BWW Review: ON GOLDEN POND at South Bend Civic Theatre
The South Bend Civic Theatre's production of On Golden Pond opened this past weekend with a surprising amount of seats sold for a show that I assumed wasn't well known. The house in the theatre's Wilson Auditorium was almost completely filled with eagerly awaiting audience members admiring yet another beautiful set by Jeff Barrick that emphasized a nostalgic and charming tone even before the show began.
BWW Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at South Bend Civic Theatre
For a performance run that spans multiple weekends, the first weekend is often accepted as a wrinkly weekend...acknowledging some things still need to be ironed out. Recognizing that this is the first production to open at 403 N. Main Street since Aaron Nichols stepped in as Executive Director (different from the previous alignment of a tag team Managing and Artistic Directors) also deems it necessary to say that this season was selected before Nichols took charge. He was indeed actively involved before, but to accurately evaluate his effectiveness, he would need to stay in this role through the beginning of the 2020 season (ironic, yet fitting, for a target of hindsight evaluation).
BWW Review: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Rings in Christmas Spirit
The South Bend Civic Theatre recently opened their new show, It's a Wonderful Life, for the holiday season under the direction of Jewel Abram-Copenhaver. Being one of the most classic stories of all time, SBCT really put on all the bells and whistles to make this show a spectacular piece of Christmas theatre. There were a few details that were outstandingly done in this rendition of an ageless show; these few things really made SBCT's version of It's a Wonderful Life one of the better ones I've seen.
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN at South Bend Civic Theatre this August
From August 12th through the 21st, the South Bend Civic Theatre will feature the tradition of Irish storytelling in the Wilson Theatre with Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan. Director Jim Geisel takes the audience to an island off the western coast of Ireland in 1934. Robert Flaherty, a Hollywood director, arrives on the island of Inishmore to film 'Man of Aran.' As the word gets around, the young Cripple Billy aspires to be in the film as a way to escape his daily struggles.
South Bend Civic Theatre to Present 1776
In this year of the presidential election and the bicentennial celebration of the Hoosier state, the South Bend Civic Theatre is presenting 1776 in the Wilson Theatre. The original, Broadway production of this musical depiction of the birth of our nation won the Tony Award for Best Musical and now this theatrical, historical journey comes to South Bend for three weekends between April 15th and May 1st. A wonderful cast of volunteer actors illuminate the story of the Second Continental Congress for a unique perspective of this iconic event in our nation's history: with men that are emotional, proud, uncertain, charming, and irritable humans wanting the best for their families.
BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Lacks Enchantment
When you hear the title A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, it is hard to not instantly recall the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Christmas Spirits that visit him to try and turn him from his wretched ways. However, sitting in the audience of the sold out opening show for South Bend Civic Theatre's A Christmas Carol, I realized that I would not be watching that classic Christmas story with a 'South Bend adaptation' that was touted to patrons. Rather, don't expect the original story to take place in South Bend, but instead become a story within a story about… South Bend? Confusing, right? I know I was confused for the better portion of the show because while I'm sure there were good intentions, the pieces just did not come together to make a cohesive and understandable performance.
South Bend Civic Theatre Stages A CHRISTMAS CAROL for the Holiday Season
When the weather outside is frightful, South Bend Civic Theatre will serve an artistic Christmastime feast, wrapping their 2015 season with a unique adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Director Kevin Dreyer lights the candles of this timeless, holiday piece adapted by SBCT's own David Chudzynski.
South Bend Civic Theatre to Stage A CHRISTMAS CAROL for the Holiday Season
When the weather outside is frightful, South Bend Civic Theatre will serve an artistic Christmastime feast, wrapping their 2015 season with a unique adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Director Kevin Dreyer lights the candles of this timeless, holiday piece adapted by SBCT's own David Chudzynski.
South Bend Civic Theatre Presents THE EXPLORERS CLUB, Now thru 6/28
South Bend Civic Theatre presents the frantic comedy The Explorers Club, today, June 12-28, 2015 in the Warner Theatre, 403 N. Main Street, in South Bend. Set in 1879 London, the prestigious Explorers Club members face an imminent crisis: their bartender is nowhere to be found. Well, that and their acting president wants to admit a woman to their distinguished membership of scientists. The candidate is beautiful, smart and the discoverer of a lost tribe, having brought back a member of the tribe for display. The decision to accept her could shake the foundations of the British Empire and worse, threaten cigars and brandy time at the club! What will the members do at this most difficult crisis in their three-hundred year history? Why, order more drinks, of course! An inspired, uproarious farce by Nell Benjamin.
South Bend Civic Theatre to Present THE EXPLORERS CLUB, 6/12-28
South Bend Civic Theatre presents the frantic comedy The Explorers Club, June 12-28, 2015 in the Warner Theatre, 403 N. Main Street, in South Bend. Set in 1879 London, the prestigious Explorers Club members face an imminent crisis: their bartender is nowhere to be found. Well, that and their acting president wants to admit a woman to their distinguished membership of scientists. The candidate is beautiful, smart and the discoverer of a lost tribe, having brought back a member of the tribe for display. The decision to accept her could shake the foundations of the British Empire and worse, threaten cigars and brandy time at the club! What will the members do at this most difficult crisis in their three-hundred year history? Why, order more drinks, of course! An inspired, uproarious farce by Nell Benjamin.
Warner Studio Theatre Presents SUPERIOR DONUTS, 6/1-10
The only thing more run down than the Uptown Chicago donut shop is its owner. Despondent, disengaged, and out of touch, Arthur doesn't even register the vandalism of his store. Even the colorful array of characters in the neighborhood can't bring him out of his shell - the local bag lady, the Russian video store owner next door, the two cops checking out the damage. Only when charismatic young Franco Wicks enters the store and practically forces himself into being hired does the spark of life begin to take hold for Arthur. Brilliant but carrying secrets, Franco's troubles crash into Arthur's sheltered world and force him to finally take a stand.
South Bend Civic Theatre Presents CAMELOT, 9/9-25
The legend of King Arthur comes to vibrant life in Lerner and Loewe's classic musical. Against the backdrop of a king striving to bring order to his chaotic land, the fabled love affair between Arthur's best friend and most trusted knight Lancelot and Queen Guenevere threatens to bring down the kingdom. The memorable score boasts such songs as 'I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight,' 'C'est Moi,' 'The Lusty Month of May,' 'If Ever I Would Leave You,' 'What Do the Simple Folk Do?' and the title song 'Camelot.' Find a seat at the Round Table for South Bend Civic Theatre's production of 'one, brief shining moment' in legend, Camelot.