Kimberly Moy - Page 2

Murder is always entertaining in musical theater. The construct is usually surrounds a detective and his quest to find the suspect. MURDER FOR TWO takes that to an extreme with just two men playing all roles in this murder mystery. They also accompany themselves on the piano. It's tiring, entertaining, and astounding to watch.

It's the season of graduations and as high schoolers head off to college, it great to look back on all they've accomplished. Two local theater teens, Jasmine Forsberg and Tony Moreno are moving on to the next steps in their training and theater careers, but before they do they will perform in a Winter Park Playhouse Spotlight Cabaret. I had a chance to catch up with Jasmine and Tony as they prepare.

MATILDA is a great story with great characters, so it only makes sense that a musical would be its next iteration. Though the show closed on Broadway on January 1, 2017, the national tour still goes strong and now appears at the Dr. Philips Center.

MURDER FOR TWO begins its run at Winter Park Playhouse this week. Promising to be better than most of those murder mystery diners in the tourist area, this cabaret-style show is played by just two men. I had an opportunity to interview MURDER FOR TWO stars Michael Swickard and Kevin Kelly as they prepare to put on a lot of different hats.

Sometimes doing what is right is hard. Being a woman in a man's world is also hard. [MISS} explores the challenges faced by one of the first woman FDA researchers Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey. This play by W.L. Newkirk is a world premiere by Playwrights' Round Table and promises to be one of the most talked about plays of the season.

Did you know that UCF has their own big band jazz program called The Flying Horse Band? Neither did I. The Flying Horse Band lead by professor Jeff Rupert, performs nationally and has their own record label. On Friday, The Flying Horse Band along with students from UCF's acting program presented THE BAT SWINGS, which was a jazz tribute to the 1960s favorite superhero, Batman.

There is no doubt that Shakespeare's influence on theater is pervasive. No one in Orlando does Shakespeare better than Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Now combine that with the talent and resources of UCF and you get THE BARD TAKES BROADWAY. As part of UCF Celebrates the Arts, this one-night show featured songstress Laura Hodos, accompanied by UCF professor Brian Hoffman, and produced by Orlando Shakes' Jim Helsinger.

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA is one of those mandatory high school reading Shakespeare classics that never gets old. Though it is a tragedy, Orlando Shakes production is glamorous, entertaining and extremely palatable. Casting, costumes, and classic story come together to make ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA the crown jewel of the season.

No one looks forward to their mid-life crisis. Known as the time when men buy expensive sports cars and women go through the dreaded menopause. Mid-life is certainly not glamorous. So if you can't beat it, turn it into a laugh out loud musical. Winter Park Playhouse presents MID-LIFE! THE CRISIS MUSICAL, which pokes fun at all things relating to this strange time.

This week Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID sails into the Dr. Phillips Center as The 5th Avenue Theatre, based out of Seattle, brings the show to life. I had a chance to chat with Jennifer Allen who plays the best Disney villain, Ursula.

Research tells us that LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST could be Shakespeare's first comedies. It is also a Shakespearean comedy that stands the test of time with a plot that could be in any modern day romantic comedy film. While the verse is long winded, the plot is easy to follow and provides great belly laughs that are worth sticking through.

The play, A FEW GOOD MEN, preceded the film, but bubbled up in popular culture with the line, "You can't handle the truth." BroadwayWorld Orlando chatted with Director Donald Rupe to get some perspective about bringing this play to life.

With a title like A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, you could expect a darkly toned show like SWEENEY TODD. Or perhaps something sexy like CHICAGO; or even something historic like ASSASSINS. While murder musicals have been done, you probably haven't seen something quite like this.

Last year BroadwayWorld Orlando interviewed Rollins student Kathleen Capdesuñer when she directed DETROIT. This year Kathleen directed CONSTELLATIONS as her final piece before graduation. I had a chance to catch up with Kathleen to talk about the show.

Food is my favorite thing. Theater is my second favorite thing. Combine those together and it's a sure way to ensure I will appear. Thursday's FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando 2017 - 2018 season announcement was met with a lot of excitement. Unlike year's past, there was no formal event to announce the new season. (I pulled my car over on I-4 by Disney to read the press release.)

Just in time for the dreaded Valentine's Day is Orlando Philharmonic's Opera program ELIXIR OF LOVE. This was my first trip to see Orlando Philharmonic and Opera Orlando. I was not disappointed and glad I found this local gem.

Fridays are normally my bad movie night. I traded bad movie night in for bad musical night. (Not that THE TOXIC AVENGER was executed poorly.) I found it thoroughly enjoyable and well casted. This show doesn't take itself seriously and that made this bad movie into a bad musical totally work. I can see why THE TOXIC AVENGER has a cultish following. The plot plus rock music by Bon Jovi's David Bryan makes for a night of laughs and good music.

Benjamin Franklin: one of America's Founding Fathers and man on the $100 bill comes to life in Ray Flynt's BEN FRANKLIN: AN INGENIOUS LIFE. Known as a philosopher, inventor, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the guy with the kite and key in thunderstorm, Ben Franklin is the stuff of legend, but a real person nonetheless. Ray Flynt takes on the iconic figure in the one-man-show, which he wrote, directs and performs.

WICKED is flying into Orlando this week and those familiar with the story know that it's a story about friendship, acceptance, and connection. I had the opportunity to chat with Drama Desk winner and Tony Award nominee Isabel Keating, who is currently playing Madame Morrible on the WICKED tour. From the moment we began talking, I felt a radiating kinship that made me think twice about Madame Morrible as the 'bad guy' of the show.

Paris is the city of love and this allure draws people to find themselves surrounded by art, light, and human connection. Set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, the music of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS are instantly recognizable, but come with a twist in interpretation. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS harks back to the Golden Age of Broadway with archetypal characters, upbeat melodies, and long dance pieces.