Broadway Show Reviews & Critics' Ratings

Cutting Shakespeare isn’t rare, with time restraint and accessible efficiency at the top of the list. What happens when you remove the text altogether, leaving only the bare bones of the story? Hong Kongese company Nonverbal Theatre of Gesture have the answer. An international ensemble join director Shu-wing Tang for an all-female rendition of King Lear delivered without a single word spoken to the crowd. It’s a breathtaking achievement. A style so removed from our theatrical tradition, it introduces a particularly minimalistic vision that succeeds in conveying the Bard’s multi-faceted tale of family, power, and loyalty.

What did our critic think of HÄVIS AMANDA ON KEVYT JA HAUSKA TÖNÄISY TYÖNTEOLLE JA YKSINÄISYYDELLE at Koko-teatteri?

History is often rewritten in a way that is easier to digest, leading to hundreds of years of misinformation and erasure of the struggles of marginalized and persecuted groups. Artfully directed by Steve Sneed, Intiman Theatre has officially opened the world premiere of The Lion Tells His Tale, the first staged production of Delbert Richardson’s nationally recognized and multi-award-winning traveling museum, The “Unspoken” Truths.

On Friday, May 3rd, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another first-rate production by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT! This stellar cast keeps the audience entertained with their excellent stage presence, stage chemistry, and positive energy, as this intriguing story unfolds, THE 39 STEPS. Director Todd Santa Maria helps bring out the best in this phenomenal cast featuring Matthew Griffiths, Angelina D’Albero, Matt Monitto, and Gabriel Sousa. I was not previously familiar with this show, but seeing it performed by this cast, I feel as if they elevated it to heights that were never reached before! This casts’ delivery, mannerisms, and comedic timing shine through in ways far superior to that which could be detailed or explained in a script. The constant laughter and applause from this lively packed house strongly suggests that the rest of the audience tremendously enjoyed this show, as I did!

What did our critic think of THE WOMAN IN BLACK at QPAC?

What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at Orpheum Theatre?

MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA, a whip smart and heartfelt play by Christian St. Croix produced in its L.A. premiere by Rogue Machine Theatre, argues that in the present, monsters and human beings aren’t easily distinguishable from each other.  Monsters can take human form and vice versa. I guess that’s the…uh…the Thing?

Pardon me a second, but I seem to be noticing stretch marks on my suspension of disbelief. Three nights before the curtain rose on the touring version of MRS. DOUBTFIRE that rolled into Belk Theater, I saw a rather fine production of Twelfth Night across town at Central Piedmont College. Since both of the brief runs include at least one matinee between now and Sunday, my experience of seeing two wives who fail to identify their true husbands can be intensified, compressed into the space eight hours, if you wish, after my relatively relaxed 75-hour exercise.

Arkansas State University Beebe theater department has blossomed so much under the tutelage of Director Ryan Gibbons that they now offer multiple opportunities for their students to work on and off the stage. In March the ASU Beebe Theatre presented BLACK BOX NIGHT, where students were able to gain experience performing in a more intimate setting, and then in April, the students adapted Lewis Carroll’s iconic ALICE novels into a script molding in their own vision. Though vastly different, both shows allowed the students to prove that they were worthy of competing with the larger programs in Arkansas. 

At skulle koge 24 afsnit af danskernes yndlings tv-serie, 'Matador', ned til to en halv times musical virker som noget nær en umulig opgave. Det ender desværre mest som et forjaget forsøg med enkelte lyspunkter. 

Portland Playhouse’s production of this wild, exuberant roller coaster ride of a musical makes for a fabulous night at the theatre.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is one of the most popular operas ever written. It has a wonderfully lyrical score, familiar arias and a story that remains compelling even after often heard. San Diego Opera’s most recent production played to a full house on opening night, and under the direction of Jose Maria Condemi the well-chosen cast delivered a performance with impressive emotional depth. Corinne Winters’s convincing portrayal of the naïve 15-year-old Cio-Cio-San brought bravas and enthusiastic applause at curtain call. But her portrayal of innocence exploited meant both bravos and boos over extended applause for tenor Adam Smith’s convincing version of her heartless seducer, Lieutenant Pinkerton.

Take note: Take 6 is at Birdland Jazz Club through Saturday. They take the art of vocal harmony singing to impressive heights. Their opening show on Wednesday May 1 was a smash.

I’ll be the first to admit that when it came time for me to see Three Mothers, I was a bit worried what the experience would be. Watching three women grieve the loss of their sons didn’t sound like the kind of activity I would generally choose to subject myself to for entertainment— it frankly seemed like a bit of a downer.

What has Annabel Crabb, leading journalist, author, comedian and podcaster learn in roughly 50 years? A great deal, and she’s happy to share it with a captive audience in her comedy show 50 ODD YEARS OF CRABB, which graced Perth this week before continuing onto other Comedy Festivals around the country.

Presented by Royal City Musical Theatre, MARY POPPINS brought the timeless tale to life in New Westminster’s Massey Theatre this week for their opening night. Bringing audiences into the world of imagination, MARY POPPINS kept the carefree whimsy and wonder of childhood alive.

What did our critic think of COMPANY at Connor Palace? Stephen Sondheim is generally considered the most important composer/lyricist of the 20th century American musical theater.  Many consider him to be the person who reinvented the genre.

If you were lucky enough to see Celebrity Attraction’s national tour of Pretty Woman the Musical at Robinson Center, 426 West Markham St., in Little Rock, AR April 26-28, you are probably still dancing and humming like me.

A weekend of “Tradition” in the Harton Theatre at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, began on Friday April 19 and ran through Sunday April 21 with Fiddler on The Roof.  I was so excited when Theresa asked me to review this show because it’s a favorite of mine. 

A classic of German expressionism will be plaiyng at Theatro Sao Pedro on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th of May. Conducted by Marcelo Falcao, the Theatro Sao Pedro Orchestra will perform the film's soundtrack, presented in partnership with Cinemateca Brasileira.