I am among one of thousands—probably millions—of theatrephiles for whom “Angels in America” (written by Tony Kushner) is an incredibly important and beloved modern play. I came to it much later than most; I first watched the HBO miniseries circa 2014(ish) on a whim, over 10 years after its release, 23 years after Angels’ theatrical … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches’ by Second Generation Theatre Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre
Colin Fleming-Stumpf Reviews
Theatre Review: ‘Love Letters’ at O’Connell & Company
Not every show needs big sets, flashy costumes, and dazzling kick-lines to tell an impactful story. Some certainly do need those embellishments (can you imagine a minimalist Les Miserables?), but other shows thrive when stripped-down, leaning on the merits of the story and the storytellers. O’Connell & Company’s current production of “Love Letters” is just … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Love Letters’ at O’Connell & Company
Theatre Review: ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Aurora Players
“It’s a Wonderful Life” has been an essential ingredient of the holiday season since the film first premiered in 1946, almost as indispensable as eggnog and ugly sweaters. Some families enjoy the holiday tradition of watching IAWL (the movie) on Christmas Eve, while others catch a production of the timeless classic on stage (by my … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Aurora Players
Theatre Review: ‘Making God Laugh’ at Theatre In The Mist
As Woody Allen once said "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." This famous quote is the basis of “Making God Laugh,” a 2014 play written by Sean Grennan and currently being performed by Lewiston-based company Theatre in the Mist. It’s the perfect holiday fare if you’ve grown tired of “Annie” … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Making God Laugh’ at Theatre In The Mist
Theatre Review: ‘Fool For Love’ at American Repertory Theatre of Western New York
The American Repertory Theatre of Western New York (ART of WNY), one of the region’s many small non-profit theatre companies, is embarking on a new frontier after recently signing a 10 year lease at the 545 Elmwood Avenue Theatreloft. After eight nomadic seasons of roaming from theatre space to theatre space, ART is finally settling … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Fool For Love’ at American Repertory Theatre of Western New York
Theatre Review: ‘She Loves Me’ at Aurora Players
Aurora Players closes their 2018 season with one of the few pieces from the Broadway canon that passed through four layers of source material to come to fruition. “She Loves Me” is a 1963 musical based on the 1949 musical/film “In the Good Old Summertime,” which is based on the 1940 Jimmy Stewart film “The … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘She Loves Me’ at Aurora Players
Theatre Review: “Philosophus” at Alleyway Theatre
The enlightenment and spiritual awakening of mankind is largely due to the cultural impact of drama and theatre. Theatre is an art form that can transport the audience to new and exciting places, examine the inner workings of the psyche, grapple with the complexities of human existence, and delve into intricate, unexplored emotional terrain. “Philosophus,” … Continue reading Theatre Review: “Philosophus” at Alleyway Theatre
Theatre Reviews: ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ and ‘The Comedy of Errors’ at The Stratford Festival
I had the pleasure of traveling into the heart of Ontario, Canada on Saturday to attend the Stratford Festival for a day. Stratford, named after Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, hosts the Stratford Festival from April to November each year, which is one of the most celebrated and top-caliber theatre festivals in North America. … Continue reading Theatre Reviews: ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ and ‘The Comedy of Errors’ at The Stratford Festival
Theatre Review: ‘Grand Hotel’ at The Shaw Festival
It’s Berlin in 1928, where the Grand Hotel embodies all that is luxury, glamour, style, and class. Guests come and go, offering only a glimpse into their complex and often chaotic lives. While they’re just glimpses, they illustrate the fact that we’re all complicated beings, colliding with each other in unforeseen and unimagined ways. This … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Grand Hotel’ at The Shaw Festival
Theatre Review: ‘Children of Eden’ at Niagara Regional Theatre Guild
“Children of Eden” is one of those rare shows that, despite being a massive commercial flop at the time of its inception, is still performed frequently today (curiously “Jesus Christ Superstar,” another show with heavy religious themes, also fits this description). Its Biblical content, family-friendliness, and need for a large cast of both children and … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Children of Eden’ at Niagara Regional Theatre Guild
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