Rochester Fringe Festival Elects New Board Members
by BWW News Desk - June 20, 2023
The non-profit Rochester Fringe Festival has announced the election of two new members to its Board of Directors.
by BWW News Desk - June 20, 2023
The non-profit Rochester Fringe Festival has announced the election of two new members to its Board of Directors.
Review: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Blackfriars Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - June 19, 2023
What did our critic think of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Blackfriars Theatre?
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - June 19, 2023
What did our critic think of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Blackfriars Theatre?
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT's Branden & James To Perform With Effie Passero At The Mansion Of Saratoga
by BWW News Desk - June 19, 2023
Classical-crossover stars BRANDEN & JAMES, as seen on 'America's Got Talent,' will perform at The Mansion of Saratoga in Rock City Falls this Thurs. June 22 with special guest Effie Passero of 'American Idol' fame.
by BWW News Desk - June 19, 2023
Classical-crossover stars BRANDEN & JAMES, as seen on 'America's Got Talent,' will perform at The Mansion of Saratoga in Rock City Falls this Thurs. June 22 with special guest Effie Passero of 'American Idol' fame.
Photos: First Look at Joe Posa as Joan Rivers in THE B**CH IS BACK FOR HER 90TH BIRTHDAY
by BWW News Desk - June 17, 2023
The Mansion of Saratoga kicked off its 801 Concert Series this summer with a tribute to Joan Rivers on what would be the caustic comic’s 90th birthday. Check out the photo here!
by BWW News Desk - June 17, 2023
The Mansion of Saratoga kicked off its 801 Concert Series this summer with a tribute to Joan Rivers on what would be the caustic comic’s 90th birthday. Check out the photo here!
Review: CLUE at Syracuse Stage
by Dan and Julie Izzo - June 16, 2023
Syracuse Stage closes its 2022-23 season with the madcap farce, Clue. Based on the iconic 1950’s board game of the same name, Clue spoofs whodunit mysteries, film noir, 1950’s pop culture and gothic horror films. The play is adapted for stage from the 1985 film that was a critical flop but has since become a cult classic. Set during McCarthy’s House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, a time fraught with suspicion and accusation, the mansion owned by Mr. Boddy becomes the gathering point for six invited guests. These guests we find out are all guarded about their pasts, are all being blackmailed and are referred to by aliases that correspond to the famous characters in the board game. Each guest is then gifted one of the six murder weapons. In all, there are six potential murderers, six weapons and nine rooms in the mansion, 324 possibilities for who, what and where; as Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes agree, now “the game is afoot.” The gothic mansion, the dark and stormy night, the suspenseful reality of the play merge with Parker Brothers’ (now Hasbro’s) rule book and the characters become mashups of villains and game pieces. They punctuate the endings of scenes with comic confusion, mad scrambling and a kind of frantic skipping, like game pieces moving on a board after a dice roll. Scenic designer, Czerton Lim, creates the perfect 3-D version of the original board game. Upon entering the theatre, the audience sees a classic gothic foyer, complete with crystal chandelier, mahogany woodwork, marble stairs and a tiled floor fashioned to replicate the spaces on a game board. As the play progresses, the set becomes a character in itself as it transforms into the rooms of the mansion required by both the game and the play. His design is beautiful and functional. It not only provides a setting but also helps establish the humor and tempo of the play. It always surprises and delights. Likewise, original music by Michael Holland and sound design by Todd Mack create a comically suspenseful mood and punctuate the zany exploits on stage. Along with lighting design by Jared Gooding, the cliché of a dark and stormy night permeates the atmosphere and heightens the tension and anxiety of this mock thriller. The production is at its best when the actors are highly choreographed and in tune with the music, sound and light cues. In fact, the funniest moment in the play is prompted by a single gunshot. Director Benjamin Hanna establishes a fast pace from the very beginning of the play. It is so fast and furious that neither the audience nor the actors are allowed to get their bearings. The characters in Clue are obvious stereotypes but the portrayals all share the same frenetic quality without ever establishing basic, underlying traits and motivations. Characterization, for the most part, has been sacrificed to blatant silliness and camp. (There is nothing in the script that requires the beginning to move at such a pace.) Once the first murder occurs and the stakes are raised the speed can and should pickup through the end. For example, Plum is a stereotypical Professor, haughty and cerebral but cursed with an inflated libido. Beethovan Oden has a nice general feel for the character and indicates his personality traits, but he isn’t able to develop those qualities from the onset of the play. If he had, then as the pace became more frantic the audience could have enjoyed watching him first struggle then ultimately fail to keep his composure. Clearly many of the actors are talented. John Taylor Phillips as Wadsworth has a natural presence on stage as well as crisp comic timing but never fully embodies the stereotypical reserved, unflappable and ultimately arrogant butler. Emily Berman as Miss Scarlet is also clean and precise. Miss Scarlet is a stereotypical Madame but the actress is not allowed to explore the cynism and sexuality of the character who should have a slower, more voluptuous pace than some of the others. Henry Woronicz’s Colonel Mustard vacillates appropriately between being doddering and demanding. He sketches out an interesting frame for his character but again seems to fall prey to the tempo of this runaway train. Claire Wilcher makes a strong acting choice to play Mrs. Peacock with the nervous energy of a bird. Her comedy is broad and eccentric while still grounded in reality. Even when she is in the background of the action, she is always in the moment. When given focus, she commands the stage and rate of action. As a result, her portrayal is very funny and very satisfying to watch. Her least successful moments occur when directed to do something out of character simply for a laugh. Less successfully, Eric Sharp’s Mr. Green and Emjoy Gavino’s Mrs. White just seem lost in the silliness and frenetic mayhem. As lovers of farce and broad comedy, we were disappointed that more care wasn’t taken to create an underlying believability before descending into comic chaos. A stock character when presented by an actor still needs to have specificity. Silliness can be funny, comic bits enjoyable and a fast pace exciting, but they need to be balanced and well executed. By the end of the production, it felt like all 324 murder possibilities were explored, but few realities remained. If you are looking for an evening of fast-paced silliness, screwball comedy and sight gags this production satisfies. As a farce poking fun at human frailty and foibles, Benjamin Hanna’s Clue misses the mark. Clue runs through Sunday, June 25th. Tickets can be purchased by visiting SyracuseStage.org or by calling (315) 443-3275 or by visiting the box office at 820 East Genesee Street. did our critic think of CLUE at Syracuse Stage?
by Dan and Julie Izzo - June 16, 2023
Syracuse Stage closes its 2022-23 season with the madcap farce, Clue. Based on the iconic 1950’s board game of the same name, Clue spoofs whodunit mysteries, film noir, 1950’s pop culture and gothic horror films. The play is adapted for stage from the 1985 film that was a critical flop but has since become a cult classic. Set during McCarthy’s House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, a time fraught with suspicion and accusation, the mansion owned by Mr. Boddy becomes the gathering point for six invited guests. These guests we find out are all guarded about their pasts, are all being blackmailed and are referred to by aliases that correspond to the famous characters in the board game. Each guest is then gifted one of the six murder weapons. In all, there are six potential murderers, six weapons and nine rooms in the mansion, 324 possibilities for who, what and where; as Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes agree, now “the game is afoot.” The gothic mansion, the dark and stormy night, the suspenseful reality of the play merge with Parker Brothers’ (now Hasbro’s) rule book and the characters become mashups of villains and game pieces. They punctuate the endings of scenes with comic confusion, mad scrambling and a kind of frantic skipping, like game pieces moving on a board after a dice roll. Scenic designer, Czerton Lim, creates the perfect 3-D version of the original board game. Upon entering the theatre, the audience sees a classic gothic foyer, complete with crystal chandelier, mahogany woodwork, marble stairs and a tiled floor fashioned to replicate the spaces on a game board. As the play progresses, the set becomes a character in itself as it transforms into the rooms of the mansion required by both the game and the play. His design is beautiful and functional. It not only provides a setting but also helps establish the humor and tempo of the play. It always surprises and delights. Likewise, original music by Michael Holland and sound design by Todd Mack create a comically suspenseful mood and punctuate the zany exploits on stage. Along with lighting design by Jared Gooding, the cliché of a dark and stormy night permeates the atmosphere and heightens the tension and anxiety of this mock thriller. The production is at its best when the actors are highly choreographed and in tune with the music, sound and light cues. In fact, the funniest moment in the play is prompted by a single gunshot. Director Benjamin Hanna establishes a fast pace from the very beginning of the play. It is so fast and furious that neither the audience nor the actors are allowed to get their bearings. The characters in Clue are obvious stereotypes but the portrayals all share the same frenetic quality without ever establishing basic, underlying traits and motivations. Characterization, for the most part, has been sacrificed to blatant silliness and camp. (There is nothing in the script that requires the beginning to move at such a pace.) Once the first murder occurs and the stakes are raised the speed can and should pickup through the end. For example, Plum is a stereotypical Professor, haughty and cerebral but cursed with an inflated libido. Beethovan Oden has a nice general feel for the character and indicates his personality traits, but he isn’t able to develop those qualities from the onset of the play. If he had, then as the pace became more frantic the audience could have enjoyed watching him first struggle then ultimately fail to keep his composure. Clearly many of the actors are talented. John Taylor Phillips as Wadsworth has a natural presence on stage as well as crisp comic timing but never fully embodies the stereotypical reserved, unflappable and ultimately arrogant butler. Emily Berman as Miss Scarlet is also clean and precise. Miss Scarlet is a stereotypical Madame but the actress is not allowed to explore the cynism and sexuality of the character who should have a slower, more voluptuous pace than some of the others. Henry Woronicz’s Colonel Mustard vacillates appropriately between being doddering and demanding. He sketches out an interesting frame for his character but again seems to fall prey to the tempo of this runaway train. Claire Wilcher makes a strong acting choice to play Mrs. Peacock with the nervous energy of a bird. Her comedy is broad and eccentric while still grounded in reality. Even when she is in the background of the action, she is always in the moment. When given focus, she commands the stage and rate of action. As a result, her portrayal is very funny and very satisfying to watch. Her least successful moments occur when directed to do something out of character simply for a laugh. Less successfully, Eric Sharp’s Mr. Green and Emjoy Gavino’s Mrs. White just seem lost in the silliness and frenetic mayhem. As lovers of farce and broad comedy, we were disappointed that more care wasn’t taken to create an underlying believability before descending into comic chaos. A stock character when presented by an actor still needs to have specificity. Silliness can be funny, comic bits enjoyable and a fast pace exciting, but they need to be balanced and well executed. By the end of the production, it felt like all 324 murder possibilities were explored, but few realities remained. If you are looking for an evening of fast-paced silliness, screwball comedy and sight gags this production satisfies. As a farce poking fun at human frailty and foibles, Benjamin Hanna’s Clue misses the mark. Clue runs through Sunday, June 25th. Tickets can be purchased by visiting SyracuseStage.org or by calling (315) 443-3275 or by visiting the box office at 820 East Genesee Street. did our critic think of CLUE at Syracuse Stage?
XANADU Comes to Cortland Repertory Theatre
by BWW News Desk - June 16, 2023
Cortland Repertory Theatre takes a time trip back to 1980 with their second production in the 51st annual summer season as they present the pop musical “Xanadu”, running from June 21 - 30.
by BWW News Desk - June 16, 2023
Cortland Repertory Theatre takes a time trip back to 1980 with their second production in the 51st annual summer season as they present the pop musical “Xanadu”, running from June 21 - 30.
FONTWALA, A Solo Play In English, to be Presented at TheaterLab in July
by BWW News Desk - June 15, 2023
Indian-American actress-writer Shubhra Prakash (शुभ्रा प्रकाश) explores whether a story of a common man turned hero from India would resonate with audiences in America in her one-woman show, FONTWALA at TheaterLab.
by BWW News Desk - June 15, 2023
Indian-American actress-writer Shubhra Prakash (शुभ्रा प्रकाश) explores whether a story of a common man turned hero from India would resonate with audiences in America in her one-woman show, FONTWALA at TheaterLab.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Comes to Fort Salem Theater
by BWW News Desk - June 15, 2023
Fort Salem Theater has announced the star-studded cast of their upcoming production of the beloved musical masterpiece, 'The Pirates of Penzance.' Audiences are invited to set sail on a high-seas adventure filled with comedy, romance, and unforgettable melodies, as this timeless Gilbert and Sullivan classic takes center stage from August 11th to August 20th, 2023.
by BWW News Desk - June 15, 2023
Fort Salem Theater has announced the star-studded cast of their upcoming production of the beloved musical masterpiece, 'The Pirates of Penzance.' Audiences are invited to set sail on a high-seas adventure filled with comedy, romance, and unforgettable melodies, as this timeless Gilbert and Sullivan classic takes center stage from August 11th to August 20th, 2023.
Bristol Valley Theater's Summer Season Begins With DOUBLE TROUBLE Opening June 22
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2023
Bristol Valley Theater, Ontario County's only professional theater, is gearing up for the opening of the 2023 Summer Season with the high energy, wacky farce, DOUBLE TROUBLE by Bob and Jim Walton, marking the debut for new Artistic Director Richard Amelius.
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2023
Bristol Valley Theater, Ontario County's only professional theater, is gearing up for the opening of the 2023 Summer Season with the high energy, wacky farce, DOUBLE TROUBLE by Bob and Jim Walton, marking the debut for new Artistic Director Richard Amelius.
Review: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - June 14, 2023
What did our critic think of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Rochester Broadway Theatre League? The relevance of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is bewilderingly on the nose. How is it that a 60+-year-old story about racism and the brokenness of the American criminal justice system feels as topical and fresh in 2023 as it did in 1960?
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - June 14, 2023
What did our critic think of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Rochester Broadway Theatre League? The relevance of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is bewilderingly on the nose. How is it that a 60+-year-old story about racism and the brokenness of the American criminal justice system feels as topical and fresh in 2023 as it did in 1960?
Proctors Reveals Next Batch Of Shows Coming This Fall
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2023
Proctors has announced their next batch of upcoming shows going on sale 10 a.m. Thursday, June 15. Featuring dance, popular throwbacks, something for the kids and “Die Hard” like you've never seen it before. There really is an eclectic mash-up of great shows coming to Schenectady!
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2023
Proctors has announced their next batch of upcoming shows going on sale 10 a.m. Thursday, June 15. Featuring dance, popular throwbacks, something for the kids and “Die Hard” like you've never seen it before. There really is an eclectic mash-up of great shows coming to Schenectady!
Secret Academy Hosts Open House This Week
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2023
Secret Academy, a facility that offers classes in Acting, Musical Theatre, Vocal, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Violin, Tap Dance, K-pop, Bass, Audition and Monologue Coaching, Self-Taping and other artistic disciplines will host an open house on June 15th from 3pm to 6pm.
by BWW News Desk - June 14, 2023
Secret Academy, a facility that offers classes in Acting, Musical Theatre, Vocal, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Violin, Tap Dance, K-pop, Bass, Audition and Monologue Coaching, Self-Taping and other artistic disciplines will host an open house on June 15th from 3pm to 6pm.
Next Week: 20th Bard SummerScape Opens With ILLINOIS
by BWW News Desk - June 13, 2023
The curtain rises next week on Bard SummerScape's 20th anniversary season, “Breaking Ground.” Presented in New York's Hudson Valley by the Fisher Center at Bard, also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the seven-week annual arts festival opens next Friday with the world premiere of Illinois (June 23–July 2).
by BWW News Desk - June 13, 2023
The curtain rises next week on Bard SummerScape's 20th anniversary season, “Breaking Ground.” Presented in New York's Hudson Valley by the Fisher Center at Bard, also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the seven-week annual arts festival opens next Friday with the world premiere of Illinois (June 23–July 2).
TWELFTH NIGHT to be Presented at Saratoga Shakespeare Company in July
by BWW News Desk - June 13, 2023
Saratoga Shakespeare Company has revealed its 2023 Summer Season consisting of a two-week production of Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare's timeless comedy of love and loss, mistaken identities, and siblings reunited.
by BWW News Desk - June 13, 2023
Saratoga Shakespeare Company has revealed its 2023 Summer Season consisting of a two-week production of Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare's timeless comedy of love and loss, mistaken identities, and siblings reunited.
Ancram Opera House's REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES to Return for its Eighth Season This Summer
by BWW News Desk - June 12, 2023
Ancram Opera House's perennial audience favorite REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES will return to the Hilltop Barn in Roeliff Jansen Park on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30pm.
by BWW News Desk - June 12, 2023
Ancram Opera House's perennial audience favorite REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES will return to the Hilltop Barn in Roeliff Jansen Park on Saturday, June 24 at 7:30pm.
Irvington Theater & River's Edge Theatre Co. To Team Up For Adam Szymkowicz's MARIAN
by BWW News Desk - June 08, 2023
Irvington Theater and its Arts Partner River's Edge Theatre Company have teamed up once again to create some outdoor theatrical magic this summer – this time in a co-production of Adam Szymkowicz's patriarchy-smashing comedy, Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood, coming to Irvington next month!
by BWW News Desk - June 08, 2023
Irvington Theater and its Arts Partner River's Edge Theatre Company have teamed up once again to create some outdoor theatrical magic this summer – this time in a co-production of Adam Szymkowicz's patriarchy-smashing comedy, Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood, coming to Irvington next month!
Franklin Stage Company Opens Twenty-Seventh Season With Comedy, GOOD PEOPLE
by BWW News Desk - June 07, 2023
Franklin Stage Company, Delaware County's admission-free, professional theater, will present David Lindsay-Abaire's award-winning comedy Good People, June 30–July 16 at Chapel Hall, in Franklin, NY.
by BWW News Desk - June 07, 2023
Franklin Stage Company, Delaware County's admission-free, professional theater, will present David Lindsay-Abaire's award-winning comedy Good People, June 30–July 16 at Chapel Hall, in Franklin, NY.
COMPANY at Proctors Tickets on Sale This Week
by BWW News Desk - June 07, 2023
Proctors has announced that the thrilling Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s COMPANY, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will go on sale Thursday, June 8 for eight performances from Sunday, Oct. 8 to Sat. Oct. 14.
by BWW News Desk - June 07, 2023
Proctors has announced that the thrilling Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s COMPANY, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, will go on sale Thursday, June 8 for eight performances from Sunday, Oct. 8 to Sat. Oct. 14.
All-Female Production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Comes to Blackfriars Theatre
by BWW News Desk - June 06, 2023
Join Blackfriars Theatre (795 East Main Street) for an all-female laugh-fest with this fresh and subversive take on Steven Sondheim's classic, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, running July 15th-25th.
by BWW News Desk - June 06, 2023
Join Blackfriars Theatre (795 East Main Street) for an all-female laugh-fest with this fresh and subversive take on Steven Sondheim's classic, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, running July 15th-25th.
DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE: KING FOR A DAY! Comes to Proctors in 2024
by BWW News Desk - June 06, 2023
The grr-ific musical for little tigers and grown-ups alike is back! The hugely popular “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!,” based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV series, has delighted live audiences on stages across the country.
by BWW News Desk - June 06, 2023
The grr-ific musical for little tigers and grown-ups alike is back! The hugely popular “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!,” based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV series, has delighted live audiences on stages across the country.
Tom Gold Dance Announces Complete Program And Dancers For June 23 Untermyer Park And Gardens Program
by BWW News Desk - June 05, 2023
For its return to Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers, NY for the third consecutive year, New York City-based classical dance company Tom Gold Dance, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2023, will present Tom Gold Dance Founder and Director Tom Gold's XV, B-Shert, and, for the first time in its entirety since its 2018 premiere, Rapid Oxidation, Friday, June 23 at 7:00PM.
by BWW News Desk - June 05, 2023
For its return to Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers, NY for the third consecutive year, New York City-based classical dance company Tom Gold Dance, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2023, will present Tom Gold Dance Founder and Director Tom Gold's XV, B-Shert, and, for the first time in its entirety since its 2018 premiere, Rapid Oxidation, Friday, June 23 at 7:00PM.
Opera Exposures Celebrates Marge Garvin This Month
by BWW News Desk - June 05, 2023
Opera Exposures presents 'An Afternoon of Spirituals' in Celebration of Marjorie 'Marge' Garvin on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Christ Episcopal Church.
by BWW News Desk - June 05, 2023
Opera Exposures presents 'An Afternoon of Spirituals' in Celebration of Marjorie 'Marge' Garvin on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Christ Episcopal Church.
Forestburgh Playhouse's In The Works~In The Woods Reveals Production Lineup
by BWW News Desk - June 05, 2023
The third annual In the Works~In the Woods at Forestburgh Playhouse, (under the leadership of Franklin Trapp, Producing Artistic Director for the Forestburgh Playhouse and Broadway veteran Matt Lenz, Festival Artistic Director and Director of Creative Development), will be held September 8 through 10.
by BWW News Desk - June 05, 2023
The third annual In the Works~In the Woods at Forestburgh Playhouse, (under the leadership of Franklin Trapp, Producing Artistic Director for the Forestburgh Playhouse and Broadway veteran Matt Lenz, Festival Artistic Director and Director of Creative Development), will be held September 8 through 10.
Redhouse And Arc Of Onondaga Celebrating 10 Years Of Partnership With A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
by BWW News Desk - June 02, 2023
Redhouse Arts Center and Arc of Onondaga are celebrating 10 years of partnership with the upcoming performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Redhouse.
by BWW News Desk - June 02, 2023
Redhouse Arts Center and Arc of Onondaga are celebrating 10 years of partnership with the upcoming performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Redhouse.
TheREP's 12th Annual NEXT ACT! New Play Summit Will Be Live
by BWW News Desk - June 01, 2023
Capital Repertory Theatre announces the 12th annual NEXT ACT! showcase of new works June 10-12, will be live for the first time in three years.
by BWW News Desk - June 01, 2023
Capital Repertory Theatre announces the 12th annual NEXT ACT! showcase of new works June 10-12, will be live for the first time in three years.
Videos
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Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
OFC Creations Theatre Center (12/18 - 1/4) | |
|
Kinky Boots
Proctors (3/14 - 3/15) | |
|
SU Drama's A Rebel Prayer
SU Drama's "A Rebel Prayer" (3/27 - 4/5) | |
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SU Drama's Picnic
Syracuse Stage (2/20 - 3/1) | |
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The Revolutionists
Callahan Theater (2/19 - 2/21) | |
|
Mystic Pizza
Capital Repertory Theatre (7/10 - 8/9) | |
|
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre (11/11 - 1/30) | |
|
The Prom
Callahan Theater (4/2 - 4/4) | |
| VIEW SHOWS ADD A SHOW | ||
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