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High School Musical
Book by David Simpatico
Based on the Disney Channel original movie written by Peter Barsocchini
Directed by Jeff Calhoun
Produced by Disney at National Theatre
Reviewed by Jonny Perl

Personally, I am not a fan of the entire “High School Musical” phenomenon. The 2006 Disney Channel original movie featured a completely forgettable score, terrible acting, and mediocre cinematography. Despite all this, it turned out to be a huge success!

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• Your Molotov Kisses (Tu Ternura Molotov)
• by Gustavo Ott
• Directed by Abel Lopez
• Produced by GALA Theatre at Tivoli Square
• Reviewed by Rosalind Lacy        

Venezuelan playwright Gustavo Ott-highly regarded in the Latino community as a fresh, new voice-injects us with a truth serum that can make us squirm. In his latest comedy, Ott makes a passionate plea to balance extremes. His characters show us that since the advent of international Islamic terrorist attacks, whether it’s crazy or not, we all seem to be living with terror on our minds. Women can be more than sexy bombshells; they can be the bombs themselves.  So let’s detonate all wrong-headed cultural biases. Let’s make love, not war. (more…)

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•  A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn
• Conceived and Directed by James Foster Jr.
• Produced by Theater Alliance
• Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson

We may as well face it.  The cabaret musical isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.  It’s an entertaining crowd pleaser that fills seats, so if the genre is not for you, that’s fine.  Just fill your dance card with “legitimate” theatre.  For the rest of us who enjoy or at least don’t mind the cabaret theatre combo, catch Ella at Arena or Cookin’ at the Cookery at Metro Stage. (more…)

• By Richard Seff, DCTS columnist: NY Theatre Buzz
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• Mrs. Warren’s Profession
• By George Bernard Shaw
• Directed by Gus Kaikkonen
• Produced by Rep Stage          
• Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson

Mrs. Warren’s Profession pulls no punches dealing with gender equity, social injustice, personal freedom and responsibility,  prostitution, brothels and even hints of incest.  Is there any wonder that it was banned in England (1900), and its New York City premiere resulted in full scale arrests of cast and crew?  (more…)

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•  Three You Shoulda Seen
•  42^nd Street, The Wild Party and High School Musical
• By Joel Markowitz

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• Romeo and Juliet
• By William Shakespeare . Adapted by Nathan Weinberger and Paata Tsikurishvili
• Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili . Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili
• Produced by Synetic Theater
• Reviewed by Gary McMillan

Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili once again render Shakespeare speechless, this time in a mesmerizing retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the archetypal tale of star-crossed lovers. (more…)