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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!

What did our critic think of MURDER FOR TWO at The Carnegie?

On Thursday, July 23rd, I had the pleasure of experiencing another phenomenally-performed show at Center Stage Theatre, in Shelton, CT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL. Directors Rob Esposito and Katie Sedlock combine their talents with the rest of the crew and this amazing young cast to give the audience yet another first-rate performance! The special effects are spectacular! Images creating an under-the-sea feel are projected on the back stage wall. It looks so real when the images shake in accordance with the tremors and accompanying sound effects. The cast furthermore sells these special effects by acting in accordance with them.

What did our critic think of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S COMEDY OF ERRORS at Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts?

Cult heroes of youth culture; Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy, and Kelly are back, alongside an ensemble cast and a live band. Featuring some of the electrifying tracks from the film that defined a generation, together with catchy, confrontational and celebratory original songs, set to become singalong, dance-along classics, this is more than nostalgia amplified, it’s a genre-defying new musical that speaks to our contemporary malaise of defiance in the face of an uncertain future.So what did the critics think?

Irvine Welsh and Stephen McGuinness make their Musical Theatre debuts - and it shows

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.

Trombonist, composer, and educator Sam Blakeslee has released NEW BLOOD, a new album showcasing his work as a performer and composer.

Discovery Channel's EXPEDITION UNKNOWN tracked down the wreckage of the Pan Am airliner CLIPPER ENDEAVOR, a long-lost aircraft that has captivated aviation historians for decades.

Pittsford Fine Art will present UNFOLDING, a featured exhibition of geometric abstract paintings by Rochester artist Mark Stone, including large-scale works shown publicly for the first time.

Ardeo Theatre Company will present Much Ado About Nothing as the final main stage production of the eighth annual Frederick Shakespeare Festival at Hood College's Hodson Outdoor Amphitheater, featuring an '80s-themed production directed by Aaron Angello.

The Royal Ballet School annual Royal Opera House matinee is a big deal, but perhaps this year more than ever. 2026 marks the centenary of the school, and considering this when watching the performance amplifies what we see on the stage even more than usual.

What better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than to see the musical, 1776?  Running through August 1st, this show spotlights the main obstacles and issues leading to America’s independence.  Perhaps the biggest lesson that the audience will come away with is that political bickering, backstabbing, and controversy is nothing new.  It’s naturally embedded in our national DNA.

Hudson River Park announced the lineup for its 26th annual Blues BBQ Festival at Pier 76, headlined by three-time Grammy winner Bobby Rush, alongside Sugaray Rayford, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr., and more. The free event features two live stages, BBQ vendors, and dance lessons.

Two variety shows will see over 100 performers take to the stage this October to raise funds for a beloved theatre and arts venue in Aberdeen. Aberdeen Arts Centre's Big Variety Show will see professional and amateur acts perform across two nights.

For a second, I worried the casual vibe might lead to a lazy performance. Ronin earns the audience's confidence the old-fashioned way: by making us believe the people at the center of the story. That begins with Konstantin, Nina, and Trigorin. If that triangle fails, The Seagull becomes an interesting discussion about theatre. If it succeeds, the play reminds us that every argument about art is also an argument about love, recognition, and the impossible desire to become someone else's answer.

The Greek National Opera is travelling to Kalamata with two special dance productions to join the Kalamata International Dance Festival, which will be held for the 32nd consecutive year in the capital of Messenia in July.

Michael Curry Design is famous for their puppetry for The Lion King, Frozen, and Beetlejuice on Broadway. Eva Curry, in collaboration with her father, Micheal Curry brings their work back to Portland with her directorial debut.

Looking to escape from the hot sun? Why not check out one of the many intriguing offerings at greater Boston venues where this summer’s vibrant theater scene boasts pre-Broadway productions, national tours, and summer-stock productions of everything from Shakespeare to classic and contemporary plays, musicals, and concerts. Bay State audiences have much to look forward to, including:

Perelman Performing Arts Center's world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo just opened! The production, which will now conclude performances on Sunday August 2, features book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Nettles, direction by Mary Zimmerman, and choreography by Austin Mccormick. Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo is produced by special arrangement with Adam Zotovich. Let's see what the critics have to say...

The current touring production of Beetlejuice, now playing at the National Theatre, is an odd theatrical piece –in that it is really more of an ostensible cult musical event for the generations in their twenties, thirties, and early forties. This in itself is perfectly fine, but I must admit that this musical had none of the edgy cult musical appeal of such marvelously innovative and witty cult musicals as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop of Horrors. There should be some measure of real solid wit and interesting songs in even the most beloved generational cult musicals.

After a year of performing in Operation Mincemeat on Broadway, Jak Malone returns to the States for a cabaret show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre! We chatted about the inspiration behind the title for the 7/15 and 7/16 cabaret and more.

Millbrook Playhouse will present THE WEDDING SINGER, the Broadway musical based on the New Line Cinema film, on its Ryan Main Stage in Mill Hall, PA, with director and choreographer Danny Durr leading the production.

Over the years, Broadway has seen a number of family acts sharing the stage. It’s extra special when family members team up to write a Broadway show together. The Great White Way has seen many instances of this historically, in a variety of different situations. 

Trevor Barrette is a prominent multi-hyphenate artist in the Montreal and off-island theatre community, who is currently producing and directing the intergenerational comedy The Rules of Playing Risk at the Hudson Village Theatre.