Take a superior score and script; add Encore’s strongest singing cast ever; stir in a new sound system and some terrific direction, and you have, quite simply, Encore Musical Theatre Company’s best production to date with “The Light in the Piazza”. I have to disclose that I am partial to this show to begin with:Continue reading “Simply put, “The Light in the Piazza” at Encore is their best production to date (Review)”
Category Archives: Musicals
Singin’ in the Rain — Croswell Opera House — Review
Now is as good a time as most to get tickets for Croswell Opera House’s SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. The production which opened last night is an example of Croswell at it’s finest — when all the pieces click (technical, musical, and performances), and the qualities that make a show at this fine theater standContinue reading “Singin’ in the Rain — Croswell Opera House — Review”
The Book of Mormon…Catch Me If You Can…Sister Act…(Broadway, reviews)
I can’t remember a time I spent a few days in NYC seeing musicals that there wasn’t at least one so-so show in the bunch…instead, all three musicals I saw this past weekend on Broadway were all excellent in their own ways, with their own strengths. No doubt about it, Broadway’s hottest current ticket (andContinue reading “The Book of Mormon…Catch Me If You Can…Sister Act…(Broadway, reviews)”
“The Wedding Singer” – Dexter Community Players….or, how to make a community theater production look like a million bucks…
I’ve just completed directing and choreographing a weekend run of THE WEDDING SINGER, the musical, for Dexter Community Players in Dexter, MI. Not to toot my own horn, but the single most heard comment in the audience (besides what a fun show) was how professional the show looked and sounded. This is not a review.Continue reading ““The Wedding Singer” – Dexter Community Players….or, how to make a community theater production look like a million bucks…”
HAIRSPRAY at Croswell Opera House (Review)
Hairspray, the Tony winning musical with book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Music by Marc Shaiman, and Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman has quickly become the most overproduced musical in the current amateur musical circuit — at last count, this is the 28th or 29th production of it in the state ofContinue reading “HAIRSPRAY at Croswell Opera House (Review)”
Outstanding “The Last 5 Years” at Encore (Review)
Steve DeBruyne (Jamie) and Thalia Schramm (Cathy) turn in two excellent performances in Encore’s current offering, Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last 5 Years”. These two performers sing-through 75 minutes of intermission-less ballads, pop songs, and story songs to tell the tale of a 5-year relationship; her tale beginning at story’s end and working backwards, hisContinue reading “Outstanding “The Last 5 Years” at Encore (Review)”
Forever Plaid at Encore is terrific entertainment (review)
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)”
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)”
Special Benefit planned, The Color Purple, Detroit (Press Release)
ALLEE WILLIS MARCHES ON DETROIT! WHAT: As a special benefit for MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL, alumna extraordinaire ALLEE WILLIS conducts the MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND through a medley of her hit songs in the lobby of Detroit’s FOX THEATRE, with cast members from THE COLOR PURPLE joining in for a sing-along. WHEN: Saturday, April 9,Continue reading “Special Benefit planned, The Color Purple, Detroit (Press Release)”
Les Miserables 25th Anniversary tour is, in a word, Perfect (Fisher Theater Detroit) – Review (Updated 11/11/11)
Sometimes you see a show, even a show that is now in it’s 25th year, and you just can’t describe it in any other way except “perfect” — such is the tour production currently on display at the Fisher Theater in Detroit. With a finely-tuned ensemble cast; spectacular set design that out-Les Mis’s original turntableContinue reading “Les Miserables 25th Anniversary tour is, in a word, Perfect (Fisher Theater Detroit) – Review (Updated 11/11/11)”
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