J. Hagenbuckle

In the hands of Hill and May audiences sit back, relax, and fall spellbound as she shares stories of her very average ordinary daily existence. May’s command of the stage for two hours is impressive. Her Shirley is comfortable, relaxed, and easy to get familiar with. She evolves into a wise and trusted old friend.

THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? Is a quick paced juxtaposition of humor within rage, anger, and conflict all wrapped up in the trappings of civility. It forces us to look between the blurred lines between love / sex / emotions; connections / physical / emotional; normative behavior - the "supposed to" / perversion. It suggests that we move beyond simply "getting by" and focus on "what really matters"

Pigeon keepers are an interesting and unique, albeit diminishing, subset of humans, and within that group is a subset, presumably small, of people who identify with the birds. Taking it one step further, Birdy, the protagonist in Naomi Wallace's adaptation of William Wharton's novel BIRDY, identifies, not with, but as a bird. Strange as it sounds, it may be the most sane response to an insane world in this drama that toggles back and forth between a pre-World War II Philadelphia suburb and an Army hospital in post-war Kentucky. It is a war story that plays out on the battlefield of an intense, intimate friendship, where the psychological wounds are more damaging and enduring than the physical ones. Steve Maler's skillful direction unleashes a dazzling palette of colorful performances, each actor contributing a broad brush stroke to the communal masterpiece.

At each turn, characters undergo significant changes in personality, demeanor, and motivation. It can be both exhilarating and at times slightly confusing for audience members to watch the characters twist along with the plot. It is rewarding, however, as we are entertained by an exploration of the psychological defense of denial along the journey to one's truth.

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including 'Under the Sea,' 'Kiss the Girl,' and 'Part of Your World.'

The Cape Cod Theatre Company (CCTC), home of the Harwich Junior Theatre, is now celebrating its 65th season with a beautiful rendition of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Based on Anderson's story and the original Disney film produced by Howard Ashman and John Musker, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright and hereby directed/choreographed by the incredibly gifted Ethan Paulini, CCTC's production of The Little Mermaid is really quite a wonderful collection of profound moments of storytelling.

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including 'Under the Sea,' 'Kiss the Girl,' and 'Part of Your World.'

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including 'Under the Sea,' 'Kiss the Girl,' and 'Part of Your World.'

The Cape Cod Theatre Company, home of the Harwich Junior Theatre, has decided to step away traditional staged storytelling and try something different with its newest "jukebox" production of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Created by Richard Maltby, Jr and hereby directed and choreographed by Pamela C. Wills, with Nina K. Schuessler serving as Producing Artistic Director, Ring of Fire is a story within and through a performance, and this production has the unique ability to depict the lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter, complete with interchangeable characters and interspersed moments of chronological storytelling, in a way I could image they would have approved of themselves: simple, straightforward and even stark (how fitting that word is) in its presentation but so oddly appropriate for the unadorned but deeply affecting way Cash's music hits you. Those on stage are not "acting" to portray these music legends, but instead almost seem to hand themselves over to the audience's belief that this is not a presentation or something that is purely meant to entertain; they are there to tell a story, and with a wonderfully eclectic mix of songs played in the background, there is something so beautiful in the rawness of this entire production.

Cape Cod Theatre Company's production of Little Women: The Broadway Musical is really something special. As I couldn't give you a visceral explanation of what it made me feel, this is a story who's truest depth and exquisiteness - its true emotion - is to be found once the journey is complete, and even then does a new beginning have the means of springing forth. Both the story and the way it was performed on stage, with music to bring out what is nothing less than extraordinary about four average girls and what their lives amount to, has such a spark to it as only CCTC can make happen - not only with this but with every show the group chooses to do.

Now brought to the stage, thus making the message of a shared humanity that much more profound, the Cape Cod Theatre Company has given us a production that is worthy of more than just the audience's time and consideration: it is a lesson that must be carefully taught to each of us again and again, a confirmation that people have the right to be considered individuals beneath the watchful eye of unchanging men, and a song that should not cease because people are too blind to hear its call.

Ever since I attended my first production at the wonderful Harwich Junior Theater a few months ago, I have consistently been amazed by what has appeared on that stage then and thereafter. The shows never disappoint, and I never cease to be impressed by how talented the involved actors of all ages prove themselves to be. Stumbling upon this theater and its magnificent productions has really given that extra spark that not all theatergoers and reviewers alike may receive when attending live productions, and it is always an unequivocal pleasure to find this out for oneself. So saying, HJT's current children's production of Aladdin is yet another beauty of a show that will have audiences of all ages captivated by the tale of Aladdin and his quest to become someone great. Even though most of actors involved in the production are 'small,' there is nothing of that nature in this extremely well done and entertaining retelling of the Aladdin audiences may not know much about.

Langstaff is a director, actor and professor in the Suffolk University Theatre Department specializing in movement, clowning and combat. She is co-Artistic Director of Tidal Theatre Company, producer of the Mosquito StorySlam on Cape Cod.

Langstaff is a director, actor and professor in the Suffolk University Theatre Department specializing in movement, clowning and combat. She is co-Artistic Director of Tidal Theatre Company, producer of the Mosquito StorySlam on Cape Cod.

Berkshire Theatre Group has announced the reprise of its annual community production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Eric Hill and co-directed by Eric Hill and Travis G. Daly and presented for the fourth time at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. This year's production includes 30 talented young Berkshire county actors many of whom are returning to the Colonial Theatre and some who are performing for the first time.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents the world premiere of POE by Eric Hill at the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, imagining the last days of the writer before his untimely death in Baltimore in 1849. In the title role, David Adkins breathes life into the man, but the play needs life support. Kate Maguire mesmerizes with her recitation of 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' showing that Poe's own words can best provide the necessary drama.

The Nominating Committee of the Independent Reviewers of New England has just announced nominees for the 2014 IRNE Awards. The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, founded by Beverly Creasey of the Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of TheaterMirror in 1997, recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge, Opening Night tonight, July 25 at 8pm. Previews began July 23 at 8pm and the show will close on August 10 at 8pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge, Opening Night tonight, July 25 at 8pm. The show will close on August 10 at 8pm.