Yearly Archives: 2018

Funny “First Date” musical at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (review)

Drew Benson, Eric VanWasshnova, and Sarah Mazurek in First Date Photo courtesy Lisa Gavan During the opening number of “First Date” the ensemble sings it is about “meeting someone you don’t think is fuckin’ tragic”…and that is the starting and ending point for this one-act 2013 Broadway musical. In one funny lyric book writer AustinContinue reading “Funny “First Date” musical at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (review)”

This Groovin’ Production of “Or,” Will Light Your Fire (Review)

Reviewed by Wendy Wright I’m embarrassed to admit that it’s taken me this long to make it to the Kickshaw Theatre and boy have I been missing out. Founder Lynn Lammers and her associates are creating the next big thing in the Southeastern Michigan theater scene and you really need to check it out. TheirContinue reading “This Groovin’ Production of “Or,” Will Light Your Fire (Review)”

A Chorus Line National Tour 2018 (brief review, Fox Theatre Detroit)

I only have time for a short review of A CHORUS LINE national tour 2018. Seen at yesterday’s matinee at the Fox Theatre, Detroit — the show is a faithful recreation of the staging and original choreography of the 1975 original Broadway production. It looks good. Sound was bad at the Fox. Dancing was terrificContinue reading “A Chorus Line National Tour 2018 (brief review, Fox Theatre Detroit)”

Great Armstong, Johnson, and Kaminski in “Merrily We Roll Along” – Ringwald (review)

  There’s a terrific cast romping its way across the (nearly bare) Ringwald stage in their current production of George Furth and Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along (based on the play by Kaufman and Hart). I write this review from the viewpoint of having previously directed a production of this musical myself. There’s notContinue reading “Great Armstong, Johnson, and Kaminski in “Merrily We Roll Along” – Ringwald (review)”

SNOW CANCELLATIONS SE Michigan Fri 02/18

*************************************************** SNOWMAGEDDON THEATER UPDATE for FRI 2/9 *************************************************** Dark Tonight: Williamston Theatre – Our Lady of Poison Purple Rose – Flint Penny Seats – Edges Hillberry Theatre – The Colored Museum Puzzle Piece Theatre – Crimes of the Heart Dexter Community Players – Alice in Wonderland Tipping Point – Every Brilliant Thing Horizon Performing ArtsContinue reading “SNOW CANCELLATIONS SE Michigan Fri 02/18”

Odd, Funny, 70’s comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” at the Dio (Review)

  Molly Cunningham, Joshua Brown, and Dale Dobson. Photo Credit Michele Ankiker. The Dio’s current offering “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick is far and away the oddest local theater offering of the young season – and it is a hoot. You might be in mind of a mystery, maybeContinue reading “Odd, Funny, 70’s comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” at the Dio (Review)”

Great Balls of Fire! “Million Dollar Quartet” rocks the Encore (Review)

Million Dollar Quartet – Photo credit: Michele Anliker Based on an actual jam session at Sun Records in December of 1956 (the real recording is currently called The Complete Million Dollar Quartet, though it has had other names), this musical chronicles the impromptu session where Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Elvis PresleyContinue reading “Great Balls of Fire! “Million Dollar Quartet” rocks the Encore (Review)”

Very Funny Wacky-doodle “The Explorers Club” at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (Review)

Ann Stoner, Jimmy Dee Arnold, Adam Peterson, Charles Sutherland, Christopher Tiffany, and Thomas Underwood in “The Explorers Club” photo Lisa Gavan Men’s clubs of late 1800’s London display their wackier side in Nell Benjamin’s farce “The Explorers Club” (Broadway production 2013) at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre which opened last night and runs through January 14thContinue reading “Very Funny Wacky-doodle “The Explorers Club” at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (Review)”