Christopher Verleger

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you say the name Eartha Kitt? Those of us who are even remotely familiar with the late singer-dancer-actress will most likely say Catwoman, the iconic feline femme fatale she portrayed in the 1967 season of the ‘Batman’ television series, or her original version of ‘Santa Baby,’ the deliciously flirtatious Christmas classic, later famously recorded by Madonna.

In the 1983 film, 'The Big Chill,' starring Glenn Close and Kevin Kline, a group of middle-aged, lifelong friends are reunited at a funeral after a member of their college clique commits suicide. The character Chloe, played by Meg Tilly, asks, “I haven’t met that many happy people in my life. How do they act?”

Terrence McNally’s one-act comedy, ‘Whiskey,’ now at Roundabout Productions, is not so much a play but rather an extended skit that features five television personalities performing in the shadow of an unseen horse who is the titular star of a wildly popular series (á la ‘Mister Ed’).

The word is “special.” While several adjectives come to mind, the one that does the most justice when describing The Players’ cheerful, heartfelt production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’—as well as each of the actors in the cast, and the musical itself—is indisputably “special.”

There ain’t nothin’ dirty goin’ on at the Granite Theatre’s lively, enjoyable production of ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,’ the 1978 Broadway musical written by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall, nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, and the basis for the 1982 movie starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

Lauren Gunderson’s fascinating play, ‘anthropology,’ presented by The Players at Barker Playhouse, is foremost a drama with plenty of humor and social commentary that examines the arguable benefits of AI and whether ultimately it does more harm than good.

That loaded question—which speaks volumes—is posed by Mary, the middle sister who has returned home for her mother’s funeral in Shelagh Stephenson’s powerful albeit flawed drama, ‘The Memory of Water,’ now at Burbage Theatre Company.

What did our critic think of CLUE LIVE ON STAGE! by the Providence Performing Arts Center, based on the beloved board game which inspired the 1985 movie, Clue, starring Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn.

The Gamm Theatre welcomes the new year with its compelling, timely production of Jonathan Spector’s insightful, thought-provoking dramatic comedy, “Eureka Day,” that carefully and amusingly examines such hot button issues as inclusion, wokeness, progressive politics, and public health safety.

Providence Performing Arts Center presents “Water for Elephants,” a moving, spectacular musical based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling historical romance novel and the 2011 movie adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon. With music and lyrics by Pig Pen Theatre Co. and book by Rick Elice, “Water for Elephants” debuted on Broadway in 2024 and was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Head Trick Theatre presents “Design for Living,” Noel Coward’s brazen 1933 comedy about a bizarre love triangle between a woman and two men that illustrates the complexity and calamity of relationships while examining the role money and success play when deciding to make a commitment, whether it be sexual, emotional, or matrimonial.

“A Christmas Carol” at Trinity Repertory Company is as much a Rhode Island holiday tradition as snow, shopping, and Santa. I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t seen it since 2014, so this 49th annual production was especially new and fresh for me, much like revisiting an old friend whom I hadn’t realized how much I missed, and I understood once again why New Englanders trek to Providence year after year during the yuletide season for this magical experience.

Daydream Theatre Company presents “The State of Florida Versus Mike Diana,” a compelling, informative, amusing portrait of an artist and his scrutinized work that examines hot button issues like freedom of expression, censorship, and the First Amendment.

The man and woman featured in Gamm Theatre’s marvelous, endearing production of Terrence McNally’s 1982 play, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” are both unmistakably struck by Cupid’s arrow, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready or even expected to live happily ever after.

The Community Players kicks off its 104th season with a thrilling, impressive production of “Carrie: The Musical,” based on Stephen King’s classic horror novel and the 1976 film adaptation starring Sissy Spacek.

'The Heidi Chronicles,' now at Reverie Theatre Group, reminded those same women that they don't have to choose between career and family, but to follow their hearts and to do what they believe will make them happy.

Halloween season is upon us, and there is no better way to embrace its ghoulish spirit than Granite Theatre’s stylish, enticing production of ‘The Rocky Horror Show,’ Richard O’Brien’s deliciously tawdry cult classic musical about a young couple stranded at the mansion of a mad scientist, featuring the legendary dance romp, “Time Warp.”

The AIDS epidemic further takes its toll on a group of New Yorkers and their supernatural acquaintances in the second part of Tony Kushner’s award-winning drama, “Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika,” now at Gamm Theatre.

Burbage Theatre Company begins its new season on the highest of notes with a tender, heartwarming, profound production of “Every Brilliant Thing” by Duncan MacMillan (with Jonny Donahoe), an engaging, uplifting one-person memoir-like play that reminds audiences of life’s concurrent simplicity and complexity.

Trinity Repertory Company kicks off its 62nd season with the world premiere of Ro Reddick’s “Cold War Choir Practice,” a scrambled albeit compelling, highly entertaining musical dramedy thriller about a young Black girl coming of age during the era of Reagan, Soviet infiltration, and nuclear disarmament.