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Colin Fleming-Stumpf

Colin Fleming-Stumpf

Colin Fleming-Stumpf is a native of Rochester, has acted on stages across Western New York, and is active in the local theatre community as a performer, musician, fundraiser, board member, and reviewer, serving avidly as a theatre critic for BroadwayWorld since 2017. Colin has reviewed hundreds of professional, regional, community theatre, and touring Broadway productions across Rochester, Buffalo, and Canada. He holds a Masters degree in Arts Administration, and by day works as the Director of Grants for the Rochester Regional Health system, as well as an adjunct lecturer in SUNY Brockport's Public Administration department. 






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES


Review: LES MISERABLES at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Review: LES MISERABLES at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
October 16, 2024

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League begins its 2024-2025 season with one of the 20th century’s most iconic musicals; one that has traversed the globe, been spun into multiple screen adaptations (including the 2012 Oscar-winner starring Russel Crowe and Hugh Jackman), and has done pit stops at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre on more than one occasion in recent years.  

Review: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Blackfriars Theatre
Review: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Blackfriars Theatre
September 15, 2024

What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Blackfriars Theatre?

Review: RENT at Blackfriars Theatre
Review: RENT at Blackfriars Theatre
July 21, 2024

What did our critic think of RENT at Blackfriars Theatre?

Review: A CHORUS LINE at JCC Centerstage Theatre
Review: A CHORUS LINE at JCC Centerstage Theatre
July 15, 2024

Reviewing summer youth theatre productions is always an assignment I eagerly anticipate, because I’m reminded of the treasure trove of young theatrical talent that Rochester has to offer. Summer youth shows in Rochester (Blackfriars Theatre and JCC both have them) consistently feature professional-caliber performers, choreography, and production designs, and the JCC CenterStage Theatre’s 2024 production of “A Chorus Line” is no different.

Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Geva Theatre
Review: THE COLOR PURPLE at Geva Theatre
June 8, 2024

What did our critic think of THE COLOR PURPLE at Geva Theatre?

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at JCC CenterStage Theatre
Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at JCC CenterStage Theatre
May 10, 2024

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at JCC CenterStage Theatre?

Review: CABARET at Blackfriars Theatre
Review: CABARET at Blackfriars Theatre
May 10, 2024

One of theatre’s many powers is its ability to reflect the happenings of the outside world, illuminating events and societal trends, and even portending things to come. When “Cabaret” was written in 1966 we were only one generation removed from the biggest global conflict in world history, in which America and much of Europe battled down the forces of fascism and tyranny. The show explores the period leading to this tumultuous era, and now in 2024 as American democracy once again feels fragile and antisemitism is on the rise around the world, “Cabaret” is, unfortunately, quite topical.

Review: STELLA AND LOU at Out Of Pocket Productions
Review: STELLA AND LOU at Out Of Pocket Productions
April 20, 2024

What did our critic think of STELLA AND LOU at Out Of Pocket Productions?

Review: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre
Review: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre
April 13, 2024

What did our critic think of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre?

Review: SISTERS IN LAW at JCC Centerstage Theatre
Review: SISTERS IN LAW at JCC Centerstage Theatre
April 8, 2024

Currently playing at Rochester’s JCC Centerstage Theatre is a play that seems out of place in our modern era of intense division and heightened polarization because it explores the deep respect and affection between two people who hold sharply different political and philosophical views, performed by two women who capture all the intellect, humor, and authenticity of the play’s subjects.

Review: SANCTUARY CITY at Geva Theatre
Review: SANCTUARY CITY at Geva Theatre
March 29, 2024

Currently playing on Geva Theatre’s Fielding Stage is “Sanctuary City”, a powerful—and timely—story about the American dream and the concept of home.

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
February 22, 2024

f you’re a 90’s kid like me, that famous greeting from cinema’s most iconic Scottish nanny is permanently imprinted on your memory, especially if, like me, your childhood home had “Mrs. Doubtfire” playing on repeat throughout your formative years (I think we eventually burned out the VHS tape). And while the stage adaptation of this pop culture classic presents some new characters and storylines that will be unfamiliar, it provides just as many heartwarming moments and, more importantly, side-splitting belly laughs.

Review: OEDIPUS REX at Company Theatre
Review: OEDIPUS REX at Company Theatre
February 18, 2024

What did our critic think of OEDIPUS REX at Company Theatre?

Review: HITMAKERS: ROCK VS. DISCO at JCC Centerstage Theatre
Review: HITMAKERS: ROCK VS. DISCO at JCC Centerstage Theatre
February 6, 2024

There is perhaps no greater rivalry in the history of music than that of rock and disco. Both genres had their icons and their laughingstocks, and the rivalry among the respective fanbases reached a level of ferocity unforeseen in the annals of popular culture. What better fodder for the 2024 installment of JCC’s beloved annual tradition, the “Hitmaker” series.

Review: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at Blackfriars Theatre
Review: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at Blackfriars Theatre
February 2, 2024

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” is a story with myriad adaptations. The 18th century novel was spun into a stage play in 1985 by playwright Christopher Hampton, which was then adapted into the 1988 film “Dangerous Liaisons”, which was THEN adapted into the 90’s cult sensation “Cruel Intentions.” It’s not hard to understand why; who doesn’t love tawdry palace intrigue with a dash (Splash? Tidal wave?) of sexuality and decadence? If these things are piquing your interest, better hurry to Rochester’s Blackfriars Theatre before February 11th.

Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Geva Theatre
Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Geva Theatre
January 23, 2024

What did our critic think of DIAL M FOR MURDER at Geva Theatre?

Review: THE CHRISTIANS at Out Of Pocket Productions
Review: THE CHRISTIANS at Out Of Pocket Productions
January 15, 2024

What did our critic think of THE CHRISTIANS at Out Of Pocket Productions?

Review: THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Blackfriars Theatre
Review: THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Blackfriars Theatre
December 17, 2023

What did our critic think of THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Blackfriars Theatre?

Review: ANNIE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Review: ANNIE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
December 14, 2023

Though it’s not necessarily a Christmas show in the way that “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” are, “Annie” captures many of the essential elements of the Christmas season: friendship, love, optimism, and hope for the future. There is possibly no more prominent feel-good story than “Annie”, and the touring production currently on stage at Rochester’s West Herr Auditorium Theatre is, as you would expect, heartwarming from top to bottom.

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Geva Theatre
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Geva Theatre
December 4, 2023

As someone who covers theatre I’m always a bit apprehensive as the holiday season approaches each year, because having seen “A Christmas Carol” more times than I can possibly count, I fear that I won’t have something new to say; the story is 180 years old after all, so at this point there aren’t many new angles to explore.  We all know the plot, the themes, and in the case of Geva’s production, can probably hum the tune of Fezziwig’s Christmas party in our sleep. And yet, each year I find myself noticing something new, appreciating a new feature of the staging or set, and leaving the theatre after curtain call with a renewed sense of Christmas spirit. It’s a testament to the power of this story, but also to the care and precision that Geva’s artistic staff takes in mounting the production each year.



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