Teresa Rodrick

Signature Productions Quality Family Entertainment is a local production company that does open calls to the community for their actors for the shows they produce. This time they decided to produce LIONEL BART'S OLIVER! OLIVER! is one of the cannon from early Broadway first produced in the West End opening in 1960 and continuing to Broadway in 1962. It is not a Disneyesque show. It does have a somber feel to it, with some lighthearted moments.

Upon entering the House of Blues for HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, I was greeted by such an array in the audience; some were dressed casually, some were in costumes, while most of the audience were rockers. HEDWIG is not your average or your traditional musical.

Aladdin, performed by Durango High School under direction from the theatre arts department head Tobias Torres, was shown this last weekend. I have been wondering about this particular production since it is the dual language version, how that would be accomplished in a similar time frame as a single language show. I rearranged my schedule so that I could make it on closing night since it was only a one week production.

Remember when you were young and you would sit around the fire and listen to the stories told over the radio at Christmas time? No. Well, do you remember always watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and The Year Without A Santa Claus? Well, you do not have to remember any more, just come and see EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!) and you will get all the Christmas you need in one night! Just a few hours!! This is especially handy for those grinches out there and for those who just LOVE everything about Christmas- something for everyone!

One of the great things about this musical is there are many 'featured' numbers. Many character get their moment in the spotlight to tell their story and sing. Their usual short monologues are instead featured humorous songs. Of course the leads get their songs, and their songs are humorous as well.

Little Shop of Horrors at Boise Little Theatre will make you question your green thumb.

If you missed it, you will kick yourself for missing all the talented youth in our valley. Keep your eyes on their website and be sure to catch the next production!

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH is the family that everyone wants. Acceptance, and singing. Welcome home!

If you love SCIENCE FICTION, laughing, and the amazing human body. You will not waste a night attending Red Light Variety Show presents SCIENCE FICTION!

I no longer have small children. However, in college, I was a member of a troupe that toured to elementary schools every fall. I know what it takes to keep the kids attention and the dedication it takes to create the characters.

I was invited recently to review ALICE IN WONDERLAND by DreamWeaver Musical Theatre. DreamWeaver Musical Theatre is based in Nampa but this production was at the Jewett Auditiorium at the College of Idaho. Rumor has it that they might be doing this production somewhere in Boise sometime soon, so keep your ears open!

If you want a light hearted, fast hitting night of entertainment, sprinkled with songs - then you need to come and see NUNSENSE.

Centennial and Eagle High Schools in Meridian have decided to co-produce BIG FISH and the Treasure Valley should rejoice. This show is all about imagination and taking chances on love. It is a wonderful show and an enjoyable evening.

The Rocky Horror Show has been a tradition for forty years. It started as a stage production in London, playing to packed houses. It moved on to the big screen and became The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The movie did poorly but was revived at college campuses and midnight showings. It developed a cult following with its own traditions: costumes, callbacks, props and a life of its own. Confession- I'm a Frankie fan. I love Rocky Horror in all its forms. I've seen every local production, from its inception at Spontaneous Productions, the resurrection at SCT, the show at Alley Rep and now back to SCT. I was the assistant director in the 2012 production. I was fortunate enough to catch a professional production in Dallas this past fall. So, while I may not be an uber fan, I'm a pretty big fan.

I arrived at Boise State University's production of SEMINAR to notice that the Danny Peterson Theatre was set up in a thrust presentation. I always love walking into black box theatres (theatres that can be staged in any style, just a large open room to start) to see how the directors have chosen to use the space, partly because I want to see if I can figure out the why.

Treasure Valley Children's Theater is showing the Treasure Valley how shows for children should be done. Autumn Kersey has chosen the best of the best from Boise and the surrounding areas to present plays for our youth.

I was invited to review a haunted warehouse. Now, it's kinda unusual, but it is theatrical- so I agreed. I will preface this by letting you know that I hadn't ventured out for anything haunted since around 1999. When I was a teen, I would have run to the nearest haunted anything, but I am older and not so quick to put myself in a position for a heart attack.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival's (ISF) final show of the season is STEEL MAGNOLIAS by Robert Harling and directed by Sari Ketter. This is a great show to go into the fall with when life becomes busy with school starting and work getting down to business with the end of the fiscal year, that time of year where you start to not pay attention around you. STEEL MAGNOLIAS makes you realize you have to take time to appreciate the people around you and the friendships you make.

I had the pleasure of reviewing THE NERD produced by Stage Coach Theatre (SCT), directed by Curtis Ransom. It is a zany, madcap show.