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A Chorus Line National Tour 2018 (brief review, Fox Theatre Detroit)

I only have time for a short review of A CHORUS LINE national tour 2018. Seen at yesterday’s matinee at the Fox Theatre, Detroit — the show is a faithful recreation of the staging and original choreography of the 1975 original Broadway production. It looks good. Sound was bad at the Fox. Dancing was terrificContinue reading “A Chorus Line National Tour 2018 (brief review, Fox Theatre Detroit)”

Great Armstong, Johnson, and Kaminski in “Merrily We Roll Along” – Ringwald (review)

There’s a terrific cast romping its way across the (nearly bare) Ringwald stage in their current production of George Furth and Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along (based on the play by Kaufman and Hart). I write this review from the viewpoint of having previously directed a production of this musical myself. There’s notContinue reading “Great Armstong, Johnson, and Kaminski in “Merrily We Roll Along” – Ringwald (review)”

SNOW CANCELLATIONS SE Michigan Fri 02/18

*************************************************** SNOWMAGEDDON THEATER UPDATE for FRI 2/9 *************************************************** Dark Tonight: Williamston Theatre – Our Lady of Poison Purple Rose – Flint Penny Seats – Edges Hillberry Theatre – The Colored Museum Puzzle Piece Theatre – Crimes of the Heart Dexter Community Players – Alice in Wonderland Tipping Point – Every Brilliant Thing Horizon Performing ArtsContinue reading “SNOW CANCELLATIONS SE Michigan Fri 02/18”

Odd, Funny, 70’s comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” at the Dio (Review)

Molly Cunningham, Joshua Brown, and Dale Dobson. Photo Credit Michele Ankiker. The Dio’s current offering “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick is far and away the oddest local theater offering of the young season – and it is a hoot. You might be in mind of a mystery, maybeContinue reading “Odd, Funny, 70’s comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” at the Dio (Review)”

Great Balls of Fire! “Million Dollar Quartet” rocks the Encore (Review)

Million Dollar Quartet – Photo credit: Michele Anliker Based on an actual jam session at Sun Records in December of 1956 (the real recording is currently called The Complete Million Dollar Quartet, though it has had other names), this musical chronicles the impromptu session where Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Elvis PresleyContinue reading “Great Balls of Fire! “Million Dollar Quartet” rocks the Encore (Review)”

Very Funny Wacky-doodle “The Explorers Club” at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (Review)

Ann Stoner, Jimmy Dee Arnold, Adam Peterson, Charles Sutherland, Christopher Tiffany, and Thomas Underwood in “The Explorers Club” photo Lisa Gavan Men’s clubs of late 1800’s London display their wackier side in Nell Benjamin’s farce “The Explorers Club” (Broadway production 2013) at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre which opened last night and runs through January 14thContinue reading “Very Funny Wacky-doodle “The Explorers Club” at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (Review)”

Beautiful and gut-wrenching “Finding Neverland” at Wharton Center, East Lansing (Tour Review)

A beautiful touring production of “Finding Neverland” opened at East Lansing’s Wharton Center last night as it continues across the US following a solid Broadway run. If you’ve seen the movie, you know the story of this musical. If not, it follows JM Barrie’s creation of the stage play Peter Pan, based on his romanceContinue reading “Beautiful and gut-wrenching “Finding Neverland” at Wharton Center, East Lansing (Tour Review)”

Laugh Your Seasonal Cares Away with “The Year Without a Panto Claus” at Theatre Nova

Guest review by Wendy Wright If you love slapstick, song and dance and sly political humor, then you need to run down to the Yellow Barn, where Theatre Nova is staging its annual Christmas “Panto” based on the classic holiday story “The Year Without a Santa Claus” called (what else) “The Year Without a PantoContinue reading “Laugh Your Seasonal Cares Away with “The Year Without a Panto Claus” at Theatre Nova”

Smooth Sailing for the SS American — Anything Goes at Encore (Review)

(Photo courtesy Encore Musical Theatre Company, Michele Anliker photographer) The SS American has set sail at the Encore Musical Theatre Company and I predict nothing but smooth sailing ahead for this lovely production of Anything Goes. There isn’t a Christmas tree in sight, and it is still the brightest holiday musical in town this season.Continue reading “Smooth Sailing for the SS American — Anything Goes at Encore (Review)”

Clever Creepy Cool “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” at the Dio (review)

The Dio has a delicious Christmas treat in store for you this year (and I’m not just talking about Chef Jarrod’s holiday-themed pre-show meal!) in the form of Tom Mula’s adaptation of his own book, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. It’s an entirely different take on the familiar Dickens Christmas tale, and it is fun, cleverlyContinue reading “Clever Creepy Cool “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” at the Dio (review)”