Category Archives: musical theater

“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)”

Professional Musical Theater – Detroit Regional Update (2011-2012)

2011 Musical Theater Seasons (local professional and tour-B contracts) Updated 2/22/11 Broadway in Detroit – Fisher Theater Burn the Floor – February 22 to March 6 Les Miserables – March 22 – April 3 Mamma Mia! – April 13 – 17 Chicago – May 17 – 22 Come Fly Away – Sept 13 – 25Continue reading “Professional Musical Theater – Detroit Regional Update (2011-2012)”

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)”

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, musical, Broadway – review

When in the course of human events (like attending musicals), one sits in the theater waiting for the music to begin, then one begins to wonder how this skit-comedy with emo-rock snippets of song came to be labeled a “musical”…at any rate, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, despite generally rave reviews, has posted its closing noticeContinue reading “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, musical, Broadway – review”

“Women on the verge of a Nervous Breakdown”, Broadway musical, review

Wildly mixed reviews have done -in Women on the verge of a Nervous Breakdown, the musical, which closes on Broadway January 2nd. Boy, am I glad I had the chance to see it before it’s gone. Starring a virtual who’s who of Broadway veterans (Patti Lupone, Laura Benanti, Sherie Rene Scott, Danny Burnstein, Brian StokesContinue reading ““Women on the verge of a Nervous Breakdown”, Broadway musical, review”

Elf the musical, Broadway, review

With plenty of scrooges in the New York media, it was with a bit of trepidation that I approached Elf, The Musical, currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre through the holidays. I’m happy to report that those scrooges were wrong, and the show is a delight. Granted, this is not Les Miz that weContinue reading “Elf the musical, Broadway, review”

“Spiderman” musical a technical marvel (Updated)

Yes, this is a review of a preview. No, the show has not officially opened (I saw preview #23) but that’s the way it goes. When a show of this caliber opens in NYC, charges full price for tickets, and pushes back official press openings, the gentleman’s rule no longer applies. Thousands of people aContinue reading ““Spiderman” musical a technical marvel (Updated)”

“Dreamgirls” tour positively electric (Detroit)

Get tickets, go, don’t hesitate for a moment. The current Broadway Tour that has landed at the Fox Theater in Detroit is positively electric. From the cast to the set, lighting, and orchestra it is just a high-energy evening of musical theater not to be missed. This Dreamgirls is more than just a revival…it’s aContinue reading ““Dreamgirls” tour positively electric (Detroit)”

Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical – (Review) Toronto pre-Broadway

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musical, now playing in Toronto and London, and heading to Broadway this coming spring, is in a word “FAB-U-LOUS.” Seen in Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre, the musical follows the movie pretty faithfully, expanding on a few key scenes, and using much of the music of theContinue reading “Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical – (Review) Toronto pre-Broadway”