Larisa Mount - Page 6

Everybody knows West Side Story. Even if you have never seen the show before, even if you haven't seen the movie, you know West Side Story. The iconic show is so enmeshed in American culture that it is inescapable. For good reason, I might add. West Side Story is landmark theater, marking the genesis of the modern musical. And it's at the Durham Performing Arts Center now.

One of the most well-known shows of all time, West Side Story, is coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center this June. In anticipation of its arrival, I spoke with Joey McKneely, the show's choreographer, to gain insight into the unique elements of this production. He offered a glimpse into the creative minds of the late Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents. He explains why every generation needs to experience the power of West Side Story, and why this imagining of the production brings to light the relevance of the themes.

Two actors, two chairs, one jacket. Physically, that's what is on stage right now at Manbites Dog Theater in Durham. Their current production of Daniel MacIvor's play In on It almost redefines minimalism, in a sense. It almost seems like those elements of the show (set, props, etc.) are stepping aside to let the work itself shine. And shine it most certainly does.

Check out these summer offerings in the Raleigh/Durham area soon!

One of the most well-known shows of all time, West Side Story, is coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center this June. In anticipation of its arrival, I spoke with Joey McKneely, the show's choreographer, to gain insight into the unique elements of this production. He offered a glimpse into the creative minds of the late Jerome Robbins and Arthur Laurents. He explains why every generation needs to experience the power of West Side Story, and why this imagining of the production brings to light the relevance of the themes.

Get ready for the 2012-2013 season at the Durham Performing Arts Center! One of the major events this fall will be the arrival of the national tour of the 20th-longest running Broadway musical, Jersey Boys. At a recent event, I had the chance to chat with Matt Bailey (Tommy DeVito), Alayna Gallo (Lorraine and others), and Kevin Crewell (Bob Crewe and others) from the national touring company of Jersey Boys about the show, their experiences, and their acting beginnings. They had a lot to say, including some particularly nice things about the Durham Performing Arts Center as a venue.

Wicked has clearly established itself as a runaway success, so I don't think what people need now is my personal "review" of the show. Ever since being nominated for the Tony Award for best musical, people have known that the show is good. But I do want to put in my two cents about seeing the touring company at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

There's a first time for everything. This past weekend marked the first time I saw a play in which one of the main characters is a robot. You're going to have to trust me that it's not quite as strange as it sounds - it's Deep Dish Theater Company's production of Alan Ayckbourn's Henceforward…. So, R2-D2 doesn't take the stage, but two of the actresses share the role of a NAN300F, a robot originally designed to care for children.

New work is exciting - it is the lifeblood of the arts community. I am honored by every opportunity I get to see new work opening itself up to the world for the very first time. I was particularly honored to see Burning Coal Theatre Company's world premiere of Jude the Obscure because it is based on my very favorite book.

This sounds like an exaggeration, but I promise that it's not: Noises Off at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill is, honest-to-goodness, the funniest thing I have seen in quite some time. It reminded me that live theater is magical - I cannot think of a single movie which is as funny as this live-action comedy. Michael Frayn's writing is brilliant - how any human is able to write something so tight and fast-paced is beyond me. It's not a popular piece for nothing. Under the skillful direction of Michael Michetti, the cast is able to capture the blissful comedy of the piece, beat by beat.

There's so much already going on this season in Triangle theater! I'm so thrilled by what I've seen so far, and I cannot wait to dive into so many more amazing productions. I can't tell you exactly what to see, but I'll let you know what I am definitely going to be seeing this year.