CHARLOTTE THEATER REVIEWS

The IBTF's Noon-Day Press Conference is one of my favorite events because it presents a snapshot of the planned activities for the week with a star-studded roster of theatre professionals....

I was ecstatic to see the Grammy and NAACP award-winning jazz saxophonist legend, Najee, at the Knight Theater, in Charlotte, North Carolina....

Wiancko is more about theming each of the 11 concerts in the chamber series, more about the Zen of each program. Nuttall was laid-back and West Coast in his attitude: If you want to applaud between movements, go right ahead. A couple of times, Wiancko took what seemed like a Far Eastern approach, re...

There are no adjectives that can effectively describe the level of greatness in which Samara Joy delivers the sounds of Jazz. She is phenomenal and an 'old soul' in a beautiful contemporary body. She is on the frontline of bringing jazz to a new generation of followers....

What did our critic think of HOW TO BE AN ETHICAL SLUT at Comedy Arts Theater Of Charlotte?...

What did our critic think of HADESTOWN at Belk Theater?...

Pardon me a second, but I seem to be noticing stretch marks on my suspension of disbelief. Three nights before the curtain rose on the touring version of MRS. DOUBTFIRE that rolled into Belk Theater, I saw a rather fine production of Twelfth Night across town at Central Piedmont College. Since both ...

Yes, a grand opera was inserted at Belk Theater as the clock or calendar was winding down! Around the world, Callas, Nilsson, and Sutherland are among the divas who have graced the powerhouse role of TURANDOT, and Franco Zeffirelli's production at the Met is as revered for its stateliness and splend...

'CATCHING THE MOON' at Children's Theatre Of Charlotte is an awesome depiction of a very impactful figure in African American history, Marcenia Lyle, aka Toni Stone....

The Mountaintop is an interesting spin from the mind of Katori Hall of a fictitious conversation between Dr. King and a maid named Camae in the Lorraine Motel the day before his assassination. I find her creativity and imagination very vivid and enlightening indeed especially since it did have some ...

Confederates is a thought-provoking stage play that depicts two women - a slave and professor, on similar journeys....

The Cast Of BNS Productions' adaptation of August Wilson's 'Piano Lesson' was absolutely superb which facilitated the outstanding presentation of an intriguing storyline....

Injecting diversity, switching genders pell-mell, and even gifting us with a gay couple, Marianne Elliott's overhaul of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY isn't more illuminating or revelatory than the 1970 original. But the horseplay and the gay wedding-day shenanigans are wildly entertaining - and the sup...

The acquisition of knowledge is important to me. Before this production, I knew nothing about The Lehman Brothers and their capitalistic pursuit. After the production, which was three-hours long, I thoroughly knew their evolution from shop owners to investment bankers and their integral role in the ...

Music is a soother of the soul. Seeing Brian Culbertson in person is such a jubilant experience. The melodious display of jazz, R&B, Funk, and Soul bought theater patrons so much joy that was expressed in dancing, singing, and toe-tapping....

Speakeasy is a good modern dramatization that reminds me of the days of Blaxploitation fiims and African American sitcoms....

Excellent Show! First time as a theater reviewer that I had no criticism at all. Every aspect of the production (cast, music, costumes, set, choreography, etc.) was EXCEPTIONAL....

They haven't fixed the clunky storytelling or finally used actual Fanny Brice material, but FUNNY GIRL still scores big when it comes equipped with an electrifying lead and a top-notch cast....

Mike Wiley, The Playwright, cleverly foretold the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by randomly choosing audience members to portray historic African American heroes. It was entertaining, but not as full-scale and visual as the productions I am accustomed to....

As a fan of Michael Jackson, 'MJ, The Musical' showcased the behind the scene genius of Michael in the preparation of the 'Dangerous' tour....

'A Soldier's Play', Presented At Free Reign Theatre, Rock Hill, SC, Was Brilliant And As Equally Exciting As The Movie Adaptation, 'A Soldier's Story'....

Boney James performed to a packed house of fans at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Knight Theater. I absolutely loved EVERY MOMENT of the 90-Minute soulful jazz serenade....

What did our critic think of SIX THE MUSICAL at Blumenthal Performing Arts?...

Within a restrictive two-hander format, Lauren Gunderson hatches a surprise beyond my imagination in I AND YOU, parlaying the pleasures of Walt Whitman, John Coltrane, and Jerry Lee Lewis along the way....

Starring Anthony Roth Costanzo and Justin Vivian Bond, ONLY AN OCTAVE demonstrates how much we've changed - and how much we haven't - since Carol Burnett and Beverly Sills first sang the song in 1976, one year before Spoleto arrived in Charleston. But what about 2011, when Taylor Mac strutted onstag...