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Challenging and interesting “Women and Wallace” at Ann Arbor Civic Theater (Review)

Director Jared Hoffert has directed a challenging and interesting production of Jonathan Marc Sherman’s one-act play “Women and Wallace” at Ann Arbor Civic Theater. Told in roughly chronological order, the play follows Wallace, whose mother commits suicide, on his journey to adulthood (it starts with him at 6 years old in 1975, and ends with him atContinue reading “Challenging and interesting “Women and Wallace” at Ann Arbor Civic Theater (Review)”

Practically Perfect “Mary Poppins” at Croswell Opera House (review)

I’ll come back to that “practically” in a bit — but what a night of theatre Croswell Opera House has put together in the Disney musical “Mary Poppins”. Seen on Friday night of the final week of performances (the remainder are all sold out), I was so glad I had the opportunity to spend whatContinue reading “Practically Perfect “Mary Poppins” at Croswell Opera House (review)”

Michigan Shakespeare Festival 2015 — Ready to go!

Hello fellow Shakespeare lovers! You know me as the owner/reviewer of my blog — A2View.com…but I wear other hats as well…I own and work as a neuropsychologist at BrainTrainers Brain Injury Day Program…I direct (coming up: Bonnie & Clyde for Encore Musical Theatre Company)…I perform (this summer as Mr. Simmons in Memphis the musical atContinue reading “Michigan Shakespeare Festival 2015 — Ready to go!”

Croswell Opera House announces 6.2 Million Capital Campaign

Calling it a transformative project that will build a strong future for performing arts in the region, the Croswell Opera House in Adrian announced a $6.2 million capital campaign on Friday night. Emory Schmidt, president of the Croswell’s board of trustees, unveiled the plans in front of about 250 supporters who had gathered for theContinue reading “Croswell Opera House announces 6.2 Million Capital Campaign”

Remarkable performances in “Rent” — Ann Arbor Civic Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s RENT was presented this past weekend by Ann Arbor Civic Theater at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Whatever your thoughts are on the show itself (people either love it or hate it), the production featured a remarkable cast of performers, well directed by Glenn Bugala and choreographed by Kat Walsh with excellent musical directionContinue reading “Remarkable performances in “Rent” — Ann Arbor Civic Theatre”

Encore’s “South Pacific” Steps it up a Notch (Review)

Of all the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, The Sound of Music and South Pacific are my favorites. The former is as fresh as the day it was written. The latter has seen better days. But there is no doubting that Encore Musical Theatre Company’s production (seen in preview) is beautiful and well-done…in fact, it stepsContinue reading “Encore’s “South Pacific” Steps it up a Notch (Review)”

Croswell Opera House’s “Great Big Night” Fundraiser

Dinner, drinks and dancing — and, of course, a show — are on deck for the Great Big Night, the Croswell Opera House’s annual benefit gala. “This is our only big fundraiser, and every year it just keeps getting bigger and better,” said Jere Righter, artistic director of the downtown Adrian theater. “It’s going toContinue reading “Croswell Opera House’s “Great Big Night” Fundraiser”

Into the Woods at Croswell Opera House (review)

Hard to believe that Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” is 28 years old, right? I saw that original production in NYC 28 years ago several times while I was in grad school, and I’ve probably seen 40 productions in between. And none of them has been as picture perfect a copy of the original Broadway productionContinue reading “Into the Woods at Croswell Opera House (review)”

Thoroughly Gorgeous “Millie” at The Village Players (Review)

The first thing I did after seeing The Village Players in Birmingham’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie” was get online and order more tickets for another performance. Its that great. Then I sent text messages to friends to tell them how wonderful this production is. And then I had a very very long drive home from way up thereContinue reading “Thoroughly Gorgeous “Millie” at The Village Players (Review)”

“The Music Man” at Downriver Actors Guild (Review)

Of all my favorite musicals, The Music Man is the one I like the most — AND the one I prefer to see done in community theaters rather than professionally — its the quintessential community show: lots of roles across the age spectrum, a great script, great songs with lots of opportunities for singing andContinue reading ““The Music Man” at Downriver Actors Guild (Review)”