ronannarbor

A quick note on reviews – or, why I didn’t review your show

Just a reminder that I do not review every musical that opens in SE Michigan, but you can be sure that I will review every professional musical tour that comes through and all Broadway musicals in NYC each year. I do not review community theater shows, or amateur theater production unless I specifically want toContinue reading “A quick note on reviews – or, why I didn’t review your show”

Forever Plaid gets Dio Theater off to a terrific start in new home (Review)

What could be better than dinner and a show? And if its a good dinner and a great show, it makes it all the better — and that is what you get from The Dio – Dining and Entertainment this summer with their first production in their new Pinkney-based home, Forever Plaid. Chef Jarod hasContinue reading “Forever Plaid gets Dio Theater off to a terrific start in new home (Review)”

Paris off the beaten path

In my many many (dozens) of trips to Paris over the years, I’ve managed to wander around most of the city and surroundings. Friends always marvel at the things I tend to find around town — after someone asked me about that again last night, I thought I’d write an entry on some truly amazingContinue reading “Paris off the beaten path”

Blackberry Q10 vs iPhone 5 — Software does-in BB’s otherwise excellent Qwerty smartphone

UPDATED 7/17/13 — The following review remains as is. On July 3, ATT rolled-out version 10.1.0.2030 — this was specifically updated to unblock calDav problems and to allow syncing to occur between Blackberry and iOS iCloud and to patch some security woes. It does not work automatically and you will have to add it manuallyContinue reading “Blackberry Q10 vs iPhone 5 — Software does-in BB’s otherwise excellent Qwerty smartphone”

Cedar Point Live Shows 2013 (Review)

Another summer of live shows is in full swing at Cedar Point, and it continues to offer the best overall live-park show entertainment outside of Walt Disney World’s theme parks. This year’s offerings are no exception. Summer Daze at the Palace Theater in Frontiertown offers a front-of-the-park quality show at the back-of-the-park. This is theContinue reading “Cedar Point Live Shows 2013 (Review)”

What I learned from Smash (if I didn’t know anything about theater)

If I didn’t know anything about theater, Broadway, or musical theater, here is what I would have taken away from the now-cancelled series SMASH which ended its run last night on NBC: The girl that doesn’t act, look, sing, or dance like Marilyn will get cast as Marilyn because she was on American Idol. EveryoneContinue reading “What I learned from Smash (if I didn’t know anything about theater)”

“Catch Me if You Can” tour review.

The non-AEA tour of the Broadway musical “Catch Me If You Can” makes its second local stop this week and next at the Fisher Theater in Detroit (It was at Wharton Center in East Lansing last month). See my original review from the Broadway production for a more detailed review, but let me say thatContinue reading ““Catch Me if You Can” tour review.”

Ron’s Broadway Musical Awards 2012-2013 season

Best New Musical – Tie: Matilda and Kinky Boots Best Revival of a Musical – Pippin Best Director of a Musical – Diane Paulus, Pippin Best Choreographer of a Musical – Chet Walker, Pippin Best Book of a New Musical – Dennis Kelly, Matilda Best Score of a New Musical – Cyndi Lauper, Kinky BootsContinue reading “Ron’s Broadway Musical Awards 2012-2013 season”

Pippin Broadway revival (Review) — Spectacular

PIPPIN, revived by American Repertory Theater and opening this week at The Music Box Theater in NYC is, in a word, Spectacular. This is turning into an exciting season: I feel sad because this year’s Best Revival of a Musical award would have otherwise gone to the excellent “Mystery of Edwin Drood” which I lovedContinue reading “Pippin Broadway revival (Review) — Spectacular”

Motown the Musical on Broadway review

Move over Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys, Motown the Musical has taken your place as audience favorite…and count me in. I loved it. The book by Berry Gordy is weak: but the music is a dream. Rapidly directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and zippily choreographed by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, the show barrels along overContinue reading “Motown the Musical on Broadway review”