Christine Swerczek - Page 15

ALADDIN is completely satisfying as a theater experience because it has it all: great music, extravagant sets and lighting, gorgeous costumes, enchanting choreography, solid actors, and humor.

The Omaha Community Playhouse's newest show, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, is something new. Something different. Something special. Fortunately, you will have from January 18 through February 10 to satisfy your curiosity!

Suzanne Withem, director of Chanticleer Theater's upcoming production of LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL, talks about character development and what makes this timeless musical a story for all.

Cathy Kurz, Artistic Director and Founder of Omaha's Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company, talks about classic theatre and what's ahead for its 26th season.

Ron Bohmer, who plays Elder Price's father in the national tour of BOOK OF MORMON, talks about this controversial musical which he calls a 'Love Letter to Musical Theatre.' As Bohmer said, 'It really is, in my lifetime, the biggest love letter to this art form. And I love this art form! To be part of something that gives audiences that feeling every night is a deep honor.'

Thursday night's opening of MAMMA MIA! at Nebraska Wesleyan's McDonald Theatre was a party in the Greek Isles. The extremely enthusiastic crowd of mostly college aged people vociferously approved this romp through ABBA's memorable music. Chest booming laughter, screams, and hoots resounded through the house. But it was all good... because it is all good.

Three unbelievably talented, real ORIGINAL Broadway Princesses singing the petticoats off every beloved princess song in the book! We're throwing a magical musical event and you're invited!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL returns to the Omaha Community Playhouse for its 43rd year. This holiday favorite is based on Charles Dicken's classic novel and adapted for stage by Omaha's Charles Jones.

Rob Lindley, performing the role of Monsieur Andre' in the National Tour of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, has local roots. Currently based in Chicago, Lindley spent his youth in Northwest Iowa. I spoke with him this week about growing up in a small town and making it in the big city. PHANTOM is Lindley's first national tour, but it is not his first time on stage. A Jeff Award winner and five time nominee, Lindley has performed a wide variety of roles in FUN HOME, SECRET GARDEN, CAROLINE OR CHANGE, CAROUSEL and many more. He is an accomplished vocalist, actor, and director.

Nebraska Wesleyan University Theatre takes us back and forth between 1955 and 1975 to the Five and Dime in McCarthy, Texas. The Disciples of Jimmy Dean are meeting to commemorate his untimely death in a car crash. Instead of contributing any new Jimmy Dean memorabilia to their collection, they uncover secrets long kept and truths about themselves.

Don't be too busy to see CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN at Bellevue Little Theatre. It is time well spent!

Stop the press! Midland University Arts brought a newsworthy event to the Kimmel Theatre last night. NEWSIES, The Broadway Musical, opened to an enthusiastic packed house. 'Fake news' has it that the show running through November 11th is nearly sold out. But don't let that stop you. Check out ticket availability and book your seat to see this uplifting, toe tapping production.

GOOSEBUMPS: THE PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM may not give you the shivers because it is scary, but those beautiful young voices may raise a few goosebumps!

I don't like Spam. To me, it's mystery meat and I don't like the taste. I looked it up on the internet to see what it is made from. It was introduced by Hormel in 1937 to increase the sale of pork shoulder. Few know the true origination of the name 'Spam,' but suggestions include 'Specially Processed Army Meat.' My favorite more colorful descriptions are 'meatloaf without basic training' and 'ham that didn't pass its physical.' Spam has recently been adopted as the term for inappropriate or irrelevant messages that flood our inboxes. This all fits.

THE SECRET GARDEN, a musical based on the Victorian novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett is the second in a string of works in University of Nebraska, Omaha's 2018-2019 season featuring all female playwrights.

Nothing goes wrong in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Omaha's Orpheum Theatre.

Nebraska Wesleyan University's gender blind production of JULIUS CAESAR is running for one more weekend. It is yet another quality production by the NWU theatre department. I am constantly impressed with their vision, their implementation, and their overall excellence. These actors are being trained well in their art. The performance is powerful...a word too weak in its description.

Walking dead. Live music. Madcap comedy. Mix them together in a quaint theatre, add a splatter zone, and you have a recipe for an unusually entertaining night.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, a Tony Award winner that surprised even the critics with its overwhelming success on Broadway, will open at the Orpheum on October 30 and run through November 4, 2018.

Tara Vaughan, a young, fresh singer-songwriter is rocking the Omaha Community Playhouse with a cornucopia of hits from all female artists crossing the decades. Vaughan is gifted with a mellow, throaty voice that reminds one of honey and whiskey...sweet but with a bit of a bite that leaves you breathless.