The Happy Time The Kander and Ebb musical now playing at Signature Conversations with Michael Minarik (Jacques) David Margulies (Grandpere) and George Dvorsky (Phillipe) Intervewed by Joel Markowitz “No. No. This is the way I meant to write this.” It’s a humbling moment and one vividly remembered by Michael Minarik from John Kander’s visit to […]
Archives for April 2008
Am I Black Enough, Yet
Am I Black Enough, Yet? Written by Clinton Johnston Directed by George Grant Produced by Charter Theater with the Hamner Theatre Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson This creative script tackles sensitive, poignant, hilarious even bizarre issues involving race and race relations. A cast of five lightening quick actors pop into a variety of roles, improv […]
The Eccentricities of a Nightingale
It is 1915, and there’s a nightingale in Glorious Hill, Mississippi whose wings aren’t working right, and her name is Alma Winemiller (Vanessa Bradchulis). Alma is a woman of a certain age – fans of Tennessee Williams will know exactly what I mean by this – whose dreams are slowly becoming deflated.
The Stephen Schwartz Project
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 […]
The Plague
The Plague By Albert Camus . Adapted for the stage by Otho Eskin Directed by Robert McNamara and Ellen Wilhite Produced by Scena Theatre Reviewed by Steven McKnight Dramatizing a novel is difficult, even more so when that novel, The Plague by Albert Camus, serves primarily as a platform for discussing philosophical responses to the absurdity […]
33 Variations in La Jolla
33 Variations Written and Directed by Moisés Kaufman Produced by La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, CA Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson The world premiere of 33 Variations at Arena Stage last year intrigued me so much that I followed it to its West Coast debut at La Jolla Playhouse to see how an original […]
Exceptional Ensembles and a Fool for Love
UNSUNG HEROES – EXCEPTIONAL ENSEMBLES AND AN UNFORGETTABLE CAST OF FOUR By Joel Markowitz They are the unsung heroes of many productions, They sing, they dance, and they sweat. They make actors look good. They are often forgotten by critics. They are the ensemble – a group of talented actors, singers, dancers, comedians who work […]
Hairspray
Hairspray Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan; Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Derived from a movie by John Waters (New Line Cinema) Directed by Matt Lenz Produced by NETworks Presentations, LLC at the Warner Theatre Reviewed by Tim Treanor Does life hold a role for the unlovely and the […]
Smokey Joe’s Café
Smokey Joe’s Café Words and Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Directed and Choreographed by Chet Walker Produced by Nederlander of Bethesda, LLC for the Bethesda Theatre Reviewed by Steven McKnight Knowing what to expect can be key to enjoying a night at the theatre. If you want to enjoy an agreeable oldies revue […]
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot By Stephen Adly Guirgis Directed by John Vreeke Produced by Forum Theatre Reviewed by Tim Treanor I’ve taken more time than I usually do to write this review because I wanted to be sure you understood how good this play is. I wanted to tell you in plain and […]
Cymbeline
Cymbeline By William Shakespeare Directed by Wickham Avery Produced by dog & pony dc Reviewed by Tim Treanor What a bad idea this is! Dog & pony dc has re-conceived Cymbeline – definitely a minor part of Shakespeare’s canon – as a theatrical exercise in which actors change roles with every scene. To imagine an […]
Sunday in the Park with George
Ed Dixon and Brynn O’Malley: Putting It Together Interviewed by Joel Markowitz