One of the things you don’t expect when going to the theater to see an 80-year old musical comedy is that production to feel as fresh and new as a bright golden haze on an Oklahoma meadow. Yet that is what you get in Encore Musical Theatre Company’s Oklahoma! — the 1943 Rodgers and HammersteinContinue reading “Encore Musical Theatre Company’s OKLAHOMA! is the finest production of this musical I’ve ever seen”
Tag Archives: Encore Musical Theatre Company
David Moan and Emmi Bills shine in “Big Fish” scaled-down version at Encore (Review)
In 2015, author John August and music writer Andrew Lippa created a scaled-down (“12 chairs”) version of their Broadway musical “Big Fish” for smaller venues. It replaces some songs and rearranges some scenes but is intended as an alternative for smaller venues with smaller casts. More on this later. That smaller scaled-down version is onContinue reading “David Moan and Emmi Bills shine in “Big Fish” scaled-down version at Encore (Review)”
Smooth Sailing for the SS American — Anything Goes at Encore (Review)
(Photo courtesy Encore Musical Theatre Company, Michele Anliker photographer) The SS American has set sail at the Encore Musical Theatre Company and I predict nothing but smooth sailing ahead for this lovely production of Anything Goes. There isn’t a Christmas tree in sight, and it is still the brightest holiday musical in town this season.Continue reading “Smooth Sailing for the SS American — Anything Goes at Encore (Review)”
Hilarious and Well-Done 9 to 5 at Encore Musical Theatre Company (Review)
When I saw 9 to 5 on Broadway, Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick’s hilarious musical, I thought that for sure it would be done by every theater in the States once it was released…and that hasn’t quite been the case. So it’s with great eagerness that I report that the production now at the EncoreContinue reading “Hilarious and Well-Done 9 to 5 at Encore Musical Theatre Company (Review)”
“Guys on Ice” at Encore is funny, quirky, and has heart
If your favorite shows are “Oklahoma” and “Brigadoon” you are probably not the target market for Guys on Ice, the current offering at Encore Musical Theatre Company — but for the rest of us, it is funny, quirky, and sometimes shows heart. A huge hit throughout Wisconsin theatres, and even with some previous local productionsContinue reading ““Guys on Ice” at Encore is funny, quirky, and has heart”
Encore has Company (review)
Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical Company is now onstage at Dexter’s Encore, with some wonderful casting and a great vocal and acting performance by Steve DeBruyne. Seen at the final preview, the cast is strong, and they sound great. The couples work well together. Sonja Marquis and Greg Bailey are a fun Sarah andContinue reading “Encore has Company (review)”
Fiddler on the Roof at Encore Musical Theatre Company is hit-and-miss (Review)
Tevye (Stephen West) and family in Fiddler on the Roof (photo courtesy Encore Musical Theatre Company) Fiddler on the Roof opened at the Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, MI last night, and if the crowd response was anything like it will be throughout the run, Encore has another hit musical on its hands andContinue reading “Fiddler on the Roof at Encore Musical Theatre Company is hit-and-miss (Review)”
Funny Business at Encore Musical Theatre Company — Nunsense (Review)
Back in ’86, I was onstage at the Met Opera House in NYC singing and dancing backup in one of the nation’s first big AIDS fundraisers. Among the stars and large-cast Broadway show ensembles there was a sudden rush of excitement as the habit-attired actresses from then Off-Broadway smash hit Nunsense whipped the audience intoContinue reading “Funny Business at Encore Musical Theatre Company — Nunsense (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)”
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)”
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