Russell Sunday

BWW Review: KINKY BOOTS Kicks Booty At Toby's In Columbia

Grab your sexy heels and see KINKY BOOTS: Outstanding newcomers and perennial favorites get their kicks on at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland. Mark Minnick directs an unconventionally heartwarming story exploring relationships not often spotlighted in theatric productions. DeCarlo Raspberry dazzles as Lola, and Matt Hirsch masters Charlie Price in Toby's intimate dinner theater setting, creating an evening jam-packed with sparkle, surprise and songs by Cyndi Lauper.

BWW Review: THE BODYGUARD Protects Toby's Superstar Reputation

There's much to like about this production of THE BODYGUARD, story aside. It's predictable, superficial and just barely passes the Bechdel-Wallace test. The script is measurably better than the story and the performance is even better than the script. Ross Scott Rawlings' accompanying mini-orchestra is flat-out terrific, and there are some extremely interesting tech things happening. Overall, a strong thumbs-up.

BWW Review: Hear The Bells In Toby's HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Victor Hugo's 1833 love letter to an old cathedral is set in 1482, and it's curious to note that in the nearly six hundred intervening years, there is much that is unchanged regarding social injustice, racial persecution and sexual abuse by religious leaders. Production values are high, while fancy choreography steps aside in service to imaginative vertical and distance movement sequences. The whole production relies on human-centric theatrical artifices THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME plays at Toby's through May 19th, 2019

BWW Review: MAMMA MIA! How Can You Resist This??

Many of my readers know my connection with MAMMA MIA! on Broadway (see my bio below). When I saw many months ago that Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia would be presenting it (the professional regional premiere) I knew it would be a money maker and knew, after seeing many Toby productions, it would be done well. Well, not only have they done well, this edition of MAMMA MIA! is just plain superb.

Thank You For The Music of MAMMA MIA! At Toby's

Musical theatre is about happy endings: if you like them, see MAMMA MIA!, at Toby's through September 9th. Heather Marie Beck and Maggie Dransfield as mother and daughter Donna and Sophie Sheridan are delightful and heartwarming. Disco, universally accepted as delicious, is the keystone of this show, whether or not you love or have heard of ABBA. In today's tumult, an escape to a tropical paradise where conflict stems from wedding angst and family drama seems a wonderful notion.

NEWSIES at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia - Start Spreading the News_NEWSIES is a hit!!

Once again Toby's Dinner Theatre presents top flight entertainment for the entire family.

BWW Review: NEWSIES Are Front Page Headlines At Toby's In Columbia

Have a hankering for history, classic "fuggeddaboudid"  New York-ish accents, a charming child actor, romance, bylines and plenty of song and dance? Hoof it on over to Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia and see Disney's NEWSIES, now through June 10th.

Langston Hughes Play ARE YOU NOW OR HOW YOU EVER BEEN... Opens at MetroStage

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that the play Are You Now or Have You Ever Been , a play written and conceived by Carlyle Brown and directed by MetroStage Artistic Associate Thomas W. Jones II with original music by William Knowles, will be in performance Oct. 5-Nov. 5 at MetroStage.

BWW Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Toby's Enchants Young And Old

If you love Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, there's not a single reason you wouldn't like the show at Toby's Dinner Theatre. It's a fun production. There's a lot to love about it. Dinner is tasty. Everyone at Toby's is unfailingly polite, cheerful, helpful and speedy, including each member of the actor/wait staff. The productions are done with attention to detail and the actors are well cast. That combination of elements is rare in ANY public forum these days, so all credit to the management for creating this wonderful environment. If you enjoy dinner theatre, you will be pleased.

Photo Coverage: A Visit with the Cast of Signature Theatre's TITANIC

Signature Theatre presents Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), now playing thru January 29.

BWW Review: TITANIC at Signature Theatre - It is a Night to Remember

TITANIC should not be missed but must close January 29, 2017.

BWW Interview: Theatre Life with Jamie Eacker

Review Roundup: Signature Theatre's TITANIC

Signature Theatre presents Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), now playing thru January 29. The show features a cast, crew and orchestra of more than 50 artists and an inventive new 360-degree staging in Signature Theatre's intimate 330 seat MAX Theatre. 

Photo Flash: All Aboard! First Look at Signature Theatre's 360-Degree Staging of TITANIC

Signature Theatre presents Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), now playing thru January 29. The show features a cast, crew and orchestra of more than 50 artists and an inventive new 360-degree staging in Signature Theatre's intimate 330 seat MAX Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the stunning production below!

STAGE TUBE: First Look at Highlights of Signature Theatre's TITANIC

???????Signature Theatre presents Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), now playing thru January 29.

Signature Theatre's 360-Degree Staging of TITANIC Sets Sail Tonight

Signature Theatre presents Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), tonight, December 13, through January 29, 2017, featuring a cast, crew and orchestra of more than 50 artists and an inventive new 360-degree staging in Signature Theatre's intimate 330 seat MAX Theatre.

Photo Flash: Signature Theatre's TITANIC THE MUSICAL Sets Sail in Rehearsal

Signature Theatre is proud to announce the full cast and creative team for Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Signature Theatre reaffirms its mission to stage inventive new productions of classic musicals by tackling Maury Yeston's (Nine) and Peter Stone's (1776) Tony Award®-winning musical about the heart-stopping and riveting ride through the final moments of Titanic's fateful journey. Titanic will run from December 13 - January 29, 2017, featuring a cast, crew and orchestra of more than 50 artists and an inventive new 360 degree staging in Signature Theatre's intimate 330 seat MAX Theatre.

STAGE TUBE: Get Ready for Signature's 360-Degree Send-Off with 'Godspeed Titanic' Music Video

Signature Theatre's Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), will run from December 13 - January 29, 2017, featuring a cast, crew and orchestra of more than 50 artists and an inventive new 360-degree staging in Signature Theatre's intimate 330 seat MAX Theatre. Get ready for the show's big send-off with the company's rendition of 'Godspeed Titanic' below!

All Aboard for Signature Theatre's 360-Degree Staging of TITANIC; Cast Announced!

Signature Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for Titanic, directed by Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Gigi, Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Signature Theatre reaffirms its mission to stage inventive new productions of classic musicals by tackling Maury Yeston's (Nine) and Peter Stone's (1776) Tony Award-winning musical about the heart-stopping and riveting ride through the final moments of Titanic's fateful journey. 

Photo Flash: Meet the Stars of SWEENEY TODD at Red Branch Theatre Company

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) will kick off its 2016 season entitled Paint It Red with the TONY Award-winning musical thriller SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. The production will run at Drama Learning Center, where Red Branch is the theatre in residence, from April 8 - 30, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in costume below!