J Koby Parker News

My love of Singin' in the Rain is deeply rooted in my experience of the beloved 1952 film classic, and it's steeped in nostalgia. It's a love that sees me first in line at classic film festivals when Singin' in the Rain is on the marquee. It's a love that makes my heart flutter when I learn that a nearby theater is staging the 1983 musical. And it's a love that makes me willfully forget that the stage musical … well … isn't that good. It tries hard, but it just doesn't quite work.  The "doesn't quite work" is not particularly bound up in the fact that stage adaptations are noticeably absent the great dancing triumvirate - Kelly, O'Connor, and Reynolds - though that certainly doesn't help.  What's wrong is that it feels too cinematic and has an inexplicable absence of story energy and razzle-dazzle that made us fall in love with Hollywoodland on the screen. Atlanta Lyric Theatre's earnest new production can't overcome this problem.  No production can.  But with tremendously entertaining supporting actors J. Koby Parker in the role of Cosmo Brown and Beth Beyer in the role of Lina Lamont, a beautifully sung titular song complete with a gorgeous streetscape and very real rain, and dreamy period costumes by Amanda Edgerton West, Atlanta Lyric Theatre offers up another pleasant evening of theatre. 

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this stunning classic April 12-28, 2019.  The "Greatest Movie Musical of All Time" is faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, from their original award-winning screenplay in SINGIN' in the RAIN. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm and three Broadway alums! SINGIN' in the RAIN performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta).

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this totally 80s romantic musical comedy February 8-Feb- ruary 24, 2019. Based on the hit Adam Sandler movie, THE WEDDING SINGER takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room. Just say yes to the most romantic musical in twenty years! THE WEDDING SINGER performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta).

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this brand new musical holiday spectacular December 20-23, 2018. A dazzling event featuring Atlanta's favorites, sparkling dance numbers and luxurious costumes, YOUR HAPPY HOLIDAY performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

I recently spoke with Mary Nye Bennett who is directing the inaugural holiday show for Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Your Happy Holiday, which will be performed at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta), Dec. 20-23.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this brand new musical holiday spectacular December 20-23, 2018. A dazzling event featuring Atlanta's favorites, sparkling dance numbers and luxurious costumes, YOUR HAPPY HOLIDAY performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this high flying, family musical June 8-24, 2018. Based on Disney's epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes, TARZAN features heart-pumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins, and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. TARZAN, the stage musical, performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this high flying, family musical June 8-24, 2018. Based on Disney's epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes, TARZAN features heart-pumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins, and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. TARZAN, the stage musical, performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this fun filled musical comedy February 9-25, 2018. Two con men, three exceptional women, and the elite of the French Riviera collide in this sexy and irreverent farce. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this fun filled musical comedy February 9-25, 2018. Two con men, three exceptional women, and the elite of the French Riviera collide in this sexy and irreverent farce. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

A Christmas Carol, Alliance Theatre's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns for its 28th season, December 8 24, 2017 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic, and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families, A Christmas Carol has become a tradition for many families around the southeast.

A Christmas Carol, Alliance Theatre's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns for its 28th season, December 8 24, 2017 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic, and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families, A Christmas Carol has become a tradition for many families around the southeast.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents this extraordinary and timeless musical August 18-September 3, 2017. Lerner and Loewe's magnificent score and deeply touching story is the standard by which all musicals are measured. MY FAIR LADY performs at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy., Marietta). For tickets, reservations and group pricing visit www.AtlantaLyric.com or call 404-377-9948.

A Christmas Carol, Alliance Theatre's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns for its 27th season, November 25 - December 24, 2016. The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic, and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families, A Christmas Carol has become a tradition for many families around the southeast. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

A Christmas Carol, Alliance Theatre's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns for its 27th season, November 25 - December 24, 2016. The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic, and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families, A Christmas Carol has become a tradition for many families around the southeast. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Meet 17 dancers in an empty theatre, on a bare stage, where casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For these dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for anyone who has ever had a dream and put it all on the line to make that dream come true. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it's one of the longest-running American Broadway musicals ever. Come experience this "singular sensation" in Atlanta Lyric Theatre's new production of A Chorus Line at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre from October 21 through November 6. Tickets are on sale NOW at www.AtlantaLyric.com or by calling 404-377-9948!

Meet 17 dancers in an empty theatre, on a bare stage, where casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For these dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for anyone who has ever had a dream and put it all on the line to make that dream come true. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it's one of the longest-running American Broadway musicals ever. Come experience this "singular sensation" in Atlanta Lyric Theatre's new production of A Chorus Line at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre from October 21 through November 6. Tickets are on sale NOW at www.AtlantaLyric.com or by calling 404-377-9948!

Meet 17 dancers in an empty theatre, on a bare stage, where casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. For these dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for anyone who has ever had a dream and put it all on the line to make that dream come true. Winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it's one of the longest-running American Broadway musicals ever. Come experience this "singular sensation" in Atlanta Lyric Theatre's new production of A Chorus Line at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre from October 21 through November 6. Tickets are on sale NOW at www.AtlantaLyric.com or by calling 404-377-9948!

A crash of drums, a flash of light! And the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre stage explodes with Atlanta Lyric Theatre's spectacular staging of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT!  This international smash hit plays the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway in Atlanta, from July 15-17, 2016. Tickets are on sale NOW at www.TicketMaster.com or 800-745-3000.

How far would you go for true love? Atlanta Lyric Theatre explores that question with one of the most powerful and tragic love stories in American theatre, West Side Story. The show is filled with electrifying dance numbers based on Jerome Robbins' original ground-breaking choreography.