Theatre
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In the Time of the Butterflies by Caridad Svich
Lyceum Space at San Diego Repertory Theatre
By: - Jan 22nd, 2014Playwright Caridad Svich received the Primus Award, for one of her plays at the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) conference. Her family drama and memory play “In the Time of the Butterflies†takes place in the Dominican Republic during the 1950s and 60’s under the brutal dictatorship of Generalissmo Rafael Trujillo.
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Tribes at The Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis to February 9
By: - Jan 18th, 2014The power of the play lies in the exploration of communication. In a world where people can hear they seldom actually listen. It's about communication in every sense of the word. The way we interact with family, our partners, and the rest of the world.
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Maria Aitken To Direct Kate Burton
Nicholas Martin Withdraws from Seagull at the Huntington Theatre
By: - Jan 13th, 2014Huntington Theatre Company favorite and frequent director Maria Aitken (The Cocktail Hour, Betrayal, Private Lives, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps) will return to the Huntington this spring to direct Tony Award nominee and television star Kate Burton in Anton Chekhov’s passionate classic, The Seagull. Aitken replaces Nicholas Martin who was previously slated to direct the production but has withdrawn for personal reasons.
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The Color Purple a Smash at SpeakEasy
A Riveting Poignant Musical of Hope and Deserved Joy
By: - Jan 12th, 2014Based on the book and movie, The Color Purple is a theatrical treat. The musical is about the trials and tribulations of Celie. Her abuse, hardship and cruelty begin when her abusive stepfather marries her off at the age of 14 to a callous man who separated her from her only true friend in the world, her sister Nettie. But with every reason to despair, she somehow clings to hope and waits for joy. The music and performances are outstanding.
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Good and Bad News for London’s Dog Production
Broadway Confirmed for Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
By: - Jan 10th, 2014Following repairs to the Apollo Theatre, where the roof collapsed injuring 80 in December the production of the hit The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was scheduled to reopen on January 13. Now that's not going to happen. The show will reopen with a new cast next door at the Gielgud Theatre in June. The good new is that the National Theatre has confirmed that the sensational drama will open on Broadway in October.
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Life and Death of Marina Abramovic
Robert Wilson Production D.O.A.
By: - Jan 10th, 2014Entering the 55,000-square-foot Drill Hall of the Park Avenue Armory, to view the production of “Life and Death of Marina Abramovic,†the audience first faced a massive construction that later revealed itself to be a specially installed stage. On each seat there was a newspaper announcing that “Artist Marina Abramovic dies at 67.†On stage there were three white angular coffins and three bodies each with masks all resembling Marina.
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Venus In Fur Hot At Huntington Theatre
Funny, Sexy, Clever and Provocative
By: - Jan 09th, 2014Based upon the classic erotic novella of Sado-Masochism, Venus In Fur is the story of an adapted play being cast by its playwright/director. Thomas is having a hard time finding the right actress for the female lead. After everyone has left for the day, an upset blonde actress loudly and profanely enters the studio and demands an audition. Vanda's tryout becomes an S/M dance incorporating various story lines twisting and turning. With wonderful performances and an enthralling narrative, this is a provocative evening of exceptional adult entertainment.
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Working At Lyric Stage Company
Dissidence to Pride Sings Work In America
By: - Jan 06th, 2014Working is a musical based upon Studs Terkel's great 1974 volume recording the voices of working men and women from every walk of life. It uses song and dance to portray their stories. Capturing their likes and dislikes, regrets and problems, as well as sadness and happinesses on the job, various distinguished Broadway composers have based their melodies and lyrics on Terkel's prose. This production goes beyond the book to update the work environment both generationally and attitudinally to the 21st Century's new workplace experience. Instead of celebrating work, unfortunately, though the music and performances are pleasant, the subject matter was just too big for the Lyric Stage Company's production.
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A.R.T.’s Definitive Glass Menagerie
From Cambridge to Broadway
By: - Jan 05th, 2014Shows used to be developed in Boston, New Haven and other out of town venues prior to opening on Broadway. That's become too expensive and obsolete. Some shows open directly on Broadway following ever longer previews. That's risky. An alternative is to transfer regional hits like A.R.T''s superb Glass Menagerie to Broadway. It's also been a game changer for regional companies as a source for revenue and national recognition.
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Lend Me a Tenor
Beef and Boards Through February 2
By: - Dec 30th, 2013Ringing in a New Year of Indiana theatre. For the past few years Beef & Boards has opened every season with a slapstick farce. This year’s selection is "Lend Me A Tenor" a Ken Ludwig comedy.
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Top Ten from Indianapolis
Picks by Theatre Critic Melissa Hall
By: - Dec 27th, 2013Our Indianapolis theatre correspondent Melissa Hall posts her list of the season's top ten productons. They come with links to the original reviews.
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Management Dust Up for Shakespeare & Company
Tony Simotes Will Report to Executive Director Jerry Bilik
By: - Dec 24th, 2013Not long after he took over as Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company in 2009 Tony Simotes had to deal with near extinction caused by some $10 million in debt. With the board and managing director, Nicholas J. Puma, great strides were accomplished to reduce and restructure debt bringing stablity to the company which Tina Packer founded in 1979. In a major change the board has created the new position of Executive Director, Jerry Bilik, whom Simotes and Puma will report to. Those close to the company see this as a long term step foward.
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Pinter's Betrayal More Sizzle than Steak
OO7's Daniel Craig and Oscar Winning Wife Rachel Weisz
By: - Dec 23rd, 2013The revial of Harold Pinter's 1978 play "Betrayal" was all but sold out before opening night. The excitement was generated by a chance to see the gorgeous married couple, current 007, Daniel Craig, and Oscar winner, Rachel Weisz. Rounding out and even upstaging that glamorous duo in a taut love triangle is Rafe Spall. If you have really deep pockets for scalper tickets in the $400 range see this play before it closes on January 5.
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Brian Dennehy at Mark Taper Forum
The Steward of Christendom by Irish playwright Sebastian Barry
By: - Dec 22nd, 2013In The Mark Taper Forum production “The Steward of Christendomâ€, by Irish playwright Sebastian Barry, the play is set in the early 20th century before, during and after the volatile Irish Easter Rebellion of 1916 and the bloody 1919 – 1922 Irish Civil War. It is deftly and steadily directed by Steven Robman, and stars Brian Dennehy as Thomas Dunne, the former police superintendent of the Dublin Metropolitan Police
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The Heart of Robin Hood At A.R.T.
Legend That Joyfully Swashbuckles With A Twist
By: - Dec 19th, 2013In this visually spectacular and action-packed interpretation of the English legend, Robin Hood and his band of merry men steal from the rich, but do not share with the indigent. As the wicked Prince John threatens England, it is Lady Marion who protects the poor and eventually converts the outlaw Robin Hood to hero. First seen at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011, this smashing production is filled with adventure, romance, athletic fight choreography and humor. With an original score inspired by contemporary folk music, it is entertainment to savor.
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Mark Rylance’s Bard on Broadway
Twelfth Night and Richard III Both Masterful
By: - Dec 18th, 2013In the theatrical event of the season, if not decade at least, two time Tony winner Mark Rylance has brought a tandem of Shakespeare plays to Broadway. On stunning and thrilling back to back nights at New York's Belasco Theatre we saw first Twelfe Night and then Richard III. Both were produced as close as possible to Elizabethan standards including all male casts. Don't miss these magnificent plays which run through mid February.
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Stephan Kaplan's Exquisite Potential
West Coast Premiere in Palm Springs
By: - Dec 17th, 2013“Exquisite Potential†by playwright Stephan Kaplan, recently recently had its West Coast Premiere at Dezart Performs in the Pearl McManus Theatre in Palm Springs. The comedy drama is one of two plays that ended in a tie as “audience favorite†from Dezart Performs annual staged play reading festival in April of this year.
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Welcome Home Sonny T in New York Premiere
By Seven Time Emmy Winner William Electric Black
By: - Dec 17th, 2013William Electric Black has won seven Enmmys writing for family and kids TV shows. With Welcome Home Sonny T he shows considerable chops taking on adult themes. This is the first of five intended plays focused on inner city violence. It is a high voltage theatrical experience.
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A Christmas Carol in Albany
A New Take on a Timeless Classic
By: - Dec 09th, 2013The adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" put on by Albany's Capital Repertory Theatre is a fun, fresh take on a Christmas classic. The talented cast show off their craft with multiple roles, enhancing the the heart-warming story with unexpected humor. An excellent outing for the whole family.
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Beef and Boards Annual Holiday Show
Chowing Down on Christmas Cheer in Indy
By: - Dec 07th, 2013The Beef & Boards Orchestra is excellent as always; highlighted center stage on the all-new set by Michael Layton. Dominic Sheahan-Stahl provides a fitting salute to the military with his rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.â€
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Mandy Greenfield For Williamstown Theatre Festival
Tenure Begins September 2014
By: - Dec 04th, 2013As she has for the past three seasons Jenny Gersten will plan the 2014 program for the Williamstown Theatre Festival. In September Mandy Greenfield will take over as artistic director. Currently she is Artistic Producer at Manhattan Theatre Club.
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Becky’s New Car Drives Great At Lyric Stage
MidLife Road Testing A New Life Style
By: - Dec 02nd, 2013Though Becky's midlife isn't exactly unhappy, she needs something. But from her car dealership desk, she can't help but wonder what else is out there. And then she accidentally finds out. When a wealthy suitor presumes she is a widow, she finds herself leading a double life. It quickly accelerates out of control. With very real and yet fantasy characters and places, this play is a witty comedy of manners and expectations. Becky takes an unexpected ride from doldrums to adventure in an often clever and amusing way.
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Wicked in Indy
At Murat Theatre until December 1
By: - Nov 27th, 2013It is fun to rediscover why the prennial Wicked sustains as one of America's most popular musicals. Through December 1 it is playing at The Murat Theatre in Indianapolis.
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Twelve Angry Men
Pasadena Playhouse to December 1
By: - Nov 26th, 2013Sheldon Epps is a director with a strong personal vision, and he’s been on the mark, more times than he’s missed it. In selecting “12 Angry Menâ€, a play with twelve white characters, he challenges the audience to accept six black actors playing roles written for white characters.
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A Worm in Paul Rudnick's Apple
Gay Eden Remake at Desert Rose Playhouse
By: - Nov 25th, 2013It may be somewhat funny at times and the actors are working hard to breathe life into a less than stellar plot line, but Paul Rudnick's “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told†directed by the usually reliable Jim Strait, fails to engage on a couple of levels.
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