BWW Review: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Ogunquit PlayhouseAugust 19, 2019While it might seem sacrilegious to host a non-musical at the famed Ogunquit Playhouse, modern day audiences should know that the early years of the theater hosted a slew of non-musical productions. In fact, it was many years ago that I saw a production of Love Letters and an adaptation of Dracula.
BWW Review: Ogunquit Playhouse's 2019 Production of JERSEY BOYSMay 20, 2019After a successful run of Jersey Boys during the 2018 season, Executive Artistic Director, Bradford T. Kenney, kicked of the opening night of the 87th season at the Ogunquit Playhouse announcing, 'Jersey Boys 2.0.' You might say that success builds success. If a show can run to sold out audiences for eight weeks in 2018, might it be worth running the show again the following year?
BWW Review: LEND ME A TENOR at LA Community TheatreJanuary 21, 2019Paul Menezes (as Tito Merelli) and Benjamin Monahan-Morang (as Max), the actors who portray opera singers in Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor, at Community Little Theatre in Auburn do not look a bit similar. Menezes is stocky and bulky to Monahan-Morang's height and slender build. Nevertheless, their characters are mistaken for each other throughout most of Act II in Ludwig's clever script.
BWW Review: ELF THE MUSICAL at Ogunquit Playhouse/Portsmouth NH Music HallDecember 3, 2018Elf the Musical is the perfect holiday treat. Whether you know the 2003 movie version that featured Will Ferrell or not, it doesn't matter. As a collaborative effort of the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine performed at the charmingly unique Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this show is one of the best holiday themed productions I've ever seen. The setting, combined with a funny script, rollicking musical numbers, costumes in Christmas palette colors and outrageous dance numbers (you can't beat tap dancing elves and Santas!) this show is worth seeing.
BWW Review: THE NUTCRACKER Maine State BalletNovember 26, 2018The interesting thing about The Nutcracker at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine is just how quickly an audience can settle into it, year after year, like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold night. The venue is packed with an audience of all ages, some dressed in their 'night on the town' finery while others sport flannel shirts, jeans and a baseball cap. That's the magic of this production, a full-scale ballet and orchestra that appeals to a wide-ranging audience here in Maine.
BWW Review: GRUMPY OLD MEN at OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSEAugust 13, 2018Based on a film starring Jack Lemmon, Walther Matthau and Ann-Margret that hit movie theaters 25 years ago, Grumpy Old Men the Musical is currently playing at the Ogunquit Playhouse in what is touted as the US premiere of the production.
BWW Review: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSEJuly 16, 2018In 1928, George Gershwin composed 'An American in Paris' inspired by the time he spent there. It wasn't until 1951 that An American in Paris hit the movie screen starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron as directed by Vincente Minnelli.
BWW Review: OKLAHOMA at OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSEJune 18, 2018As the Ogunquit Playhouse celebrates its 86th year of entertaining audiences here in Maine, the second show of the season is the gem of a Broadway musical, Oklahoma, celebrating its 75th anniversary year.