Joseph Harrison - Page 2

Actor’s Express has never shied away from bold theatrical choices, and with its latest production of A STRANGE LOOP, the company once again proves its commitment to pushing boundaries and amplifying underrepresented voices. Directed with fearless precision by Amanda Washington, this Atlanta premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical is a frenetic and multi-faceted journey that brilliantly captures on stage the recursive and “strange” loop of self-doubt, ambition, and identity that plagues the central character.

When one studies history it is easy to forget how much detail is lost. The real lives of the legends we read about in books, their influences, their fears, those they know and, importantly, those they love are often missing from the annals of time. Some of these people, standing just in the periphery, had an immeasurable influence on the lives of these cultural giants and thus on the impact they had on the world. Such is the case with Emilia Bassano, the title character in Jessica B. Hill’s THE DARK LADY which makes its U.S. premiere at Synchronicity Theatre in Atlanta through June 29th.

The record-setting, multi-Tony Award winning musical THE BOOK OF MORMON will make its return to Atlanta from June 24 - 29 as the final production in the 2024 - 2025 Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta season at The Fox Theatre. Among the cast is Jarius Miquel Cliett, who plays Mafala Hatimbi and who has deep roots in Atlanta. I had the chance to catch up with Jarius to discuss his journey in the theatre, his experiences with the show, and his excitement about performing for a hometown crowd.

What would you do if a fortune in cash fell from the sky? This theoretical question can be a popular conversation starter at dinner parties or on long road trips. The answer usually varies from large purchases, to paying off bills, to helping the needy. But have you ever thought what you would really do if this unlikely thing were to occur to you? Consider it a miracle and keep the cash? Wonder what practical reason there may be for money to rain down on you? Or maybe a bit of both? This is the ethical dilemma at the core of the world premiere new musical MILLIONS, playing at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA through June 15th where two young brothers are faced with this exact complex morality test as they struggle with the difficult decision of what to do with a miraculous windfall.

Aurora Theatre’s fresh and fulfilling WAITRESS combines what I would consider the core ingredients for a great musical – strong talent, creative vision, and heart, to create a production as sweet and satisfying as one of Jenna’s tasty masterpieces.

The “corniest” show ever to play on Broadway will soon make its way to Atlanta as part of the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta season. The show in question, SHUCKED, isn’t just corny because of its funny, punny humor, it is literally a show about corn.

What better way to cool off on a hot, Atlanta summer evening (or afternoon!) than taking in one of these exciting productions, coming to a community theatre near you! Check out all the amazing theatre that Metro Atlanta has to offer this summer!

Romance. Wit. Engaging. Timeless. These are a few words that could be used to describe Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice a literary classic that is still devoured by readers over two hundred years later. A novel so beloved has certainly had its share of adaptations which have brought the tale to life in many forms. And while many of these offerings have been good, there is something magical and entrancing experiencing this story unfold live on stage. That is what is taking place at The Shakespeare Tavern with Claire F. Martin’s latest reimagining of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE – pure magic. A collaborative offering between The Atlanta Shakespeare Company and Belle Esprit Theatre Collective, this production is fresh, spirited, and truly enchanting.

​​​​​​​In today’s culture, it is hard to find anyone who doesn’t have some experience with the story of Peter Pan. For many, their first exposure to the “boy who refused to grow up” was through Walt Disney’s classic 1953 animated film. Others first journeyed off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy by reading the original 1904 play by J.M. Barrie. And in between (and beyond) have come many different iterations of this timeless adventure. But for musical theatre fans, there is just one PETER PAN – the classic 1954 stage musical which starred Mary Martin and was captured for posterity through a 1955 NBC broadcast. So how does one take a story with its beautiful score but also some troublesome stereotypes and bring it to an audience in 2025? That is just what Larissa FastHorse and the team bringing PETER PAN to life on the stage at the fabulous Fox Theatre have done – taken a classic and updated it for a new generation. And in the role of Tiger Lily, Bailey Frankenberg has a front row seat to what makes this story so magical. I had the chance to catch up with Bailey and hear all about her career and what it is like to play an iconic (but updated) heroine as well as serve as Fight and Flight captain for the show.

The Tony Award winning musical revival PARADE is now playing at The Fox Theatre through April 6th. BWW caught up with Jack Roden who plays Frankie Epps in this production and discussed his experience.

Some stories are so emotional, so raw, and so real that it can be hard to tell it more than once. So, when someone draws up enough courage and strength to share these sometimes-difficult glimpses into their life – to quote a great American playwright Arthur Miller “Attention must be paid.” Such is the case with the Southeastern premiere of Jennifer Blackmer’s beautifully constructed and emotionally delivered play, I CARRY YOUR HEART WITH ME which is playing now through April 5th at Horizon Theatre Company in Atlanta. This powerful and captivating solo play, starring veteran Atlanta actor Carolyn Cook, takes the audience on a journey into a challenging and difficult time in American history through the eyes (and memories) of a woman who has an encounter during a formative year in her life that changes everything for her.

If you are a fan of a certain 'boy who lived' then Theatre South Playhouse’s delightfully humorous and nostalgic production of Matt Cox’s PUFFS or SEVEN INCREASINGLY EVENTFUL YEARS AT A CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC AND MAGIC could be right up your (Diagon) alley.

In the realm of musical theatre, jukebox musicals have their supporters and their detractors. People who are already fans of an artist or group whose music forms the score of such shows are already pre-programmed to like a production due to their familiarity with and affinity for the music used in the musical. Conversely, musical purists sometimes frown upon these types of shows due to the lack of an original score. However, there are certain musicals in this genre that find the perfect balance, appealing to all theatergoers and thus, often becoming major hits. This is definitely the case with JERSEY BOYS, the 2005 Tony Award-winning musical which tells the story of the formation, success, and breakup of the hit group, The Four Seasons, led by the iconic voice of Frankie Valli. So, I am excited to report that Titusville Playhouse is currently delivering (through February 23rd) an outstanding production of this fan favorite musical, giving audiences a production of JERSEY BOYS that is fast-paced, thrilling and certain to excite and delight both fans and newcomers.

When it comes to the holidays in the opera world there are few standards as beloved as Gian Carlo Menotti’s AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS. The first opera written expressly for television and first broadcast on NBC on Christmas Eve 1951, the piece has been produced countless times over the last 73 years. But Orlando audiences were treated to a new first December 6 - 8 from Opera Orlando at the Dr. Phillips Center – a new comic opera, 4 LOST SANTAS, designed to be offered alongside AMAHL and create a double bill that hits all the high points one looks for in holiday entertainment – fun and frivolity as well as reverence and beauty.  

It’s not often that audiences have the chance to experience a completely new musical here in Central Florida, but that is what is happening every night (and select days) on stage at Titusville Playhouse with the premiere of WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD which plays on the Titusville, FL stage through December 15th. This light, family-friendly holiday-themed musical will add more than a bit of holiday cheer to even the biggest Scrooge and provides the perfect start to the season.

The feelings that one gets when sitting in the audience for a musical production can run the gamut from sadness and heartbreak to joy and excitement. But it is a rare experience when a production causes one to experience the full breadth of human emotion – becoming transfixed and transported to an elevated state of bliss. This is what I experienced last night at Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) production of Adam Guettel’s THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA – an stunningly brilliant production featuring some of the most magnificent vocals I have heard from the stage in a very long time.