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Smooth Sailing for the SS American — Anything Goes at Encore (Review)

(Photo courtesy Encore Musical Theatre Company, Michele Anliker photographer) The SS American has set sail at the Encore Musical Theatre Company and I predict nothing but smooth sailing ahead for this lovely production of Anything Goes. There isn’t a Christmas tree in sight, and it is still the brightest holiday musical in town this season.Continue reading “Smooth Sailing for the SS American — Anything Goes at Encore (Review)”

Clever Creepy Cool “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” at the Dio (review)

The Dio has a delicious Christmas treat in store for you this year (and I’m not just talking about Chef Jarrod’s holiday-themed pre-show meal!) in the form of Tom Mula’s adaptation of his own book, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. It’s an entirely different take on the familiar Dickens Christmas tale, and it is fun, cleverlyContinue reading “Clever Creepy Cool “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” at the Dio (review)”

Once On This Island, Spongebob Squarepants, The Bands Visit (NYC – reviews)

This fall trip didn’t bring very many new musicals to sample — and the spring doesn’t look much better but the big blockbusters (Mean Girls, Frozen, and Harry Potter) arrive and I’ll be reviewing those at the end of March). For this trip there was the remarkable Once on this Island, the super-fun Spongebob, andContinue reading “Once On This Island, Spongebob Squarepants, The Bands Visit (NYC – reviews)”

Gorgeous “An American in Paris” tour (review)

The current tour of “An American in Paris” is now at The Wharton Center in East Lansing, and it is gorgeous from top to bottom. I have previously raved about this musical when I saw it in NYC, and many know my thoughts on the travesty that was awarding “Fun Home” Best Musical 2015 insteadContinue reading “Gorgeous “An American in Paris” tour (review)”

Emotion-filled “Cabaret” at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (review)

I’d normally start this review by telling you to go get tickets now for AACT’s “Cabaret” this weekend at the Arthur Miller Theatre, but since the run only has a handful of tickets left for Sunday afternoon, I’ll just start by saying that director Kat Walsh, choreographer Tyler Stickel, and Musical Director Jennifer Goltz haveContinue reading “Emotion-filled “Cabaret” at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (review)”

“The Bodyguard, the Musical” is fun, entertaining, talent-filled (Review)

First, let me preface this by saying I’ve read many of the reviews for this musical. The original London and most international reviews have been terrific. The show, bypassing Broadway and doing a US tour, has not fared as well in the US reviews. Let me be a British reviewer. I loved this show whenContinue reading ““The Bodyguard, the Musical” is fun, entertaining, talent-filled (Review)”

“Love Never Dies” tour is glorious (Review)

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, is currently making its official US Tour debut in Detroit (it has already played upstate New York and Baltimore in previews, London, Australia, and other world cities) and it is a glorious affair, though your personal like will depend on your loveContinue reading ““Love Never Dies” tour is glorious (Review)”

“The Family Digs” at Croswell Opera House — a great way to inaugurate new studio (review)

Terrence Hissong’s very funny new family comedy “The Family Digs” opened this weekend to inaugurate the new Croswell Opera House studio theatre (which also doubles as a rehearsal space and you would be hard-pressed to recognize the place). The production is co-produced by Croswell Opera House and Westfall-Hissong production company. Doug Miller’s spot-on direction andContinue reading ““The Family Digs” at Croswell Opera House — a great way to inaugurate new studio (review)”

Croswell announces 2017-18 Special Event Series

Croswell announces 2017-18 Special Event Series Concerts, musicals, a play, a children’s show, and more are coming up this fall, winter and spring at the Croswell Opera House. The Croswell’s 2017-18 Special Event Series will run from October through April. It includes a few previously announced events plus several new shows. “The Family Digs” (Oct.Continue reading “Croswell announces 2017-18 Special Event Series”

Some great actors in tame “Rocky Horror” at Ringwald (Review)

The Rocky Horror Show arrived at the Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale last night, and there is some fun to be had, mostly by way of some terrific cast members. Suzan M Jacokes is a terrific Frank N Furter. In fact, you could say that this entire production belongs to her. Singing, dancing, acting, prancing, orContinue reading “Some great actors in tame “Rocky Horror” at Ringwald (Review)”