Author Archives: ronannarbor

I am usually overwhelmed with requests to review shows in SE Michigan. I can only review a limited number per month. Just a rundown on reviews: I review primarily musicals, but occasionally plays are not out of the question. In general I need to want to see the show, so that usually excludes smaller worksContinue reading “A reminder on reviews”

Peter and the Starcatcher, winner of 5 Tony awards in 2012 and oft-produced nationwide opened last night at the Croswell Opera House and it is a lovely evening of theater, music, color, storytelling, and maybe a slight tear in your eye.  Based on the 2004 children’s book, the story tells of two ships crossing theContinue reading “Catch a lovely Peter and the Starcatcher at Croswell (Review)”

Lyle Lyle Crocodile (4/5 stars) is a terrific, tuneful, and fun family movie that all ages will enjoy. They sort of hide the fact that it is a musical in its trailers. The songs (sung by Shawn Mendes) are by Pasek and Paul and they are catchy and you’ll find yourself buying the album afterContinue reading “Lyle Lyle Crocodile, and Amsterdam”

If you haven’t yet purchased tickets for “Kinky Boots,” at The Croswell Opera House, September 16th-25th, what are you waiting for? With a book by Tony-winner Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Tony- and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, the show hits all the right notes and so does the local production team and cast. GoContinue reading “Everybody say Yeah to Kinky Boots (Review – Croswell Opera House)”

Medieval (called Jan Źiźka internationally) arrives in time to salvage an early September weekend with original programming. Set in the early days of Czech Bohemian hero Jan Źiźka’s formative mercenary years, it’s a story most Americans are not at all familiar with. In the early 1400’s the Catholic Church is in such disarray that thereContinue reading ““Medieval” is a violent but fascinating film”

Idris Elba packs up his two daughters after the death of their mother for a fun-filled African savannah vacation. There is playful banter and “serious talk” as they set off on their adventure. Unfortunately, there is a large lion on the loose in the vicinity of their camp, and its mad and out for blood.Continue reading “Beast is an okay thriller/adventure film.”

BULLET TRAIN, set aboard a speeding 180 mph train traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto is an action thriller from David Leitch, the director of the John Wick series. It stars Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, and a handful of other racially diverse actors. This is the last of the big new summer movies this season. FiveContinue reading “End of summer fun, with Bullet Train and The Gray Man (reviews)”

When a show is as huge a hit as They’re Playing Our Song was, you’d think everyone would know it, right? Well, not in this case. Running for over three years in NYC with major productions in LA and London’s West End, the musical has a storyline based on the real world relationship of CaroleContinue reading “Forgotten Musicals Part 2: They’re Playing Our Song (1979)”

Jordan Peele has crafted a Spielberg-ish suspense thriller in his latest movie Nope, which is incorrectly classified as a “horror” movie, which it is not. Unless you consider films like Jaws or War of the Worlds horror movies. Following a brother and sister trying to get the “ultimate movie shot” of a UFO pestering theirContinue reading “Peele’s Nope is a big Yup”