Author Archives: ronannarbor

“Les Miserables” movie is stunning, emotional, and divisive (Review)

Do you hear the people sing? Do you scour all the movie reviews to decide if you want to see a movie or not? Do you trust your Facebook friends and their opinions? It seems everyone has an opinion on “Les Miserables”, the movie adaptation of the long-running stage musical. I, among many, just lovedContinue reading ““Les Miserables” movie is stunning, emotional, and divisive (Review)”

Home for the Holidays, Dionysus Theatre, Review

Looks like Steve DeBruyne and Matthew Tomich have found (at least temporarily) a home for Dionysus Theatre at the Hartland High School auditorium — and its in a small beautiful space with professional amenities that theater companies envy. Its also a short 25 minute drive north of Ann Arbor (half the distance to Croswell forContinue reading “Home for the Holidays, Dionysus Theatre, Review”

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” musical tour (review)

Take a 10-minute book, turned into a 30 minute tv special, and expand it to a 90-minute intermissionless musical, and you have the plusses and the minuses of the holiday musical “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” which is currently playing multiple times a day at the Detroit Opera House on its holiday tour. There isn’tContinue reading ““How the Grinch Stole Christmas” musical tour (review)”

Broadway-bound JEKYLL & HYDE revisal is excellent…(Tour review, Detroit)

There’s no way around it…you either love Jekyll & Hyde the musical or you hate it…and this production might just change a few minds for those who don’t. Completely restaged, reimagined, re-orchestrated and more in line with the original concept album than the 97 Broadway production, the revised Broadway bound Jekyll & Hyde is magnificent andContinue reading “Broadway-bound JEKYLL & HYDE revisal is excellent…(Tour review, Detroit)”

Broadway Fall 2012 – Annie, Drood, Chaplin (reviews)

Musical Theater is in full swing on Broadway this fall, with some new material, and some revivals — and the good news is, whatever you choose, you’ll be in for a treat. Seen the weekend of November 16 – 18, this trip included revivals of Annie and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and the newContinue reading “Broadway Fall 2012 – Annie, Drood, Chaplin (reviews)”

Should I upgrade by iPad 3 to the iPad 4?

No. If you already have an iPad 3, do not upgrade to the iPad 4 unless you just have money burning in your pocket. For all practical purposes, there is nothing different between the two except for a slightly faster processor (no practical application, you won’t notice the difference)…a better camera for FaceTime (do youContinue reading “Should I upgrade by iPad 3 to the iPad 4?”

“Evil Dead the Musical” is a hilarious 2nd year hit at DCP in Dexter…(Mini Review)

Evil Dead, the Musical, makes a triumphant return to the Copeland Auditorium in Dexter Michigan by way of Dexter Community Players, who stage the show for a second year in a row — and it is tighter, better performed, and funnier all-around with three-times the blood quotient. Based on several of the Evil Dead movies,Continue reading ““Evil Dead the Musical” is a hilarious 2nd year hit at DCP in Dexter…(Mini Review)”

Dance-tacular “Anything Goes” looks great on tour (review)

What a joy to revisit an old classic and find that the tour is as fresh and spectacular as the original Broadway production (now closed). (Seen on tour at the Wharton Center, East Lansing, MI 10-21-12). Starring Rachel York in a simply wonderful performance, the dance-laden show veers from joke to song to dance withContinue reading “Dance-tacular “Anything Goes” looks great on tour (review)”

Scrumptious “Sunday in the Park with George” – University of Michigan Musical Theatre program (Review)

Continuing in a long string of the most professionally produced and technically proficient musicals in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theater presents a scrumptious “Sunday in the Park with George” at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater. Directed by Mark Madama, musically directed by Cynthia Kortman Westphal and Alexander Gemingnani (who also conducts),Continue reading “Scrumptious “Sunday in the Park with George” – University of Michigan Musical Theatre program (Review)”