This is a good news-bad news review. Before I go further, let me just say that the very talented cast in Encore’s SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE sings well, dances well, and has stage presence to spare. The set looks great. The lighting right on target. The band sounds great. So what goes wrong? Well…nothing that EncoreContinue reading “Slick “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, Encore Musical Theatre Company (review)”
Category Archives: musical theater
Surprise! To fix “The Addams Family” musical get rid of Nathan Lane (review – tour – Wharton Center, East Lansing)
When I originally reviewed The Addams Family musical, I was among the minority that enjoyed it a lot. Now on tour it’s a much better show, and its not just because the script has been reworked. The tour, currently passing through East Lansing at the Wharton Center, is significantly different from the show seen in pre-BroadwayContinue reading “Surprise! To fix “The Addams Family” musical get rid of Nathan Lane (review – tour – Wharton Center, East Lansing)”
Will America buy “Smash”? – NBC – Pilot episode (review)
Your going to love it or your going to hate it, but there isn’t anyone that will be able to say that SMASH isn’t slick, well-produced, and professional when it comes to musical numbers. It’s no GLEE (thankfully); but will America buy into a show about creating a Broadway show? In the pilot episode, (toContinue reading “Will America buy “Smash”? – NBC – Pilot episode (review)”
Broadway Reviews – Bonnie & Clyde; On a Clear Day; Follies; Anything Goes; Lysistrata Jones; War Horse
Nothing like some Broadway for the holidays!…from the ridiculous to the superb…. Lets go from the worst to the best from this holiday visit: On a Clear Day You can See Forever, the book-plagued but melody-lush Lerner and Lane musical, stars Harry Connick Jr so it is selling tickets well, despite dismal reviews after openingContinue reading “Broadway Reviews – Bonnie & Clyde; On a Clear Day; Follies; Anything Goes; Lysistrata Jones; War Horse”
Excellent “A Christmas Story, the musical” – tour (review)
Thoroughly surprising, superbly entertaining, and exquisitely designed, A Christmas Story, the musical makes a two week stop at the Fisher Theater in Detroit. And the show is awesome fun. Don’t hesitate and get tickets now before they are gobbled up over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend… Like the best adaptations, the musical doesn’t just mimic theContinue reading “Excellent “A Christmas Story, the musical” – tour (review)”
Ain’t no doubtin’ you’ll have a good time at Performance Network this holiday season – Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Review)
Performance Network has brought Ann Arbor an early Christmas present with their current production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, the Fats Waller musical show. Winner of the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical, (it surprisingly beat out On the Twentieth Century, not surprisingly The Act, Dancin’ and Runaways), the show revived musical reviews, and while it hasContinue reading “Ain’t no doubtin’ you’ll have a good time at Performance Network this holiday season – Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Review)”
Obsession at Croswell Opera House a fascinating musical premier (Review, kind of)
First, let me say right off the bat, it’s hard to review a workshop of a new show, even if it is fully staged. Because that is exactly what the production of OBSESSION, the musical (loosely based on Frankenstein) was this past weekend at the Croswell Opera House. Fully staged and realized, the production wasContinue reading “Obsession at Croswell Opera House a fascinating musical premier (Review, kind of)”
Dancap announces Toronto Musical Theater Tour Season 2012
Dancap announces their 2012 Musical Theater Touring Season in Toronto — Note that Dancap is the up-and-rising direct competitor to Mirvish Productions. Most of its productions are presented at the stellar Centre for the Performing Arts in North York (nee Ford Centre for the Performing Arts). Dancap is particularly known for its longterm sitdown productions suchContinue reading “Dancap announces Toronto Musical Theater Tour Season 2012”
Hodgepodge from UM, Tigers, Jackson, etc.
Yeah, lots going on, and no particular single topic to write on…. Jackson Michigan saw a pretty dandy production of [title of show] this past few weekends. Still waiting for this to have a decent production in the Ann Arbor area now that it’s available royalty-wise. Jackson’s The Fourth Wall presented a critically acclaimed productionContinue reading “Hodgepodge from UM, Tigers, Jackson, etc.”
“Jersey Boys” tour as fresh as ever (East Lansing, Wharton Center) Review
Okay, granted, the Wharton Center is a bit late in the game with the Broadway tour of Jersey Boys which has been traveling around the country for years now…but the production currently appearing in East Lansing is as fresh as ever, with a fine cast. Lead by Joseph Leo Bwarie (in the Frankie Valli role)Continue reading ““Jersey Boys” tour as fresh as ever (East Lansing, Wharton Center) Review”
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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