Registered Critic: Leo Buck
All My Sons (CA)
Exploring the age-old capitalistic conundrum of placing “profit over people”, plays and performances like these don’t come any more captivating than those now offered at “The Westchester Playhouse’! To borrow from one of the lines in the show, “you’ll love this a great deal!”
Gypsy
To see this particular show at this landmark theater, (which itself is said to have been a real burlesque theater ‘back in the day’) gives the production an added resonance and vivacity. To paraphrase a line from one of the score’s most famous inclusions: “Let them entertain you—let them make you smile; by the time they’re through entertaining you, you’ll have a real good time” –this absolutely is the production to do it with!
Gypsy
To see this particular show at this landmark theater, (which itself is said to have been a real burlesque theater ‘back in the day’) gives the production an added resonance and vivacity. To paraphrase a line from one of the score’s most famous inclusions: “Let them entertain you—let them make you smile; by the time they’re through entertaining you, you’ll have a real good time” –this absolutely is the production to do it with!
URINETOWN: The Musical
A musical farce that practically redefines the terms ‘Hilarious’ and ‘Outrageous’, with this, their latest, the bunch over at “The Long Beach Playhouse” have seen to it that their audiences will be ‘privy’ to the best comedy in town (–and it’s a promise they ‘commodiously’ deliver on!)
Avenue Q
Although emphatically for more ‘sophisticated’ theater-lovers who can appreciate outlandish no-holds-barred comedy, “OMP’s” “Avenue Q” will restore your faith in real Honest-To-God humor and its vital and abiding place in the theater—especially today.
Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
A bona-fide laugh-fest, this new rendering puts the comedy and absurdity first and foremost, so anyone who thinks they know what’s in store should take heed: Prepare for an utterly new theatrical experience that vastly surpasses its predecessors; What you’ll get is one guilty pleasure you’d ‘frankly’ be mad NOT to indulge in!
Xanadu
With so much charm and humor what more could you ask for? Beane’s script is overflowing with shrewd little ‘inside’ jokes and asides, so if you have seen the original celluloid rendering and are judging this musical by that–forget it! This stage reworking is an entirely different (and wholly superior) entity: This is everything that is fun and exciting about live musical theater!
Green Day’s American Idiot – EXTENDED by popular demand through August 21st!
Inasmuch as this winner of two “Tony Awards” isn’t exactly what you’d call your typical “Feel Good” musical, (many of its elements and the veracities they express can, at times, be downright disquieting,) it would be too great an injustice to such surprisingly pithy material to casually write-off “American Idiot’ as merely a ‘punk-rock’ or ‘new wave’ musical. It is always riveting to watch (and listen to) –the very essence of a rare and remarkable theatrical experience!
In The Heights
Overflowing with contemporary music and contemporary dance-club cavorting, all performed by an enthusiastic company of triple-threat performing artists, “La Mirada’s” “In The Heights” isn’t simply a ‘show’ or a ‘musical’, it’s a fiesta celebration!
Disney’s Newsies
Theater is at its finest when it’s also a celebration of some kind—whether it be life, romance, joy–or even of just theater itself; such is the case with all of these to be abundantly found in this new staging of Disney’s “Newsies”. Count this one ‘Headline And Shoulders’ Above The Rest!
The Sound Of Music
Rodgers and Hammerstein have assembled one of their most celebrated scores, deftly causing this, their final collaboration, to be one of those rare shows where its one recognizable–even time-honored–hit song, one right after the other. Isn’t it time to be enchanted at the theater once again? If you answer in the affirmative, ‘your hearts will be blessed’ with this show!
THE PATH TO CATHERINE – A New Musical
Like a big, buoyant ‘World History’ lesson set to music, this ranks as “Must See” viewing for students and History enthusiasts of all ages!! (Think of it as one of those rare theatrical treasures you may have had to hunt for, but once found, you know you’re far richer for discovering this musical gold mine!)
Into the Woods
Director Lorton’s version of this newest season opener breathes new life and vibrancy into the fairy tales (and a musical) you thought you knew. It’s more than just ‘wishful thinking’ to say that this new production at “The Gem” is like a wish come true!
The Holiday GEM
“One More Production’s” goal was to create, on the live, in-person stage, the kind of big, buoyant Christmas special, which back in the 1960’s and 70’s, peppered the network airwaves every December. With this consideration, “The Holiday GEM” doesn’t simply succeed, it excels masterfully. It’s like one great recital of your holiday favorites one on top of the other!
Mamma Mia
Dawson and Solimando have seen to it that the harmonic happenings are given a brighter, fresher, and newer “look” with even higher spirits and a multitude of feel-good sensations that are sure to have you dancing in the aisles! In fact, it is no exaggeration to assert that this may very well be the most amazing rendering of this proven musical gem you’re likely to see!
CLUE
Rightly hailed as the “ultimate whodunit that will leave you ‘dying’ of laughter”, the story is at its most humorous when it references—or even mocks–its source material; Infused with plenty of quick-witted word play, Sandy Rustin’s script also provides surprises aplenty around every corner (–and does this place ever have an abundance of them!) “A One-Act E-Ticket ride!”
Yellowman
Questions that linger long beyond the house lights coming up prove the power the story and characters have had on us…such is the strength of Ms. Orlandersmith’s storytelling, and Ms. Hill and Mr. Alexander’s abilities to make all of them real. Ms. Foster’s direction favors a vivid insight and emphasis on innovative staging, making for genuinely potent and enthralling theater.
A Chorus Line
Both the direction and choreography combine to furnish this production with plenty of pleasant surprises where you least expect them. In fact, Director Lorton has accomplished the enviable feat of striking the delicate balance twixt staying true to the source material–and its original spirit, while mixing things up just enough to keep the show fresh and fairly undated. ‘Front Orchestra and Balcony—what they’ve got, you’ll want to see!’
Edges
Pasek and Paul’s lyrics exude pithy sentiments and fathom-deep emotional truths, and through them many basic (and often hard) realities are outlined and articulated. These are songs that are meant to be acted as much as sung. In fact, to casually write this one off as just another bunch of dissatisfied “Millennial’ lamentations is to totally disregard the universality of the potent truths explored here.