21 Feb 2022

Roommating Season: “The Odd Couple,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through February 27

By Pamela Briggs

It was thrilling to walk into the Playcrafters Barn Theatre on Saturday and see a large crowd for Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, as about four-fifths of the seats were occupied. And director Teresa Moore, along with her staff, crew, and cast, put together a smooth-running, well-paced, lively, and all-around-enjoyable production.

06 Dec 2021

Awe(stria)struck: “The Sound of Music,” at the Spotlight Theatre through December 12

By Pamela Briggs

Frankly, I was feeling a bit smug when I entered the Spotlight Theatre on Saturday night. Like many, I've seen The Sound of Music onstage, and the film several times. I know how the scripts and songs differ, and what to expect. Yet this production still astounded me: It's a grand, rich experience.

06 Dec 2021

The Complete Works of Saint Nicholas (abridged): “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some),” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through December 12

By Pamela Briggs

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) is a 2007 comedy by John K. Alvarez, Michael Carleton, and James FitzGerald, I saw it at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre on Thursday's opening night, and it stars Jonathan Grafft as Jonathan, Nathan Johnson as Nathan, and Mike Kelly as Mike. These could be the parts they were born to play.

29 Nov 2021

One Show, New Show, Fun-All-Thru Show: “Seussical,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 26

By Pamela Briggs

With this version of the Seussical script, director/choreographer Ashley Becher, musical director Shelley Walljasper, and their cast and crew have concocted an entertaining, gratifying experience.

15 Nov 2021

Game Knight: “She Kills Monsters,” at St. Ambrose University through November 21

By Pamela Briggs

I fell hard in love with playwright Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters the first time I saw it at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre in the summer of 2019. We trysted again that fall at Augustana College. I was consequently happy, on Saturday, to enjoy a new rendezvous at St. Ambrose University. Director Daniel Rairdin-Hale and the show's staff, crew, and cast have assembled a singularly beautiful, big-scale-impressive production of Nguyen's play.

08 Nov 2021

Play Boys / Bunny: “'Jacques'alope,” at the Mockingbird on Main through November 13

By Pamela Briggs

New venue: the Mockingbird on Main. New endeavor: Calvin Vo's and T.J. Green's Haus of Ruckus. New play: "Jacques"alope. But new actors? Happily, no. I don't mean that they're old – they're experienced, and delightful to watch.

11 Oct 2021

Couples Therapy: “Company,” at the Black Box Theatre through October 16

By Pamela Briggs

Having just enjoyed a summer refreshingly filled with small-cast productions, I've rarely seen more than a handful of folks gathered together onstage this year. Yet somehow, Company director, lighting and set designer, and venue co-founder David M. Miller – along with choreographer Beth Marsoun – accommodated 14 people on that compact playing area without anyone looking constricted.

04 Oct 2021

It Takes Two to Tango: “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through October 10

By Pamela Briggs

Having seen Saturday's production of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, I'd argue that director Jennifer Kingry could not have chosen a more dynamic duo to perform this work than Stephanie Naab and Adam Cerny.

04 Oct 2021

Back in Baby's Arms: “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through October 10

By Pamela Briggs

You don't need to know anything about Patsy Cline, one of the all-time queens of country music, to love A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.

27 Sep 2021

Shock and Audrey: “Little Shop of Horrors,” at the Spotlight Theatre through October 3

By Pamela Briggs

If you know this musical's title, and have seen any ad artwork, you already know that the show involves a very bad sentient plant. So I'll now reveal that it grows, as plants do. Except real big. And it's a carnivore. And it keeps wanting heftier portions of meat.

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