BWW Reviews: Theatre Memphis' THE BOY FROM OZ - Sparkles Aren't Just for July 4th
There was a time when it seemed as if any talent contender in a beauty pageant would lay into 'Don't Cry Out Loud' (later, Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' seemed to supplant it). It crept out of every radio station ad nauseum. Its almost iconic 'ear candy' status rendered it cringe-inducing, as far as I was concerned. Moreover, its composer and interpreter, Australian Peter Allen, was not the kind of performer I enjoyed - I prefer my talent without the 'over the top' exclamation point; he belonged, to my way of thinking, to the Liberace/Barry Manilow/Liza Minelli kind of performer. (Admittedly, I have a number of friends who take issue with this and who, rope in hand, would gladly pursue me if lynching were acceptable.) Their 'showmanship' and 'over the top' self-promotion proved exhausting. However, the intervening years have reconciled me to Allen's music, and THE BOY FROM OZ. with a book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright and a parade of Allen songs, has, in Theatre Memphis' latest offering, even somewhat endeared me to him.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY to Tread the Boards at Theatre Memphis, 8/22-9/14
The Addams Family, the musical comedy based on the beloved Addams family cartoons created by Charles Addams, comes to life August 22, 2014 and runs through September 14, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. The frightfully funny and comically macabre show opens the 2014 -15 season for Theatre Memphis and features well known characters such as Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch and Grandma. Director Cecelia Wingate returns to Theatre Memphis at the helm of the production having directed last season's Theatre Memphis hit, Young Frankenstein. She is supported by musical director Jeffrey Brewer and Choreographer Jay Rapp.
THE MUSIC MAN Plays Theatre Memphis, Now thru 6/29
The Music Man, an All-American musical classic, opens tonight, June 6, 2014 and runs through June 29, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. Professor Harold Hill descends on River City, Iowa, to con the town into organizing a young people's band and, along the way, selling them '76 Trombones.' But he didn't count on meeting Marian the Librarian, hearing 'Till There Was You' and finding the love of a good woman and a gaggle of youngsters to tender his fast-talking, sham artist heart.
THE MUSIC MAN to Play Theatre Memphis, 6/6-29
The Music Man, an All-American musical classic, opens June 6, 2014 and runs through June 29, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. Professor Harold Hill descends on River City, Iowa, to con the town into organizing a young people's band and, along the way, selling them "76 Trombones." But he didn't count on meeting Marian the Librarian, hearing "Till There Was You" and finding the love of a good woman and a gaggle of youngsters to tender his fast-talking, sham artist heart.
Theatre Memphis Presents BYE BYE BIRDIE, 8/19-9/11
Theatre Memphis' Lohrey Stage will soon be home to the story of Conrad Birdie, a famous rock-n-roll star, in the production of the lively family musical classic Bye Bye Birdie. Playing August 19 - September 11, 2011, the plot surrounds Birdie being drafted into the army and Albert Peterson, his agent, and Albert's secretary, Rosie, concocting one final national publicity plan before Conrad's induction.
