Joseph Harrison - Page 5

Jukebox musicals are a polarizing topic in the world of musical theatre. For fans of an artist or group whose music is used as the score of a musical, these can often be favorites due to the familiarity and affinity one might have for the songbook. For musical purists, however, jukebox musicals often feel like one is being cheated out of a new, original score, not to mention the fact that many times these types of shows employ very thinly constructed books (e.g., ALL SHOOK UP) or stories that verge on the truly absurd (e.g., ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE). But there are a rare few of these productions that get the mix right – making them enjoyable for both sides of the theatrical aisle and can often be the recipe for a megahit. Such is the case with JERSEY BOYS, the 2005 Tony Award winning musical which tells the story of the formation, success, and breakup of the hit Rock and Roll group, The Four Seasons including lead singer, Frankie Valli. This high energy, audience favorite opens the 64th season for Osceola Arts in Kissimmee and is a highly entertaining and solid production – one that is sure to please fans of the show and newcomers alike.

On Tuesday evening, December 4, 1956, in Memphis, Tennessee, while a winter chill bit into passersby at the corner of Union Avenue and Marshall Avenue something big was heating up the studio of Sun Records on that very same corner. Sun Records founder and producer, Sam Phillips had brought together a group of young musicians who were just starting out on their long and storied careers, for that one night only, to jam together. At the time, that gathering may have been unremarkable, but looking back years later, Mr. Phillips called the group the “Million Dollar Quartet” – since it was made up of what would become some of the biggest names in Rock and Roll – Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. And while the recordings of that night took many years to be released, audiences have the chance to witness the gathering for themselves on stage in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET – the latest musical offering at the Titusville Playhouse. And believe me - this gathering is electric, exciting and thrilling to witness.

“Everything has it’s season, everything has it’s time..” So goes the lyrics of “Corner of the Sky”, one of the most well-known songs from Stephen Schwartz’ and Roger O. Hirson’s Tony award winning musical, PIPPIN. And it seems, that for the Garden Theatre’s latest production of this classic, now is the season and the time for a production of PIPPIN that not only brings this story to life for a new generation but does so in a new and inclusive way - incorporating deaf actors and American Sign Language (ASL) at the very heart of the show. I am pleased to say that this new approach works marvelously well – elevating the performance by adding elements that give new meaning to the story unfolding on stage and creating an evening of theatre that is magical, memorable, and unlike anything you are likely to have seen before.

What happens when you take a classic film, update it for a modern audience and then turn it into a Broadway musical? This seems to be a question producers and creatives have been asking themselves more and more over the last few years. With musicals like BACK TO THE FUTURE and THE OUTSIDERS currently playing the Great White Way, it seems like musical adaptations of hit films are here to stay. One of the recent examples of a beloved classic being mounted as a musical is TOOTSIE, based on the classic 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman. Some might think of this 40+ year old film as an odd choice for adaptation – especially with the world’s perspective on gender and identity being much more evolved in today’s world – but the musical, TOOTSIE, on stage now as the opening show of Titusville Playhouse’s 60th season, shows the tale can be modern, fresh, relevant, entertaining and downright hilarious.

There’s something about a musical that never gets old, regardless of how many different productions one might see. It’s hard to pinpoint what the core reason for that may be – a catchy score? A tight book? A unique concept? A clarity of purpose? Whatever it may be, the fan favorite LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is one of those shows for me. I can always get a thrill in a production of this classic musical. And that was certainly the case with Garden Theatre’s latest production of this classic which kicks off its 2024 – 2025 season and delivers thrills, chills, laughs and a rollicking good time.

It is rare to sit down in a theatre to see a play and literally laugh non-stop from before the curtain all the way to the final bows. Sure, there are hilarious comedies out there that garner many laughs in an evening but to create a raucous reaction from an audience with little time to take a breath until the next unbelievably funny moment – for almost every moment of the play - that is rare. So, when I tell you this is exactly the experience you are likely to have sitting in the audience at Osceola Arts’ stellar production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, trust me, you should run, not walk, to get your tickets to what is likely to be the funniest and most entertaining Central Florida productions of the year. Fair warning – you should be prepared for your face and your sides to hurt by the end of the evening – and not just metaphorically – it is truly that fun.

​​​​​​​Was it Mr. Green in the Library with the Revolver? Miss Scarlet with the Candlestick in the Dining Room? Professor Plum with the Wrench in the Kitchen? These suggestions should sound familiar to any fan of the classic Hasbro board game, Clue, or of the 1985 cult classic comedy film of the same name. But June 4th – 9th in Orlando you might just be accusing Mrs. White of slaying the audience with hilarious comedy in the Walt Disney Theatre (at the Dr. Phillips Center) as CLUE, a new production based on the classic board game and film, takes the stage. Embodying the mysterious (and hilarious) perpetual widow, Mrs. White, will be Tari Kelly who sat down with me to share about her theatrical origins, her experience bringing this classic role to life (and adding her own interpretation to it), and what audiences can expect when they come to see CLUE in Orlando.

There is musical theatre magic happening on stage now through May 19th at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, Florida via ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, a fan favorite musical tribute to one of the most iconic voices in country music. This latest production is a heartwarming, and toe-tapping look at the life and career of Patsy Cline through the eyes of one of her biggest fans – and takes the audience on an exciting trip back in time filled with beloved songs and a fascinating and highly entertaining story.

When the opening chords of a familiar Beatles tune drifts out of the doors of the Walt Disney Theater on May 5th, guests might just think they stepped back in time 50+ years to the iconic eras of Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour and all your favorite hits. And if they come see RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles presented by the Dr. Phillips Center, they might just succeed in that time travel. RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles, a show that has been called 'the next best thing to seeing The Beatles,' boasts a repertoire of nearly 200 Beatles favorites, ranging from such beloved songs as 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'Hey Jude' to classic hits including 'Revolution' and 'Come Together.'  Leading many of those familiar songs, in the iconic shoes of John Lennon is Steve Landes, and actor/singer/musician that has been performing Beatles-songs for most of his adult life and will be a part of the show when it arrives in Orlando. I had the privilege of speaking with Steve a number of years ago to learn a little more about his journey and our conversation still resonates today. Below is a re-sharing of our interview from 2009  (one of my first as a writer for BroadwayWorld!)

In times of turmoil, oppression, and uncertainty, how do people cope? How do they find joy, hope, and freedom when all seems hopeless? In the early 1930’s many of the citizens of Berlin found ways to escape the realities of life and the rise of the Nazi party by visiting one of the many cabarets in the city where they could leave their troubles at the door and partake in the debauchery of the latest avant garde entertainment. Today, however, in 2024, a visit to the Kit Kat Klub of CABARET, the latest offering from Titusville Playhouse, provides such an escape but with an important cautionary tale about the dangers of extremism and the real consequences of not taking them seriously. 

It takes a large imagination to come up with new ideas for the stage, and when the show in question is based on the books of one of the most beloved children’s book authors of the last century – it better be filled to the brim with creativity. Luckily, Orlando’s Little Radical Theatrics has done just that by offering a fresh and stylized production of SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, on stage now through April 21st at the Fringe ArtSpace in Orlando. Based on the books of Dr. Seuss, this musical weaves together some of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic characters and themes into a colorful and charming adventure that will appeal to audiences of all ages.

If you are looking for a fun, energetic, and uplifting musical experience, look no further than The Winter Park Playhouse's current production of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE. This musical revue, featuring the songs of Louis Jordan, the 'King of the Jukebox', is a celebration of life, love, and music, with a dash of humor and a lot of soul. Directed and choreographed by Joshian Morales, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE is a show that will have you tapping your feet, clapping your hands, and singing along to some of the most catchy and memorable tunes of the 1940s and 50s.

There are some standard musical theatre moments that never fail to take my breath away. From the powerful 11th hour “I want” song to a perfectly in sync kick line, certain musical mainstays will simply never get old for me. And one of the best examples of musical nirvana, I believe, is a well-choreographed and expertly executed tap number. Nothing thrills like seeing a group of performers executing the complex and rhythmically entrancing dances that are extremely difficult to master but seem effortless due to the skill and talent of those on stage. So, I was thrilled to have the chance to take in Osceola Arts’ latest production of the classic musical 42ND STREET and I am here to tell you, it did not disappoint. This fantastic production includes some of the finest choreography (and dancing) I have seen on stage here in Central Florida in my four years here and is a fabulous foray into a bygone era of classic movie musicals that provides non-stop entertainment and musical theatre magic in every moment.

Michael Knight is no stranger to the Orlando entertainment scene. Since moving here, the multi-talented artist has worked as a performer, writer, director and producer for various theme parks, theatres and festivals. He is also the co-founder and creative director of New Generation Theatrical, a local, Orlando theatre company that was founded in 2019 and has produced a variety of shows, ranging from well-known musicals like NEXT TO NORMAL and SWEENEY TODD, to original comedies like THE F. MARRYKILL AFFAIR and The Gothic Series. The company aims to provide accessible, immersive and original theatrical experiences to a diverse audience.

If you are a fan of country music, you will not want to miss MAY WE ALL: A NEW COUNTRY MUSICAL at Titusville Playhouse now playing through April 7th. This show, written by Troy Britton Johnson, Todd Johnson, and Eric Pfeffinger features songs by some of the biggest names in the genre, such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Florida Georgia Line, and more. And in its regional premiere at Titusville Playhouse, this down home, feel good musical shines with powerful vocals, a stellar cast, high energy production numbers and a heartwarming story that illustrates the power of community.

There’s a particular thrill getting to be the first in an audience for a new theatrical work. You can almost feel the time, passion and love poured into a piece when it finally makes it to the stage. And even if there are elements that could use refining, trimming or updating, the energy is unlike anything else one might experience in a darkened theatre. It was this feeling that I experienced sitting in the opening night audience of the world premiere of BELLADONNA: THE MUSICAL produced by Mac Boys Entertainment at Orlando Family Stage. The story was compelling (and new), the performances were filled with power and passion, and the creativity on display was palpable.

It is hard to tell when a piece of pop culture is going to have a cult following. Would Richard O’Brien have believed you back in 1973 when THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW premiered in London if you told him that his quirky, but outrageously fun, musical would still be creating midnight madness all around the world some 50+ years later? The formula for a phenomenon like that is hard to nail down. Is it the bold characters? The catchy and electric music? The slightly subversive undertones? As exciting as they can be, they don’t come around every day. Which is why it was so electric to be in the room at Theatre South Playhouse in Dr. Phillips on opening night for the Central Florida premiere of RIDE THE CYCLONE, a musical that has been growing a cult following of its own over the last few years, mostly due to a viral explosion of content on social media especially with the younger generation of musical theatre fans. And, based on the packed house of enthusiastic and excited theatergoers, seeing this performance was something special for many, and I can see why. In the highly skilled creative hands of the folks at Theatre South Playhouse, RIDE THE CYCLONE, is a thrilling, entertaining, energetic, and sometimes poignant evening of theatre that you don’t have to be a super-fan to thoroughly enjoy.

In the world of jukebox musicals, the best way to ensure something entertaining and enjoyable is to either use the music in an organic way, often telling the story of the artist themselves or to go the opposite route and create something over the top with a loose narrative, allowing the audience to focus primarily on the music they love and the performances on stage.

What do you get when you cross a regency era tale of a high society engagement, mix it with a bawdy farce and add a dash of murder? You get THE F. MARRYKILL AFFAIR the latest immersive offering by New Generation Theatrical which plays at the Abbey in Orlando through Monday, February 19th. Written and Directed by New Gen’s Creative Director, Michael Knight (who also plays Chaudry Gethard, the narrator of the tale), THE F. MARRYKILL AFFAIR is a frolicsome “interactive, hilarious engagement party to die for”, which makes for a fun, exciting and all-around entertaining evening of theatre. 

One of the things that I love the most about musical theatre as an artform is that the genre contains multitudes. From a thrilling, bombastic and electrifying show that takes your breath away to a quieter, more introspective and emotionally devastating production, and everything in between, they are all musicals. And sometimes, a production just feels comfortable – like a favorite chair, seated by a fire on a cold winter evening – making you feel safe and putting a satisfied smile on your face. That is the case with the recent hit Broadway musical - BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL which is now playing at Titusville Playhouse in Titusville, FL through February 18th. This crowd-pleasing show transports its audience to the world of 1960s songwriting and brings them along for the rise of a music legend. And in Titusville Playhouse's highly capable hands, this vibrant production captures perfectly the spirit of Carole King's storied journey, from her early days as a Brooklyn teenager to her meteoric ascent as a solo artist and does so with polish and pizzazz.