The Weekly Wrap - Reviews
Review: PARSIFAL, Royal Ballet And Operaby Alexander Cohen - UK / West End
(10/03/2026) - Corruption, redemption, lies. Parsifal is ripe with symbols and dogmas for a director to toy with and tear down. So why is Evgeniy Titov's iconoclastic staging so predictably iconoclastic? Is it because undermining the rigid morality of a Wagner opera feels like the go-to option in the age of cynicism?
Review Roundup: What Did The Critics Think Of Gaten Matarazzo in RENT?by Aliya Al-Hassan - Broadway
(10/09/2026) - Set in New York's East Village, Rent follows a group of young artists, musicians and friends, navigating love, ambition and creativity while trying to build lives on their own terms. Inspired by Puccini's La Bohème, this iconic musical captures the joy, uncertainty and resilience of a generation determined to make every moment count. Featuring an unforgettable score and a story that continues to resonate, Rent is a powerful celebration of community, connection and a call to live every minute as if it were your last. No day but today.
Review: AFFLUENZA, starring Noah Schnapp, Riverside Studiosby Cindy Marcolina - UK / West End
(10/06/2026) - Stranger Things alum and alleged Zionist Noah Schnapp is top billed, though he is selling a show that has him on stage for under a third of its running time. It’s the type of project that slyly attempts to conceal its shortcomings under opulent optics. Unfortunately, not even a lavish set by Charlie Corcoran can hide the fact that this is a tasteless, aimless, pointless piece of theatre.
Review: DISGRACED at SHUNYA THEATRE COMPANYby Brett Cullum - Houston
(10/05/2026) - Ayad Akhtar’s debut play from 2012 seems as relevant today as it did fourteen years ago, and it packs a wallop! It was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for literature in 2013, and Shunya Theatre Company’s revival is definitely worth attending.
Review: A CENTENARY CELEBRATION, Royal Ballet & Operaby Matthew Paluch - UK / West End
(10/09/2026) - The Royal Ballet season opens on the main stage with a special programme: A Centenary Celebration. 100 years ago Ninette de Valois founded The Academy of Choreographic Art, and the rest is history. What followed was The Royal Ballet School and two companies. So sitting in the Royal Ballet and Opera in 2026 watching a performance that includes the RBS, Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet is indeed an experience to behold.
Review: JOURNEY FINAL FRONTIER TOUR at Grand Casino Arenaby Jared Fessler - Minneapolis / St. Paul
(10/06/2026) - What did our critic think of JOURNEY FINAL FRONTIER TOUR at Grand Casino Arena?
Review: COSĺ FAN TUTTE at Four Seasons Centre For The Performing Artsby Keira Grant - Toronto
(10/04/2026) - The Canadian Opera Company’s remount of its 2014 production of Cosí Fan Tutte, originally directed by Atom Egoyan, brings to bear all of the performance and creative excellence for which the COC is known. However, in the post- #MeToo era, and amidst the Cornell 7 scandal, this 236-year-old work hits different. A discerning viewer in 2026 can’t fail to notice the centuries-long throughline of misogynistic beliefs about women’s sexuality and bodily autonomy that raises questions about the role of art in preserving and dismantling social systems.
Review: ANYTHING GOES at Selwyn Theatreby Jude Gair-Ah Siu - New Zealand
(10/03/2026) - What did our critic think of ANYTHING GOES at Selwyn Theatre?
Review: FRECKLE at Crystal Theatreby Sean Fallon - Connecticut
(10/03/2026) - On Friday, October 2nd, I had the pleasure of my first experience at Crystal Theatre in Norwalk, CT, seeing a phenomenal original musical called FRECKLE! This musical comedy takes some unique and unconventional stylistic choices, all of which work perfectly! With book, music, and lyrics written by Michael Burgess, this show is based on a true story about Michael Burgess and stars Michael Burgess as Michael Burgess. Michael Burgess is also the musical director, costume designer, and stage designer. The striking choreography is by Katrina Perkins and Jennifer Ellyson. The impressive set with various moving parts is constructed by Dom Lettera. The stellar cast all radiate positive energy, showing that they are having a lot of fun up on stage, as the audience enjoys watching them perform!
Review: MEAN GIRLS at Ritz Civic Center in Blythevilleby Theresa Bertram - Arkansas
(10/05/2026) - On Wednesdays we wear pink, but apparently in Blytheville, we can be totally fetch any day of the week! Rosewood Repertory took over The Ritz Theater for one fabulous weekend, October 2–4, with its production of MEAN GIRLS, and from the moment the Plastics strutted onto the stage, I knew we were in for a ridiculously fun time. With plenty of pink, attitude and high-school drama, this cast had me smiling like I had just been invited to sit at the cool kids’ table.
Review: CRONE CREED at El Portal Theatreby Harker Jones - Los Angeles
(10/06/2026) - CRONE CREED is an ambitious take on mythology and fate, and it is one of the best shows the El Portal has offered in recent years — out of a field of many exceptional efforts.
DUBLIN THEATRE FESTIVAL 2026: Review: LET ME IN, Smock Alley Theatreby Adi Ajzenstadt - Ireland
(10/04/2026) - A smartly written, tense, and painfully relevant examination of belonging, identity, and the quiet frictions beneath Irish welcome.
Review: THE BROWN SUITE, Richmond Theatreby Aliya Al-Hassan - UK / West End
(10/03/2026) - It's not often that Richmond Theatre plays host to a world premiere: Blacbrik's Nahum McLean and Darius Drooh's first long-form dance production The Brown Suite makes a stylish splash before embarking on a nationwide tour.
Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Fairfield Center Stageby Sean Fallon - Connecticut
(10/04/2026) - On Saturday, October 3rd, I had the pleasure of seeing a phenomenal performance of one of my absolute favorite musicals of all-time, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, performed by Fairfield Center Stage at City Wide Church in Bridgeport, CT. Director Joel Fenster, Choreographer Lindsay Johnson, and Music Director Clay Zambo combine their talents to help bring out the best in this first-rate ensemble cast! With book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, this show continues to entertain audiences for over half a century! This musical is packed with a multitude of first-rate songs, no cheap fillers!
DUBLIN THEATRE FESTIVAL 2026: Review: LOURDES! THE MUSICAL, Civic Theatreby Adi Ajzenstadt - Ireland
(10/03/2026) - An overstuffed narrative and unrefined musical score leave Xnthony's world-premiere pilgrimage musical struggling to deliver emotional resonance or consistent comedy.
Review: PIPPIN at Arizona Broadway Theatreby Herbert Paine - Phoenix
(10/05/2026) - There is something wonderfully deceptive about PIPPIN. On the surface, it’s a musical about a young prince who wants to do something extraordinary with his life. It gives him wars to fight, kingdoms to conquer, women to pursue, a father to challenge…and, in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s exhilarating new production, a theatrical universe in which meaning and gravity seem negotiable.
Review: INTO THE WOODS, Noël Coward Theatreby Cheryl Markosky - UK / West End
(10/08/2026) - Awe-inspiring revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Into the Woods running until 9 January, 2027.
Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Broadway Roseby Krista Garver - Oregon
(10/05/2026) - A show like this lives or dies by the musical performances, and Broadway Rose's production delivers on its promise a hundred times over, especially Hunter Semrau as Jerry Lee Lewis.
Review: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Actors Ensemble Of Berkeleyby Kelly Rogers Flynt - San Francisco / Bay Area
(10/03/2026) - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley fills the Live Oak Theater with cheeky humor. As the characters treat serious matters like frippery, and trivial items with seriousness, the tone is set early for a romping good time.
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Hope Mill Theatreby Gary Naylor - UK / West End
(10/08/2026) - Intimate venue gets high production values to deliver a marvellous show
DUBLIN THEATRE FESITVAL 2026: Review: REFUGE, Pavilion Theatreby Adi Ajzenstadt - Ireland
(10/03/2026) - Fishamble's dual-timeline migration drama is handsome and full of noble intent, but a static staging keeps its emotional urgency at arm's length.
Review: NACHO ATE SPIDERMAN at NJ Rep-An Ingenious Comedyby Marina Kennedy - New Jersey
(10/06/2026) - New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) is closing their successful 2026 season with the world premiere of 'Nacho Ate Spiderman.'
Review: JUST FOR US is a One-Man Phenomenon at Capital Stageby Courtney Symes - Sacramento
(10/07/2026) - If Capital Stage’s opening show is any indication, their 22nd season is going to be something special. Alex Edelman’s Just For Us is a one-man show written and originally performed by the comedian. It was awarded a Special Tony Award, an honor bestowed upon shows that don’t fit into the traditional competitive categories. Amy Resnick returns to Capital Stage to direct, being particularly adept at handling complicated topics with grace. The production stars Jack Greenberg, who brings Edelman’s wit and vulnerability to life in a performance deserving of the standing ovations given at opening night.
Review: ON YOUR FEET at Argyle Theatreby Sam Desmond - Long Island
(10/03/2026) - What did our critic think of ON YOUR FEET at Argyle Theatre?
Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL at BrightSide Theatreby Tina St. Angelo - Chicago
(10/05/2026) - Opening its 15th season, BrightSide Theatre in Naperville is presenting The Addams Family Musical which runs through October 18,. The musical, written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, is the first time the familiar characters created by Charles Addams appeared on stage.
Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at The Paramount Theatreby Shelley Dean - Seattle
(10/07/2026) - With flipping acrobats, ginormous creatures, and vocal talent that will melt you, the 2026 national tour of Water for Elephants makes for a spectacular night out. Lucky for Seattle, the production is currently stopping at The Paramount Theatre. With artful tour direction by Ryan Emmons, this production is packed with everything you could want in a night at the theater: spectacle, romance, humor, heartbreak, and loads of circus magic.
Review: THE BIRDS at Little Theatre Of Mechanicsburgby Andrea Stephenson - Central Pennsylvania
(10/03/2026) - If you enjoy a psychologically intense show that will leave you wondering how you would react in such dire circumstances, this is the show for you. Get your dose of spine-tingling chills this October with The Birds at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg.
Review: THE MAGPIE’S CALL at Dolphin Theatreby Monica Moore - New Zealand
(10/03/2026) - What did our critic think of THE MAGPIE’S CALL at Dolphin Theatre?
Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY THE MUSICAL at Walnut Street Theatreby Greer Firestone - Delaware
(10/09/2026) - Living or dead, to the Addams brood, “We’re all family!” They’re creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky. And at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre, they’re singing, dancing, falling in love, and confronting that most terrifying prospect of all: normality.
Review: JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN at TPAC's Johnson Theatreby Catherine Burford - Nashville
(10/05/2026) - Like many students, I had to read The Crucible in high school. I may not be the biggest fan of Arthur Miller’s classic work, but I’m open to discussion on it. When I first heard about Kimberly Belflower’s John Proctor Is The Villain, I was curious to see where this title was going.
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