Jerri Shafer

Review: AMERICAN IDIOT at Abbey Theater Of Dublin

What is refreshing about AMERICAN IDIOT is since it’s a pre-professional project, the entire cast is in the 14-19 age range. That is about the same age as the characters in the show. This cast doesn’t come across as amateurish. Lavery nails his role as Tunny, who comes home from the Gulf War broken, both physically and mentally. Hund’s wrestling with his inner demons and St. Jimmy feels real as did Williams’ portrayal of a teenager struggling with apathy and responsibility.

Photos: First look at Rise Up Art Alliance's HONK! JR

Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be.

Photos: First Look at Abby Theatre of Dublin's AMERICAN IDIOT: THE MUSICAL

Green Day’s powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. Johnny, Tunny and Will struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world. When the three disgruntled men flee the constraints of their hometown for the thrills of city life, their paths are quickly estranged. An energy-fueled rock opera, “American Idiot” features little dialogue and instead relies on the lyrics from Green Day’s groundbreaking album to execute the storyline. Performances run Aug. 8, 10, 11, 14, 16 and 17, 2024 at 7 p.m. Performances at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road, Dublin, OH 43017. Tickets and Information visit: https://www.optheatre.org/

Photos: First look at Abby Theatre of Dublin presents Alice by Heart

From the Tony and Grammy award-winning creators of “Spring Awakening”, “Alice by Heart” is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station.

Photos: First look at Little Theatre Off Broadway's MOON OVER BUFFALO

Moon Over Buffalo is a comedy play-within-a-play that follows the story of George and Charlotte Hay, a couple of Broadway stars who have taken their run-down touring company to Buffalo, New York.

Photos: First look at Worthington Community Theatre's OLIVER!

Worthington Community Theatre would like you to consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart’s classic musical Oliver!, based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Photos: First look at Hilliard Arts Council's THE PROM A MUSICAL

Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together.

Photos: First look at New Albany Youth Theatre's DISNEY'S FINDING NEMO JR

Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a “fin-tastic” musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

Photos: First look at MTVarts' FOOTLOOSE: THE MUSICAL

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth.

Photos: First look at Rise Up Art Alliance's PIRATES 2: THE HIDDEN TREASURE

ARRRR! Our favorite rascally pirates are back at work, seeking adventure and treasure on the high seas! But a mighty storm rolls in and the pirates find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island – or is it? Will the King of the High “C's” have a plan to save the day? Through the course of their musical adventures, they discover that real treasure is something they have plenty of ... friendship and family. Performances are Friday June 28, 7pm, Saturday June 29, 7pm, & Sunday June 30, 4pm, at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, 712 N. Broad Street, Lancaster, OH 43130. Purchase tickets: https://www.riseupartsalliance.org/pirates-2

Photos: Inside AFP and MVAC'S SUMMER KICKOFF WITH THUNDERSTRUCK

Ariel-Foundation Park and Mount Vernon Arts Consortium presented Thunderstruck - an AC/DC Tribute band on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Thunderstruck gives fans so much more than the sound of AC/DC, they truly capture the high voltage energy and experience! It’s about a contagious kind of power and electricity that few AC/DC tribute bands can provide. Several food trucks and beverage options were available as the audience enjoyed the ultimate summer kickoff event! Next up for MTVarts will be Footloose, the Musical from July 6th thru the 14th at The Woodward Opera House. For more information, visit: https://www.mvac.org/footloose

Photos: First look at Evolution Theatre Company's JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family.   

Photos: First look at Little Theatre Off Broadway's BIG FISH

A new musical - An Adventure as BIG as Life Itself! Big Fish revolves around the relationship between Edward Bloom, a travelling salesman, and his adult son Will. The story shifts between two timelines. In the I’m present-day real world, sixty-year-old Edward Bloom faces his mortality while his son, Will, prepares to become a father himself.

Photos: First look at Michael's Madness Production's VIEW FROM A SMALL PLANET

View from A Small Planet answers the questions, 'Who is William Dampier and what does he have to do with Mr. Eastman, a fourth-grade school teacher, and his mission to redeem his kids. His is a story of redemption, atonement, healing and hope. Performances run June 13 - 30, 2024, Thur-Sat @ 8pm and Sunday @ 2pm, at MadLab, 227 N 3rd Street, Columbus, Ohio. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://newherring.org/upcoming-shows

Photos: First look at Evolution Theatre Company's STARMAKER

The story of the relationship between Rock Hudson and his agent, Henry Willson. Together, they conquered Hollywood and then the world. The story explores the repercussions of living a lie, unable to live your true self due to society and homophobia within the entertainment industry, the thin, ugly boundary between love and hate, the cost of unbridled ambition, and the shame of growing older in a society that puts a premium on youth.  It’s the remarkable true story of two men who in their quest to be somebody, lost themselves.

Photos: First Look At Church of the Master Worship Arts' GODSPELL

Church of the Master Worship Arts is mounting its first community theatre production, Godspell. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the gospel of Matthew dances across the stage with a rousing score by the renowned Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz. We are honored to welcome actors from all over central Ohio to build this beautiful city. 

Photos: Inside Mount Vernon Arts Consortium presented CHRISTOPHER TITUS: CARRYING MONSTERS

Mount Vernon Arts Consortim presented Christopher Titus: Carrying Monsters on May 11th, 2024.  Christopher Titus is a prolific stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer. As a creator, he has sold shows to NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central.

Photos: First look at Rise Up Art Alliance's THE LIGHTNING THIEF

This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan's bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he's a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.

Photos: First look at New Albany Middle School Theatre's SEUSSICAL JR

The New Albany Middle School Theatre Department presents Seussical Jr., based on the works of Dr. Seuss, as its spring musical. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage as Seussical Jr. weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love. Despite all odds, Horton and Gertrude band together to save the Whos, free Horton, and restore peace and unity to the Jungle of Nool. Seussical Jr. teaches the power of being unique, and the importance of fighting for your beliefs.

Photos: First look at Dublin Jerome High School Drama Club presents MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.