Natasha Ashley - Page 6

Stephen Karam's 2016 Tony Award-winning play The Humans is now engaging audiences at Syracuse Stage. Presented in association with Geva Theatre Center and directed by Mark Cuddy, this production of the uncannily relatable play is moving, emotional, and humorous.

The music, the lyrics, the story, and the characters - every element of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party is very intense and intriguing. This production, presented by the Syracuse University Department of Drama at Syracuse Stage, doesn't hold back either. Set in the Jazz Age of the Roaring '20s, this production features a stellar cast, impressive set and lighting design by Alex Koziara, and meticulously detailed direction by Katherine McGerr. The spot-on choreography by Andrea Leigh-Smith and the powerhouse performances of the entire cast take center stage in this wild performance of Lippa's The Wild Party.

One the most acclaimed musicals in theatrical history is now performing at Syracuse's Landmark Theater as part of The Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series: Broadway in Syracuse. As presented by Cameron Mackintosh, the Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon Les Misérables is back with a fantastic new staging and breathtaking scenery.

For a one night only, the legendary Broadway, Television, and Silver Screen star Bernadette Peters sang with the Syracuse, New York orchestra known as Symphoria. Ms. Peters lit up the stage at Crouse Hinds Theater. Accomplished music director Marvin Laird, a friend of Ms. Peters, guest conducted Syracuse's Symphoria orchestra while Ms. Peters sang some of her greatest hits from the stage as well as many other familiar tunes. The talent, the energy, and the star power - it was all perfection.

Syracuse Stage has once again brought a creative and entertaining play to its audience. This time around it is Kate Hamill's modern take on the Jane Austen 1813 classic novel Pride and Prejudice. Hamill's creative and comedic Pride and Prejudice is certainly not what you might expect. The high energy comedic production is full of wonderful surprises under the impressive direction of Jason O'Connell.

A powerful and passionate production of Peter Pan dazzled audiences this past weekend at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater in Syracuse, New York. The Syracuse City Ballet out did their past productions with this high-flying adventurous ballet. The staging, the flying effects, and of course the dancing were all magnificent under the Syracuse City Ballet's Artistic Director Kathleen Rathbun (direction and choreography).

The Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse, New York is now delighting audiences with their entertaining and engaging production of Herb Gardner's play I'm Not Rappaport. Impressively directed by Vincent J. Cardinal, the production marks the reunion of Fred Grandy and Ted Lange, castmates of the beloved television series The Love Boat.

Local talent Stephfond Brunson has brought none other than the global smash hit musical Mamma Mia! to life at the daring “theater in the mall,” otherwise known as The Central New York Playhouse. Thanks to Brunson's direction and high energy choreography, the catchy and pure fun musical built around the music of ABBA is, without a doubt, entertaining.

Syracuse Stage is now delighting audiences with a contemporary play Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías. The witty comedy, wonderfully directed by Melissa Crespo, features a fun and entertaining story that delves into important social issues. It also features some top-notch actors.

No doubt you will see tiaras, beautiful ball gowns, slippers made of glass, pumpkins, a Prince, and a clock striking midnight in the current touring production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Yes, the modern production keeps all those familiar things from the fairytale and the original 1957 musical starring Julie Andrews intact. However, this production - like the most recent Broadway revival on which it is based - features a new book by Douglas Carter Beane (2013 adaptation).  He gives the audience new characters and a more sympathetic stepsister.  He also provides the Prince with a story/personality and grants Cinderella the power to decide her own destiny.  Put succinctly, there are many socio-political undertones within the story and the characters that inhabit it.

Syracuse's Redhouse Arts Center starts the new year off strong with John Carciani's Almost, Maine. The sweet, intimate, and thought-provoking play marks the directorial debut of Steve Hayes who has brought together six versatile actors to beautifully capture the experience of falling in and out of love.

The Baldwinsville Theatre Guild is now entertaining audiences in Baldwinsville, New York with the witty and entertaining musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Colin Keating, Artistic Director of The Baldwinsville Theater Guild and director of this musical along with his stellar cast has brought the poignant and hysterical musical to life with great heart, skill, and powerhouse performances.

Happy New Year to the Syracuse area theater community! We have a new year filled a variety of theatrical productions throughout the greater Syracuse area coming up! We are fortunate to live in an area that has so many talented actors, technicians, and directors as well as dedicated theater companies - not to mention supportive theatergoers. From the local theaters to the Equity tours that come through the area, we are lucky that Syracuse offers many opportunities to experience live theater. Having seen countless productions in this area since I was young and reviewed many shows for the past few years, I thought I would take a moment to share which productions I am most excited about in 2019!

Keeping up the tradition of attending the Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is a must for the holiday season. This year, Syracuse audiences had the opportunity to see the remarkable show again when the Dove of Peace tour played The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater for two performances. Once again, the superb production featured all of the beauty, elegance, and detail that the Moscow Ballet is known for with Great Russian Nutcracker.

The Central New York Playhouse Holiday production for this season is the timeless classic Miracle on 34th Street under the direction of Bella Calabria. production, set in present day, is heartwarming, nostalgic, and, as per usual, demonstrates the devotion of the community theater performers to their craft.

The latest touring production enchanting audiences at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, New York is none other than Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning 1959 musical The Sound of Music. Purely breathtaking and nostalgic, it, of course, features favorite and familiar musical numbers such as "My Favorite Things," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Edelweiss," and "The Sound of Music," just to name of few. Richard Rodgers (Music) and Oscar Hammerstein II's (Lyrics) score features some of the most gorgeous and emotional songs in musical theater history and they are very well performed in this production.

Memories and tradition are a large part of the Holiday and watching Bill Mendez and Lee Mendelson's television special A Charlie Brown Christmas is certainly a Holiday tradition for many children and adults. The Redhouse Arts Center brings Eric Shaeffer's stage adaptation by (with special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson) to life under the delightful direction of Jonathan David Martin. Indeed, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first holiday show to take place in the newly relocated Redhouse and it is a delightful trip down memory lane.

This past weekend the Syracuse City Ballet, the only professional ballet company serving the Central New York community, presented its annual festive and heartwarming production of The Nutcracker astutely directed and choreographed by Syracuse City Ballet founding Artistic Director Kathleen Rathbun. The talented dancers performed to the familiar music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, lighting up the stage at the Crouse Hinds Theater creating lasting memories and carrying on tradition for many Central New Yorkers.

The Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University (SU) Department of Drama Holiday production is an annual tradition for many Central New Yorkers. This year, the family friendly holiday show Elf the Musical is the perfect start to the Holiday season. The production features fabulous SU drama students, local child performers, and accomplished equity actors. Director Donna Drake, last season's director of The Wizard of Oz, brings the comedy, the heart, and the holiday cheer to life with her fun and festive direction.

Syracuse Stage – Central New York's premier professional theatre in residence at Syracuse University – is bringing an intense world premiere play Possessing Harriet to its loyal audience base. The historical play, meticulously researched and written by award-winning local playwright and Syracuse Stage's associate director Kyle Bass, is realized in a thought-provoking and emotional production beautifully directed by Tazewell Thompson.