REVIEW: Muddy Waters Theatre Closes Their Season of Albee with a Powerful Production of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

If you've only ever seen the 1966 film adaptation of Edward Albee's masterwork, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, then you really haven't seen it at all. The Hollywood stunt casting of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton derails the movie, and in the process, dilutes Albee's potent social commentary. So, it's a revelation to witness this play with a cast that understands their roles so thoroughly and completely, finding all the humor and sadness that dwell within the text. (more...)

REVIEW: Echo Theatre Company Presents an Outstanding Production of FUGITIVE SONGS

There are quite a few outstanding theatre congregations in the St. Louis area, and Echo Theatre Company is fast becoming a company to watch with their consistently interesting choices. Their latest production, the engaging song cycle FUGITIVE SONGS, continues this trend, and provides local audiences with the opportunity to see a terrifically entertaining show performed by a hugely talented ensemble. This is modern musical theatre at its best, and I cannot recommend this show enough. (more...)

'YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN' Tour Needs to Bulk Up

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN features extremely talent performers carrying an ok show on a lack-luster tour. (more...)

REVIEW: THE HOT MIKADO, Aberystwyth Arts Centre

The Hot Mikado, currently being presented at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre as part of the UK tour of a Watermill Theatre-originated production, is certainly "hot". (more...)

OPUS at The Seattle Rep

The Seattle Rep is presenting Michael Hollinger’s wonderful new play “Opus” about the behind the scenes drama of a string quartet, and while the ensemble never actually plays a note, they make beautiful music together. (more...)

A Long and Winding but Satisfying Show

Maureen McGovern’s one-woman retrospective meanders through her life and times but ultimately enthralls with glorious song (more...)

THE STORY OF THE LITTLE MERMAID Runs 11/30-12/14 At Theatre At The Center

Based on the original Hans Christian Anderson tale, this special holiday musical adaptation of The Story of the Little Mermaid tells of the adventures of the Little Mermaid who falls in love with the handsome "human" Prince. (more...)

Review: 'Ruthless - The Musical' at Toronto Centre for the Arts

Encore Entertainment's first show of the season is a winner, the very funny - and at times quite campy Ruthless. Thanks to a terrific cast and brisk pacing, the laughs never let up. (more...)

REVIEW: Musical Theatre West's Pleasant MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (Ends 11/15)

LONG BEACH, CA—There was once a simpler time in America, specifically at the turn of the 20th century, when hope and tradition were the norm and the promise of progress was tangible in the age of new mechanized machinery. That antiquated era of traditional family dynamics is the setting for MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, playing through November 15 at Long Beach's Musical Theatre West. Set within the proper backdrop of the Missouri Landscape as its citizens prepare for the arrival of the 1904 World's Fair, this family-friendly musical has charm, sweetness, and abundance of "old-fashioned-ness" that it wears proudly on its sleeve with no amount of irony or a winking acknowledgment of its current modern audience. The show is filled with appeal but lacks the kind of edge or "wow" factor that is so much more present in material that succeeded it. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's not exactly it's best asset either. (more...)

REVIEW: Intimate Production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Opens 2009-2010 Season for Mustard Seed Theatre

Mustard Seed Theatre's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is being billed as a more intimate staging, eschewing some of the elements of spectacle and scope that can often overwhelm this simple tale. This presentation succeeds by focusing our attention on Joseph Stein's characters, and their joyous celebration of life. It's also a good way to appreciate Jerry Brock (music) and Sheldon Harnick's (lyrics) delightful score, with the meaning coming through with clarity and precision. The cozy confines of the black box theatre on the campus of Fontbonne College provides a perfect space for this timeless classic. (more...)

Review: THE TOXIC AVENGER at The Music Hall on Danforth

Dancap scores another Toronto victory with the hilariously over-the-top camp musical 'The Toxic Avenger.' Production values are Broadway caliber for this off-Broadway show, and with a top-notch cast headed by Louise Pitre, Evan Alexander Smith and Brittany Gray, the show should continue ricking The Music Hall for many months to come. * * * * (OUT OF 5) (more...)

REVIEW: SECRET ORDER Opens the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Studio Theatre Season for 2009-2010

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis begin their studio theatre season with a bang with Bob Clyman's SECRET ORDER, presenting a provocative and timely work that illustrates the tenuous relationships forged between government, science, and the major pharmaceutical companies. A recent visit to the FDA website reveals that, nearly every day, a drug or product is recalled due to it posing a significant risk to the health of the general populace. Even with stringent safeguards in place data can be misinterpreted, or just plain "fudged", so it will better fit a particular case study. (more...)

Review - Memphis

Michael Dale's review of Memphis, the new Broadway musical. The verdict is positive: Memphis is bursting with gutsy story-telling, convincing performances and exhilarating moments that more than make up for a bit of predictability. (more...)

Review - Memphis

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Oakbrook's 'MILLIE' a Tappy, Happy Hit

Opening this week at the high-flying Drury Lane Theatre, in Chicago’s far western suburb of Oakbrook Terrace, is “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” the 2002 Best Musical Tony winner which gave the world the career of Sutton Foster (and didn’t too badly for her male co-stars Gavin Creel and Marc Kudisch). Based on the pretty successful 1967 film starring Julie Andrews, more..... (more...)

James' 'IMBECILE D'AMOUR' a Beautifully Sung Showcase

Whether or not Zachary James realizes it yet, his name is in for a world of star-power draw in the upcoming months. If he decides to perform 'IMBECILE D'AMOUR' in Chicago again, it's bound to have musical theatre and vocal aficionados filling Gorilla Tango to the brim. (more...)

Review - Bye Bye Birdie

Michael Dale reviews Bye Bye Birdie and focuses on the positives in the production: dance ensemble numbers sparkled with real show-biz energy and livened up the production, Allie Trimm's solid performance, and Dee Hoty's presence. (more...)

Review - Bye Bye Birdie

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Review - Bye Bye Birdie

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Review - Bye Bye Birdie

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AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Seattle’s Paramount

Tracy Letts’ Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play “August: Osage County” is playing at Seattle’s Parmamount Theatre for only one week. And if you thought your family was dysfunctional then you’ve never met the Westons. But do yourself a favor and pay them a visit before they’re gone! (more...)

'The Color Purple' - Hallelujah! I Loved It

Based on Ms. Walker's novel and the masterful Steven Spielberg film, 'The Color Purple' has been turned into a glorious musical that will likely have anyone cheering near the beginning and crying and cheering at the end. Certainly not a musical designed for children, the heart of the story is Celie's separation from her sister Nettie and the brutality Celie suffers from her forced husband known as Mister (more...)

A LIFE IN THE THEATER: AN ONSTAGE CONVERSATION WITH STEPHEN SONDHEIM AND FRANK RICH at Seattle's Benaroya Hall

Last night a Seattle audience at Benaroya Hall was given a rare treat. A glimpse into the world of one of the most acclaimed and respected Broadway composers of all time, Stephen Sondheim. (more...)

REVIEW: Moonlight and Magnolias provides laughs and history at Laguna Playhouse

When you've got a prestige project like Gone With The Wind in your hands, your goal as a director or a producer or a writer or, hell, even a craft services caterer, is to make it be the Best. Movie. Ever. In 1939, in what seemed like a banner year for celluloid masterpieces, David O. Selznick was a young, ambitious, forward-thinking producer that knew this film, based on Margaret Mitchell's global best-seller, should be better than how it was progressing. Thus, according to Hollywood legend, he decides to shut down production on this massive film project, fire his original director, and bring in a trusted script doctor to fix the flaws in what would eventually prove to be one of history's most successful and celebrated pictures of all time. Thus is the premise of Ron Hutchinson's MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, now playing at the Laguna Playhouse through November 1. There's plenty of laughs here, but can be slow and too long at certain moments. (more...)

Review - Oleanna & Circle Mirror Transformation

Michael Dale reviews Oleanna and Circle Mirror Transformation. (more...)