Orlando Shakespeare Theater Announces Its 2011 2012 Season
by Beau Higgins
- Jan 25, 2011
Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces its 2011-2012 Season, which includes the company's trademark mix of bold productions of Shakespeare, the hottest shows from Broadway, popular stories for children of all ages, and modern classics featuring the region's favorite performers and artists. Season tickets are available now from www.orlandoshakes.org or by phone (407) 447-1700.
BWW Reviews: A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL at the 5th Avenue Theatre
by Jay Irwin
- Dec 13, 2010
The 5th Avenue Theatre is presenting a brand new addition to holiday theater offerings with the new adaptation of the classic 1983 film, "A Christmas Story: The Musical". And while half the show harkened fond memories of the film and left me with a wonderful sense of hope for this new piece of musical theater, the other half fell into old familiar musical traps and left me wanting as it shot its eye out.
In case you haven't seen the movie that is shown incessantly over the holiday season (sometimes for 24 hour periods nonstop) here's a brief rundown. We follow the quest of young Ralphie Parker as he plots and schemes to convince his parents (and Santa) to get him the best Christmas present in the world, a Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. The problem is he keeps running into obstacles of his Mother, his teacher and even Santa as they warn him away from the gift with the familiar, "You'll shoot your eye out." But Ralphie is tenacious and will have his prize. Meanwhile we also get to know the rest of the Parkers and their neighbors as we dive into the world of story originator Jean Shepherd. Complete with bullies, major awards and triple dog dares, the story harkens back to a simpler time when the biggest thing kids had to worry about was what Santa was bringing them.
The show itself is a charmer with book by Joseph Robinette who manages to keep the feel of the original material intact and still hits all the points and jokes that have become so familiar. The problem I ran into was with the songs. As I said, half of the show worked great. Act One was filled with wonderful tuners that captured the tone perfectly. And composers/lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul seemed to show that someone understands the structure of musical theater. The songs were either perfect for moving the story along or emphasizing through song what a character couldn't do any other way. And the songs "Ralphie to the Rescue" and "A Major Award" were both complete show stoppers and crucial to the story. Then we hit Act Two and suddenly it was like a completely different writing team as the songs ceased being essential as every single moment in the play got one right up to the end. So many superfluous numbers that could have been forsaken for just telling the story weighed down the second half until it finally ended with a whimper of exhaustion.
The cast however is superb and has the perfect style for the period. Clarke Hallum plays the scheming Ralphie and even though he was a bit presentational at times, his voice is right up there with any of the adults on stage. Anne Allgood is endearingly lovely as Ralphie's Mother and her moment in Act Two where she covers for Ralphie had me in tears. Frank Corrado is spot on as the narrator Jean Shepherd as he weaves this wonderful tale for us in the guise of a radio drama. And special kudos to John Bolton as Ralphie's "Old Man" who practically steals the show with is antics and especially with his overly zealous "Major Award" number.
With a gorgeous set from Walt Spangler and costumes that look like they were transported right from the movie by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, this show could have been the new theatrical holiday standard by which all of the "Elf"s, and "Grinch"s would be judged. I only wish the writers had realized what they were doing so right in the first half and could have kept it up in the second.
"A Christmas Story: The Musical" plays at the 5th Avenue Theatre through December 30th. For tickets or information contact the 5th Avenue Box Office at 206-625-1900 or toll free at 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849) or visit them online at www.5thavenue.org.
Photo Credit: Chris Bennion
First Hand Report: A Christmas Story: The Musical! Opening
by Robert Diamond
- Dec 12, 2010
Asher Fogle, a journalist and the wife of composer/lyricist Justin Paul, gives BroadwayWorld an exclusive first hand report of opening night for A Christmas Story: The Musical! in Seattle. Fogle met Paul when she was a graduate journalism student at Columbia University, concentrating on arts reporting and cultural criticism. She is currently a freelance reporter for a variety of entertainment publications in New York.
Theatre Works Presents SAVING SANTA and THE LITTLEST ANGEL, 12/4-24
by BWW
News Desk
- Dec 4, 2010
Theater Works is proud to have two great children productions this holiday season. Puppet Works debuts with SAVING SANTA on December 4th at 10 a.m. and THE LITTLEST ANGEL begins on December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. With these two great performances families are offered a wonderful opportunity to introduce their young children to the performing arts. SAVING SANTA is an amusing family show that tries to prove the age old question, 'Is Santa really real?' and tickets are only $6 / person. THE LITTLEST ANGEL is a timeless Christmas story of a little angel who is transformed from a celestial pest to the toast of the Heavenly Host. THE LITTLEST ANGEL performs from December 4th - 19th and SAVING SANTA performs from December 4th - December 24th.
Theatre Works Presents SAVING SANTA and THE LITTLEST ANGEL, 12/4-24
by Nicole Rosky
- Nov 26, 2010
Theater Works is proud to have two great children productions this holiday season. Puppet Works debuts with SAVING SANTA on December 4th at 10 a.m. and THE LITTLEST ANGEL begins on December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. With these two great performances families are offered a wonderful opportunity to introduce their young children to the performing arts. SAVING SANTA is an amusing family show that tries to prove the age old question, 'Is Santa really real?' and tickets are only $6 / person. THE LITTLEST ANGEL is a timeless Christmas story of a little angel who is transformed from a celestial pest to the toast of the Heavenly Host. THE LITTLEST ANGEL performs from December 4th - 19th and SAVING SANTA performs from December 4th - December 24th.
Center for Puppetry Arts Presents Charlotte’s Web
by BWW
News Desk
- Oct 31, 2010
This month, E.B. White's classic children's book Charlotte's Web hits the stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts. A celebration of compassion, friendship and ingenuity, this charming tale has captivated generations with its enduring story of the lengths to which friends will go to help each other. Adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, Charlotte's Web presents the adventures of that terrific pig Wilbur and his barnyard friends through the magic of puppetry.
Center for Puppetry Arts Presents Charlotte’s Web
by Joseph Harrison
- Oct 11, 2010
This month, E.B. White's classic children's book Charlotte's Web hits the stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts. A celebration of compassion, friendship and ingenuity, this charming tale has captivated generations with its enduring story of the lengths to which friends will go to help each other. Adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette, Charlotte's Web presents the adventures of that terrific pig Wilbur and his barnyard friends through the magic of puppetry.
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