Josh Austin

Margaret Walsh swears she will never beg, even if she wanted to. Her sarcastic pride would stop her before uttering a profane-introduced "please." Or, at least that's what she demands you to think. She's begging the entire time, and that's okay. She has every right to.

How good can chicken taste when you really wanted ham-when you've spent an exhaustive amount of energy for it? Chicken will never taste the same again: probably sour and, perhaps pridelessly cheap. Fittingly for TWO TRAINS RUNNING, ham and chicken are inherently a cultural war cry, excitedly felt at Syracuse Stage.

Geva's presentation of NEXT TO NORMAL is affecting and provides a lingering thought of what normal could be. The cast is astounding, and the emotion is real. You hope that they can land on normal, but the truth is, they're not really sure where normal is anymore.

IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS is exactly what it should be: a sensational holiday feel-good experience. One that worships warm reds and greens, fervent Christmas trees, musings of snow and the cozy thoughts of sipping 'hot cocoa.'

It's not hard to realize why WICKED remains a huge favorite for theatergoers and even for those with a less musical inclination.

As the lights went down, the audience heard: "You won't have to cook, clean or fold any laundry for the next 90 minutes." As the title flaunts, MOTHERHOOD: THE MUSICAL is indeed about the joys, woes and bladder control problems that entails being a mom.

Syracuse Stage welcomes Julian Rad's adaptation of the novel as their 40th season opener. Rad's MOBY DICK opened off-off Broadway in 2003 and was nominated for Drama Desk Awards. This play with songs was heralded for its bare set and authentic sea chanteys.

To recreate the fame and heartbreak of the badass group, there has to be a gritty finesse in order to showcase the unexpected voices and talent of four Jersey hoodlums. The story is the all too familiar tale of four boys under a streetlight; the tremendous success and the embittered fall-right back to a glamorous reunion. This tour has that finesse.

When 52 nuns have died of botulism and funds need to be quickly scored to bury the remaining four, what is a convent to do? Well, the Little Sisters of Hoboken will host a variety show titled NUNSENSE.

Watching six kids all vying for a spelling bee championship title will make the audience realize that they are indeed, not smarter than a fifth grader.

CABARET at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse offers a sexy, depressing look at love and despair. This sizzling production offers an experience unlike any other as the sultry casts invties you to the Cabaret.