BIRMINGHAM THEATER REVIEWS

Expertly acted by Jamie Lawrence as Harold and Ellise Pruitt Mayor as Elsie, FALLING: A WAKE is the story of a plane crash, a loving yet troubled couple, and all of the questions that we have about life, love, when to let go and if there is more to life than what we see each day.Does life happen ran...

Every once in a while, everything falls in place and you have a truly memorable evening. Last night was one of those nights, thanks to ACTA Theatre's production of LOST IN YONKERS and their true community spirit....

NEXT TO NORMAL is an exploration of grief and how it can pull you down to the depths of depression. Although not what you usually expect from Red Mountain Theatre Company, it is a timely and real look at mental illness. It is hard to know where to start in giving accolades to this talented cast and ...

What happens when you take one guy with three fiancés, add in a naive friend from the Midwest, throw in a long suffering housekeeper trying to keep things straight and put them all in one apartment in Paris in the 1960's?? You get one hilarious night of theatre!...

MY BUDDY BILL is written by Rick Cleveland, who has also written for THE WEST WING and MAD MEN. With his wit and insider stories of Washington and Hollywood, Cleveland has now written a fascinating story about his unlikely friendship with President Bill Clinton. MY BUDDY BILL tells an interesting, h...

South City Theatre made a move about a year ago and it was a great one. Their latest offering, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, has broken records for ticket sales. It is a classic that will make you laugh and cry....

BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI is a new play by Chicago playwright Evan Linder that combines humor and drama while bringing up issues of race, faithfulness, family, and forgiveness.Presented in readings and productions in 7 cities across the country, Birmingham was fortunate to take part in what will now be a...

Exactly 102 years after opening as a Vaudeville house, The Lyric has been refurbished and is open again. It is a gem in the crown of the rebirth of the downtown area of Birmingham and is mesmerizing in its beauty and exciting to be a part of. Find a way to get down there soon....

Around 60 of the most talented young people you will ever find fill the stage with dance and the theatre with song. From traditional Christmas songs, to pop favorites both old and new, country classics to original music written just for this production, every aspect of the holidays is presented. Wit...

One of the best things about theatre in Birmingham is the wide variety from which we have to choose. This weekend and next is a perfect example. On Friday I headed south to South City Theatre in Pelham to see THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER! and on Saturday I went north to Theatre Downtown to see...

Face it- we've all seen Scrooge's story a thousand times. But tonight's performance of SCROOGE! THE MUSICAL at the Hoover Library kept me engaged with smart and inventive direction by Jack Mann and an all-star cast....

For a 90 minute show with no intermission, A STEADY RAIN packs a lot of punch. It is emotional storytelling, raw human nature, and gripping crime drama all in one intense production. If you like cop shows, great acting, extremely well done theatre, and/or thought provoking subject matter, then you o...

CALENDAR GIRLS by Tim Firth, is a delightful play based on the movie of the same name. It is a pleasant and enjoyable show, especially for a 'girls' night out.'...

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE at Terrific New Theatre is a very interesting look at life backstage. Written by David Mamet and first produced in 1977, this play holds up well and is definitely true to form for Mamet in that it leaves much open to your interpretation, something intelligent theatre goers will...

THE MOUSETRAP at South City Theatre is an Agatha Christie classic that is entertaining and keeps you guessing until the end. It is a classic you need to see....

Right now in Birmingham you can see just about any kind of play you want. I have recently told you about NEXT FALL, an emotional and moving production, CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE, a rowdy and irreverent play and last night I went to the Virginia Samford Theatre to see IT AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT THE BLUES, a c...

CLARK GABLE SLEPT HERE is irreverent, very mature themed and hilarious. It is a fast paced, short play that is full of action, surprises and shocking moments. Full of amazing local actors who are crisp, energetic and perfectly cast, this show is top notch....

NEXT FALL at Theatre Downtown is one of those plays that you just keep thinking about, going back to in your mind all night and the next days. Dealing with subjects like faith and family, acceptance and repentance, you cannot help but find something that will change your heart or at least give you p...

Theatre is about telling stories. BIG FISH at Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret is full of stories, both large and small. It tells the stories of the Bloom family, both the exaggerated ones of Edward, the father and the real ones of Will, the son. Or are they all real- you be the judge. Family, ...

If you are one of the few people, like me, who has never attended the Sidewalk Film Festival in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, then you and I have been missing out. This Saturday I headed out to check on one of Birmingham's gems and was amazed once again at the talent and creativity of the people of ...

I have to say that this is not a show for everyone, but I liked it much more than I thought I would. It was funny, had some really nice acting and had a point to make. I am so glad that I was invited and made the time to see this interesting play....

STEEL MAGNOLIAS is the kind of script that makes you laugh and cry, no matter what and Montevallo Main Street Players' production is no exception. Well directed by Gwendolyn Treptow, STEEL MAGNOLIAS is a familiar, yet still entertaining, night of theatre. Seeing STEEL MAGNOLIAS is like spending the ...

After spending a few hours exploring the Spring Creek PROP Farms, I am convinced there is no prop you can come up with that they don't have, and probably in multiples. Len Ward and Lysa Carter are helpful and their rent is reasonably priced....

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER is a show that everyone can enjoy. From theatre newcomer to veteran, from young to old, there is something for everyone....

MARY POPPINS is one of the most delightful plays I have seen in a while and I urge everyone, especially families with children of an age to enjoy a special night out, to take the time to go see this production. You will laugh, get teary eyed, and thoroughly enjoy every minute of it....