Paul Batterson - Page 2

What did our critic think of WHOSE LIVE IS IT ANYWAY? at Palace Theatre?

When Alyssa Ryan, the executive director of the Original Productions Theatre, saw she had a vacancy in her theater’s calendar for October, she immediately knew who to call -- playwright Cory Skurdal.

The very things which got comedian Greg Proops bullied in elementary school has become a skill people pay to see him use.

What did our critic think of P!NK, THE SCRIPT at Schottenstein Center?

There is no parental rating system for musicals, but after watching THE BOOK OF MORMON, some might believe there should be. It is not for the easily offended, but those who open that door are in for an unforgettable evening.

“It’s difficult to play Diana but it’s incredibly healing for me personally. You never play a character who’s exactly like you. However, when you find a role you connect with, it can be a beautiful way to explore a part of yourself.' Rachel Hertenstein

“I don't really feel like The General until I put the full costume on. Once you put it on, it brings this energy that speaks for itself.”

There’s no phone booth, no Bat Cave for Craig Winberry. Winberry, who plays the title character in the latter stages of his career in the show, THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL, says one doesn’t just don razor stubble and tinted sunglasses to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world.

When she was forced to study DEATH OF A SALESMAN, the Arthur Miller play didn’t make much of an impression on Megan Lear

Growing up, Katy Psenicka admits she didn’t listen to the radio the way her peers did. While her friends were jamming to country and western, pop music, or rock classics, the chief choreographer for Shadowbox Live! heard the notes but saw movement.

At its heart, BIG FISH is a story about storytelling. Edward Bloom tells so many fish stories and tall tales to his young son (Paxton Longoria) to the point where the younger Bloom can’t discern his father’s truth from fabrication.

The cast adjusts the mood of the show quickly. It seamlessly moves from the bravado of “Fat and Greasy” to a somber reading of “Black and Blue” as images of newspaper coverage of lynchings and hate crimes are projected in the background.

Short North Stage hopes to capture the fun as well as an unflinching look of the era as singers Christian McQueen (Ken), Israeljah Reign (Nell), Catara Brae (Charlaine), Isaac Tobbler (Andre), and Sydney Arterbridge (Armelia) lead the audience through a 30-song journey from the dive bars of Lennox Avenue to the infamous Cotton Club.

While not all the sketches are home runs, most offer a solid chuckle to nearly everyone. It may not be an event you can feel comfortable taking your grandparents to, but maybe you could bring a drunk Aunt Martha and Uncle Bill this time around.

What is refreshing about AMERICAN IDIOT is since it’s a pre-professional project, the entire cast is in the 14-19 age range. That is about the same age as the characters in the show. This cast doesn’t come across as amateurish. Lavery nails his role as Tunny, who comes home from the Gulf War broken, both physically and mentally. Hund’s wrestling with his inner demons and St. Jimmy feels real as did Williams’ portrayal of a teenager struggling with apathy and responsibility.

In her book, BURNT OFFERING, author Laurell K. Hamilton writes, “Never trust people who smile constantly. They're either selling something or not very bright.”

As Shadowbox Live begins its summer-ending run with the sketch comedy show WILD THINGS, Buzz Crisafulli feels like a newcomer again.

SNS elevates its presentation with another stellar cast, tight choreography and several minute details and musical director Jonathan Collura helps the cast deliver the show’s snappy, tightly fashioned songs with power. The net result far exceeds the entertainment value of the original non-musical movie.

What did our critic think of BEN PLATT AND BRANDY CLARK at Mershon Auditorium?

“It has such a great message. It's a very layered show. There’s this kind of ‘Barbie Girl Power’ aspect of it -- women can do anything. People are more than what you just think we are by our looks or all other preconceived notions.” Director Dionysia Williams Velazco