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Hilarious “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Croswell Opera House (review)

Croswell Opera House opened its final musical of the summer season, The Drowsy Chaperone, last night in Adrian — and they have saved the best for last! Drowsy is a musical theater-lovers dream show, and it is hilarious and exceptionally well done at Croswell. Man in Chair (gifted and very funny Patrick Toth) settles inContinue reading “Hilarious “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Croswell Opera House (review)”

This Fair Lady has Done Me In (Review – Encore Musical Theatre Company)

Photo courtesy Encore staff photographer, Michele Anliker Lerner and Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY is probably the last musical you would expect to see at the Encore Musical Theatre Company – how do you make all those costumes and sets work in a space that small? Well let me tell you, the production that openedContinue reading “This Fair Lady has Done Me In (Review – Encore Musical Theatre Company)”

Very slick and hilarious “SPAMALOT” at Farmers Alley Theatre, Kalamazoo (review)

Farmer’s Alley Theatre is currently presenting their largest show to date. Kalamazoo’s professional theater company has never mounted as large a Broadway musical production as Spamalot, and it is resounding success. Hilarious from the get-go, it weaves together a fractured tale of King Arthur and his men seeking the Holy Grail. (The musical is primarilyContinue reading “Very slick and hilarious “SPAMALOT” at Farmers Alley Theatre, Kalamazoo (review)”

Daniel Clair and Kyrie Bristle shine in “Leap of Faith” – Croswell Opera House, review

Daniel Clair, playing a conniving traveling tent-show preacher, and Kyrie Bristle as a small-town sheriff are the reasons to see this shiny musical theater adaptation of “Leap of Faith” which opened last night at the Croswell Opera House. Your enjoyment will be enhanced if you like bible-belt hokum and are a fan of the filmContinue reading “Daniel Clair and Kyrie Bristle shine in “Leap of Faith” – Croswell Opera House, review”

Stratford Festival 2016 – A sampler (Reviews)

The Stratford Festival (Stratford, Ontario. Canada) has grown from a small theater-in-a-tent company to one that is the largest, longest, and most varied theater festival in North America. Every year, the company now produces 15 shows in repertory, 4 shows each day from May through October. Unless you are the heartiest of theater goers, oneContinue reading “Stratford Festival 2016 – A sampler (Reviews)”

Billy Elliot soars at Croswell Opera House (Review)

Landon Brimacombe takes flight with Aidan Ziegler-Hansen (as Billy and Older Billy) in Billy Elliot – photo courtesy Croswell Opera House. Croswell Opera House has pulled another magic trick out of it’s current big hat of hits and created a production of Billy Elliot that truly soars (in Act II in more ways than one). DirectorContinue reading “Billy Elliot soars at Croswell Opera House (Review)”

Assassins at Encore Musical Theatre Company is can’t miss musical theater (review)

Photo by Michele Anliker Every now and again, my role as a musical theater director and reviewer compels me to launch into teaching mode — and that mode was fully activated while watching the breathtaking production of Assassins at Encore Musical Theatre Company that opened last night. See it because you owe yourself a chance toContinue reading “Assassins at Encore Musical Theatre Company is can’t miss musical theater (review)”

A2CT’s The Wedding Singer: This Robbie Hart Will Certainly Steal Yours (Review)

By Guest Reviewer Wendy Wright, photo by Aaron C Wade I’ll start by saying that I saw a rehearsal of this production of The Wedding Singer about a week ago and the growth in that time has been remarkable. Of course it’s not surprising that the addition of all of the technical elements, a fullContinue reading “A2CT’s The Wedding Singer: This Robbie Hart Will Certainly Steal Yours (Review)”

A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On at Croswell’s “Million Dollar Quartet” (Review)

You’d be hard-pressed not to think that the Broadway tour of Million Dollar Quartet has made a stop in Adrian, MI, because this production, launching the 2016 summer season at Croswell Opera House is that terrific. Start with the remarkable set by Doug Miller. Upon entering the theater, you’re greeted by his car-part-shop-turned-studio set, andContinue reading “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On at Croswell’s “Million Dollar Quartet” (Review)”

“Ragtime the Musical” tour is spectacular (Review)

Kate Turner (Mother) and Matthew Curiano (Tateh) sing “Our Children” in RAGTIME Seen on its journey through Toledo’s Stranahan Theater, the newly minted national tour of Ragtime the musical is in a word spectacular. First, take a top-notch cast making some amazing music together. Next, add a genuinely affecting story (book by Terrence McNally, MusicContinue reading ““Ragtime the Musical” tour is spectacular (Review)”