ronannarbor

“Jekyll & Hyde” Broadway Review

First, I have previously reviewed this production when it played at the Fisher Theater and that review is here: https://a2view.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=992&action=edit Second, the show now seen at the Marquis Theatre in New York is basically identical to that seen on tour. The New York Media have not been kind to this revisal, and of course, they weren’tContinue reading ““Jekyll & Hyde” Broadway Review”

Hands on a Hardbody (review) Broadway.

I’ve held off a few days on posting my review of Hands on a Hardbody, seen on Thursday night. I have to admit right off the bat that I didn’t like the show, and haven’t been able to put my finger on exactly why. Trey Anastasio certainly creates a good musical score, if a bitContinue reading “Hands on a Hardbody (review) Broadway.”

Cinderella on Broadway (review) is a scrumptious mess

Let me start by saying I love Rodgers and Hammerstein, pretty much their entire repertoire. So when a new Broadway version of Cinderella was announced, with Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, and Victoria Clark, you know I had to be there. Second, all the requisite songs are there, and they sound great. Everything looks terrific onContinue reading “Cinderella on Broadway (review) is a scrumptious mess”

Kinky Boots on Broadway is abso-friggin-fantabulous (review)

Take one part Hairspray and one part The Full Monty. Mix together and add in generous helpings of Priscilla, La Cage, and sprinkle it all with tasty performances and shiny design work. Finally, douse it all in a superior score by Cyndi Lauper and strong script by Harvey Fierstein. Season to taste with Jerry Mitchell’sContinue reading “Kinky Boots on Broadway is abso-friggin-fantabulous (review)”

Matilda the musical (review) NYC — something naughty this way comes

Matilda the musical, now playing at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway, is a naughty big brash musical comedy freshly imported from London where it won a record number of Olivier awards a few months back. Half of that cast has come along for the ride. It probably helps to have read Roald Dahl’s book priorContinue reading “Matilda the musical (review) NYC — something naughty this way comes”

Spooky (Hilarious) Mormon Hell Dream…The Book of Mormon (Detroit) tour review

I won’t go much into the show itself, since there is little one can add to “review” the musical THE BOOK OF MORMON, continuing its tour now in Detroit, except to say that the production is superb, the cast excellent, and the humor as raunchy as ever. Sending our cast of naive white-boy Mormon missionariesContinue reading “Spooky (Hilarious) Mormon Hell Dream…The Book of Mormon (Detroit) tour review”

Kevin Rose in Concert – Encore Musical Theatre (review)

Every now and then, a rising star swings through the Ann Arbor area, most recently thanks to Dexter’s Encore Musical Theatre Company, and treats the audience to an evening of polished, superb Broadway fare that really makes you think about the amazing talent out there in the world, and how fortunate we are in theContinue reading “Kevin Rose in Concert – Encore Musical Theatre (review)”

SMASH is back, and its as infuriating as ever…

Reviewed after screening the first three hours of the new season (NBC has telecast to the first two hours this week). Well, Smash is back on NBC, and your like (or dislike) of the show will directly relate to a) your ability to tolerate Katharine McPhee, b) your enjoyment of musical theater as a whole,Continue reading “SMASH is back, and its as infuriating as ever…”

ANYTHING GOES and WICKED in San Francisco (Tour update)

While in San Francisco this past week, I had the opportunity to catch up with two favorite Broadway shows on tour — the first national tours of ANYTHING GOES and WICKED. Good news for the former, not so much for the latter. Anything Goes (which I originally saw in NYC and then on tour inContinue reading “ANYTHING GOES and WICKED in San Francisco (Tour update)”

2012 Musical Theater Season in SE Michigan – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly…

It’s hard to make a “best of” list in this area of the country, since the blend of collegiate, community, and professional often overlap and sometimes Community theater productions can be as good as (or better) than some professional productions, while at other times, college shows can look better than Broadway tours….nonetheless, here is myContinue reading “2012 Musical Theater Season in SE Michigan – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly…”