Out on a limb, up on a tightwire, off the high dive — Brian Yorkey (librettist and lyricist) and Tom Kitt (composer) took a bold challenge in constructing a musical around an otherwise typical suburban household rocked to its foundation by storms of mental illness.
About Gary McMillan
A Broadway Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of the old chestnuts of the holiday season without a doubt, as evidenced by the scads of adaptations whether radio play, film, movie musical or animated feature. MetroStage has opted to make merry with Kathy Feininger’s show tune-driven riff on the classic tale.
Glimpses of the Moon
Pop, fizz, deliriously good. Mash up the sensibilities of Gatsby and Thoroughly Modern Millie; pour over jazz-kissed show tunes laced with interesting harmonies (John Mercurio); stir in a witty book and lyrics (Tajlei Levis) — especially dazzling when cross-talking lyrics float on the intricate score; and before you can say, “Gilded Age” or “Roaring Twenties,” […]
Chess, Cold War meets hot rock
Chess is Cold War meets hot rock. It’s a tour de force of intelligence, emotional intensity and intrigue (political and personal), sporting a jaw-dropping score with music by ABBA’s Benny & Bjorn (Mama Mia!) and lyrics by Tim Rice (Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar among his impressive catalog of hits).
Super Claudio Bros., All New Video Game Musical
Bright as a pack of Skittles, loopy as a Looney Tunes cartoon, and jam-packed with sibling rivalry, metaphysical angst and a tragically misunderstood, fire-breathing, homicidal purple platypus.
Fool for a Client
It’s a bit of a puzzle whether Mark Whitney is an idealist with the heart of a cynic or a cynic with the heart of an idealist. He uses both like a double-barreled shotgun aimed at the Patriot Act, mandatory sentencing guidelines and other fear-mongering policies that are eroding our constitutional rights.
The Color Purple
Heartwarming. Soul-nurturing. Epic in ambition and yet intensely personal. The Color Purple is a musical triumph on so many levels that it would be difficult to know where to begin were it not for Fantasia
A Chorus Line
National Theatre’s A Chorus Line sizzles and sparks with dance and song and touches the heart with stories of dancers’ lives. This production boasts an extraordinary cast and production values that shatter all expectations and satisfy as much as did the Broadway revival production on which it’s based. A Chorus Line set the standard for […]
The Little Dog Laughed
The Little Dog Laughed By Douglas Carter Beane Directed by Michael Baron Produced by Signature Theatre Reviewed by Gary McMillan Signature’s The Little Dog Laughed is a sparkling tonic for the winter blahs. Douglas Carter Beane is a sly little dog of a playwright who has tossed together several plot lines which should feel tired, […]
West Side Story
West Side Story Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim| Directed by Arthur Laurents Reviewed by Gary McMillan The National Theatre is home to a good-as-gold Golden Anniversary production of the Laurents-Bernstein-Sondheim-Robbins classic musical West Side Story. For those who missed the 1980s revival or were too young for the 1957 […]
Les Miserables
Les Misérables Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer Based on a novel by Victor Hugo Original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel . Additional material by James Fenton Directed by Eric Schaeffer Produced by Signature Theeatre Reviewed by Gary McMillan Cameron Mackintosh tossed Eric Schaeffer the keys to his hummer Les […]
Peter Pan
Peter Pan: The Musical Book by J.M. Barrie Music by: Mark Charlap, additional music by Jule Styne Lyrics by: Carolyn Leigh, additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green Directed by Eve Muson. Produced by Olney Theatre Center Reviewed by Gary McMillan If you can pry junior’s fingers from his Game Boy, he just might […]
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