THEATRE REVIEWS
Becoming an International Superstar
A difficult aspect about creating musicals based on the lives of popular musicians is the task of making both the music and the plot equally compelling. For the most part, On Your Feet! keeps audiences invested in the story of the Miami Sound Machine Cuban-American lead singer Gloria Estefan (Christie Prades), and her devoted husband Emilio (Ektor Rivera).
Read MoreRebelling Against Greed
Most shows from Disney Theatrical Productions are adaptations of highly successful movies such as “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Mary Poppins.” Compared with those musicals, “Newsies”, a stage version of the 1992 family-friendly motion picture (and a box office bomb in theatres), sounds highly risky.
Read MoreGales of Laughter Erupt at NCR’s ‘Forum’
It’s easy to forgive Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart and Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for its many faults. It’s sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, and the plot has been done for eons, or, at least, 200 BCE. It’s low comedy at its best. In fact, it might even be called the pinnacle of low comedy…
Read MoreBackyard Renaissance Mounts an Irresistible ‘Zoo Story’ at Diversionary
San Diego’s Backyard Renaissance Theatre opened an irresistible revival of Edward Albee’s iconic play “The Zoo Story” Saturday, July 14, at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights featuring Francis Gercke as the shiftless young man Jerry and Phil Johnson as the complacent Manhattan publishing exec Peter.
Read MoreAt Old Globe, The Lorax Browbeats All Ages
From Dr. Seuss by way of London and Minneapolis comes a stage adaptation of ‘The Lorax’ which should suit Old Globe audiences without much fun about generations. The title role is played by an irresistible Japanese-style puppet.
Read MorePandemonium in Old Town
For any production of Monty Python’s Spamalot to succeed, there needs to be well-delivered, non-stop hilarity coupled with cleverly executed musical sequences. Cygnet Theatre’s interpretation features these elements in spades, largely thanks to Artistic Director, Sean Murray.
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