05 Jul 2011

Honor Role: "Ajax," at Lincoln Park through July 10

By Thom White

Bob Hanske and Patti Flaherty in AjaxI make a conscious effort to suppress expectations prior to seeing a production, for fear they'll rise to the unattainable. With Genesius Guild's Ajax, however, I couldn't help it. I was so taken with last year's Andromache, performed in traditional period masks, that I was giddy with anticipation to see this summer's Greek-tragedy offering. And despite a few apparent stumbles over lines and one glaringly missed cue, director Don Wooten's effort did not disappoint. Saturday night's performance of Sophocles' piece captivated me with its creative execution.

05 Jul 2011

If My Friends Could See It Now: "Sweet Charity," at the Timber Lake Playhouse through July 10

By Mike Schulz

Sydney Hoyle, Sophie Brown, Daryn Harrell, Julia Mitchell, Kelsey Andres, Katie Wesler, and Erica Vlahinos in Sweet CharityThe Timber Lake Playhouse's current production of Sweet Charity features the single most electrifying, exhilarating dance number I've ever seen on a stage. I'm well aware of what a sweeping and potentially exaggerated generalization that statement is, and almost hesitate in making it, because it's the type of effusive praise that can easily make theatre-goers (to say nothing of theatre participants) roll their eyes and say, "Oh, come on." But I'll say it again: Sweet Charity features the single most electrifying, exhilarating dance number I've ever seen on a stage. And I'm betting that fellow patrons at Thursday's performance might easily feel the same way.

20 Jun 2011

Aerosoul: "Hairspray," at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through August 13

By Thom White

Tom Walljasper, Kristin Gilbert, and John Payonk in HairsprayThe Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's Hairspray lacks polish from what seems to be, in the chorus roles, a fairly green cast. Yet even though that softens the strength of the production, it doesn't seem to diminish any of the fun. I had an incredibly good time watching Saturday night's performance, and while the entire show isn't quite worth the standing ovation it received, the final song, "You Can't Stop the Beat," does deserve that special accolade intended for exceptional performances.

20 Jun 2011

Let Them Entertain You: "Gypsy," at North Scott High School through June 26

By Thom White

Christina Myatt in GypsyAs if she hadn't already proven so in the previous three hours of Friday's Countryside Community Theatre performance, Christina Myatt left no doubt that she's worthy of the larger-than-life role of Mama Rose with Gypsy's final song, "Rose's Turn."

20 Jun 2011

He's Come to Wive Her Stealthily in Padua: "The Taming of the Shrew," at Lincoln Park through June 26

By Mike Schulz

David Cabassa and Angela Rathman in The Taming of the ShrewIf, at any point, you find your mind wandering during director Jeff Coussens' Genesius Guild presentation of The Taming of the Shrew - and trust me, that won't happen often - snapping back to attention is easy: Just check out the reactions of the men watching the show from stage right. You'll have no trouble spotting them, because one of the guys is drunk off his ass, and the other's wearing a dress.

20 Jun 2011

Rock 'n' Rollin' on the River: "High Fidelity," at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through June 26

By Thom White

Nicole Ferguson and Brian Cowing in High FidelityThere is so much energy in the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre's High Fidelity that I practically had to hold myself down in my seat throughout Thursday night's performance to avoid jumping up and dancing along with the actors. Not only are the book by David Lindsay-Abaire, lyrics by Amanda Green, and music by Tom Kitt great fun, but director Patrick Stinson and his cast seem to have a rocking good time staging it.

20 Jun 2011

Up in the Air: "Flight of the Lawnchair Man," at the Timber Lake Playhouse through June 26

By Mike Schulz

Grant Drager and Sophie Brown in Flight of the Lawnchair ManPeppy, cheeky, and somewhat unsatisfying - though in ways that are rarely the fault of its current Timber Lake Playhouse presentation - Flight of the Lawnchair Man boasts a friendly spirit, a number of witty and weird diversions, and a brisk running time, clocking in (with the intermission) at a mere 105 minutes. Yet for all of its strengths, and unlike its determined hero, this musical comedy never really takes off. Director Chuck Smith's production is ingeniously designed and energetically performed, but the show itself is a little bit You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, a little bit The Wedding Singer, and a little bit Bat Boy, and about as stylistically awkward as that description implies.

13 Jun 2011

Ball-Game: "Cinderella," at the Prospect Park Auditorium through June 19

By Junior Theatre

Melissa Flowers, Sheri Brown, and James Pepper in CinderellaThere are so many delightful distractions in Quad City Music Guild's Cinderella that, during Thursday night's preview performance, I kept getting lost in the scenery. And then the costumes. And then the vocals. And then the scenery... .

13 Jun 2011

Yearly Beloveds: "Same Time, Next Year," at the District Theatre through June 25

By Thom White

Adam Michael Lewis and Cari Downing in Same Time, Next YearMy enjoyment of the Harrison Hilltop Theatre company's Same Time, Next Year was inhibited by the moral issues at the core of the play.

06 Jun 2011

Where the Buffalo-ians Roam: "Don't Talk to the Actors," at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through June 12

By Thom White

Kevin Maynard, Nicholas Waldbusser, Rosemary Ocar, Mollie A. Schmelzer, and Don Hazen in Don't Talk to the ActorsWhat strikes me most about the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's production of Don't Talk to the Actors is the tone created by director Susan Simosky. While playwright Tom Dudzick's script calls for a couple of roles to perhaps be played bigger than they are, Simosky maintains a simple feel that's more natural than feigned. Watching Thursday's performance, it seemed as if I was looking in on real-life scenes rather than designed ones. There's a gentle, unforced flow to the effort that seems effortless.

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