A 1930’s HARLEM MUSICAL ROMANCE. What I discovered when entering this space was a vibrant, warm, inviting and thriving theatre company which, if evidenced by the current production, offers high-quality, entertaining and thrilling productions of musical theatre to Orlando theatergoers. The Winter Park Playhouse, referred to by Executive Director, Heather Alexander in her curtain speech for TRAV’LIN as the “Cheers of Musical Theatre” seems to live up to that reference – a place where everyone knows your name and which welcomes each patron with warm smiles and, most importantly, a good time.
BWW Review: OUR TOWN at Theatre Memphis
by Kevin Shaw - Jan 20, 2022
What a conundrum for an artist. Is it more effective to deliver art to an audience by any means necessary or to have the 'vehicle' for displaying it match the work itself? For example, when it comes to the theatre, can a whisper ever truly be a whisper? Such is the dilemma for any theatre since 1938 producing Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN.