Often it’s the true stories that make the most compelling shows on Broadway. Shows like “Evita,” “Hamilton,” “1776,” (coincidentally one word titles) add music to the drama of real life. “Parade” currently staged by the American Repertory Theater of WNY, is the 1913-15 story of a man wrongfully accused of killing a young girl who … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Parade’ at American Repertory Theatre of Western New York
Cherie Messore Reviews
Theatre Review: ‘Present Laughter’ at Aurora Players
It’s a show with plenty of laughs, a romp of a plot, with a couple of little twists thrown in for the surprise factor. It’s a light and frothy show by design, but as our leading man Garry says in the first act, “There’s something awfully sad about happiness, isn’t there?” . . .a fine … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Present Laughter’ at Aurora Players
Theatre Review: ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ by MusicalFare Theatre at Shea’s 710 Theatre
Some nights are worth re-living again and again. Like December 4, 1956, the night four on-their-way-to-being-musical legends came together to make some music in the Sun Music recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Yes, you’re a witness to history, because this is the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins jammed at … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ by MusicalFare Theatre at Shea’s 710 Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘1984’ at Kavinoky Theatre
19 days. That’s how long the creative team at Kavinoky Theatre had to select and stage “1984” as the replacement for “To Kill a Mockingbird” when it was forced pulled the show from the season schedule. . . .a powerful onstage drama. . . Kavinoky’s Executive Artistic Director Loraine O’Donnell couldn’t quell the tremor in … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘1984’ at Kavinoky Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘Between Riverside and Crazy’ at Road Less Traveled Theatre
Not all stage families are like the Von Trapps. Or the Pazinskis. Meet Walter Washington, affectionately called Dad by his son Junior, his son’s girlfriend, Lulu, and Junior’s friend Oswaldo. They all share Walter’s rent-controlled apartment on Riverside Drive and they comprise the complicated, flawed, funny, frightening family in playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis’ “Between Riverside … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Between Riverside and Crazy’ at Road Less Traveled Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’ at Springville Center of the Arts.
Here’s what I love about local theatre here in WNY: there is plenty of it, there’s something for everyone, it’s across the region, in all communities, and at every price point. While some of my reviewer brethren may give a haughty air sniff at the thought, community theatre plays an important role for both actors … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’ at Springville Center of the Arts.
Theatre Review: ‘Almost Maine’ by Road Less Traveled Productions at Shea’s 710 Theatre
A lot can happen in one night. You could fall in love. Or realize it’s not love anymore. You could connect with a former flame. Or find out that our best friend really has your heart in a surprising way. Your broken heart could get mended. You might see love in a surprising new way. … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Almost Maine’ by Road Less Traveled Productions at Shea’s 710 Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘The Kathy & Mo Show: Parallel Lives The Dark Side’ by O’Connell & Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre
Sketch comedy was a mainstay of variety shows from the Golden Age of Television. Shows like The Garry Moore Show and The Carol Burnett Show were famous for these brief comic vignettes. “The Kathy & Mo Show Parallel Lives The Dark Side,” winningly produced by O’Connell & Company on the Shea’s Smith Theatre Stage, is … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Kathy & Mo Show: Parallel Lives The Dark Side’ by O’Connell & Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘The Illusion’ at Road Less Traveled Theatre
One of the things I like best about Road Less Traveled Theatre’s productions is that you are immediately immersed in the show, or at least in its ambience. Think of last season’s “Glengarry Glen Ross,” when Anthony Alcocer as the ‘motivational trainer’ began the show before the obligatory “please turn off your cell phone” announcements … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Illusion’ at Road Less Traveled Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘Sense & Sensibility’ at Irish Classical Theatre
Gossipy, back-biting, smugly superior…yup, sounds like life in the British countryside, late 18th century style. This was the proverbial fodder for Jane Austen’s mill. Kind hearted sisters stripped of their place in society, weak-willed men who don’t deserve them, and lots of smart, witty repartee make Austen’s novels a divine read and a delight on … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Sense & Sensibility’ at Irish Classical Theatre
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