JT Walker News

You know that the holiday season has officially arrived in Central Ohio when Shadowbox Live gifts us with the opening of its annual musical sketch comedy, Holiday Hoopla. Just as nutty as fruitcake, a little sassier, and so much sweeter, this is hilariously fun how has become so wildly popular that in its 21st revision, it has already sold out many nights a month ahead.

It's been a Broadway favorite since it's 1975 opening, and the Academy Award winning 2012 movie version did little to detract from its fame, but if you weren't fascinated with Chicago's musical tale of sex, lies, and corruption before now, Shadowbox Live's stellar cast will definitely give you enough of the ol' "Razzle Dazzle" to make you a fan.

The creative genius that is Shadowbox Live in downtown Columbus' Brewery District, opened its original production Stage 2 production, "Vampires" , August 23rd, with all of the thrills, chills, and mind-blowingly good talent of its previous shows, blending its grungy rock-band core with fabulous music and dance.

Approaching the 1 year anniversary of moving into their new Brewery District space, it seemed an appropriate time for Shadowbox live to roll out a calm, laidback revue of the past year. However, much like their new edgy warehouse space, the "Best of Shadowbox Live 2012" serves not to relax and reflect, but to accelerate the talent machine that is Shadowbox Live to even higher levels of comedic and musical brilliance.

When you take on an iconoclastic production such as Jonathan Larson's RENT, you either have a whole lot of talent in your back pocket, or you are just plain ludicrous. Fortunately for Shadowbox Live, it was a case of the former that resulted in a fantastic opportunity to see this incredible story about Bohemians in Alphabet City, NYC struggling with life, love and AIDS, brought to life in local form.

The best just got a little bit better! Of course, this is standard fair for Shadowbox's yearly summer-time show, Best of Shadowbox, opening Thursday, June 10th at the Easton Town Center.

The best just got a little bit better! Of course, this is standard fair for Shadowbox's yearly summer-time show, Best of Shadowbox, opening Thursday, June 10th at the Easton Town Center.

Next up at Shadowbox: it's Spring Fling, opening March 25 and running though June 5 at the sketch comedy and rock ‘n' roll club at the Easton Town Center. Spring Fling fuses the rebellious and the ridiculous into one fun-lovin', fast-paced show featuring brand new sketch comedy and live rock ‘n' roll.

Shadowbox is gearing up to debut its new, original musical documentary, Woodstock: Back to the Garden, opening Sunday, September 20th at the Easton Town Center.

Shadowbox is gearing up to debut its new, original musical documentary, Woodstock: Back to the Garden, opening Sunday, September 20th at the Easton Town Center.

Shadowbox is gearing up to debut its new, original musical documentary, Woodstock: Back to the Garden, opening Sunday, September 20th at the Easton Town Center.

Shadowbox is gearing up to debut its new, original musical documentary, Woodstock: Back to the Garden, opening Sunday, September 20th at the Easton Town Center.

Shadowbox is gearing up to debut its new, original musical documentary, Woodstock: Back to the Garden, opening Sunday, September 20th at the Easton Town Center.

Get your motor runnin' this Spring with Shadowbox's Born to be Wild, opening March 26, 2009 at their sketch comedy and rock ?n roll club at the Easton Town Center. This brand-new theme celebrates the unrelenting human spirit and our desire to work hard, play hard, and rock hard.

Get your motor runnin' this Spring with Shadowbox's Born to be Wild, opening March 26, 2009 at their sketch comedy and rock ?n roll club at the Easton Town Center. This brand-new theme celebrates the unrelenting human spirit and our desire to work hard, play hard, and rock hard.