Paul Batterson - Page 1

What did our critic think of SAMARA JOY at Southern Theatre? When people describe Samara Joy as an “American jazz singer,” they aren’t wrong. But they’re missing the point.

Short North Stage is never one to back down from a challenge. At the end of every season, the Columbus theatre group asks its audience what shows it would like to see the following season.

There appeared to be a serious breach of theatre etiquette in the March 17 production of THE OUTSIDERS at Ohio Theatre (37 E. State Street in downtown Columbus).

From the time she was in third grade, Kristina Isabelle knew exactly what she would be. It wasn’t career counseling. “I remember I was eight or nine years old,” Isabelle said. “One of the neighborhood girls asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I said I want to be a dancer, actress, singer.

Growing up in Rockville, Md., Eymard Cabling’s fields of study were somewhat limited. Cabling, who will be playing the role of The Engineer in Short North Stage’s upcoming production of the epic MISS SAIGON, thought he had three career choices.

Whether it is Floyd’s Barber Shop in THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Truvy’s Beauty Salon in STEEL MAGNOLIAS or even the Suburban Salon in EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, hair care is the center of society. Gossip is distributed like shampoo, lies are covered up like hair dye, and life’s tangled knots are cut away in small talk among friends.

What did our critic think of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Ohio Theatre?

In the Columbus Children’s Theatre production of CABARET, nothing is what it appears to be. A line can be repeated but cast a completely different meaning and things that are commonplace in the first act take on a darker symbolic meaning by the second.

In the Columbus Children’s Theatre production of CABARET, nothing is what it appears to be. A line can be repeated but cast a completely different meaning and things that are commonplace in the first act take on a darker symbolic meaning by the second.

In WICKED, Eden Espinosa’s skin was green. In LEMPICKA, the Tony-nominated actress had to age from 19 to 85 in a musical. On Feb. 28, Espinosa gets to perform in the skin she feels the most comfortable – her own.

What did our critic think of THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY at Southern Theatre?

Shadowbox’s latest production is more leather than lace, offering a wide variety of power ballads from each generation.

Most singers would kill to have Brendan Jacob Smith’s resume. Smith has been in a hit musical for over five years, released two albums, and joined an a cappella trio that reached the quarterfinals of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT -- all before the age of 30.

PETER PAN may be a story about never growing up, but BalletMet’s upcoming production offers a mature update to the children’s classic.

Those who attend the Columbus stop of THE MOON, THE WALL AND BEYOND tour at the Palace Theatre might be checking to make sure this is Brit Floyd instead of the actual Pink Floyd, which last played together with singer Roger Waters July 2, 2005, at the Live 8 Concert.

Reviewing the revered LES MISERABLES is always a mixed bag. The show, running Jan. 27–Feb. 1 at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State Street, downtown Columbus), is a towering piece of musical theater history. It has a cadre of powerful songs (“Do You Hear The People Sing?,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” and “One More Day” … that’s just in the first act), and characters that linger with you long after the curtain falls.

What did our critic think of SHORT NORTH STAGE'S COME FROM AWAY at Garden Theatre?

What did our critic think of THE CALL at The Shedd Theater?

As a flight attendant years after the Sept. 11 attacks, Adam Williams used to think it was a minor inconvenience every time his plane was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, and Labrador because of a storm in New York City.

Columbus-based playwright Francesca DiFrancesco latest work, THE CALL, was sparked during a visit to Disney World’s “Country Bear Jamboree.”