Joshua Harris News

Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including the cast of MJ, Norm Lewis, and many more. 

It probably helps that Domenico Leona is a poet, and that Ashley Galan just knows theater so dang well. They and this cast pull off a really radical, well-realized regional premiere for a play by a complex and compelling force in American Theatre.

It’s so satisfying to see a musical that resonates emotionally with an audience, and Waitress is one of those musicals. From the writing to the performance, the entire audience was held rapt for the entire 2 1/2 hours, staying right with the performers as they traversed this well told story. There were gasps, applause, and exclamations of support, and a well deserved standing ovation at the end of it all. MTWichita told this story exceedingly well.

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL : THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Music Theatre Wichita?

On July 31, 2024, I had the privilege of seeing an incredibly scintillating production of MatildaThe Musical, presented by Music Theatre Wichita in the Century II Concert Hall. I’m ashamed to say I knew next to nothing about the book, but I have seen myriad clips of the musical numbers.

In continuing with MTWichita’s 2024 Season Theme “The Year of the Woman,” I had the privilege of seeing Disney’s Frozen on the Century II Concert Hall Stage. MTWichita is one of the first indoor regional theatres to produce Disney’s Frozen after the show closed on Broadway. This can be a challenge because the sets and costumes cannot look the same as the original Broadway production, so all the design elements, including choreography, need to be reimagined. The MTWichita team exceeds expectations here, creating some magnificent, otherworldly realms for the denizens of Arendelle to inhabit. You do not want to miss this show, which runs until July 14th.

What did our critic think of GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE at Music Theatre Wichita At Century II Concert Hall? There is a reason the musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable is a Golden Age classic. The text, suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and written by Authur Laurents, is economical and succinct. Jule Styne’s music varies from catchy tunes to lush, foreboding orchestral maneuvers, and Sondheim’s nascent lyrics are simple and accessible, yet cut to the core of each scene’s objective.

What did our reviewer think of 'Cats' at Music Theatre Wichita?

Red, White, and Broadway is coming to Botanica and runs from July 1 to July 4th! It’s a new version of the patriotic musical review created by Artistic Director Brian J. Marcum that features singers Injoy Fountain, Daniel Gonzalez, Jennifer Marcum, Angelica McRae Breathett, and Rob Moye III, along MTW Resident Ensemble.

WOW! What a fun show! I love some of the crazy lines that just pop up out of nowhere, like “Phil Collins can be kick ass sometimes!” Rock of Ages definitely lived up to its hype, and I was super fortunate to see this production. This well paced show boasted soooo many strong performances, I hardly know where to begin.

The fifth annual Indie Boots Theatre Festival 2017: The Zoe Plays celebrates new short plays featuring underrepresented perspectives on whose stories are worth telling, what's funny, and how the world works.

The holiday favorite production A Christmas Carol comes to Metropolis Performing Arts Centre tonight, November 28 - December 24, 2015.

The holiday favorite production A Christmas Carol comes to Metropolis Performing Arts Centre November 28 - December 24, 2015.

The New Colony continues its 2013-14 season with the irreverent world premiere comedy ORVILLE AND WILBUR DID IT! by David Zellnik, directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, playing now through July 20, 2014 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago. The production also includes several songs by David Zellnik and Eric Svejcar. Tickets are available at www.thenewcolony.org.

The New Colony continues its 2013-14 season with the irreverent world premiere comedy ORVILLE AND WILBUR DID IT! by David Zellnik, directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, playing June 13 - July 20, 2014 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago. The production also includes several songs by David Zellnik and Eric Svejcar. Tickets are available at www.thenewcolony.org. The press performance is Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30 pm.

The New Colony continues its 2013-14 season with the irreverent world premiere comedy ORVILLE AND WILBUR DID IT! by David Zellnik, directed by Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood, playing June 13 - July 20, 2014 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. in Chicago. The production also includes several songs by David Zellnik and Eric Svejcar. Tickets are available at www.thenewcolony.org. The press performance is Tuesday June 17 at 7:30 pm.

History Theatre produces the world premiere of a new musical by local artists Dominic Orlando (book and lyrics) and the late Hiram Titus (composer). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

History Theatre will produce the world premiere of a new musical by local artists Dominic Orlando (book and lyrics) and the late Hiram Titus (composer). The Working Boys Band tells the story of Professor C.C. Heintzeman, a German-born educator who believed in the power of music to give structure and purpose to people's lives, especially for the children who worked in the mills and factories of Minneapolis in the years before Child Labor Laws. The story of the Minneapolis Working Boys Band and its founder was suggested to History Theatre back in 2010 when Titus handed a photo of the band circa 1915 and his first draft of the opening number to artistic director Ron Peluso. In September of 2013, Titus submitted the show's finale just days before suffering a fatal cardiac arrest; Raymond Berg joined the team to finish the musical arrangements.

History Theatre will produce the world premiere of a new musical by local artists Dominic Orlando (book and lyrics) and the late Hiram Titus (composer). The Working Boys Band tells the story of Professor C.C. Heintzeman, a German-born educator who believed in the power of music to give structure and purpose to people's lives, especially for the children who worked in the mills and factories of Minneapolis in the years before Child Labor Laws. The story of the Minneapolis Working Boys Band and its founder was suggested to History Theatre back in 2010 when Titus handed a photo of the band circa 1915 and his first draft of the opening number to artistic director Ron Peluso. In September of 2013, Titus submitted the show's finale just days before suffering a fatal cardiac arrest; Raymond Berg joined the team to finish the musical arrangements.

Akvavit Theatre (They Died Where They Lied) will present the US premiere of MISHAP!, by Icelandic playwright Bjarni J'nsson, directed by Akvavit Producing Artistic Director Chad Eric Bergman, translated by Hilmar Ramos and playing at The Side Project, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave., today, February 20 - March 23.