Leesa Williams

TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS has returned to the Treasure Valley for the second year. Laura Little Theatricals produces this show as a Radio City Music Hall style show. There is dancing, singing, and over 400 costumes.

Stage Coach Theater has returned to Armadillo Acres Trailer Park, the setting for last summers hilarious musical, The Great American Trailer Park musical, to bring you its sequel, THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 34 years, you have seen the 1983 Christmas comedy film, A CHRISTMAS STORY. The classic film, based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional 1966 book, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, has been adapted into a two-act play and a Broadway musical.

Are you looking for a fun filled evening of music, comedy and the Golden Girls?! Look no further than Alley Repertory Theater's GOLDEN GIRLS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA.

Let me start off by saying that Heddatron is not a show that most community theaters would choose for a regular season. It is an Absurdist drama that would have a hard time attracting a general audience. Nevertheless, it is a mesmerizing piece of drama with some unique facets that make it an engaging drama for enthusiasts of theatre. First produced in 2005, it's defining characteristic is the use of 'functioning robots' or at least the semblance of such.

BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY at Stage Coach Theatre directed by Curtis Ransom is a fast-paced comedy revolving around the famous detective and a curious mystery. A cast of five actors tell the tale that involves more than 40 different characters. Sherlock and the ever present side-kick, Dr. Watson, are played by Diana Holdridge and Don VanPraag. It is a bold choice to gender bend a beloved character like Sherlock, but Ransom made an excellent pick because Holdridge is strong as the title character. Her characterization is terrific in all parts and the know-it-all is still likeable and brilliant. VanPraag found just the right element of the 'straight-man' in this quirky comedy as the bulk of the action revolves around Dr. Watson's presence and he also plays the narrator from time to time.

The Addams Family has taken many forms since their creation in the 1930's by cartoonist Charles Addams. Most of us can remember watching the 1960's tv series starring Jon Astin and Carolyn Jones, either live or in reruns. In 2009 the new musical had a trial run in Chicago. After some editing of the musical numbers, they found their way to Broadway in 2010.

'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' by William Finn, based on the book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman is directed by Cheryl Blauer this month at Stage Coach Theatre. It is a heartwarming, and sometimes heartwrenching, glimpse in the unexpectedly complicated lives of a group of spelling bee participants. Three adult supervisors and six spellers make up the story with the added fun of four audience members being brought up to fill out the contestant seats (don't worry, only those who offered by signing up are considered).

Boise Little Theater travels back to the early 1800's for a telling of Jane Austen's classic novel, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE adapted for the stage by Jon Jory. The undertaking could be overwhelming with elaborate sets, props, & costumes, but Director Diana Holdridge, with an excellent production team assisting, does a terrific job of keeping things simple with just the right touches to bring the world to life. The sound, lights, and set make for an easy but effective traversing between multiple locations. Period appropriate costumes for the 21 person cast were beautifully configured by Elizabeth Greeley, assisted by Chanel Johnson.

The only time I have ever admitted to liking Shakespeare was when Christian Borle played him in Broadway's SOMETHING ROTTEN. Today, I'll say it for the second time, I actually liked Shakespeare. Specifically, Encore Theater Company's production of JULIUS CAESAR. In addition it was perfect evening weather for an outdoor play in their 9th season of Shakespeare in the park.

The Hunchback come to Idaho Shakes

Neil Simon's Star Spangled Girl

As the editor for BroadwayWorld Boise, I occasionally step onto the stage myself. As a member of the 9 to 5 the Musical cast, I sought out a fellow performer and friend to write the review for this show. Thank you so very much Nichole Stull.

Great Ballet from Les Bois Junior Balley

Bye Bye Birdie is a Hit!BYE BYE BIRDIE hit the musical stage in the early 1960's. The story line was inspired by the popularity of Elvis Presley and his draft notice. BIRDIE is full of great tunes that most will recognize. 'How lovely to be a woman', 'Kids', 'The Telephone Hour' and 'Put on a Happy Face', made famous by Dick Van Dyke in the 1963 film adaptation.

There's Trouble in URINETOWN

Have you been wanting to see a poignant, funny and professional play without spending a lot of money? Look no further than ANATOMY OF GRAY by Jim Leonard. With nothing more than some hay bales and a projection backdrop, the Mountain View High School production takes us back to the 1800's.

Students from Mountain View, Eagle and Centennial High Schools have joined together to bring us TARZAN. Directed by Centennial Drama Teacher, Machaela Burt, this Tarzan rendition is the stage musical based on the Disney film.

This weekend the Velma V. Morrison Center brought us ONCE, based on the 2007 movie of the same name. The low budget film won an Oscar for for the best original song 'Falling Slowly', and I am thrilled that most of the music (the best part of the movie) is included in the musical version.

The Verdeen family is at it again. LAST ROUND UP OF THE GUACAMOLE QUEENS, presented by Boise Little Theater and directed by Wendy Koeppl is fantastically ridiculous!