11 Nov 2019

Just One More Thing … : “Prescription: Murder,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through November 17

By Pamela Briggs

Prescription: Murder is the final show in the Playcrafters Barn Theatre's 90th season, which consisted of 11 productions in as many months. (After this, Barn members are taking a well-deserved rest of a month or so before staging their next presentation in February.) I saw Friday's opening-night performance, and if any of the cast, crew, and staff are exhausted from their busy year, it certainly wasn't apparent. Everything flowed.

11 Nov 2019

Holiday Cheer: “Elf: The Musical,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 29

By Pamela Briggs

I attended the Wednesday preview performance of the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's Elf: The Musical, and director Jeremy Littlejohn and musical director Travis Smith have clearly concocted a sweet, fluffy treat. The songs may be standard fare, but they're given freshness by the performers, as well as the beautiful costuming by Greg Hiatt.

28 Oct 2019

Two Legs Good, Four Legs Better: “The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?”, at the QC Theatre Workshop through November 3

By Pamela Briggs

From the moment I entered the QC Theatre Workshop for Friday's opening-night performance of The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, my head was in a different place than ever before – literally, as the stage and the seating had swapped places since my last visit. From the moment the final spotlight died, my head has been in a different place figuratively. Edward Albee's show, which debuted on Broadway in 2002 and won that year's Tony for Best Play, stirred thoughts and ideas that I'm still pondering.

21 Oct 2019

Ballet of the 'land: “Billy Elliot: The Musical,” at the Spotlight Theatre through October 27

By Rochelle Arnold

Dance, Billy, dance! And that he did during the Spotlight Theatre’s current production Billy Elliot: The Musical. Friday’s opening-night performance was magical and certainly razzle-dazzled me. Directed by one of my favorite local actors, Adam Sanders, there was never a dull moment; the evening was full of spinning chair stunts, great chassés, pirouettes, tap dancing, and lots of outstanding singing.

17 Oct 2019

Slapsticking the Landing: “Noises Off,” at Augustana College through October 20

By Pamela Briggs

I attended Tuesday's rehearsal of playwright Michael Frayn's Noises Off at Augustana College's Brunner Theatre, and I have a question: Is it possible for Augustana's students to present a lackluster production? Director Jennifer Popple, her cast, and her crew brought a very challenging script to life.

14 Oct 2019

Aural Mysteries: “The Man With Bogart’s Face,” at the Black Box Theatre through October 19

By Madeline Dudziak

It has to be said, with a show titled The Man With Bogart’s Face, that I expected it to be primarily about someone who looked a bit like legendary film and theatre actor Humphrey Bogart. And yet, the reference to the lead character’s plastic surgery to resemble Bogart was just a throwaway moment at the beginning of the Black Box Theatre’s latest production.

11 Oct 2019

To Grandmother's House He Goes: “4000 Miles,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through October 13

By Pamela Briggs

As an offering in the Playcrafters Barn Theatre's Barn Owl Series comprised of newer shows with lower ticket prices, 4000 Miles runs for only three days, so you can't put off seeing it this weekend. You also can't put off seeing it because … . Well, you just can't. With its compelling script by Amy Herzog and the talents of director Jennifer Kingry and her crew and cast, this particular production has the pedigree to be a must-see show, and it proves its lineage.

07 Oct 2019

She Drives Me Crazy: The Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” through October 13

By Madeline Dudziak

My Tuesday evening was disjointed and off-balance, and I spent a good chunk of time vacillating between being frantic, frustrated, and overcome with hysterical laughter. Which, as it turns out, is actually the perfect mindset in which to see the Richmond Hill Players' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

23 Sep 2019

Everybody Hurts: “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” at the QC Theatre Workshop through October 6

By Madeline Dudziak

Move over Romeo and Juliet – there are new star-crossed lovers in town. The QC Theatre Workshop’s latest production, Gruesome Playground Injuries, explores both pain and possibility in a tale of lifelong friendship and love.

16 Sep 2019

Leader of the Pack: “The Wolves,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre Through September 22

By Madeline Dudziak

As I parked in the Playcrafters Barn Theatre lot, I noticed a deer lingering in the tree line. The sight made me chuckle, as Bambi apparently missed the memo that the show currently playing is The Wolves. Or maybe it knew the title refers to a girl’s indoor-soccer team named after the big, bad woodland creature.

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