By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) When the notices first went out proclaiming an upcoming production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at Slidell’s Cutting Edge Theater, there might well have been some doubt as to whether the upstart company could properly carry it off. Based on the classic Oscar-winning Billy Wilder film, the […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) Watch out, Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs, there are two dudes named Antipholus who are being confused for one another in the South Beach area of Ephesus. Adding to this gnarly situation are two Dromios, each of whom resemble a certain surfer and legendary stoner named Spiccoli. […]
By AARON KRAUSE Wolf and Badger, a taut, intense drama receiving a mostly strong world premiere production at the professional Main Street Players in Miami Lakes, presents a sobering reminder of the potentially grave consequences of drug use. The riveting, realistic production runs through Aug. 29 in Main Street Players’ intimate playing space. Folks also […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) Jill Conner Browne has transformed herself into the head of a giant cottage industry of self-aware and loudly proud plus-sized and older aged women, all of whom want what she is selling. In short, it’s the ability to live out their lives without having to answer to […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) The second and final weekend of Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane’s Jesus Christ Superstar brings with it the remaining shows of the Michael McKelvey era. McKelvey, who came to Summer Lyric Theatre and Tulane a little more than five years ago, has been busy bringing lots of […]
By AARON KRAUSE All Denitra Morgan wants is for her daughter, Noelle, to remain at the high school that she feels will provide the best possible education. But to the Black, working class, single mother, her goal must seem as far-fetched as school integration before the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown vs Board of Education […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) It’s taken two years for the darkened stage of Tulane University’s Dixon Hall to be witness to the frenetic work of dozens of dedicated lovers of musical theatre, for the spotlights to find their marks and for the sounds of sweet music to fill that once empty […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) It’s been a year of firsts for Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane’s (SLT) artistic director Michael McKelvey. After a year of shutdowns and failed attempts to mount summer shows in 2020, the always inventive and superb theatrical forces he marshals (which have come together for 53 previous […]
By AARON KRAUSE Young, visionary director Giancarlo Rodaz’s winning approach in Area Stage Company’s (ASC) current unorthodox, yet triumphant production of the classic musical Annie features eight actors playing all roles. That compares to a 25-person cast in the original Broadway production. Also, the ASC production, set in an early 1930’s New York City speakeasy […]
By AARON KRAUSE While watching Drew Droege’s delightfully comic, single-character play, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, one might wonder: Is the horizontally big fellow at the piece’s center always so boisterous? Further, how much are alcohol and drugs responsible for Gerry’s tirade? And when it comes to the dress code at a gay wedding he plans […]