Author Archives: ronannarbor

“Falling Skies” TNT – decent sci-fi with too much talk…

If you haven’t tuned into TNT’s “Falling Skies” series, you should give it a try. It’s a family-based drama built around Noah Wyle and his family post-alien invasion, and it’s sort of a mashup of War of the Worlds, Independence Day, and V all rolled into one. A ragtag group of renegades and “fighters” goContinue reading ““Falling Skies” TNT – decent sci-fi with too much talk…”

HAIRSPRAY at Croswell Opera House (Review)

Hairspray, the Tony winning musical with book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Music by Marc Shaiman, and Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman has quickly become the most overproduced musical in the current amateur musical circuit — at last count, this is the 28th or 29th production of it in the state ofContinue reading “HAIRSPRAY at Croswell Opera House (Review)”

Cedar Point 2011 – Live Shows (Review) Updated

Good News, Bad News…and another summer of live shows at Cedar Point First the Good News: Tropical Heat, Island Beat is back at the Red Garter Saloon, and it’s as ridiculously entertaining as last year. Infused with Island-beat pop rock standards, the cast delivers 25 minutes of energetic, fun music with the best selection ofContinue reading “Cedar Point 2011 – Live Shows (Review) Updated”

Outstanding “The Last 5 Years” at Encore (Review)

Steve DeBruyne (Jamie) and Thalia Schramm (Cathy) turn in two excellent performances in Encore’s current offering, Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last 5 Years”. These two performers sing-through 75 minutes of intermission-less ballads, pop songs, and story songs to tell the tale of a 5-year relationship;  her tale beginning at story’s end and working backwards, hisContinue reading “Outstanding “The Last 5 Years” at Encore (Review)”

Forever Plaid at Encore is terrific entertainment (review)

Forever Plaid, which opened tonight at the Encore Musical Theater Company in Dexter, will bring you “plaid tidings”, um, you’ll be “plaid you went”, er…you’ll “boldy go where no plaid has gone before”…. Yeah, okay, it’s that kind of show…and it is terrific. The actors are wonderful, the scenic design spiffy, and the entire eveningContinue reading “Forever Plaid at Encore is terrific entertainment (review)”

Count yourself lucky if you have a ticket to BRIGADOON, University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program (Review)

To put it simply, the best musical theater in the region is consistently presented by the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Program. The productions from performance to stagecraft are indistinguishable from Broadway staging and tours (which is as it should be, since this one of the best musical theater training programs in the country). BrigadoonContinue reading “Count yourself lucky if you have a ticket to BRIGADOON, University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program (Review)”

Charming “My Future Boyfriend” – ABC Family (review)

Ok, it’s not “art”, but it’s heartwarming and family friendly (though maybe not for the under 10’s because of the talk of “sex and lust” although it doesn’t show any of it).  What it is, instead, is a charming, somewhat predictable, and well-acted movie presented by ABC Family. Sara Rue and Barry Watson play theContinue reading “Charming “My Future Boyfriend” – ABC Family (review)”

Special Benefit planned, The Color Purple, Detroit (Press Release)

ALLEE WILLIS MARCHES ON DETROIT! WHAT: As a special benefit for MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL, alumna extraordinaire ALLEE WILLIS conducts the MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND through a medley of her hit songs in the lobby of Detroit’s FOX THEATRE, with cast members from THE COLOR PURPLE joining in for a sing-along. WHEN: Saturday, April 9,Continue reading “Special Benefit planned, The Color Purple, Detroit (Press Release)”

Les Miserables 25th Anniversary tour is, in a word, Perfect (Fisher Theater Detroit) – Review (Updated 11/11/11)

Sometimes you see a show, even a show that is now in it’s 25th year, and you just can’t describe it in any other way except “perfect” — such is the tour production currently on display at the Fisher Theater in Detroit. With a finely-tuned ensemble cast; spectacular set design that out-Les Mis’s original turntableContinue reading “Les Miserables 25th Anniversary tour is, in a word, Perfect (Fisher Theater Detroit) – Review (Updated 11/11/11)”