Beg, Borrow, or Steal

On Saturday, July 25th, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another phenomenal musical at Musicals at Richter, MARY POPPINS! The outdoor ambiance at Musicals at Richter tremendously enhances my enjoyment of these productions, seeing these shows under the stars on clear nights! The moving set is elaborate, with a beautifully painted London skyline in the back, including Big Ben. A waxing gibbous moon arose behind the center of the stage and drifted towards and beyond stage left, throughout the course of the evening. The true stars were on the stage, though, as Musicals at Richter has once again managed to acquire a cast so spectacular that it feels as if Musicals at Richter had hired professional ringers posing as local performers. Director Kate Kovacs combines her talents with music director Vincent Fontenelli, and choreographer Melissa Arizzi to help bring out the best in this professional-level cast! If I was a scout/recruiter for Broadway, I would have made some offers after the show!

Heather Violanti's short noir play DARK ORCHID, set in 1944 Hollywood and directed by Jennifer Sandella, will have its world premiere at the Gene Frankel Theatre Festival Block 8 in Manhattan.

See why our critic writes 'Beautifully written, superbly acted and highly relevant' about this production

What did our critic think of POCKET MONSTERS at The Pocket Community Theatre?

From August 4 to 10, Lily Weisberg and Michael Bloom will tour New York and New Jersey with Modern Silent Shorts, a night dedicated to new works of silent film scored with live music.

Lastly, speaking of generations, this show lands differently in 2026. Hair is a celebration of peace, love, and joy associated with the youth culture of the Boomer generation. When the show was first produced, it was easy to go along with the idealism and righteousness that the story celebrates. However, with time and reflection, the question that kept nagging me as an audience member was when and why did this generation change their priorities?

A group of young dancers took over the studio on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW in a segment that put their skills front and center before a live audience.

Indo-Canadian drummer, percussionist, and composer Agneya has released the second music video from his self-titled debut album, blending cultural influences into his signature sound.

The Dorset Opera Festival finds the perfect setting for Gaetano Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. This little gem of an opera company cleverly relocates the action from an Italian town to its own surroundings in Hardy's countryside. Home-grown references include London Gin instead of red wine, taking the Queen's shilling and a Scottish regiment billeted in the region.

In the fantastical, visually-enchanting stage play HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD—the theatrical continuation of J.K. Rowling's beloved magical saga—the idea of revisiting the past is embraced as its central theme, which in turn shifts the focus away from the mischievous school adventures that made the original franchise a global phenomenon, but, instead, explores the far messier realities of adulthood, parenthood, regret, generational trauma, and the very concept of leaving behind a proud legacy. The resulting stage show is a marvel of theatrical magic, mesmerizing in spectacle and movement, and filled with fantastical elements that will have audiences spellbound—even if the play 'borrows' its machinations from Back to the Future Part II.

A feature documentary on Julie Andrews, covering her career from stage to screen, is set to stream on Disney+. The film will draw on Andrews' personal archive and new interviews.

Chicago-based alternative-Latin quintet Dos Santos shared 'Es Amor,' the title track from their fourth album, out via Otherly Love, alongside an Osvaldo Cuevas-directed video and an upcoming national tour.

The Donmar Warehouse has announced further programming for the 2026/2027 season, including The King's Ransom and No Man's Land, starring Simon Russell Beale and Rupert Everett.

The Muny's production of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS will include an original song by Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe winner Mark Sonnenblick, performed by Tony winner Beth Leavel as housekeeper Katie Connelly.

Burbage Theatre Co announced its 15th season, subtitled 'Past is Prologue,' featuring five plays at its Pawtucket, RI home, kicking off with MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING directed by Stephen Thorne.

The Foundry in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and NYC producers Spin Cycle announced a second season of co-produced shows, featuring Tammie Brown, Murray Hill, Jeff Hiller, Penny Arcade, and Jackie Beat, among others.

ABC has released its primetime schedule for an upcoming week, outlining which programs will air each night across the network's evening lineup.

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center received a $1 million RACP grant from Pennsylvania to support redevelopment of Highland Farm in Bucks County, marking the museum's third such state award.

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What did our critic think of HAIRSPRAY at SF Playhouse?

Choreographer Richard J. Hinds is thrilling Muny audiences with his unique take on the dance sequences in Disney’s Newsies. Hinds' choreography is exciting and dynamic dance that builds to a rousing crescendo. He uses traditional barrel jumps, fouetté turns, leaps, tap, and tumbling, accented with modern dance and hip hop moves that increase in intensity until reaching a thrilling climax in the finale. It’s masterful terpsichorean storytelling that enhances Denis Jones directorial vision to build tension and give the audience a real emotional payoff. Jones and Hinds collaboration make this not just a good production of Disney’s Newsies, but a great production of Newsies.

Drama professor, historian, director, and writer Amnon Kabatchnik has penned a new book in his reference series, Bloody Broadway: Plays of Menace, Murder, and Mystery, Volume II.

tick, tick... BOOM! arrives in São Paulo for a limited engagement at Teatro Viradalata following a successful run in Rio de Janeiro. Produced by Play It! Produções, the Brazilian staging stars Matheus Boa, Camille Dutra, and Diego Montez under the direction of Luiza Lewicki, Julia Varga, and Marcela Pires, with musical direction by Caio Loureiro. Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical follows an aspiring composer approaching his 30th birthday as he struggles to balance artistic ambition, personal relationships, and the realities of adulthood. Since its acclaimed Off-Broadway debut, the show has become a contemporary musical theater favorite and inspired the Oscar-nominated 2021 film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield. The São Paulo production features an intimate staging and a live four-piece band performing Larson's iconic score.

Hit the Lights! Company will present Light Nights!, a series of post-show community events tied to the world premiere of ISLA at WP Theater, including a Queens neighborhood night, a Latine family matinee, and a shadow puppetry talkback.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will present ALEJANDRO T. ACIERTO: MODEL HOME, an installation-based exhibition addressing urban development, displacement, and environmental impact in the Phoenix metro area.