Author Archives: ronannarbor

Amazing Jeremy Jordan at Dexter’s Encore Musical Theatre Company (Event Review)

The Encore Musical Theatre Company has never looked as spiffed-up as it did last night at the spectacular fundraiser featuring Jeremy Jordan. In all honesty, I can not start this review without stating the deep pride I feel for Encore’s Founders, Board of Directors, Employees, Staff, and Volunteers. What occurred last night was more thanContinue reading “Amazing Jeremy Jordan at Dexter’s Encore Musical Theatre Company (Event Review)”

Anna Kendrick shines in “The Last Five Years” movie

Anna Kendrick shines in the role of Cathy in the movie adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s musical “The Last Five Years” – a musical theatre staple about a couple who meet, date, marry, and ultimately divorce — although its told from Cathy’s point of view running backwards, while from Jamie’s point of view it runsContinue reading “Anna Kendrick shines in “The Last Five Years” movie”

“Bus Stop” at the Dio…and some yummy chicken…

Have you met the denizens of Grace’s diner? What? You haven’t? Either on stage or in the movie? Or on television’s HBO a while back? Well, here’s your chance to catch up with a bunch of strangers learning about love in Dio’s production of William Inge’s Bus Stop (1955). First, there’s spunky and love-starved Grace,Continue reading ““Bus Stop” at the Dio…and some yummy chicken…”

“Guys on Ice” at Encore is funny, quirky, and has heart

If your favorite shows are “Oklahoma” and “Brigadoon” you are probably not the target market for Guys on Ice, the current offering at Encore Musical Theatre Company — but for the rest of us, it is funny, quirky, and sometimes shows heart. A huge hit throughout Wisconsin theatres, and even with some previous local productionsContinue reading ““Guys on Ice” at Encore is funny, quirky, and has heart”

5-Star “Into the Woods” movie surpasses stage version

I can think of only four Broadway musicals since 1960 whose movie adaptations are better than their stage versions — those are The Sound of Music, Oliver!, Funny Girl, and Chicago. Now comes the 5th — Into the Woods. Set aside any qualms you might have as a musical theater lover about the film, and goContinue reading “5-Star “Into the Woods” movie surpasses stage version”

Tuneful, delightful “Christmas Caroled!” at Encore (Review)

There is a lot to like about the new musical, Christmas Caroled at the Encore Musical Theatre Company, not the least of which is a superb ensemble cast that makes some really terrific music together. A framing mechanism that finds a grumpy down-on-his-luck Abner Z Scruggs (get it?) falling asleep and dreaming about his workContinue reading “Tuneful, delightful “Christmas Caroled!” at Encore (Review)”

Come “Home For the Holidays” – The Dio – review

Its Baaa-ck!…… Home for the Holidays, the original Christmas musical written by Steve DeBruyne and Matthew Tomich and featuring a solid cast of 13 returns for its third holiday season at the Dio, the second in its permanent home in Pinckney. I’ve reviewed the show before, so you can check that out with a quickContinue reading “Come “Home For the Holidays” – The Dio – review”

Hilarious and Tuneful “Honeymoon in Vegas” (Broadway – Preview review)

A sublime Brynn O’Malley, an excellent Rob McClure, and a top-form Tony Danza play the lead roles in the Jason Robert Brown scored stage adaptation of Andrew Bergman’s “Honeymoon in Vegas”. In a show that is one of the most all-around entertaining musicals I’ve seen in ages the score is tuneful, the jokes hilarious, andContinue reading “Hilarious and Tuneful “Honeymoon in Vegas” (Broadway – Preview review)”