Dave Kempher

Take an earthquake, tidal waves, piranhas, sharks, explosions, and disco music, place them all on a floating casino that may, or may not be, up to code, and you have a recipe for Disaster. This campy send up of 1970's disaster movies is riddled with a cast of characters ranging form the scientist trying to warn everyone of the disasters about to come, a guy sneaking on the ship just to get laid, a couple celebrating a business deal, and a reporter who is trying to get the big story on this floating disaster waiting to happen.

It's October and that means when you go to the theatre you are probably seeing a tense, nerve racking, and possibly horrifying play. That's what you're going to see at The Beckwith Theatre with their presentation of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

Elkhart Civic Theatre presented a show that had the most fully fleshed out characters I've seen in a long time. Combine that with stellar acting from Jenny DiDario, Cameron Ponce, Stacey Nickel, and the trio of nut jobs that peopled the stage around them and you have a show that is a shame to have missed.

For the three people who are not aware of the show, Jesus Christ Superstar is a fabulous rock opera that debuted in 1971 on Broadway and that many know from its 1973 film. It tells the story of the final days of Jesus as told through the eyes of Judas. This show has amazing music and is easily one of my favorite Andrew Lloyd Weber shows. It showcases rock vocals and can be as minimal or as grand as the stage allows.

There are shows that I believe get rave reviews, awards, and heralded as classics because, at some point, "true theatre people" aren't allowed to not like them. If you bring up Oklahoma, Hello, Dolly, or The Sound of Music, and don't fawn over it for hours, you are expected to turn in your theatre card and walk away from all conversations thereafter. My Fair Lady, as a musical, falls into this category for me.

"The Realistic Joneses" is one of New York Times' top 25 plays since 1993 and when you see it at "The Acting Ensemble" you will be able to see why. Seyhan Killic has gathered a group of actors together that seem to effortless fill their roles.

If you are looking for a cool night out with friends or a fun date night with plenty of music, look no further than Art 4's Seaside Cabaret. This isn't your normal cabaret, by any means. It's not a sad tale of someone's coming out story, a tale of fighting alcoholism, or a story about how influential all these deep cuts of the Beatles are and don't you feel dumb for not knowing the words to these songs?

One would think a writer would be mad to take two people, lock them on a porch, and force them to talk through multiple games of gin rummy to entertain an audience. That is exactly what The Beckwith Theatre Company does with its production of "The Gin Game".

South Bend Civic Theatre and Director Mark Abram-Copenhaver have produced a quite insightful and interesting show in 'Skylight'. Written by David Hare, there is very little in the script that takes you into the magical world of 1995 and Mark and his cast keep the show timeless through costuming, big band music being played on a record player, and the decor of the apartment being appropriately understated.