Gigi, an imitation French confection of a musical starring High School Musical sweetheart Vanessa Hudgens, is based on a novella by Colette about two aging prostitutes grooming their illegitimate relative, a child of 15, to attach herself to a rich older man. Colette added a twist to this sordid story, which she set in high-toned […]
Archives for April 8, 2015
Simply Sondheim at Signature is simply spectacular
Simply Sondheim is a match made in musical heaven. The pedigree alone is promising. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the famed composer known as Signature Theatre’s signature, has provided fodder for numerous musical revues, including the bio-revue Sondheim on Sondheim that played Broadway several seasons back, and Side By Side By Sondheim which has been around since the 1970s […]
The Margins from Molotov – long on ambition, but short on scares
Ghost stories need a few key elements to truly scare: constantly building tension, atmospheric lighting and music, a cast that knows when to get out of the way, and just enough backstory to set audiences’ imaginations ablaze. Molotov Theater’s creepshow The Margins aspires to the hair-raising heights of The Conjuring, but ultimately falls short by […]
2015 Helen Hayes Awards celebration, reflections on legacy
There is something mysteriously wonderful about Theater Alliance’s Black Nativity sweeping the Helen’s Outstanding Musical, Musical Direction and Ensemble Awards with the cast standing on the stage that meant so much in our cultural history.