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)”
Category Archives: Ann Arbor
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)”
“Nevermore” at Encore (Review)
Simply put, Encore Musical Theatre Company’s “Nevermore” is the best production they have presented. Period. Dan Cooney is exceptional in a role he originally created for the Signature Theater in Arlington, and here both stars and directs. And he is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast of five women. Weaving lyrics adopted from theContinue reading ““Nevermore” at Encore (Review)”
Christopher Columbus! Dexter’s Encore presents lovely “Little Women” (Review)
Watching lead actress Katie Hardy’s transformation from teenage Jo Marsh to the observant adult writer that looks back at it all is one of the joys in this intimate staging of the recent Broadway musical LITTLE WOMEN. In a production that is generally well-cast, she stands out in the role originally created by Sutton FosterContinue reading “Christopher Columbus! Dexter’s Encore presents lovely “Little Women” (Review)”
“Corktown” (review) – Purple Rose, Chelsea MI
Your enjoyment of “Corktown” at Purple Rose Theater will be directly related to your enjoyment of a) sharp, thoughtful dialogue, b) gangster stories with lots of blood, and c) suspension of belief in the “reality” of this storyline. Michael Brian Ogden has written dialogue that snaps, crackles, pops, and sometimes just lets things sit stillContinue reading ““Corktown” (review) – Purple Rose, Chelsea MI”
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)”
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.”
“Into the Woods”, University of Michigan, is wonderful (review)
“Into the Woods” presented by the University of Michigan Musical Theater Program, is the only local production of this (way way overproduced)show that I have seen that does it the way it’s supposed to be done. I had the fortune to see the original Into the Woods on Broadway when I was living there inContinue reading ““Into the Woods”, University of Michigan, is wonderful (review)”
Stunning “Ragtime” at University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program (Review)
The University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Program has another stunning success on their hands. As usual, all performances are sold out, so beg, borrow, or take up any friend’s offer of an extra ticket to see this wonderful production. Seen on sold-out Friday night, this production proves once again why it is one of theContinue reading “Stunning “Ragtime” at University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program (Review)”
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