Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Theatre Memphis
What’s up with all these therapists’ offices masquerading as beauty parlors? Women walk into these places as broken shells of themselves and often walk out feeling on top of the world. Sure, they get their hair and/or nails done, but they get so much more than just that. They’re renewed.
9 TO 5 Comes to Playhouse on the Square
Pushed to their boiling points, coworkers Violet, Judy, and Doralee concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, and bigoted boss. In a hilarious turn of events, they live out their wildest fantasies - giving their boss the boot! While their boss remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought provoking, and even a little romantic.
The Circuit Playhouse presents DEARLY DEPARTED
In the backwoods of the Bible Belt, the Turpin family has just suffered the loss of their father, but their problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion. Firstborn Ray-Bud drinks himself silly; Junior, the youngest son, is dealing with financial ruin, monster no-neck kids, and a wife who suspects him of infidelity (in the family car); last, but certainly not least, their spinster sister, Delightful, copes with death as she does life, by devouring mountains of junk food. Amidst the chaos, the Turpins turn to their friends and eccentric community of misfits who pull together to help them through their hours of need. Dearly Departed proves that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious.
BWW Review: OTHER PEOPLE'S HAPPINESS at TheatreWorks
Adam Seidel's new play OTHER PEOPLE'S HAPPINESS premiered this weekend at TheatreWorks, and runs through Jan 29. Under the direction of Leah Bray Nichols, this play won the 2015-16 NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting Competition.
Playhouse on the Square Presents World Premiere of OTHER PEOPLE'S HAPPINESS
Playhouse on the Square presents the world premiere of Adam Seidel's beautiful new work, Other People's Happiness. On a weekend trip to the family cabin, Sara tells John that after 30 years of marriage, she is leaving him for a much younger man. Her decision leaves her entire family in chaos, causing the audience to ask the question, "When you give up your happiness for everyone else, what is your breaking point?" Other People's Happiness is a play about blind devotion, failed expectations, the redefining of family, and the enduring nature of love. Other People's Happiness is a winner of the 2015 NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting competition.
Playhouse on the Square Presents World Premiere of OTHER PEOPLE'S HAPPINESS
Playhouse on the Square presents the world premiere of Adam Seidel's beautiful new work, Other People's Happiness. On a weekend trip to the family cabin, Sara tells John that after 30 years of marriage, she is leaving him for a much younger man. Her decision leaves her entire family in chaos, causing the audience to ask the question, "When you give up your happiness for everyone else, what is your breaking point?" Other People's Happiness is a play about blind devotion, failed expectations, the redefining of family, and the enduring nature of love. Other People's Happiness is a winner of the 2015 NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting competition.
Playhouse on the Square to Present SISTER ACT, 6/17-7/10
?The final musical in the Playhouse on the Square 2015 - 2016 season is Sister Act! When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put into protective custody in a convent! The New York Times cries "when the wimples start quivering, the pinched mouths break into sunbeam smiles, and the nuns start rocking to raise the gothic rafters, all's right in the kingdom of musical comedy." Based on the hit 1992 film of the same name, Sister Act is filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing, and a truly moving story.
BWW Review: Strong Cast Inhabits THE COUNTRY HOUSE at Circuit Playhouse
Bucolic setting are wonderful . . . until it rains and everyone is wall-to-wall unpacking their baggage, airing their dirty laundry, calling each other on the carpet, and climbing the walls. At least that's what happens in THE COUNTRY HOUSE by Donald Marguiles. It's an explicit homage to Chekhov -- sort of an UNCLE VANYA and THE SEAGULL mashup. I wasn't knocked out by the script. The setup is simple, the plot predictable, the conflicts obvious. The actors have to bring a lot to this show to make is worth watching. Fortunately, Director, David Landis, had an exceptional cast.wisecracks into heated discussions simply to hear them sizzle.
Photo Flash: First Look at THE COUNTRY HOUSE at The Circuit Playhouse
In THE COUNTRY HOUSE, what The New York Times calls 'a valentine to the artists of the stage,' a group of famous and would-be-famous creative artists have come to their summer home during the Williamstown Theatre Festival. The weekend takes an unexpected turn, and everyone is forced to come to terms with the roles they play in each other's lives. Scroll down for a first look at The Circuit Playhouse's production below!
The Circuit Playhouse to Present THE COUNTRY HOUSE
?In what The New York Times calls "a valentine to the artists of the stage," a group of famous and would-be-famous creative artists have come to their summer home during the Williamstown Theatre Festival. The weekend takes an unexpected turn, and everyone is forced to come to terms with the roles they play in each other's lives.
Playhouse on the Square to Present BILLY ELLIOT
The 47th season for Playhouse on the Square begins with the regional premiere of Billy Elliot the Musical! Set in a northern English town amidst the turbulent 1984 miners' strike, Billy Elliot the Musical is the inspiring tale of one boy's journey as he exchanges his boxing gloves for ballet shoes. Featuring music by Elton John, The New York Times declares that Billy Elliot the Musical 'isn't a dance show; it's about why people need dance.'
BWW Reviews: Playhouse's GYPSY Offers Rose Her Turn
The collaboration of Jules Stein and Stephen Sondheim on GYPSY provided the late Ethel Merman with a career boost into immortality. What isn't familiar about this material? Everyone knows the general outline of the play itself - 'Mama' Rose is 'Mommie Dearest' without the wire hangers; at the beginning of the play, she practically declares war on a quiet home life and, taking with her daughters June (the precocious and 'pretty' one) and Louise (the shy and recessive one), she practically declares war on domesticity and seeks to channel her dreams through their success.
Playhouse on the Square to Present 5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE, 7/5-28
5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche runs July 5 - July 28 as part of the POTS@TheWorks series at TheatreWorks, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The Pay What You Can performance is Thursday, July 11 at 8pm. TheatreWorks is located at 2085 Monroe Ave. For more information or to make reservations, please call 901-726-4656 or purchase tickets online at playhouseonthesquare.org.
Chatterbox Audio Theater Releases OEDIPUS THE KING, ACT II
Chatterbox Audio Theater, Memphis's only web-based theater company, has announced the release of its latest production, OEDIPUS THE KING, ACT II. This intense, audio-only version of the quintessential Greek tragedy features a wide variety of Memphis talent. Act II (of three) runs approximately 36 minutes and is now available for free streaming and download through iTunes and www.chatterboxtheater.org.