By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) It wasn’t that long ago when theaters were shuttered and charges were leveled at many theatrical institutions for a perceived lack of equity, diversity and inclusivity. While much work still remains to be done in that area, Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts has taken a bold […]
By ALAN SMASON Tennessee Williams’ last play on Broadway was the terribly titled Clothes for a Summer Hotel, which lasted for 14 performances before it shut down. The play bears the explanatory subtitle “A Ghost Play” and that should have given critics and audiences alike an explanation that the historic characters being portrayed – specifically […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) One of British playwright Pam Gems’ early stage successes was Dead Fish, which has since been renamed Dusa, Fish, Stas & Vi. First seen as a part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1976, Dusa, Fish, Stas & Vi was a unique feminist play dealing with real-world issues […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) Since its founding, the mission of the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company (TWTC) has been to tell the stories of New Orleans’ best known playwright in bold and expressive ways. In addition to presenting well known pieces from his repertoire, the company’s two artistic directors, Augustin J. Correro […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) One of the funniest comedies of the big screen of 1983 was “Trading Places,” Eddie Murphy’s sophomore vehicle in which he starred opposite fellow “Saturday Night Live” alum Dan Akroyd. Borrowed in part from Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper,” the premise was simple enough. One […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré has been trying to bring Janis Joplin to New Orleans for more than two years and, as any music lover can tell you, that’s more than 51 years after she died. Of course, it’s not the real Janis Joplin. It’s actually […]
By ALAN SMASON Jason Petty strides onto the stage of BB’s Stage Door Canteen wearing a classic white country and western suit. On the sleeves and lapels are black musical notes and staffs with similar markings running up and down the seams of his pants. His outfit gives little doubt he is representing the rich […]
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By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) When Robert Louis Stevenson penned his classic tale of buccaneers and buried booty, “Treasure Island,” he could not have had a clue that 141 years later he would inspire a raucous comedy by the peerless crew of The NOLA Project, the award-winning troupe of actors who have […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) It seems children’s writer Roald Dahl and his dark prose will never go out of fashion. More than 30 years after his death, the genius behind tales about an improbable flying car, a wondrous chocolate factory and a giant traveling peach continues to score success with children […]
By ALAN SMASON Most lovers of literature will consider Ira Levin for his best-selling novels “Rosemary’s Baby” “The Stepford Wives,” “A Kiss Before Dying,” and “The Boys from Brazil,” all of which were transformed into successful films. But theatre lovers will almost always think of his well-crafted stage works and paramount among them is Deathtrap, which […]