Colin Fleming-Stumpf

Pendragon Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night delivers a fresh and delightfully offbeat take on the Shakespearean classic, transporting audiences from Illyria to a rustic Adirondack summer camp (Illyria Lake).

What did our critic think of THE FERRYMAN at Rochester Community Players? Every so often, a production comes along that reminds you exactly why Irish theatre holds such a special place in the dramatic canon. Rochester Community Players’ The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth is one such production—spooky, mystical, sorrowful, and ghost-haunted, yet always shot through with dark humor and the lilt of everyday life. Featuring a sprawling cast, beautifully detailed performances, and a simple but evocative set, this production captures both the intimacy of a family kitchen and the vast, inescapable weight of political turmoil.

Geva Theatre’s latest production, Pure Native by Vickie Ramirez, is a gripping and gorgeously realized exploration of identity, tradition, and the complicated interplay between cultural survival and economic progress.

Geva Theatre’s production of Little Women is superb—a moving, beautifully crafted adaptation that honors Alcott’s legacy while offering fresh insights into Jo’s artistic journey.

What did our critic think of NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN at Geva Theatre?

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Geva Theatre?

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League begins its 2024-2025 season with one of the 20th century’s most iconic musicals; one that has traversed the globe, been spun into multiple screen adaptations and has done pit stops at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre on more than one occasion in recent years.  

What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Blackfriars Theatre?

What did our critic think of RENT at Blackfriars Theatre?

Reviewing summer youth theatre productions is always an assignment I eagerly anticipate, because I’m reminded of the treasure trove of young theatrical talent that Rochester has to offer. Summer youth shows in Rochester (Blackfriars Theatre and JCC both have them) consistently feature professional-caliber performers, choreography, and production designs, and the JCC CenterStage Theatre’s 2024 production of “A Chorus Line” is no different.

What did our critic think of THE COLOR PURPLE at Geva Theatre?

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at JCC CenterStage Theatre?

One of theatre’s many powers is its ability to reflect the happenings of the outside world, illuminating events and societal trends, and even portending things to come. When “Cabaret” was written in 1966 we were only one generation removed from the biggest global conflict in world history, in which America and much of Europe battled down the forces of fascism and tyranny. The show explores the period leading to this tumultuous era, and now in 2024 as American democracy once again feels fragile and antisemitism is on the rise around the world, “Cabaret” is, unfortunately, quite topical.

What did our critic think of STELLA AND LOU at Out Of Pocket Productions?

What did our critic think of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre?

Currently playing at Rochester’s JCC Centerstage Theatre is a play that seems out of place in our modern era of intense division and heightened polarization because it explores the deep respect and affection between two people who hold sharply different political and philosophical views, performed by two women who capture all the intellect, humor, and authenticity of the play’s subjects.

Currently playing on Geva Theatre’s Fielding Stage is “Sanctuary City”, a powerful—and timely—story about the American dream and the concept of home.

f you’re a 90’s kid like me, that famous greeting from cinema’s most iconic Scottish nanny is permanently imprinted on your memory, especially if, like me, your childhood home had “Mrs. Doubtfire” playing on repeat throughout your formative years (I think we eventually burned out the VHS tape). And while the stage adaptation of this pop culture classic presents some new characters and storylines that will be unfamiliar, it provides just as many heartwarming moments and, more importantly, side-splitting belly laughs.

What did our critic think of OEDIPUS REX at Company Theatre?