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Isn’t it Romantic?
Written and directed by David Hunter Koch
Music Direction by William Knowles
Produced by MetroStage
Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson

No one this side of the Blue Note or the Algonquin Hotel delivers a silver-plated lyric like Jimi Ray Malary.  Just as in prior MetroStage hits, Ellington: The Life and Music of The Duke and Nat King Cole: King of Cool, Malary mixes old school technique with a modern flair for just the right classic touch. (more…)

Pearl Bailey . . . By Request
Story Concept by Roz White
Book by Roz White and Thomas W. Jones II
Directed by Shirley Basfield Dunlap 
Music Direction by Marvin Ford
Presented and Co-Produced by MetroStage
Reviewed by Steven McKnight

If you enjoy live R&B/jazz and are looking for an entertaining musical evening out, the MetroStage world premiere production of Pearl Bailey . . . By Request admirably fills the bill. (more…)

Meet the stars of Rooms: A Rock Musical
An interview with Natascia Diaz and Doug Kreeger
by Joel Markowitz

Minutes after accepting their standing ovations, their Scottish accents still on the tips of their tongues, the stars of the new bound-for-NYC musical Rooms: A Rock Musical (more…)

 

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• ROOMS
• Music and Lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman
  Book by Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Gordon
  Directed by Scott Schwartz
  Music Direction by Jesse Vargas
• Presented and Co-Produced by MetroStage
• Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Rooms is the most emotionally real and authentic musical this reviewer has ever seen.  Imagine if Rent or Spring Awakening was condensed down to an intimate two person show and you’ll understand the appeal of this powerful rock romance. (more…)

• The Stephen Schwartz Project
• Conceived by Michael J. Bobbitt
• Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
• Musical arrangements by John L. Cornelius II
• Directed and Choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt
• Produced by MetroStage
• Reviewed by Gary McMillan

PBS has its seemingly ubiquitous “Three Tenors.” Musical theatre fans have the three Stephens (Flaherty, Sondheim and Schwartz) who have been delighting theatre and film audiences with their music for decades. While Schwartz personally has not brought home the brass ring, the Tony Award, for his music, he’s racked up an impressive array of national and regional awards, achieved astounding commercial success, and remains a far more popular favorite among many musical theatre buffs and, undoubtedly, the general public for his pleasing, highly-memorable melodies and intelligent lyrics. (more…)

• Cookin’ at the Cookery
• Produced by MetroStage
• Revisited by Debbie Minter Jackson

There’s always a bit of trepidation when a key cast member steps into a successful show. Audiences wonder how the show will be affected, may have concerns about different interpretations, altering how it’s “supposed” to be.   In the case of Jackie Richardson who replaced the “irreplaceable” Earnestine Jackson in Cookin’ at the Cookery, the prep work has already been done because she has already performed the role with the irrepressible Janice Lorraine in Vancouver.  While this is a reprise of sorts for them, the change for us is a fresh new experience to be cherished the second time around.  (more…)

• Cookin’ at the Cookery         
• By Marion J. Caffey
• Produced by Metro Stage
• Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson

Just when you thought you couldn’t get through another musical bio-musical chit-chatting about a late, great jazz singer, something new comes up that smashes your preconceptions and must be seen.  Alberta Hunter deserves the best theatrical treatment around and Metro Stage’s Cookin’ at the Cookery is as good as it gets.   It’s an outstanding rendition of music, drama, top of the line musicians, and, to top it off, two of the finest singers/actors on stage today.  (more…)