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Paul Batterson - Page 7

Paul Batterson

Since 2013, Paul Batterson has had a secret life: being a volunteer writer for BroadwayWorld. During this time, he has had the pleasure to see some of the best plays, musicals, and concerts, interview some of his personal heroes (Joe Walsh, Steven Page, and Ben Folds) and industry leaders (Andrew Lippa and Nathan Tysen) and watching Columbus theatre scene grow and grow. Batterson graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and from Capital University with a teaching license. He has been married to his lovely wife Nancy for over three decades and has two grown children in Alicia Millerson, an actress in Denver, and Grant Batterson, who is heading to grad school in England.




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First Show:

Marmalade Gumdrops

Favorite Show:

I think EVITA is one of my favorite shows. It is great story telling about an event I knew nothing about and it changed my thinking of what a Broadway show could be.

Favorite Stories:

  • Henry Winkler - As a child growing up in the 70s, a person couldn't get any cooler than the Fonz. Getting a chance to meet Henry Winkler and hear tell the stories of his life journey was amazing.
  • Waiting in line half the adventure for Walsh fans - How many times do you get a chance to meet one of your heroes? It was so interesting to spend three or so hours with fans waiting to meet Joe Walsh at a record signing in his home town of Columbus, Ohio.
  • Squeeze’s Difford ready to test road waters in band’s NomadBand tour - Chris Difford pens some of the most poetic, thoughtful lyrics out there. It was interesting to sit down with him (via the miracle of Zoom) and see how he does it.
  • DEAR EVAN, Thanks For Everything. Sincerely, Columbus. - I truly enjoyed DEAR EVAN HANSEN because of the way it took the audience on a journey through despair to hope. It tackles some of the big issues of today (teenage suicide and social media) in a way that didn't sound preachy or like an afterschool special.
  • TOXIC AVENGER Earns a Glowing Review - You have to love a show whose opening line is a warning: The story we're about to tell you is so disturbing, we've stationed a registered nurse outside in the lobby. She is armed with a tranquilizer dart gun for those needing sedation. She also has Xanax and Vicodin she got off the internet."


Review: INDECENT at Riffe Center
Review: INDECENT at Riffe Center
November 7, 2022

What did our critic think of INDECENT at Riffe Center? Read the review here!

Interview: Tommy Betz of HAIRSPRAY at Ohio Theater
Interview: Tommy Betz of HAIRSPRAY at Ohio Theater
November 4, 2022

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Tommy Betz when the buses for the 20th anniversary tour of HAIRSPRAY pull into Columbus.

Review: Jonathan Larson's RENT Rocks at Garden Theater
Review: Jonathan Larson's RENT Rocks at Garden Theater
October 17, 2022

What did our critic think of RENT at Garden Theater?

Review: THE WHO at Schottenstein Center
Review: THE WHO at Schottenstein Center
October 12, 2022

What did our critic think of THE WHO at Schottenstein Cente? When the Who, a 1990 inductee to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, announced their current 'The Who Hits Back' tour, the response of many 'fans' on one website was a hard pass.

Review: HAMILTON at Ohio Theatre
Review: HAMILTON at Ohio Theatre
October 10, 2022

What did our critic think of HAMILTON at Ohio Theatre? Before the lights fade and the curtain parts on HAMILTON at the Ohio Theatre, the audience receives a message from King George (Peter Matthew Smith) reminding them to shut off their cell phones and to enjoy 'MY show.'

Interview: Katie Jacoby And Keith Levenson of THE WHO at Schottenstein Center
Interview: Katie Jacoby And Keith Levenson of THE WHO at Schottenstein Center
October 5, 2022

After stunning her St. Mark's High School classmates with a blistering re-creation of the violin solo in the Who's 'Baba O'Reilly,' Katie Jacoby was ready for bigger things. Jacoby, then 15, emailed the Who to let them know she was available to perform in their upcoming show at the Wachovia Center in 2007.

Interview: HAMILTON at Ohio Theater
Interview: HAMILTON at Ohio Theater
October 3, 2022

When Tyler Belo looks at his final transcripts from Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, it is always the D+ in general economics that makes him smile. Belo barely passed the class because he opted out on the final to crash an equity-only tryout for HAMILTON.

Review: REVIEW: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at Southern Theatre
Review: REVIEW: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at Southern Theatre
September 26, 2022

What did our critic think of REVIEW: DISNEY’S NEWSIES at Southern Theatre? Aristotle is credited with coming up with the phrase, 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.' Had he witnessed the Columbus Children Theatre's production of DISNEY'S NEWSIES, the philosopher may have reversed the quotation to 'the parts are greater than the sum of the whole.' An energetic cast, sharp management by director Joe Deer and choreographer Vincent Sylvester, and tight orchestration by musical director Lara Brooks lifted a cheesy musical to stellar heights.

RENT Comes To Short North Stage October 6th
RENT Comes To Short North Stage October 6th
September 21, 2022

No day but today! Rent is the landmark, groundbreaking rock musical that defined a generation and Short North Stage is staging an exciting new production for Columbus audiences. In the East Village of New York City we follow an unlikely group of bohemians as they struggle with gentrification, love, loss and legacies amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis. Winner of the Tony Award® and the Pulitzer Prize, Jonathan Larson's songs like 'Seasons of Love,' 'One Song Glory,' and 'I'll Cover You,' allows the characters and audiences to embrace hope, find strength and survive. You won't want to miss Larson's phenomenon that redefined musical theater and is just as poignant today. Light a candle and join us for the catered Opening Night Reception Friday, October 7th following the performance! Get your tickets at www.cbusarts.com or call 614-469-0939 Monday thru Friday 9am - 5pm.. Single tickets range between $37 and $55, $20 student rush tickets and pay what you can tickets are also available. Showtimes are 7pm Thursdays through Saturdays and 2pm Sundays October 6 - November 6. Learn more at www.shortnorthstage.org.

Review: TICK, TICK … BOOM at Garden Theater
Review: TICK, TICK … BOOM at Garden Theater
September 12, 2022

What did our critic think of TICK, TICK … BOOM at Garden Theater? Rarely can one sum up the message of an entire musical in three words. However, composer and lyricist Jonathan Larson sums up the message of TICK, TICK ... BOOM! in three words found in the middle of the song, 'Johnny Can't Decide:' compromise or persevere.

Review: ERIC CLAPTON at Schottenstein Center
Review: ERIC CLAPTON at Schottenstein Center
September 9, 2022

What did our critic think of ERIC CLAPTON R at Schottenstein Cente? In Rolling Stone's countdown of the top 100 guitarists, the late Eddie Van Halen described Eric Clapton as 'basically the only guitar player who influenced me - even though I don't sound like him. There was a basic simplicity to his playing, his style, his vibe and his sound. His solos were melodic and memorable - and that's what guitar solos should be.'

Feature: TICK, TICK … BOOM at Garden Theater
Feature: TICK, TICK … BOOM at Garden Theater
September 6, 2022

What did our critic think of TICK, TICK … BOOM at Garden Theater? No actors will be waiting in the wings when the curtain goes up on the Short North Stage's production of TICK, TICK ... BOOM Sept. 9, 10, and 11 at the Garden Theater (1187 North High Street in downtown Columbus).

TICK, TICK, BOOM at Short North Stage
TICK, TICK, BOOM at Short North Stage
September 6, 2022

Short North Stage is presenting a limited run of Tick Tick... Boom! as a benefit for the theater. Before Rent, there was Tick, Tick... Boom!. This autobiographical musical recently made into a Netflix film by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composer of Rent, is the story of a composer and the sacrifices that he made to achieve his big break in theater. His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city, his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue and, yet, Jon is still waiting on tables and trying to write the great American musical. Set in 1990, this compelling story of personal discovery is presented as a rock musical filled with instantly appealing melodies and a unique blend of musical theater styles. Join us for this limited special event featuring a free beautiful catered reception following each show.

Review: ROGER WATERS' THIS IS NOT A DRILL at Nationwide Arena
Review: ROGER WATERS' THIS IS NOT A DRILL at Nationwide Arena
August 15, 2022

What did our critic think of ROGER WATERS' THIS IS NOT A DRILL at Nationwide Arena? A little mini drama took place at the will call window moments before Roger Waters was scheduled to take the stage for his 'This is not a drill' concert on Aug. 10 at Nationwide Arena (200 West Nationwide Boulevard in downtown Columbus). A mother and son were trying to straighten out a ticket purchase and she repeatedly asked her son, 'Do you really want to see this? Do you really want to see this?'

Review: OTTERBEIN'S PIRATES OF PENZANCE  at Cowen Hall
Review: OTTERBEIN'S PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Cowen Hall
July 14, 2022

What did our critic think of BWW REVIEWS: OTTERBEIN’S PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Cowen Hall? Otterbein University offers a much-needed refresher course in Gilbert and Sullivan with its presentation of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE for its final production of the summer season. The two-act comedic musical closes this week with shows on July 14-16 at Cowan Hall (30 S. Grove Street in Westerville). Directed by Lenny Leibowitz and produced by T.J. Gerckens, the show features a whimsical plot with outlandish lyrics, outstanding performances, and spectacular costuming and music orchestration.

BWW Review: SPRING AWAKENING  at Garden Theater
BWW Review: SPRING AWAKENING at Garden Theater
May 19, 2022

It has been over 130 years since German playwright Frank Wedekind first published SPRING AWAKENING. In 2006, the play was reinvented when Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater turned it into a musical.

BWW Review: AJR at Value City Arena
BWW Review: AJR at Value City Arena
May 16, 2022

At AJR's May 13 concert at Value City Arena, Jack Met estimated he and his brothers Ryan and Adam Brett have played Columbus the second most out of any city behind their native home, New York City.

BWW Interview: It's Not Easy Being Green for WICKED's Deguzman at Ohio Theater
BWW Interview: It's Not Easy Being Green for WICKED's Deguzman at Ohio Theater
May 12, 2022

Some nights Lissa deGuzman (who plays Elphaba in the national tour of WICKED) and Jennafer Newberry (who plays Glinda) walk out of a theater together and run into a throng of fans of the 2003 musical.

BWW Interview: SNS' SPRING AWAKENING at Garden Theater
BWW Interview: SNS' SPRING AWAKENING at Garden Theater
May 2, 2022

The May 5 performance of the Short North Stage's production of SPRING AWAKENING at the Garden Theater (1187 N. High Street in downtown Columbus) will be more than just opening night for Emma Rose Johnson and Sage Lee.

BWW Review: BWW REVIEWS: THE EAGLES  at Nationwide Arena
BWW Review: BWW REVIEWS: THE EAGLES at Nationwide Arena
April 21, 2022

What is the sound of America? When you think of the United States' landscape, what band do you think of? Read our critic's review.



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