Review: THE WITCHING HOUR SOCIAL CLUB at Burbage Theatre Company
When I heard Burbage had added a special Halloween show that they said was 'largely inspired by classic horror anthologies like Creepshow, Tales from the Crypt, and of course, Are You Afraid of the Dark?' how can you not attend? And this show did not disappoint.
BWW Review: The Rhyme's the Thing at Burbage's THE SCHOOL FOR LIES
It's always exciting when a young theatre company finds a place to call its own, a permanent home where it can grow creatively and grow hopefully long-lasting roots into the surrounding community and the local performing arts scene. Such is the case with Burbage Theatre Co., which has just opened its first ever show in their new space at 59 Blackstone Ave in Pawtucket. While the show, David Ives' The School for Lives is a bit uneven, it is an undeniably successful launch of this exciting new phase in the life of Burbage.
BWW Review: Darkly Hilarious THE FLU SEASON at Burbage Theatre Company
THE FLU SEASON is a darkly funny, incredibly touching and thoroughly strange production. At its core, it's a simple story about love and relationships. The setting of a mental hospital, with additional commentary from two men known as Prologue and Epilogue, who are dueling over creating the story as it unfolds for the audience, complicates things and interjects unexpected twists and turns. Burbage Theatre Company has never been afraid to take on the surreal and strange, and with The Flu Season, they have proven once again that odd little stories are in very good hands. Under the expert direction of Wendy Overly, this simple premise becomes wholly immersive and heartbreaking.
Burbage Theatre Creates Bloody but Shallow Spectacle with TITUS ANDRONICUS
One might argue that Titus is the perfect kind of play for a bold young company like Burbage Theatre Company. Willing and able to take risks, to go places other theater companies might not be so interested in going. And while there are some high points for Burbage and their production, it seems that they've fallen into the trap of focusing too much on one thing, to the detriment of other important aspects of Shakespeare's work. Primarily, they seem to have spent most of the time perfecting all of that carnage, all the blood and gore, while not spending enough time on perfecting the actual text, the words and language that make up the work and create its true life. As a friend and Shakespearean scholar noted to me, “That's always the danger with Titus, I'm afraid,” and her fears would have been realized in this production.
Photo Flash: First Look at TITUS ANDRONICUS at Burbage Theatre Company
After their sold-out run of 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June', Burbage Theatre Company presents the Rhode Island Theatrical Premiere of TITUS ANDRONICUS, the first tragedy written by William Shakespeare, directed by Jeff Church, which is the second and final play in the Burbage Theatre Company's winter series, This Winter's War. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the company onstage below!
Shakespeare's TITUS ANDRONICUS Begins Tonight at Burbage Theatre
After their sold-out run of 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June', Burbage Theatre Company presents the Rhode Island Theatrical Premiere of 'Titus Andronicus' the first tragedy written by William Shakespeare, directed by Jeff Church, which opens previews tonight, February 18, as the second and final play in the Burbage Theatre Company'swinter series, This Winter's War.
Shakespeare's TITUS ANDRONICUS to Begin Next Week at Burbage Theatre
After their sold-out run of 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June', Burbage Theatre Company presents the Rhode Island Theatrical Premiere of 'Titus Andronicus' the first tragedy written by William Shakespeare, directed by Jeff Church, which opens previews February 18 as the second and final play in the Burbage Theatre Company'swinter series, This Winter's War.
BWW Review: Burbage Theatre Company Sings a Beautiful LOVE SONG
Plays, like anything else, come in all shapes and sizes. There are the extra-long, three hour epics. And there are the much shorter forms, such as one-acts, which can sometimes be just as epic. You can certainly craft an exceptional piece of drama in a short period of time, even something as short as ten minutes. On the other hand, some of these shorter works can feel like a story and a journey cut too short, leaving the audience wanting more, and such is the case with John Kolvenbach's Love Song, currently being presented by Burbage Theatre Company at Aurora Providence.
BWW Reviews: Fine Performances Fill 2nd Story's Uninspired SEMINAR
It may be something rare when a theater company is able to utilize its two performances spaces at the same time to feature two plays which are extremely similar yet completely different in important ways. Two plays that deal with similar issues and in a sense tell the same story, or kind of story, but execute that story with vastly differing results. Such is the case at 2nd Story Theatre in Warren, where the current production in the UpStage space, Seminar, bares a striking resemblance to the just-closed production that playe din the DownStage space, Collected Stories. While Collected Stories was a finely crafted study of two nuanced and textured characters, Seminar is the exact opposite. This play, written by Theresa Rebeck, doesnt even begin to scratch beneath any surfaces as it deals with four writers who are participating in a writing seminar with a well-known, past-his-prime writer of fiction. As the seminar progresses over the course of a number of weeks, we begin to see conflicts arise as the egos, insecrities, passions, dreams and failures of the writers, young and old, tumble together and clash.
BWW Reviews: 2nd Story Theatre's Perfect Ensemble Keeps the Faith in A BRIGHT NEW BOISE
An arguably wise person once told me there are four major issues that can potentially ruin any relationship. They are, 'money, religion, sex and family.' Hard to argue with that. For the moment, let's take out three and just focus on one of those issues: religion. It's a topic that can be thorny at best and downright destructive at worst. It can lead people to violent extremes but also guide them to extreme peace and tranquility. And it's the issue at the heart of a funny, moving and thought-provoking play called A Bright New Boise, currently playing in the Downstage space at 2nd Story Theatre in Warren.