Although there has been a trend in the West End and on Broadway to churn out juke box musicals for years, that isn’t necessarily a problem — as long as the juke box is full of hits, and the hits are well-performed. This show priveds both! THE DRIFTERS GIRL, currently running at the Garrick Theatre …
Being (what I consider to be) a “non-fan” of rock and roll music, I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this show. And, just for the record, I don’t really consider myself a harsh critic of most musicals as long as they show technical and creative strength. That said, BAT OUT OF HELL …
ALADDIN arrives in London’s West End! And so, with the typical Disney fanfare, Aladdin soars. Although, not my favorite of the Dysney Broadway musicals (there will never be another BEAUTY AND THE BEAST or MARY POPPINS), Aladdin has definintely done it’s job – that is brining in an ageless Disney animated feature to life on …
Considering America’s current fixation on “freaks,” (think “American Horror Story – Freak Show”) the revival of the musical SIDE SHOW on broadway couldn’t arrive at a more opportune time. Whether by design, or just shear coincidence, it’s certainly a lucky break for the show that opened last night at New York’s St. James Theatre. Not …
Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is one of those musicals that one might describe as “typical.” It gives us songs, dancing, humor (of the Mel Brooks style) and an abundance of shtick. And, of course there’s a big green monster that terrorizes a Transylvanian village all while singing and dancing himself. Remember “Puttin’ on the Ritz”? …
The critically acclaimed Tony-winning Broadway musical, KINKY BOOTS made its national tour debut at Las Vegas’ Smith Center for the Performing Arts on September 6th, and to no less fanfare than the original Broadway production received on it’s opening night. I love the fact that almost every major Broadway musical is able to tour successfully …
The only thing more fun than reading a Dr. Seuss book is seeing a magical musical extravaganza—live, onstage. Based on selections from the enormously popular works of Dr. Seuss, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL centres around Horton The Elephant who discovers a tiny community of “Whos” on a dust speck. Against the ridicule of others, Horton learns to …
OF MICE AND MEN, the long-time well-known John Steinbeck play, currently running on Broadway, is probably one of the most difficult I have sat through. Not in any way because of the production itself, but because of the construction of the dialogue. Don’t misunderstand, Steinbeck’s pen is almost perfect. It’s the harsh reality in which …
DOG AND PONY, the new musical from Rick Elice and Michael Patrick Walker (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher, Alter Boyz), is currently having its world premier at The Old Globe in San Diego. With the creds of this creative team, I was really excited about this show. As usual, I found myself having to …
Sam Shepard’s TRUE WEST, like most of his works, is inspired by myths of American life and popular culture. The award-winning play originally premiered in 1980 at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. Shepard’s plays are generally set in very ordinary, everyday circumstances, but some really bizarre things happen. Almost to the point of hilarity. …
