Theatre Review: ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ Closes Broadway Series at Peabody Opera House
Based on the 1907 novel, “Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal” (which was also the basis for the highly regarded Alex Guinness film, Kind Hearts and Coronets, from 1949), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is one of the most entertaining shows to hit Broadway in the past decade. The story of – […]
Theatre Review: “Anything Goes” at New Line Theatre (March 1-24)
Anything Goes is a musical packed full of terrific songs and memorable moments. The music and lyrics are by Cole Porter, while Howard Linday and Russel Crouse (The Sound of Music) are responsible for re-writing the book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse. There are four versions written for the stage: 1934, 1962, 1987, and […]
Theatre Review: CHICAGO “Razzle-Dazzles” The Fabulous Fox (March 2-4)
Chicago premiered on Broadway in 1975, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb – the duo behind Cabaret. The musical is an adaptation of a 1926 play of the same name, based on actual events surrounding two women accused of murder. The alleged femme fatales would become the basis for Roxy Hart and Velma […]
Review: ‘School of Rock’ Musical Lives Up To Its Name at Fabulous Fox
It has been several years since I’ve seen the 2003 comedy School of Rock, directed by Richard Linklater and starring Jack Black. But I do remember the film being quite funny, and how entertaining it was seeing Black’s character teaching a bunch of private school kids how to rock. So I expected a fun show […]
Theatre Review: THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES at The Rep (Through Jan. 28)
Written and created by Roger Bean Directed and choreographed by Melissa Rain Anderson If I could travel back in time for music, the ’50s and ’60s would be high on my list of destinations. Experiencing artists like The McGuire Sisters (“Sugartime,” “Sincerely,” “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight”), The Chordettes (“Lollipop,” “Mr. Sandman”), and Connie Francis (“Stupid Cupid” & “Lipstick on […]
Review: Musical ‘On Your Feet!’ Tells Story of Gloria Estefan (thru Nov. 19)
Emilio and Gloria Estefan have won a combined 26 Grammys over their illustrious careers. On Your Feet! is a new musical (it opened on Broadway Nov. 2015) which tells the story of how the two got there. In similar fashion to some of my favorite musicals, like Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys, the show aims to tell the story […]
Review: ‘Cirque du Soleil Crystal’ Mesmerizes Audiences With Cooler Than Cool Spectacular
I remember seeing my first Cirque du Soleil show when I was a teenager, and being completely enamored with the breathtaking feats. Since then, I’ve seen many incredible versions of Cirque, but none quite like their latest production: Crystal. We were lucky enough to be one of the first cities to experience the show, which received a […]
Review: ‘Heisenberg’ Gives Intimate Look at Life and Relationships at the Rep (Oct 28 – Nov 12)
Heisenberg opens The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ 2017-2018 Studio Theatre season. English playwright Simon Stephens (the author responsible for adapting Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, into an incredible play) has crafted a wonderful story about an unlikely relationship. Georgie (Susan Louise O’Connor) is an unpredictable, unfiltered American […]
Review: ‘Lizzie’ Brings Hard-Rock to 1800s Axe Murder Case
Going into the show, I honestly couldn’t tell you who Lizzie Borden was. Sure, I had heard the name, but couldn’t exactly connect it to anything. However, right from the start – as Lizzie opens with our four rock goddesses introducing us to their characters – it was clear what we were getting into. And that […]
Review: ‘Evil Dead The Musical’ is Off-Broadway, Off-Kiltered, and Awfully Good
In my early years of teenhood, I was beginning to develop an appreciation for the horror genre. Considering myself a late bloomer, my interests looked past any of the modern Blumhouse productions and more toward the gritty, gory, unadulterated classics that not even my own parents could stomach. Thus, the film that really changed it […]