Author Archives: ronannarbor

Charming “The Drowsy Chaperone” tour (Stranahan Theater, Toledo – Review)

The charming musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone opened this week at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo for a week-long run. Winner of multiple 2006 Tony Awards, the tour is cotton candy on a cold winter day. The show’s been using the tagline “musical inside a comedy” for several years now, and that is exactly whatContinue reading “Charming “The Drowsy Chaperone” tour (Stranahan Theater, Toledo – Review)”

“Leap Year” is predictable, light, and ultimately a “crock ‘o shyte” (Updated)

OK, off the bat, this is a solid B movie with a horrible script and two great performances. That being said, this is a movie you have already seen — many times. Let me tell you off the bat, the Girl gets the Boy in the end — the right one. How they get thereContinue reading ““Leap Year” is predictable, light, and ultimately a “crock ‘o shyte” (Updated)”

“Up in the Air”; “Sherlock Holmes”; “It’s Complicated”; “The Blind Side” (Review)

I’ve previously reviewed “Nine”, “The Princess and the Frog”, “Avatar”, and “2010” from this holiday season. Here are four more. First — the far-and-away best movie of the holiday season is UP IN THE AIR. Directed by Jason Reitman, it’s a timely and highly entertaining look at the life of a social-tie disconnected man whoseContinue reading ““Up in the Air”; “Sherlock Holmes”; “It’s Complicated”; “The Blind Side” (Review)”

“Nine” movie adaptation is jaw-droppingly awful (Review)

First, for the record, NINE is one of my favorite 3 Broadway musicals. I saw the original 1982 production 3 times in NYC, and the revival as well (which was already watered-down…pun intended).  But what Rob Marshall has done with the movie version of NINE is jaw-droppingly awful. First, Daniel Day-Lewis is woefully miscast. HeContinue reading ““Nine” movie adaptation is jaw-droppingly awful (Review)”

“Jersey Boys” best tour to hit Detroit in ages (Review)

I can’t recall a cast and production of a Broadway tour to hit Detroit that is this excellent from top to bottom. JERSEY BOYS is the ticket for a cold winter night in Motown, and it’s proving to be a huge audience favorite. This is not the first time I have seen Jersey Boys. IContinue reading ““Jersey Boys” best tour to hit Detroit in ages (Review)”

The Addams Family musical – Chicago (Review) – Funky fun!

Before even commencing with a review, let me state three things. 1) I LOVED this new musical and had a great time. 2) You will either love it or find yourself being indifferent to it depending on your level of a) appreciation for great performances, music, and stagecraft, and b) your tolerance for quirky lunacy.Continue reading “The Addams Family musical – Chicago (Review) – Funky fun!”

James Cameron’s “Avatar” has wow-factor to spare (Review)

James Cameron’s AVATAR is, to put it mildly, the WOW-movie of the year. Or any year. You’ve never seen anything like this. Nobody has ever seen anything like this. You know you want to see it — so just go see it. It’s everything it has been proclaimed to be. But before I even goContinue reading “James Cameron’s “Avatar” has wow-factor to spare (Review)”

Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” is a gorgeously crafted snooze-fest

As my last duty before heading off to Orlando for a week, I saw Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” in its first showing at the Showcase Cinemas this morning. It allowed me a short nap before heading off to Florida. The first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes are absolute Disney at itsContinue reading “Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” is a gorgeously crafted snooze-fest”

“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” at Wharton Center, East Lansing (Review) is a Dream

Okay, let me state this for the record: I have seen White Christmas, the musical, 7 times now – between San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, and East Lansing. I love this show, and am not going to review the show itself…This is the 2009 Tour that made a one-week stop at the Wharton Center at MSU,Continue reading ““Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” at Wharton Center, East Lansing (Review) is a Dream”