Category Archives: Theatre

Beauty and the Beast (NETworks non-Equity tour) Review

It is the rare non-Equity tour that I review here. but NETworks production of Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has landed at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, and this same company will be at the Fisher Theater in Detroit next week. The show is charming, but overall this is a mixed-bag production. Note that thisContinue reading “Beauty and the Beast (NETworks non-Equity tour) Review”

Superb cast in Encore’s GODSPELL (review)

GODSPELL arrived at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter last night, and it is a tribute to director Dan Cooney and his superb cast and musicians that this production ranks right up there among the best, and in some ways superior to the current Broadway production. This is an earthy revival of the showContinue reading “Superb cast in Encore’s GODSPELL (review)”

Newsies, Ghost, Evita, and Once musicals on Broadway (Review)

Ah — Winter/Spring in NYC — 75 degrees in mid-march, and some hot shows heating up the Great White Way as well…Let me preface this by saying that only ONCE has officially opened — NEWSIES (opening next week), GHOST, and EVITA are still in previews. That being said, these shows aren’t going to change significantlyContinue reading “Newsies, Ghost, Evita, and Once musicals on Broadway (Review)”

“Bring It On, the musical” tour (review), Chicago

BRING IT ON, the new musical now on tour across North America aiming for Broadway is, in short. a very good musical waiting for a great musical to emerge. Seen at a Saturday Matinee at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace (the closest the show is coming to the area), the musical is none-the-less a standing-ovation, sold-out-house hitContinue reading ““Bring It On, the musical” tour (review), Chicago”

Season’s first must-see musical: Grey Gardens at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre

Ann Arbor has its first must-see musical of the season — and it is brought to you by way of Ann Arbor Civic Theatre and their production of GREY GARDENS at the Arthur Miller Theater at the University of Michigan. In a mesmerizing star-turn as Edith Beale/Little Edie Kathy Waugh turns on the charm andContinue reading “Season’s first must-see musical: Grey Gardens at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre”

“Noises Off” – University of Michigan Theatre – is hilarious fun (review)

Okay, so its not the first time you have probably seen Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” in Ann Arbor  (it makes regular appearances on our various stages)– but its by far the best production you’ll see, thanks to John Neville-Andrews hilarious staging currently on-stage at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater, presented by the University of Michigan, DepartmentContinue reading ““Noises Off” – University of Michigan Theatre – is hilarious fun (review)”

Slick “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, Encore Musical Theatre Company (review)

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)”

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)”