Central New York Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 7

BWW Review: THE NICETIES at Geva Theatre Center
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - October 28, 2019

For thousands of years the theatre has been a place where storytellers go to evaluate the world around them and the people who inhabit it. Every period in history, every noteworthy event, near every moment of import has theatrical representation in one form or another, from Jesus to the Salem Witch ...

BWW Review: BOOM at Out Of Pocket Inc.
by Dan and Julie Izzo - October 28, 2019

'Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.' Who would have thought Ernest Haeckel's famous and scientifically nerdy maxim would be central to the theme of one of the most performed plays of the early 21st century? But Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's BOOM embraces that theme and explodes it to cataclysmic comic propo...

BWW Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - October 24, 2019

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BWW Review: Blackfriars Theatre Explores Race Riots and the Civil Rights Movement with DETROIT '67
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - October 21, 2019

There are few forces more powerful than that of family, friendship, love and home. These forces are mightily strong under the best of circumstances, and become even more central to our existence in times of violence, oppression, and separation. Within the context of 20th century American history, th...

BWW Review: ASSASSINS at Baldwinsville Theatre Guild
by Natasha Ashley - October 20, 2019

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BWW Review: BIBBIDI BOBBIDI CINDERELLA at OFC Production
by Dan and Julie Izzo - October 20, 2019

'You never get a second chance to make a first impression.' This old saw still cuts true when considering youth theatre. The importance of introducing children to the wonder of live performance is not only critical to the survival of the art form; more importantly, it is essential to humanity. The c...

BWW Review: The Central New York Playhouse Presents THE ADDAMS FAMILY
by Natasha Ashley - October 15, 2019

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 ...

BWW Review: TWELVE ANGRY MEN Captivates at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - October 14, 2019

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 Ju...

BWW Review: FRANKENSTEIN: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Screen Plays
by Dan and Julie Izzo - October 10, 2019

Autumn in Rochester doesn't only conjure dreams of apple picking and cider. With Halloween just around the corner, the fall season delights in nightmares as well. Screen Play's production of FRANKENSTEIN: A LIVE RADIO PLAY delivers a nostalgic introduction to this annual festival of horror. The stor...

BWW Review: Syracuse University Department of Drama Begins Season with A CHORUS LINE at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - October 07, 2019

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 p...

BWW Review: 50th Anniversary National Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Begins at the Landmark Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - October 03, 2019

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 choreograph...

BWW Review: SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - October 03, 2019

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League opens its 2019-2020 season with a glitzy, glamorous, and soulful look at the queen of the disco era, Donna Summer. 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical', which began its national tour in Rochester this week, isn't just for children of the 1970's, but for anyone who...

BWW Review: The Rev Theatre Company Presents a Breathtaking Production of LOCH NESS, A NEW MUSICAL in the Merry – Go – Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - September 30, 2019

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...

BWW Review: Redhouse Arts Centers Opens Season With RENT
by Natasha Ashley - September 22, 2019

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 t...

BWW Review: The World Premiere of THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN is Captivating at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - September 15, 2019

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 ...

BWW Review: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Geva Theatre Center
by Dan and Julie Izzo - September 09, 2019

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BWW Review: WORKING A MUSICAL is Relatable at The Merry – Go – Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - September 08, 2019

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, ...

BWW Review: Blackfriars Theatre Celebrates 70 Years With a Sparkling Production of GUYS AND DOLLS
by Dan and Julie Izzo - September 02, 2019

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BWW Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Showcases a Stellar Cast at Cortland Repertory Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - September 02, 2019

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...

BWW Review: HAMILTON at Proctors Turns Up the Wattage in The Electric City.
by Marc Savitt - August 15, 2019

As the subtitle clearly states HAMILTON is An American Musical and to say there is a lot of that would be an understatement. I don't think there is more than about five minutes without music over the course of the two hour and 45-minute production. Thirty-four musical numbers are presented flawles...

BWW Review: THE BROTHERS SIZE at Ancram Opera House - Probing, Searing Drama More Intimate Than Ever
by Dan Dwyer - August 12, 2019

It's hard to imagine a more intimate or powerful production of Tarell Alvin McCraney's 'The Brothers Size' than the probing, searing version on stage at the Ancram Opera House. Director Martine Kei Green -Rogers totally realizes McCraney's multi-textured storytelling of prose, song and dance, puttin...

BWW Review: RAGTIME at The Mac-Haydn Theatre Offers a Poignant and Highly Relevant Reminder That America's Greatness Was Forged In A Melting Pot.
by Marc Savitt - July 29, 2019

The Tony Award winning book by Terrance McNally and score by Stephen Flahrety and Lynn Ahrens, focus on events taking place over a century ago, but RAGTIME's content and messages remain highly relevant, and important, particularly given the current socio-political climate....

BWW Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Shake On The Lake
by Dan and Julie Izzo - July 27, 2019

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BWW Review: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at JCC Of Rochester SummerStage
by Dan and Julie Izzo - July 22, 2019

The corporate labeling of Disney's Newsies drips with irony. Newsies tells the David versus Goliath story of a strike initiated by the fictional Jack Kelly when newspaper carriers in 1899 took on media mogul Joseph Pulitzer, protesting a hike in the cost of paper delivery. The strike mushrooms into ...

BWW Review: THE PRODUCERS Sizzles with Talent at the Central New York Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - July 21, 2019

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, th...