Christina Mancuso

Christina Mancuso

Christina Mancuso, a mother of 3, has traveled to well over 70 cities on various Broadway National Tours.  She is now residing in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio after spending a year in NYC to support her daughter's Broadway debut. Besides writing, traveling, and mothering, she is a 13-time marathon runner (including the 2015 Boston Marathon), freelance artist, classical violinist, and a previous Paralegal with over 20 years of writing and research experience.  Mancuso is listed in 'Who's Who Worldwide' and has been recognized for "Outstanding Leadership in Media" by the International Women's Leadership Association.  






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: Gender-Swapped COMPANY Falls Flat at the Ohio Theatre Despite Genius Sondheim Score
Review: Gender-Swapped COMPANY Falls Flat at the Ohio Theatre Despite Genius Sondheim Score
February 14, 2024

Nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards and winning 6 in the original production in 1970, Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY was one of the first musicals to deal with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce.  Originally played by a male lead, Director Marianne Elliott (with approval from Sondheim) decided to swap genders in the second West End revival in 2018, and Bobby then became Bobbie.

BWW Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Rises at the Ohio Theatre for 50th Anniversary Tour
BWW Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Rises at the Ohio Theatre for 50th Anniversary Tour
October 4, 2023

The iconic JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR rises triumphantly at the Ohio Theatre as part of its reimagined 50th Anniversary tour.  Returning to its rock-album roots with a focus more on rock music than story, the concert spectacle moves at a swift 90 minute pace with no intermission, proving that Jesus’ rockstar appeal is eternal, even at 50.

BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre Rocks Three Decades of Music with 'The Beat Goes On'
BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre Rocks Three Decades of Music with 'The Beat Goes On'
June 21, 2023

The resilient Transcendence Theatre was not deterred when litigation between the California Park Rangers Association and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) threatened use of their usual performance space at Jack London State Historic Park.  After performing for over a decade in those magical ruins, Transcendence was forced to secure a new temporary home while the remaining litigation details were worked out by the park.  Thankfully, the nonprofit ranch property, Belos Cavalos, came through at the last minute to offer their 30+ acre Kenwood estate as host of Broadway Under the Stars’ eight musical performances.  After much labor-intensive work to groom the land, the space was finally transformed into an acceptable and beautiful outdoor theatre. Artistic Director Amy Miller spoke fondly of Belos Cavalos’s founder Dr. Charyln Belluzzo when she humbly proclaimed on opening night, “Theater’s about community and connection and she saved us!”

Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD at the Ohio Theatre - A Sensational Celebration of Motown and Brotherhood
Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD at the Ohio Theatre - A Sensational Celebration of Motown and Brotherhood
April 19, 2023

AIN'T TOO PROUD - The Life and Times of The Temptations, came rolling into the Ohio Theatre with explosive energy, incredible talent, phenomenal voices, dashing costumes, and Tony-Award winning choreography that had Columbus up on their feet. This sensational production, brilliantly directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (the same dynamite duo who also brought you JERSEY BOYS), expertly tells the story of The Temptations through the eyes of its only remaining member, Otis Williams, from the early beginnings and struggles to the present day. Featuring a brilliant mix of their smashing Motown hits, each song is cleverly woven into the storyline to create smooth and flawless transitions throughout their extraordinary journey.

Review: BEETLEJUICE at the Ohio Theatre - A Farcical Show About Death Draws Big Laughs in Columbus
Review: BEETLEJUICE at the Ohio Theatre - A Farcical Show About Death Draws Big Laughs in Columbus
March 9, 2023

A seemingly crowd-pleasing, high-energy, sensory-overloaded BEETLEJUICE was resurrected at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday night to a devoted cult fan following. While slapstick jokes, disturbing references, and visual diversions dominate much of the show, there are also moments of heart-warming tenderness, much thanks to the incredible performance of Isabella Esler who plays Lydia.

BWW Review: HAIRSPRAY at Ohio Theatre - An Inspiring Musical with Blazing Energy
BWW Review: HAIRSPRAY at Ohio Theatre - An Inspiring Musical with Blazing Energy
November 9, 2022

The audience was thrilled to welcome home Columbus’s own sextuple superstar, Andrew Levitt aka Nina West, who has successfully conquered the entertainment genres of TV, film, theatre, music, web series, and most recently as an author of children’s book, “The You Kind of Kind.”  His role as Edna Turnblad is just icing on the cake.

BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre's 'Let's Dance' Celebrates Diversity Through Dance
BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre's 'Let's Dance' Celebrates Diversity Through Dance
June 20, 2022

California Wine Country's award-winning Transcendence Theatre Company returned once again to the incomparable Jack London State Historic Park to celebrate its 11th season. And what better way to celebrate than through dance. Directed by acclaimed international director and choreographer Luis Salgado, 'Let's Dance' features a cast and creative team of international talent from all across the country and beyond, including Puerto Rico, Colombia and Spain. Salgado's vision was to 'bring the flavor of Latin culture to Broadway classics and present a show that is bold, high-energy, and embraced by all.' And that is exactly what he did.

BWW Review: WICKED Flies High at the Ohio Theatre
BWW Review: WICKED Flies High at the Ohio Theatre
May 20, 2022

Winning more than 100 international awards including three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award, WICKED has managed to cast its spell on more than 60 million people across the globe for nearly two decades, and is still going strong today. Read our critic's review.

BWW Review: PRETTY WOMAN at the Ohio Theatre - Powerful Vocals Despite Dated Material
BWW Review: PRETTY WOMAN at the Ohio Theatre - Powerful Vocals Despite Dated Material
March 30, 2022

An illustrious creative team is at the helm of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, with direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Mitchell, music and lyrics by Grammy®-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and book by the movie's legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton.  But is that enough to make this stage adaptation successful?  That depends.

BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY Lands at the Ohio Theatre - Celebrating the Power of Humanity
BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY Lands at the Ohio Theatre - Celebrating the Power of Humanity
February 9, 2022

Nominated for seven Tony awards in 2017 and winning Best Direction in a Musical under Christopher Ashley’s extraordinary direction, COME FROM AWAY landed in Columbus at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday night to a welcoming and lively audience.  

BWW Feature: 'Bonobos to Broadway' - A Special Connection Uniting COME FROM AWAY and the Columbus Zoo
BWW Feature: 'Bonobos to Broadway' - A Special Connection Uniting COME FROM AWAY and the Columbus Zoo
December 8, 2021

It was nothing short of an honor to attend ‘Bonobos to Broadway,’ a special and rare event that was held in collaboration with Tony Award-Winning Broadway Musical COME FROM AWAY and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, in anticipation of the show’s Columbus debut on February 8-13, 2022.

BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre's 'Broadway Under the Stars' Celebrates 10 Years with a 'Road-Trip!'
BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre's 'Broadway Under the Stars' Celebrates 10 Years with a 'Road-Trip!'
August 11, 2021

There’s something truly extraordinary that happens when you step onto the grounds of Jack London State Historic Park.  It’s not just any park.  You are whisked away into a magical land of beauty, passion, exuberance -- and immersed in spellbinding talent that is known as the Transcendence Theatre family.  This year was special.  Celebrating over a decade of performances and surviving a global pandemic, Artistic Director Amy Miller affirms “impossibility turned into possibility” and joyously proclaims, “Cherish life and live it to the fullest!”

BWW Review: COLUMBUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Presents a LIVE Socially Distant Concert for Valentine's Day
BWW Review: COLUMBUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Presents a LIVE Socially Distant Concert for Valentine's Day
February 14, 2021

Love was in the air as Columbus was finally reunited for the first time with a live (albeit socially-distant-mask-wearing) symphony orchestra performance featuring an intimate Valentine's Day concert with celebrated vocalists Jessica Hendy and Scott Coulter, accompanist John Boswell, and conductor Stuart Chafetz.

BWW Review: A Glorious Production of MY FAIR LADY at the Ohio Theatre
BWW Review: A Glorious Production of MY FAIR LADY at the Ohio Theatre
March 13, 2020

With the recent pandemic sweeping our world, it was so refreshing to be whisked away by this glorious production of Lerner & Loew's MY FAIR LADY. Brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher, this version embodies everything a musical should be -- lavish costumes, exquisite sets, superb acting, effortless dancing, and intoxicating voices anchored by a classic love story with a timely twist. It's no wonder that Lincoln Center's revival was nominated for 10 Tony awards and won the Drama Desk Award for outstanding musical revival.

BWW Review: Reimagined LES MISERABLES Triumphs with Sensational Voices at the Ohio Theatre
BWW Review: Reimagined LES MISERABLES Triumphs with Sensational Voices at the Ohio Theatre
November 21, 2019

Arguably the greatest musical of all time, Les Miserables strikes every possible chord with its powerful message of love, rebellion, sacrifice, redemption and inspiration. A brilliant musical masterpiece oozing with a lush, rich score, Les Miserables is a timeless testament to the ultimate survival of the human spirit.

BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre Presents 'Sensational' Inaugural Production of A CHORUS LINE
BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre Presents 'Sensational' Inaugural Production of A CHORUS LINE
June 25, 2019

After eight seasons of presenting phonenomal musical revues in its award-winning 'Broadway Under the Stars' performances, the Transcendence Theatre seamlessly transcends into its inaugural full Broadway production of the mega-hit musical, A CHORUS LINE. A

BWW Review: Betty Buckley Makes Her Grand Entrance in HELLO, DOLLY! at the Ohio Theatre
BWW Review: Betty Buckley Makes Her Grand Entrance in HELLO, DOLLY! at the Ohio Theatre
May 9, 2019

Betty Buckley is as refined as it gets, starring in the refreshingly classic production of HELLO, DOLLY! at the Ohio Theatre. From the moment she saunters onto the stage, there is no doubt that we are among a true legend. She is humble and charming as she effortlessly embraces this iconic role with pure genius.

BWW Review: SWEET CARROT - A Fresh, Innovative Approach to Homemade Comfort Food
BWW Review: SWEET CARROT - A Fresh, Innovative Approach to Homemade Comfort Food
November 9, 2018

Hop on over to the SWEET CARROT on Tuesday, November 13th when it launches its newest location on Sawmill Road in Dublin, Ohio. I had the fortunate opportunity to catch a sneak peek prior to its opening. Serving all natural, made-from-scratch comfort foods with an emphasis on dietary needs, this restaurant offers much more than just carrots and alfalfa sprouts.

BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre's 'Broadway Under the Stars' Triumphantly Climbs the 'Stairway to Paradise'
BWW Review: Transcendence Theatre's 'Broadway Under the Stars' Triumphantly Climbs the 'Stairway to Paradise'
June 21, 2018

'Every Moment Counts' as Director/Choreographer Tony Gonzalez reminds us to embrace the sights and sounds and soak up every second of life as we climb the 'Stairway to Paradise' -- the theme of this year's 'Broadway Under the Stars' by the incomparable Transcendence Theatre Company.

BWW Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON Returns to Columbus and They're Still Something Incredible
BWW Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON Returns to Columbus and They're Still Something Incredible
May 27, 2018

Hello, again.  Columbus was glutton for punishment when THE BOOK OF MORMON returned to the Ohio Theatre for another blasphemous yet gut-wrenchingly hilarious week of musical theatre genius.  This time, the audience was snickering and giggling while they shuffled in their seats before the show even began. They knew they were about to embark on a show that can say "F-You, God" and still have the Mormon church take out a full page ad in the Playbill.  This is the brilliance of South Park writers, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with AVENUE Q co-creator Robert Lopez, who can cleverly win over people of all faith by poking fun at the Mormons with crass language that borders sacrilege. Why? Because at its core is a heartfelt story of brotherhood and self-discovery with lovable young men finding their way in a world ruled by uniformity and restriction.



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