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)”

Magical “Mary Poppins” tour (review) East Lansing, MI Wharton Center

Disney’s Mary Poppins the musical has been a magical sensation from its opening night in London, through it’s UK tour,  Broadway (where it is still running) and now the tour which arrived in East Lansing MI at the Wharton Center, where it will soon be a return visitor if the sold out audiences and enthusiasticContinue reading “Magical “Mary Poppins” tour (review) East Lansing, MI Wharton Center”

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.”

Dancap (Toronto) announces 2011 Broadway musical tour season

Dancap announces it’s upcoming Broadway musicals tour season in Toronto: South Pacific – Feb 15-Apr 10, 2011 – Toronto Center for the Arts 9 to 5 – Jun 29–Jul 10, 2011 – Toronto Center for the Arts Next to Normal – Jul 19-31, 2011 – Four Seasons Center Come Fly Away – Aug 16-28, 2011Continue reading “Dancap (Toronto) announces 2011 Broadway musical tour season”

“Billy Elliott” closing in Chicago

Billy Elliott has posted a closing date in Chicago for November 28th. This sit-down production (Actually called the First National Tour) will head to Toronto next for an open-ended run. The Second National Tour continues strong in North Carolina, and heads into Cleveland next where it will play through the holidays. The Broadway production continuesContinue reading ““Billy Elliott” closing in Chicago”

“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)”

Recent and Upcoming Musicals Closing on Broadway (Updated)

I missed a couple last month — but this is the current list of musicals that are slated for closure on Broadway in the coming months and the last two months. Surprisingly, the drab A Little Night Music continues on with star Bernadette Peters having breathed new life into the show. Besides the shows listedContinue reading “Recent and Upcoming Musicals Closing on Broadway (Updated)”

West Side Story (Tour) Review, Detroit, MI — Bland but Pretty

For the uninitiated (and there seemed to be a lot of them in the sold out Fisher Theater last night) West Side Story seemed to surprise and cause audible gasps in the young ones as the story played out in its final minutes. For those who know the show (most of the audience) this currentContinue reading “West Side Story (Tour) Review, Detroit, MI — Bland but Pretty”

Damn Yankees strikes out at Croswell Opera House (Review)

In the past, Croswell has been the sole not-fully Equity regional theater that I have reviewed in this blog. I do so for a reason — they quite simply present the best musical theatre being produced on a non-professional (or educational, read University of Michigan) basis in the area. I can’t do a full reviewContinue reading “Damn Yankees strikes out at Croswell Opera House (Review)”