04 Dec 2023

Presents Past and Future: “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” at the Spotlight Theatre through December 10

By Roger Pavey Jr.

“Bah, humbug!” is the opposite reaction I had after attending Saturday's performance of the Spotlight Theatre’s A Christmas Carol: The Musical, which is arguably the cleanest, best-sounding, most visually pleasing presentation I've yet seen at the venue. Director Adam Sanders and his team of designers put together a sleek, refreshing production that makes me excited for future shows that can explore theatre-making in this space in similarly different ways.

21 Aug 2023

When You're Here, Your Famiglia: “Over the River & Through the Woods,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through August 27

By Roger Pavey Jr.

Author Joe DiPietro's Over The River & Through the Woods is the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's newest offering, an easy-to-watch comedy full of heart and Italian charm.

07 Aug 2023

They're Just Weird About Harry: “Puffs,” at the Spotlight Theatre through August 13

By Roger Pavey Jr.

Full disclosure: Although decently familiar with the franchise, I am not a hardcore Harry Potter fan, so a good handful of the jokes and spoofy bits in the Spotlight Theatre’s Puffs likely went over my head – but I still had fun and laughed a lot. So if you’re a Potter-head, I'm sure you'lll have a magically good time.

27 Jul 2023

Ocean Breezy: “The SpongeBob Musical,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through July 30

By Roger Pavey Jr.

Based on the popular early-2000s Nickelodeon animated TV show, The SpongeBob Musical follows the title character, a sea sponge, as he, alongside his friends, stops a volcano from erupting and wiping out their town of Bikini Bottom. Helmed by Lara Tenckhoff, there is so much that's contemporary in the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s production.

11 Jul 2023

Hankie Panky: Genesius Guild's “Othello,” at Lincoln Park through July 16

By Roger Pavey Jr.

Othello is one of the great Shakespearean tragedies – but Genesius Guild’s take on Shakespeare's material was much more than tragic.

05 Jul 2023

Mountain Climbing: “The Sound of Music,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through July 9

By Roger Pavey Jr.

This Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is another one of those shows that I appreciate, but am not necessarily a huge fan of. However, after attending the Saturday matinėe of the Timber Lake Playhouse’s production, the musical grew on me. It was a touching, endearing, and eventually somber theatre experience.

20 Jun 2023

Bubbly Brooks: “Young Frankenstein,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through June 25

By Roger Pavey Jr.

As the second professional production of the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s summer season, Young Frankenstein delivered a show of monstrously impressive proportions.

12 Jun 2023

Just Another Manic Monday: “Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through June 24

By Roger Pavey Jr.

Who doesn’t hate Mondays? Garfield the cat sure does, but there’s nothing to hate about the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's latest children’s-theatre offering Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude.

06 Jun 2023

Writer Blocked: “Misery,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through June 11

By Roger Pavey Jr.

Led by director Dana Skiles, Saturday's performance was polished, entertaining, and high-quality. The intensity of the scenes, practical and special effects, stage combat, and dark humor are all things that probably proved a challenge, but Richmond Hill’s presentation rose to the occasion and delivered these elements without misery. In fact, the experience overall was quite the opposite of miserable.

25 Apr 2023

And Make It a Double: “Drinking Habits 2: Caught in the Act,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through April 30

By Roger Pavey Jr.

The Richmond Hill Players’ latest offering, the Tom Smith farce Drinking Habits 2: Caught in the Act, is a sequel to Drinking Habits, which was a part of the company’s season last year. I didn't attend the first one, but was still able to easily follow the plot and characters. Not only that, but Richmond Hill’s Sunday performance, helmed by director Mike Skiles, was lighthearted, fun, and an easy-to-watch piece of theatre.

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