BWW Review: Fall in Love with MacTheatre in ME & MY GIRLMarch 4, 2017It is no wonder that director Joshua Denning enjoys the larger shows; he has the ability to do them well. Denning and the rest of this impressive faculty have achieved new heights with ME & MY GIRL; their cast has spoiled me for all others. Run, don't walk…catch one of the final performances before it absconds back to Lambeth!
BWW Review: MacTheatre Shines in MOON OVER BUFFALODecember 10, 2016Performers love nothing more than to poke fun of themselves. In the McCallum Fine Arts Academy's production of MOON OVER BUFFALO, director Joshua Denning has assembled this small cast of exceptionally talented teenagers to do just that. But make no mistake; the young artists at McCallum are not typical teenagers, but well-trained raw talent that audiences will most certainly hear from in the future.
BWW Review: Austin Opera Dazzles in THE BARBER OF SEVILLEApril 30, 2016THE BARBER OF SEVILLE is a beautiful, spirited production, and director Alain Gauthier along with principal conductor Richard Buckley have created a beautiful piece for Austin audiences. With only one weekend remaining, be sure to catch Austin Opera's final performance of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE on Sunday, May 1st…and catch Count Almaviva and Rosina before they elope for good!
BWW Review: THE SOUND OF MUSIC Delights All AgesFebruary 26, 2016Opening to a warm and receptive full house on Tuesday night, the national tour of the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic favorite, THE SOUND OF MUSIC proved to be an evening you simply mustn't miss. Whether you are seeking to introduce your child or grandchild to the warm and familiar music and storyline that you grew up with, or if you're a die-hard musical junkie that follows every article of Playbill or BroadwayWorld for the latest news, three-time Tony Award winning Director Jack O'Brien has successfully taken a vintage piece of musical theater and updated subtle elements of its execution with some of the hottest up-and-coming talent in what is arguably one of the most well-known, well-loved musicals of all time.
BWW Review: Georgetown Palace Has Got a 'Strange Magic' in XANADUFebruary 13, 2016In the grand tradition of musical parody, Georgetown Palace brings us the lighthearted, all-in-good-jest musical, XANADU. For Valentine's Weekend, The Palace is having a special promotion of $5 off per ticket order if the code XANADU5 is entered at checkout online. With only one weekend left, a ticket to this campy story of 80's love would indeed make an novel gift for your Valentine.
BWW Review: ZACH Aims High with Season Opener, EVITAOctober 27, 2015Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic seven-time Tony Award-winning rock opera tells the story of Argentine political leader, Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Peron. We follow Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, illness and death by cancer at the youthful age of 33. The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976, and it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.
BWW Review: TexARTS Brings GUYS AND DOLLS to Life in LakewayAugust 21, 2015Playing at the Kam and James Morris Theatre in Lakeway, TexARTS presents the all-time audience favorite, GUYS AND DOLLS from August 14-23. Based on The Idylls of Sarah Brown by Damon Runyon, Frank Loesser's GUYS AND DOLLS takes us on a journey back in time to Broadway's Golden Era, and renowned director Kasey RT Graham has done a fine job bringing this Broadway classic to life.
BWW Reviews: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is a 'Hunk-a You Betcha'July 19, 2015CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is an engaging musical about a teenager with boyish charm, a big imagination and millions in forged checks who successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer -- until an FBI agent catches up with him, and the two form an unlikely friendship.
BWW Reviews: 'What's Your Damage?' HEATHERS Will Blow You AwayJuly 1, 2015Since I moved to Austin in 2009, I haven't been quite this blown-away with the realization of the astounding talent we have right here in our very own city. Doctuh Mistuh's production of HEATHERS the Musical features a veritable who's who of young local talent, some truly memorable music, a fantastic band, and of course, all of those one-liners and scenes that HEATHERS film fans are expecting.
BWW Reviews: Austin Playhouse 'Razzle Dazzles' with CHICAGOJune 6, 2015There are few things in this world more electrifying than watching an ensemble so beautifully rehearsed and polished to the point of perfection. Directed by Michael McKelvey, choreographed by Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique, this tale of fame, fortune, sex and murder in the Jazz Age is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. And I can say that this particular production is one of the best that I've seen to date.
BWW Reviews: Austin Opera's Star-Crossed Lovers Shine in ROMEO & JULIETJanuary 31, 2015Without a doubt, Gounod's ROMEO & JULIET is one of Austin Opera's finest productions, and they have assembled a cast of the highest caliber. Paired with a gorgeous set, costumes and staging, this is not a production that one would want to miss. 'If music be the food of love, play on.'
BWW Reviews: Austin Opera's A MASKED BALL Takes a Backseat to Previous ProductionsNovember 17, 2014I have always loved opera companies that have the ability to evolve and recreate productions for modern audiences. Typically, Austin Opera always rises to meet this challenge, but regrettably, in this production they miss the mark. Despite some standout performances, A MASKED BALL falls short because of some missed opportunities and questionable choices made by the director.
BWW Reviews: EVIL DEAD -THE MUSICAL Blasts Austin with the BoomstickSeptember 23, 2014I was absolutely blown away with just how much I loved this show...and it wasn't just because of the memorable one-liners that the audience all waited for with baited breath. In this comedic take on the 1980s horror franchise, characters and demons sing and dance to catchy songs written specifically for the musical. And, as in the films, Ash is there to dish out his various one-liners and fight the never-ending demons. This was seriously one of the best nights of theatre I've experienced in Austin.
BWW Reviews: Ballet Austin Brings Tchaikovsky's SLEEPING BEAUTY to LifeMay 11, 2014Sleeping Beauty, with its prologue and three acts, has a relatively short running time, even with two intermissions included, making it a fun choice for the little dancer in your life. This Mother's Day weekend, audiences will flock to see this ballet, not only to hear Tchaikovsky's brilliant music that we all know so well, but also to see their favorite local dancers.