Elf the musical, Broadway, review

With plenty of scrooges in the New York media, it was with a bit of trepidation that I approached Elf, The Musical, currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre through the holidays. I’m happy to report that those scrooges were wrong, and the show is a delight. Granted, this is not Les Miz that weContinue reading “Elf the musical, Broadway, review”

“Spiderman” musical a technical marvel (Updated)

Yes, this is a review of a preview. No, the show has not officially opened (I saw preview #23) but that’s the way it goes. When a show of this caliber opens in NYC, charges full price for tickets, and pushes back official press openings, the gentleman’s rule no longer applies. Thousands of people aContinue reading ““Spiderman” musical a technical marvel (Updated)”

“Dreamgirls” tour positively electric (Detroit)

Get tickets, go, don’t hesitate for a moment. The current Broadway Tour that has landed at the Fox Theater in Detroit is positively electric. From the cast to the set, lighting, and orchestra it is just a high-energy evening of musical theater not to be missed. This Dreamgirls is more than just a revival…it’s aContinue reading ““Dreamgirls” tour positively electric (Detroit)”

2010 Funniest TV quotes

Here they are! 2010’s funniest tv quotes. Granted I haven’t seen every single show out there, but of those that I have, here are my favorite of the year. “Together we’re like Ghandi….I’m Skinny, and your Tan” — Better Off Ted “Leonard, wake up, you are missing many excellent super-hero quips” — The Big BangContinue reading “2010 Funniest TV quotes”

Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical – (Review) Toronto pre-Broadway

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musical, now playing in Toronto and London, and heading to Broadway this coming spring, is in a word “FAB-U-LOUS.” Seen in Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre, the musical follows the movie pretty faithfully, expanding on a few key scenes, and using much of the music of theContinue reading “Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical – (Review) Toronto pre-Broadway”

Very funny “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Performance Network (review) Ann Arbor, MI

Performance Network in Ann Arbor is currently presenting the first professional Michigan production of The Drowsy Chaperone, and it is high on fun, sparse on tickets (it’s been extended to January 2nd) and a good musical in residence for the holidays. The more you know about musical theater, the more you will love the extraordinaryContinue reading “Very funny “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Performance Network (review) Ann Arbor, MI”

UM’s “Gibson Fleck” shows promise, fine score (review)

It’s hard to review a workshop production of a show. Such is the case at the University of Michigan, where the musical theater program is presenting GIBSON FLECK this weekend. There are parts of this new musical that work well. There are others that don’t. But what works well works very well –the opposite isContinue reading “UM’s “Gibson Fleck” shows promise, fine score (review)”

Magical “Mary Poppins” tour (review) East Lansing, MI Wharton Center

Disney’s Mary Poppins the musical has been a magical sensation from its opening night in London, through it’s UK tour,  Broadway (where it is still running) and now the tour which arrived in East Lansing MI at the Wharton Center, where it will soon be a return visitor if the sold out audiences and enthusiasticContinue reading “Magical “Mary Poppins” tour (review) East Lansing, MI Wharton Center”

Terrific DeBruyne, Cuppone, and Hissong in “Damn Yankees” Encore Theater, Dexter.

This isn’t really a review. I just wanted to take a moment to say that I had the opportunity to see “Damn Yankees” at Encore Musical Theater in Dexter last night. I thought special mention must be made of the excellent work that Steve DeBruyne (Joe), MaryJo Cuppone (Lola), and Tobin Hissong (Applegate) turn inContinue reading “Terrific DeBruyne, Cuppone, and Hissong in “Damn Yankees” Encore Theater, Dexter.”

Dancap (Toronto) announces 2011 Broadway musical tour season

Dancap announces it’s upcoming Broadway musicals tour season in Toronto: South Pacific – Feb 15-Apr 10, 2011 – Toronto Center for the Arts 9 to 5 – Jun 29–Jul 10, 2011 – Toronto Center for the Arts Next to Normal – Jul 19-31, 2011 – Four Seasons Center Come Fly Away – Aug 16-28, 2011Continue reading “Dancap (Toronto) announces 2011 Broadway musical tour season”