Natasha Ashley - Page 2

For the 2019 holiday season Redhouse Arts Center has brought an entertaining and new musical production of A Syracuse Christmas Carol to their stage under the direction of Hunter Foster. The musical is of course inspired by the classic Holiday story of Scrooge and it incorporates everything and anything related to the city of Syracuse and the surrounding areas. It is a delight for those born and raised in Syracuse as all those familiar people, products, and locations pop up throughout the show. The production charms if you are from or have ever lived in the Syracuse area.

This week the new national tour of The Lincoln Center Theater Production of My Fair Lady opened at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre and it is a moving, powerful, and beautiful production under the superb direction of Bartlett Sher. It is in fact the classic My Fair Lady  you are probably used to seeing but it does offer a fresh take on the classic musical in this new and breathtaking production.

The family-friendly show that the Central New York Playhouse brings to their stage every holiday season is always something to look forward to and this time around, it's a definite audience favorite. Featuring spot-on direction by Shannon Tompkins, this production of Annie is, without a doubt, the best production that has graced the stage at the Central New York Playhouse for the holidays.

The festive treat of The Nutcracker presented by The Syracuse City Ballet has once again entertained numerous audiences this past weekend to kick off the 2019 Holiday season. Under the devoted direction of the Syracuse City Ballet founding Artistic Director Kathleen Rathbun, the show once again brought memories that will last a lifetime. Featuring the choreography by Kathleen Rathbun, staging and additional choreography by Aldo K. Santiago, along with familiar music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaiovsky the Syracuse City Ballet's production features local professional, pre-professional, and student dancers. In certain performances there are different dancers taking on the roles. The heart, beauty, and energy of this production is always a highlight for this time of year and I was treated to their final 3 PM performance on Sunday, December 1st.

Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama is now enchanting audiences with their production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The musical is under the always superb direction of Donna Drake and musical director Brian Cimmet, the creative team that brought the last two holiday favorites to Syracuse Stage. Like their past productions, Wizard of Oz and Elf their production of Beauty and the Beast kicks off the Holiday season with magical sets, costumes, and dazzling talent.

That harmonious hit jukebox musical Jersey Boys is once again back at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre as part of the Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series: Broadway in Syracuse. The musical of course tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.

What better way to bring the Baldwinsville Theatre Guild's season to a close than with an evening of Disney classics. The delightful cabaret took place for a one night only performance at the lovely and cozy Mohegan Manor, a restaurant and banquet event facility in the heart of Baldwinsville, New York. Colin Keating (director) and Erin Sills (Assistant Director) brought a dynamic cast together to showcase some familiar and favorite Disney songs.

Redhouse Arts Center is now bringing the laughs with Yasminas Reza's hysterical comedy God of Carnage. The production features a four-member Equity cast, under the superb direction of Redhouse's Artistic Director Hunter Foster. The comedic timing, the staging, and the chemistry are all outstanding.

The iconic creepy and mostly kooky family is now entertaining audiences at The Central New York Playhouse under the direction of Bella Lupia and music direction by Abel Searor. The familiar family effortlessly comes to life with spot on casting and gorgeous costumes. The new musical, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, comes to the Central New York Playhouse just in time for Halloween.

The classic American courtroom drama by Reginald Rose Twelve Angry Men, under the impressive direction of James Still, is now captivating audiences at Syracuse Stage. The production is co-produced with Indiana Repertory Theatre and showcases brilliant acting, a flawless and detailed set design by Junghyun Georgia Lee, and thought-provoking topics.

The Syracuse University Department of Drama has begun its 2019-2020 season with Michael Bennett's groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize and Tony-award winning musical A Chorus Line under the impressive direction of Brian J. Marcum. The authenticity, the emotion, the power, and the dancing bring a chilling production showcasing spot-on talent of a stellar cast.

The 50th anniversary national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar has now officially begun at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre. The iconic rock opera has intoxicating energy, intense choreography, and killer vocals under the direction of Timothy Sheader. The expression, the emotion, and mainly the choreography takes center stage in this new tour.

The Rev Theatre Company has brought a new Broadway-bound musical to the Finger Lakes and specifically, Auburn's Merry – Go – Round Playhouse. Loch Ness, A New Musical features spellbinding performances, breathtaking artistry, and moving music under the superb direction of Marshall Pailet. The beauty, the detail, and unique presentation makes this like no other musical; it is truly something special.

The Redhouse Arts Center opens its 2019-2020 season with none other than Jonathan Larson's Tony Award -winning musical RENT under the incredible direction of the Broadway-credited husband and wife team Hunter Foster and Jennifer Cody. Hunter Foster is the Redhouse Arts Center Artistic Director and this production will be hard to beat for the rest of the season thanks to the stellar cast, top-notch musical direction by Abel Searor, breathtaking set design by Carolyn Mraz, impressive choreography by Jennifer Cody, and, of course, the story that changed musical theatre history.

Syracuse Stage opens its 2019/2020 season with a world premiere production of Thoughts of a Colored Man, written by Keenan Scott II and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. It is co-produced with Baltimore Center Stage and two commercial producers, Brian Moreland and Ron Simons, who anticipate moving this new play to New York after the run in Syracuse and Baltimore (beginning October 10). The play is real, raw, and truly captivating; the emotional and powerful stories are conveyed through music, dance, and poetic language.

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is now presenting a thought-provoking production of Working a Musical at the Merry – Go – Round Playhouse. The musical features a book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg; music by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manual Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, and James Taylor; and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. Producing Artistic Director of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, Brett Smock, directs and choreographs this simple, fresh, and relatable production.

Cortland Repertory Theatre is now entertaining audiences at the picturesque Little York Pavilion in Preble, New York with the highly entertaining Tony-nominated jukebox musical Million Dollar Quartet. Featuring the classic tunes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins, Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux's (book) musical is inspired by the night when Elvis Presley (Noah Jermain), Johnny Cash (Colin Barkell), Jerry Lee Lewis (Gavin Rohrer), and Carl Perkins (Todd Meredith) made history with their legendary jam and recording session on December 4, 1956 at the famous Sun Records studio in Memphis. Narrator Sam Phillips (Bobby Becher), founder of Sun Records and legendary producer, recalls that historic and magical evening when these musicians jammed out to their hits and he had a 'Million Dollar Quartet' on his hands for their only performance in the one-room studio.

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is now presenting a breathtaking and visually stunning production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical South Pacific. The beautiful, relevant, and captivating love story sweeps the audience away to an island paradise under the creative direction of Scott Weinstein. This musical, that has garnered ten Tony Awards and three Academy Awards, can now add this brilliant production to its lists of accomplishments. The visual appeal, the creativity, the pertinent story, the music, and the cast are all phenomenal. Once again the magical stage at the Merry a?' Go -Round Playhouse has proven that they bring the Broadway-wow factor with a fresh take on this classic musical.

The Central New York (CNY) Playhouse is now entertaining audiences with its hilarious production of the record-breaking Tony Award-winning musical comedy, Producers. Sizzling with local talent under the superb direction of Dustin M. Czarny, the choreography, the casting, the sets, and, of course, the material itself does not disappoint.