Jeffrey Scott - Page 2

'Pippin' is a musical written by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson and originally directed by Bob Fosse. It tells the story of the young son of Charlemagne desperately looking for a place to belong.

'All My Sons' is the story of Joe Keller (played by the engaging Mark Belnick), a successful, middle-aged, self-made man who has done a terrible and tragic thing, by framing his business partner for a crime that caused the death of hundreds of servicemen from World War II, and engineering his own exoneration. Now, his son Chris (the charismatic Jack Tynan) is about to marry the partner's daughter (the solid Alexis Boozer Sterling), the incident is revisited, and his lie of a life is unraveled.

I had the pleasure of attending two performances from two opposite ends of the professionalism spectrum. One being a student directed, high school musical (well produced and performed, by the way) and the other a dramady produced by a well-respected theatre company chock-full of industry professionals both onstage and on the artistic side. But what they both had in common was that both of them experienced technical issues and the differences in how each handled said technical issues.

William Shakespeare's comedy 'As You Like It' plays through March 10th at Camarillo Skyway Playhouse.. A story of love and the rocky road to union, reunion, and redemption. Duke Senior (the versatile Mary Comstock) has been banished and her rule usurped by her brother Frederick (the ever- present Chris Clyne). Senior's daughter Rosalind (the prominent and formidable Ryanna Dunn) and Frederick's daughter Celia (the capable Libby Baumgartner) are best friends, and when Frederick suddenly banishes Rosalind, the two women disguise themselves and flee to the Forest of Arden, where the banished duke has taken refuge. Orlando (the stalwart Benjamin Blonigan), with whom Rosalind has fallen in love, also ventures into the forest to escape a villainous brother of his own. In this forest of witty fools, foolish wise men, men who are women in disguise, and people finding their true selves, love will blossom, villainy will be redeemed, and Nature will nurture all.

In this contemporary musical version of the famous (and infamous) 1978 movie adapted from the 1974 Stephen King novel, Carrie: The Musical follows a young woman with telekinetic powers. An outcast at school, where she is bullied viciously for her differences, Carrie (played by the very capable Tianna Cohen) is also lost at home, with a fervently and obsessively religious mother (the powerful Leah Dalrymple) whose love traps her and figuratively and literally wont let her go. When PE teacher Miss Gardner (the vocally strong Jeanette Airen), kind classmate Sue Snell (the poignant Malissa Marlow...who also directs the production), and boyfriend Tommy Ross (Broadway-calibur Noah Canada) reach out to try and help Carrie, it seems that for once, Carrie might have a shot at being accepted. But Chris Hargensen (Choreographer Kena Worthen), the class's most vicious bully along with her whipped boyfriend Billy Nolan (the bleach-blonde Conner Stevens), have other ideas. Pushed to the brink, Carrie's powers threaten to overwhelm her, and destroy everyone around her.

Middle8 proves to be a true original, of a musical.

The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company will kick off its 22nd year with its first staging of 'The Two Noble Kinsmen' under the direction of a newcomer to the festival who has nearly 40 years of experience.

'Hansel and Gretel' the opera is a playful romp through the forest.

When one says 'student directed' it sends a chill up this reviewer's back, especially within the high school theater community. So, walking into Agoura High School's production of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' I wasn't expect much.

CYMBELINE proves to be a technical and emotional success- Director Michael J. Arndt consistently produces above-university-level work which constantly challenges his student actors.

What happens when a family loses a loved one? Said family bans together, consoles each other, and stand as a united front to continue the celebration of the memory of the lost family member.

A Clean, Crisp, and Entertaining "Pippin" Plays at Newbury Park High School!

Bling, beats, and Bollywood in 'A Midsummer Nights Dream' bring an end to the 20th Anniversary Celebration with a bawdy burst at Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival.

For its 20th Anniversary Season, Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival starts out with a bang with this production of war, loss, love, social classes, and uniquely filled with humor.

As the audience walks into the lobby of the performing arts center, we are greeted with glittery visions of teacups and saucers, large animated flowers, and welcoming oversized characters beckoning us with which to take a photo-op. Life is good and happy...just like a Disney Parade.

For those of you who have never seen a production of this ode-to-classic-Broadway-musicals-with-a-modern-twist, run to the nearest production to see this campy, clever, and double entendre-filled romp.