Troubled Waters or The Brother Who Protects And Loves - 1965 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 11

The concert offered an intimate tribute to Joni Mitchell's unique genius, offering a revelatory look at the cultural milieu and musical streams that fed into her art, and then poured out of her Laurel Canyon home and into her unique ways of mixing other genres and artists into her music – or inspired them to create their own.

The selection of Frozen as the summer musical served multiple masters. Thematically, it fit within Encore’s 2025-2026 season’s theme of “Finding Yourself,” as the story of Queen Elsa discovering how to better control her powers also serves as a metaphor for self-love, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. Frozen also, let’s be honest, has always been a crowd-pleaser. It has a near universal appeal for various attendees who’d be interested in seeing a production at Dr. Phillips Center. Musical Theatre Acolytes. Disney Adults. Families looking for kid-friendly entertainment.

It is a rare feat when a production can strip away the distance of history and force an audience to hold its collective breath, yet Drew Anthony Creative’s return season of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at the Heath Ledger Theatre does precisely that. Anchored by Chloë-Jean Vincent’s extraordinary performance, the production masterfully balances the dread of the Holocaust with a beautiful celebration of what it is to be human.

What did our critic think of MALTA FESTIVAL at Poznań?

John Wuchte and his Kick Boom Theater ensemble of five actors and two onstage musicians (Wuchte on percussion and Sarah Green on guitar) continue their exploration of live percussion scoring the actors’ movement, gestures and stylized dialogue during Anatomy of a Back at the Electric Lodge in Venice during the Daredevil Arts Festival, taking musical theater and dance to an exciting new level.

Inlet Dance Theatre’s performances at Cleveland Heights’ Cain Park and Akron’s Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival last summer gave audiences a preview of the company’s 25th-anniversary season and featured works from its rich repertoire.

University colleges are renowned for their wild nights, hazing rituals and strange stories. Bianca Watkin's Holy Hell, presented by Bloodline Productions, explores the complexities of the elite and untouchable institutions that form the backbone of these experiences. I was able to chat with Bianca herself and the cast of Holy Hell as their season opens at Old Fitz in late July.

What did our critic think of B*TCH EAT DOG at District Fringe?

Jak Malone’s MISS YOU, MISS YOU, REALLY WANT TO KISS YOU is a love letter to New York, wrapped in smooth vocals, sparkle, and an undercurrent of longing. Blending familiar favorites and lesser-known selections Malone’s authentic self shines through.

Musical Theatre West's brand new presentation of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT marks the fifth time the 74-season-old institution is revisiting this ubiquitous musical, this time starring hunky Broadway alum and America's Got Talent standout Brian Justin Crum. For all intents and purposes, their result is certainly a genuinely entertaining one, propelled mostly by its musically-gifted lead performers, but also its entire ensemble, all of whom act, sing, and move as if they're all having a sassy, gay ol' time. But their smile-inducing antics do require some leeway.

What did our critic think of HAIRSPRAY at SF Playhouse?

SARAH URIARTE BERRY sparkles. You can't take your eyes off her.

In 'Dances to American Music' at the Joyce Theatre, Morris pays tribute to regional American music.

What did our critic think of APPEARING THIS EVENING at Ottawa Little Theatre?

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 happens when a musical you’ve seen time and time again suddenly feels brand new?

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.

You will leave with many questions about how we deal with our past and how we can move forward socially while personally constrained.

Erika Alexander appeared on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW and shared the story of how she initially misread the tone of the horror film GET OUT, a moment the show describes as hilarious.

Paramount has posted a best-moments compilation from Season 3 of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, gathering standout scenes from the Enterprise crew across the season now streaming on Paramount+.

Will Ganss covered the cultural ripple effect of Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY film during GMA Pop News, noting the movie is inspiring viewers to read Homer's ancient Greek epic.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy gallops into Atlanta’s Fox Theatre July 21st–26th. I caught up with Delaney Benson to talk about life on the road, and the family legacy that helped shape her own theatrical journey.

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.

Las Vegas lounge diva Trudy Carmichael made her NYC cabaret debut with the premiere of her explosive musical tell-all. Catch the final performance of TRUDY CARMICHAEL: JUST WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS? at 4 pm on Sunday July 19.

Thanks to a serious discussion wrought by the end, the play avoids being a mere entertainment. The characters are not merely competing, ruthlessly but wittily too, for whatever prizes journalism may have to offer, but are visibly debasing their souls to win those prizes, and with their souls, part of what made the American soul. It may be entertaining to watch, but it’s uncomfortable entertainment, more jeremiad than amusement.