Broadway Show Reviews & Critics' Ratings

Allow me if you will a little indulgence as I set the scene. The year is 2020, the Global Pandemic that has riddled the world, and the country as we know it to shutter/ shelter in place. Like many Performing Arts Organizations, the folks at freeFall Theatre, known for their motto “Just escape awhile...” and their inventive way of producing live theatre, was struggling to find the best outlet to keep producing, while safely doing so for both performers and patrons alike. Producing Artistic Director Eric Davis and Director Matthew McGee began discussions about how to safely produce a Christmas Show that was full on Christmas versus just taking place around Christmas. In the past freeFall has produced works such as Peter & The Starcatcher, and The Lion in Winter that work for Christmas shows, but are not necessarily Christmas shows. They have also in the past produced A Christmas Carol, but being inventive, Eric Davis and company wanted to shake things up a little, and if any theatre is well known for doing just that, its freeFall. So you can say the show itself was born out of a challenge, and freeFall delivered ten-fold. The Night Before was such a hit, freeFall decided to bring it back this season for the second year in a row, with some new adaptations and new characters.

The national tour of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at the Eccles Theater is not just “spectacular spectacular”--it is “spectacular” a million times over with dazzling scenic and lighting design that has to be seen to be believed, and even then it feels unbelievable. The entire production is a luscious extravaganza of visuals and music, thanks to the unparalleled artistic vision of Tony-winning director Alex Timbers and his collaborators. But it’s not just shiny veneer with no substance. Lying just under the surface is a pulsating heart of humanity, filled with love and pain and aspiration, driving the experience to euphoric heights.

This creative adaptation of A Christmas Carol runs a little long, but the sheer joy of the cast members as they bring this story to life draws the audience in and highlights the show’s message of joy, love, hope, and compassion.

IL FASCINO BREVE DELLE FARFALLE al TEATRO ELETTRA LA VITA DI BOSIE DOPO LA MORTE DI OSCAR WILDE IN UN NUOVO INTENSO TESTO DI ANTONIO MOCCIOLA IN SCENA FINO AL 4 DICEMBRE

Overamped at Belk Theater, with an underwhelming set of grievances in Diablo Cody's adaptation of Alanis Morissette's megahit 1995 album, JAGGED LITTLE PILL generates more fire and heat than substance until it arrives at its #MeToo moment - and finds its heart.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

What did our critic think of GRUMPY OLD MEN: THE MUSICAL at Elmont Library Theatre?

What did our critic think of NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET PRESENTED BY TALMI ENTERTAINMENT at Orpheum Theater?

The full experience of Hale Centre Theatre's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is captured in this review. Runs through December 26th.

This week, the Grand Théâtre of Luxembourg presented us with with Botis Seva’s BLKGOD, a remarkable dance performance reflecting on the ugly nature of modern social relations, on the burdens of self-awareness and on youth’s constant treading on the slopes of self-destruction.

This charming show brings on the holiday CHEER without screaming IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! did our critic think of A SHERLOCK HOLMES CHRISTMAS at The Archive Theatre?

TEMAN (Teater Musikal Nusantara) did what many Indonesian thespians thought impossible: bring Jonathan Larson’s 1996 RENT to the country. The show’s themes — which proved to be just as relevant in 2022, if not more so — were powerfully brought to life through effective direction, heartrending performances, and delightful production design.

What did our critic think of DEAR EVAN HANSEN at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis?

What did our critic think of PRETTY WOMAN at Whitney Hall?

What did our critic think of TWINKIE AND THE BEAST at Drag Daddy Productions?

With the state of the world these days, we need a heroine like Annie. With her positive outlook, her moxie, she should be a role model of hopefulness. We just need a better Annie. And Annie deserves a better vehicle.

TO KILL  A MOCKINGBIRD from Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher offers a reimagined framing of the classic novel and movie.  The excellent cast, including Richard Thomas as Atticus, brings a moving confident, and powerful story to the stage about a time gone by with issues that feel as relevant as ever.  TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is from Broadway San Diego and is playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre through December 4th.

The holiday season often brings about classic Christmas stories being retold and Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL is usually number one on most producer's short list. Instead, Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre Company is presenting  Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS in a newer version by Neil Bartlett. And while the brief  Christmas theme is glossed over, the familiar characters still are ripe for this creative theatrical evening.

A meandering meditation on Zionism in desperate need of refinement