John Szablewski Reviews

Theatre Review: “Funny Girl” at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide

There is nothing that I like more than an old school musical. A large orchestra, a story with characters I care about, flashy costumes, fantastic singing, “Funny Girl” has all of it. It is a show that I went into seeing blind. I knew nothing about it. I honestly rolled my eyes while I was driving downtown to see it, but once I got there, I am so glad that I went. What a great evening, and what a fantastic production!

“Funny Girl,” which was made famous by Barbra Streisand in the 60’s when it opened on Broadway, is revived in this touring production, based on the Broadway run that closed last fall. Telling the story of vaudeville legend Fanny Brice who navigates show business with her unique set of skills, we are taken for a journey through the ups and downs of her love life, both on stage and behind the scenes. 

With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merril and a new revised book by Harvey Fierstein, you are guaranteed a big fat splashy musical experience, and this production at Shea’s does not disappoint. It reminds me of other big behind the scenes showbiz musicals, like “Gypsy” and 42nd Street.” You get your glimmer of the spotlight, and the drama of the people who work in entertainment. It’s thrilling!  

Katerina McCrimmon leads the show as Fanny, with the vocal chops of an angel, the comedic slapstick of Lucille Ball, and the stage presence of Ethel Merman. McCrimmon’s entire performance is engaging, entertaining, and heartfelt from the first downbeat, until her final bow. You’ll laugh, and you’ll laugh again. McCrimmon is a force to be reckoned with.

Stephen Mark Lukas plays heathrob Nick Arnstein in this production. He does a wonderful job at portraying the sweet talking charlatan, romantic, big spending, male lead we hope for in a show of this caliber. The chemistry between he and McCrimmon is wonderful and keeps us on the edge of our seats. 

Barbara Tirrell’s Mrs. Brice is wonderful in this production. She is a supporting character that we are extremely excited to see each time she comes to the stage. Her one liners, facial expressions, and overall demeanor is hilarious. She does not disappoint. 

The ensemble creates a slew of characters that paint the story so vividly and keep the smile on our faces throughout. This production is truly a well oiled machine.

The costume design by Susan Hilferty is magnificent, and should be billed as a character of its own. Along with David Zinn’s wonderful set design, these two elements tie into the overall zeitgeist of the vaudeville era and keep us mystified. 

Overall, this is a wonderful production. It is a bit on the long side, but that is what you get when you have a classic musical. Go get your laugh on!

Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
“Funny Girl” runs until February 18 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.

Menopause arrives at Shea’s 710 Theatre!

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide

If you’re ready for an evening of laughter, camaraderie, and a celebration of the incredible journey of womanhood, then “Menopause The Musical” is a must-see! From start to finish, this show delivers an uproarious and side-splitting good time that had the audience in stitches. Everyone has a good time, even the men! I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed some more!

The true stars of the production are the phenomenal actors on stage (Terri Dixon, Rebecca Fisher, Donna J. Huntley, and Melanie Souza), who not only masterfully portray the humorous aspects of menopause but also showcase their exceptional comedic chops. The chemistry among the cast is palpable, and their impeccable timing keeps the audience engaged and entertained throughout the entire performance. These powerhouses bring a contagious energy to the stage, effortlessly weaving together a tapestry of relatable experiences (through Jeanie Linders’ parodied lyrics) that had everyone in the theater nodding in agreement and bursting into laughter.

What makes “Menopause The Musical” stand out is its ability to turn a universal and sometimes challenging life phase into an uproarious celebration. The script cleverly mines the inherent comedy in menopause, creating a shared experience that transcends age and background. The humor is both witty and heartwarming, highlighting the resilience and strength of women during this transformative time. It is not a mockery of menopause, but an authentic true telling of the day to day life one experiences while going through the change. 

The audience response is a testament to the show’s success, as the theater echoed with the sounds of genuine, belly-aching laughter. The communal experience of sharing these comedic moments with fellow theatergoers creates a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. “Menopause The Musical” becomes more than just a show; it transforms into a collective celebration of womanhood, fostering a sense of unity and empowerment.

If you’re looking for an evening filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a celebration of women, “Menopause The Musical” is the perfect prescription for a night of theatrical delight.

Running Time: 90 Minutes – no intermission.


“Menopause: The Musical” is presented at Shea’s 710 Theatre and runs until November 19, 2023. For more information, click here.

Moulin Rouge at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide
The North American Tour of “Moulin Rouge”. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

I am probably one of the only people on the face of this Earth who has not seen the movie Moulin Rouge. It’s not that I didn’t want to see it, I just never did. I went into this production completely blind. “Will it meet my expectations?” Who knows, I have nothing to compare it to. What I love about reviewing these big splashy Broadway tours is that it is typically a mixed bag. It’s a business. My words aren’t going to shut it down, but hopefully my words give the audience, or potential audience, a glimpse into my experience. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised to a point. Beautiful costumes and sets give this show all the glitz it needs.

Moulin Rouge the musical is based on the Baz Luhrmann’s film of the same name. It tells the tale of love, beauty, truth and freedom – through the eyes of some underground Bohemians and their High Society counterparts. Sprinkle the sounds of the 90’s and early 20’s and songs from today, this jukebox musical is a toe-tapping ride down Nostalgia Avenue. The Glitz and Glamour that come from the stage, the cast, and the sets in this show is magic.  

Leading the show as Satine is Gabrielle McClinton. McClinton has a presence on stage, but doesn’t hit the mark as the “sparkling diamond” she is suppose to be portraying. A beautiful voice, and gorgeous demeanor, we get a bit more Beyonce than a cabaret star. Her performance of “Diamonds are a girls best friend” is fun.  

Christian Douglas plays the role of Christian (I wonder if he ever had trouble remembering his character’s name. . .I’m sure this joke has made an appearance about 60 times since he’s been working on this show) and paints a beautiful portrait of our leading man. His voice is wonderful and his performance of the hits of yesterday and today is brilliant. 

Robert Petkoff portrays Harold Zidler, the owner of the Moulin Rouge. His opening of the show is very entertaining, and captivates your attention right from the get-go. He sets the tone for what is to come, and keeps you wanting more.

The costumes designed by Catherine Zuber are a star all of their own. Beautiful, intricate designs, bring the Moulin Rouge to life. Derek McLane’s sets are breathtaking, and do a wonderful job of bringing us into the back alleys of Paris.

In all honesty, this show could have been a concept concert, and we would have been fine. The story – if there even is one – is very skimpy, like a lot of the outfits that the attractive ensemble wears in this production. The show is a tad bit too long, and there are virtually no stakes at all in our journey down lover’s lane. This show could have also been 90 minutes with no intermission, and I don’t think there would have been a complaint in the world.

Being in the raunchy areas in which this show takes place, you might want to leave the kids at home and have a date night on the town with you and your partner. Lots of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.

This show was a miss for me, but if you enjoy a great set of songs, beautiful sets, and costumes, you should go see this show!

Moulin Rouge runs until November 5, 2023 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.

HellllllOOOO! Mrs. Doubfire at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide
Rob McClure (Daniel Hillard as Euphegenia Doubtfire) in the Original Broadway Cast of Mrs. Doubtfire. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus   

“Help is on the way dear!” This line ran through my head when a co-worker was in need. He was choking on his dinner and I ran to give him the heimlich maneuver. Now, I was never trained in performing the heimlich maneuver, but I did learn it from Mrs. Doubtfire. Yes, if you are not aware, in the movie, Mrs. Doubtfire saves the day when her foe is choking. Leaping over patrons at a fancy restaurant, she runs to the rescue in the nick of time to make sure no one dies on her watch. Seems like a goofy way to learn about a life saving technique, but it only goes to show that I have seen the movie too many times. When I learned that Mrs. Doubtfire was going to be adapted into a Broadway musical, I was instantly intrigued.

Unfortunately COVID prevented this fantastic musical from getting the life it deserves on Broadway, and after many starts and stops, the show was closed, only to re-emerge as a National tour. Boy am I glad that we have tours because this show needs to be seen!

The National Tour kicks off at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, and boy were we delivered a treat. What a hilarious tour-de-force this show is. Mrs. Doubtfire tells the story of an unemployed childish father and husband, Daniel Hillard (Rob McClure) who wants to be the fun dad, and Miranda Hillard (Maggie Lakis) a workaholic- trying to get everything under control mother – as they navigate divorce. Their three children are placed in the center of this messy split, and there is more than enough anger to go around. When Daniel’s custody rights are revoked, he introduces the world to Mrs. Doubtfire – a lovable, by the book, elderly nanny – so that he is able to see his children and prove his worth to Miranda and to the courts. Sounds like a great musical! Who doesn’t love a good story about divorce?

Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick bring the music and lyrics to this wonderful show. Most recently they graced the Broadway stage with their hilarious hit Something Rotten! The score and lyrics to this show are fun. They have all the heart of the story we know from the Twentieth Century Fox film, but are fresh and new for a modern audience. Along with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, the tale of Mrs. Doubtfire is delivered in safe hands. The updated new material does not disappoint. Humor and gut wrenching authenticity are alive and well in this show.

Leading the cast as Daniel Hilliard is Rob McClure. In the film, Robin Williams dons the wig and bodysuit, but McClure makes this character all his own on stage. McClure doesn’t let your preconceived notions of the character get in the way of making great artistic choices. Having seen McClure on Broadway in Something Rotten! as well as on the National Tour, it is a joy to see him work on stage. He truly earns every second of laughter and applause he receives during the performance. The number of costume changes that each member of the cast had to perform was astonishing but kudos to McClure who actually bares more than his soul on stage while changing into his alter ego! It’s fantastic. A masterclass in character development and execution.

Maggie Lakis takes on the challenging role of playing Miranda, made famous by Sally Field in the film. While it is easy to dislike this character because she is making our protagonist’s life difficult, she does a great job of bringing authenticity to Miranda. We see the inner struggle that she has while trying to make sure that her children are getting everything they need. Her voice also fills the theatre and it is beautiful.

Giselle Gutierrez plays eldest daughter Lydia extremely well. Her heartfelt performance shines through this production. She plays the tortured oldest child nicely, while trying to look out for her younger siblings. There is heart and love in her portrayal – as well as a set of pipes that will knock your socks off!

Rounding out the cast is a fantastic ensemble that makes this show flow effortlessly. I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun. A well oiled machine. There is no lag time in this show! You won’t be looking at your watch. You’ll want this show to keep going! The production is tight and effortless!

Jerry Zaks directs this fantastic musical which is going to be a new classic. I predict in the next 5 years, community theaters all over America will be witnessing Run By Fruitings. Do yourself a favor and go see this show. See it twice. You deserve it!

Running time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

Mrs. Doubtfire runs until September 30, 2024 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.

My Fair Lady at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide
My Fair Lady runs until March 6 at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. Photo courtesy of the production.

One of the first shows I saw when I was younger was “My Fair Lady.” My mother had won tickets from a radio contest and gave them to my Aunt and I. It wasn’t a magical production. It wasn’t something that I remember fondly. Actually, all I remember about the show was that I went to see it. I was really excited to see a live show, and I was really excited that I had heard a few of the songs prior to going. This was probably 20 years ago. In 2022 I had the privilege to see the Lincoln Center production of Lerner and Loewe’s timeless tale of a lower class woman being taken on as a project to grow to socialite stardom. I’m glad that I didn’t remember the first production I saw, because this one is very memorable.

“My Fair Lady” is one of those classic shows that community theatres and high schools try their best to put on, but usually miss the mark when it comes to casting, set design, orchestral prowess, you name it. It’s a big Broadway musical that has a large expectation that comes along with it. Sometimes shows like this need a big professional production to come along to do the material justice. This is the case with the Lincoln Center Production. Vibrant sets, artistic costume design, and sheer talent take this material and produce a product that audiences are in awe of.  Timeless songs such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverely,” “The Rain In Spain,” and “I’ve Grown Accoustomed To Her Face,” bring life to the Shea’s stage in this rendition. This is the production that audiences dream of. 

Leading the show as Henry Higgins is Laird Mackintosh. Mackintosh effortlessly portrays the arrogant and snobby character to a tee. He does such a great job that you find it hard to even care if he succeeds in his goal of turning Eliza into a Duchess. His portrayal is comedic and entertaining. 

Shereen Ahmed’s Eliza Doolittle takes the memorable role and makes it her own. Her voice is gorgeous, especially in “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Rain In Spain.” Her cockney accent is so spot on that you honestly have no idea what some of her lines are before she gets “fixed” by Higgins. 

Crowd Favorites include Kevin Pariseau’s Colonel Pickering – hilarious delivery and stage presence, Sam Simahk’s Freddy – beautiful singing during “On The Street Where You Live,” and Gayton Scott’s Mrs. Pearce – who embodies a Maggie Smith quality in this show.

Barlett Sher’s vision for this material is beautiful. Every scene, every scene transition (for the exception of an opening night slip up with a rotating set hitting a proscenium leg) moves in tune with the music, making it exciting and visually entertaining for the audience. 

Michael Yeargan’s sets are breathtaking as are Catherine Zuber’s costumes. 

The only criticism of this production that I have is that it is so ungodly long. Yes it is a classic, yes it was written in a time when a person’s attention span was longer than 10 seconds, but couldn’t we have seen the show with one less Higgins’ monologue! Come on Bartlett, I’m sure if you wanted to cut some stuff, they would have let you! This is Broadway!

Running Time: Approximately 3 hours with a 15 minute intermission.

“My Fair Lady” runs until March 6, 2022 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.

Escape To Margaritaville at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide
Shelly Lynn Walsh as Tammy, Peter Michael Jordan as Brick, Chris Clark as Tully, Sarah Hinrichsen as Rachel in Jimmy Buffett’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE. © Matthew Murphy 

If you are a fan of the Hallmark channel formula for a love story, you will absolutely love “Jimmy Buffett’s Escape To Margaritaville.” A tropical island, lots of tequila, a vocanic eruption, four unlikely love birds, and a slew of Jimmy’s greatest hits, take to the stage in this feel good, no substance, musical that is perfect to use as a coping mechanism in 2021. Sometimes it is great to just sit back and be entertainined. Sometimes you don’t want to be an active audience member, you just want to tap your toe and smile. This show does that so well.

When Rachel (Sarah Hinrichsen) and Tammy (Emily Qualmann) decide to take a week vacation at the tropical Margaritaville hotel, they get a life changing vacation. Rachel meets island host and guitarist Tully (Chris Clark)) and after an afternoon of exploring the island, Tully discovers that for the first time, he has fallen in love. Well, usually the girls he dates stay on the island for a week and then he never sees them again. Rachel is special. Emily – who is getting married in a week – finds that she is not so keen on her fiance anymore after she meets Brick (Peter Micheal Jordan). The island allows magic to happen, until at the end of the vacation turns treacherous – when the volcano that sits on the island – has it’s own plans.

Overall this show is a feel good, goofy, silly, good time. If you are looking for hard hitting theatre, this isn’t it, but that doesn’t mean that it is not enjoyable. Chris Clark’s Tully is really fun to watch. His voice does wonderful justice to the Buffett songs and he is instantly an audience favorite. Sarah Hinrichsen’s Rachel is fun and feisty. Comic relief is produced by Qualmann’s Tammy and Jordan’s Brick. 

Greg Garcia & Mike O’Malley do a great job crafting a book for this jukebox musical. I never thought that I would hear a musical with songs by someone like Jimmy Buffett, but then again, I never thought Jim Steinman had a chance at writing for the stage, and boom there was “Bat Out Of Hell The Musical.”

Walt Spangler’s set design is a character all in it’s own. The goofyness of the story is captivated with the minimalistic set pieces. The main cabana is wonderful, and it is great seeing the band housed on stage behind the action. It has a true island vibe. 

If you want to have your heart warmed in the cold months again, get your ticket and find your escape. Just make sure that you got the volcano insurance.

Running Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

“Escape To Margaritaville” runs until November 28, 2021. For more information, click here.

‘Hello, Dolly!’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide
Carolee Carmello and the company of Hello, Dolly! PHOTOGRAPH JULIETA CERVANTES

Sometimes, the only exposure one has to a work of theatre is from a community theatre group’s best attempts at pulling it off. Big musicals usually get the short end of the stick when a group decides to pull out all the stops and present it. Not saying that the productions are poor, but just saying that subtleties and nuances are lost. It isn’t until you see a big splashy production, with a cast that fully understands the material, with direction that makes the jokes get all the laughs, that you can fully appreciate what you have witnessed. This is ‘Hello, Dolly!’ for me. After last evening’s opening night performance at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, I am now a fan!

A full size train, majestic sets, spectacular costumes, a powerful orchestra, and comedic delivery that keeps you in stitches, this production of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ is perfect. Carolee Carmello plays Dolly Levi to a tee. Yucking it up with the audience, filling the rafters with her beautiful voice, and bringing a sense of humor to the character that is always lost in many productions I have seen; seeing Ms. Carmello work is worth the price of the ticket itself.

‘Hello, Dolly!’ is the Jerry Herman musical, that tells the tale of the con-artist swindler Dolly Levi, who loves getting involved in everyone’s business, making things happen, and who is currently seeking a new husband, after her late husband passed away.

Supported by a fantastic ensemble, including John Bolton as Horance Vandergelder, Daniel Beeman as Cornelius, Sean Burns as Barnaby, and Karen Elliott as Irene Molloy, this show is strong from beginning to end.

John Bolton is fantastic as the cheapskate Vandergelder. Playing the over the top nuances and still grounding the character in reality, Bolton is loved by the audience. His act two song “Penny In My Pocket” is a great way to get you back into Dolly’s world after intermission. 

Daniel Beeman and Sean Burns are comedic powerhouses as Cornelius and Barnaby. The slapstick that they bring to the Hat Shop scene is heavily structured but so effortlessly pulled off by the duo. 

Karen Elliott also has the comedic chops to keep up with this cast and brings wonderful laughs to the Hat Shop Scene, as well as while the boys are wooing her to Harmonia Gardens for dinner.

Other highlights include the dancing waiter scene, which blows my mind and I cannot stop thinking about it, Vandergelder’s fantastic shop set, and the beautifully painting scrims that help tell this story. As an art teacher, I always appreciate a wonderfully painted backdrop!

I loved every second of this show, and you will too. The only downside is it is a little long, almost three hours, but it is so entertaining, you won’t believe how fast time flies! Get downtown and see it! You won’t regret it.

Running Time: 2 Hours 45 Minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

‘Hello, Dolly!’ runs until March 15, 2020 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide
The national touring company of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The iconic rock opera, written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, graced the stage at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre as part of the 50th anniversary National Tour. “Jesus Christ Superstar” tells the story of Jesus Christ during the last seven days of his life. It doesn’t preach, it doesn’t push beliefs on it’s audience, it is a tale of the man. 

Timothy Sheader directs a unique production. Part interpretive dance, part rock concert. It isn’t for everyone, but I found it exciting, fresh, and contemporary. Taking material from the 70’s and mounting it for audiences that may never have been exposed to the material before. It is a 90 minute experience that I believe is what Rice and Lloyd Webber set out to create when they penned this material. 

“Jesus Christ Superstar” was never supposed to be a book musical. It was a concept album, telling the story through a rock and roll score. This production does just that, and seeing it live, will definitely make you see that this isn’t an ordinary staging. It’s not supposed to be an ordinary musical. 

Where the production falls a little flat is in some of the vocal prowess. Singing against tempo, breathing in strange phrases, and lagging with the band, seems to be a theme in this show. While not totally terrible, as a musician, I cringed hearing the singers delay, wondering if they were going to catch up. They always did, in-case you were wondering. The orchestra, a full band that includes all members of the various instrument families, delivers Lloyd Webber’s score with power, force, and brilliance. There are some artistic liberties taken, especially with a random screechy tenor saxophone solo, but after thinking about it for a while, I realized that it complemented the activity happening on stage, and I found it perfect.

Costumes are modernized in this production, including tank tops, baggy sweatpants, sneakers, zip up hoodies,  and lots of tattoos. This style reminded me of the “Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE” on NBC a few years ago. I really liked it.

James Delisco Beeks plays Judas, and let me tell you, his performance must cause him great exhaustion at the end of the night. He is a rock star, and he does well singing the demanding parts. “Heaven On Their Minds” needs to be amazing because it sets us up for the rest of the story. Delisco Beeks takes a few minutes to warm up, but once he gets going, he is a powerhouse. 

Jenna Rubaii sings her heart out as Mary Magdalene, and is an audience favorite. Her performance of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” (one of my favorite songs in the show) is beautiful, and she graces the notes with ease. Sadly, Mary’s part is not huge in the show, and I would have loved to see more of her. 

Somewhere in the last 50 years, it was decided that King Herod had to be portrayed as a flamboyant drag performer. I have seen this in at least three productions out of the last five I have attended. While I don’t hate it, it surely takes away from new interpretations as this seems to be the new normal. In any case, Paul Louis Lessard gets the laughs and makes quite the spectacle as Herod in this production. A flashy gold outfit, a machete, boots, it’s very entertaining. He sings the iconic “King Herod’s Song” to a tee. An audience favorite.

Finally, Aaron LaVigne plays Jesus. I always judge a production’s Jesus by how well they sing my all time favorite song in the show “Gethsemane.” Playing his own guitar accompaniment, and laying all the cards out on the table, LaVigne makes this song his own, including the Ted Neely-esk screeches, and I loved every single stinking second of it. 

This production chooses to exclude the intermission, which is fantastic. 90 minutes. Glitter. You can’t go wrong!

“Jesus Christ Superstar” runs until February 16, 2020 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more information, click here.

Theatre Review: ‘Come From Away’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide

The National Touring Cast of “Come From Away.”

I was in 5th grade on that day that the world stopped. I remember that no one told us anything in school, but the teachers in the hallway were all talking. There was some crying. There were some screams. My friends and I sat there wondering what was happening. We were 10, so we were not the first ones to get information. Even if we did get information, we wouldn’t have understood. It wasn’t until later that night when I got home from school that I learned about the tragic events that occurred in New York and Washington. Years later, I have had the opportunity to visit memorials at the World Trade Center and at The Pentagon. I can’t even imagine witnessing those events first hand. 

. . .the best story ever told. . .

“Come From Away,” the Broadway smash hit, tells the story of a small town in Newfoundland called Gander.  In it, there is a huge dilapidated airport where planes coming from Europe would stop to refuel at. Since the jet engine was created, planes can cross the ocean on a single tank of fuel, so there really isn’t much need for the airport anymore. That is until the US Airspace is closed on September 11, and 38 planes from all over the world land there. Seven-thousand people from around the world are brought to Gander against their will, and those on the planes have no idea where they are. What happens? People open their doors to their own home to help these people who are stranded for five days. Humanity at its finest.

This is the second time I have seen this show, and it will definitely not be the last. The last time I saw it was at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto in 2018. I was blown away by this production, and since then, the show has been extended two or three more times. It’s pretty much printing money at this point. It’s not a phenomenon. It is just fantastic storytelling and I believe that this might be the best story ever told. The music, the blocking, the vocals, and the pacing keep this story rolling. There is no intermission, and at no point are you bored or itching to get out of your seat. 

The show is an ensemble piece, where the actors seamlessly portray numerous characters. Newfoundlanders, Plane People, and other characters are all present in this story. The actors are so incredibly talented, and they give this story their absolute all. To name anyone specifically would be a disservice to the entire cast because each one of them is just absolutely captivating. It is also great to see a veteran cast of all shapes and sizes. This isn’t one of these shows where the cast is young, ripped, and all similar. This cast is full of character actors who give strong and enjoyable performances. I could watch them perform all day. 

The scenic design by Beowulf Boritt is so brilliant for this show. It would appear to be a minimal set, but with a story like this, you will have no problem filling in the blanks. Your imagination will run wild.

Christopher Ashley has directed a production that will live on in the memories of all those who see it, just like the memory of 9/11 stays with all of us who were there. Irene Sankoff and David Hein have crafted a musical that takes all the wonderful aspects of humanity and shows that people are truly, inherently, good. It has also put Gander on the map. My girlfriend and I are talking about going to visit!

Do yourself a favor, go see this show. 

Running Time: 100 minutes, no intermission.

“Come From Away” runs until October 20, 2019 and is presented at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. For more info, click here. You can also see it in Toronto, running until March 1, 2020. Click here for info.

Theatre Review: ‘Mean Girls’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

/ Buffalo Theatre Guide

The cast of “Mean Girls.” Photo by Joan Marcus.

I wanted to hate this show. When I saw “Mean Girls” perform at the Tony Awards, I couldn’t even fathom how this was going to last. I didn’t understand the reason for the big Broadway sounding number in the middle of the high school cafeteria. I didn’t understand the song tone changes. I was very indifferent to the next Hollywood film being adapted for the Broadway stage. Boy was I wrong. Sure “Mean Girls” is not the best written musical, but it sure does entertain. It has the Tina Fey quality of jokes that we know and love. I didn’t stop laughing. The score was so interesting, I bought the piano sheet music. Overall, it has developed into a guilty pleasure of mine (don’t tell my girlfriend, she’ll want to go see it again!) When it stops in your town, go see it, or you might make it into the “Burn Book” for being cheap. . .

When it stops in your town, go see it, or you might make it into the “Burn Book” for being cheap. . .

“Mean Girls” is based on the 2004 film written by Tina Fey, who adapts her screenplay for the stage. It tells the story of Cady (Danielle Wade) who has lived her entire life in Africa, and who has been homeschooled. When her family relocates to Illinois, she is brought into a culture shock of public high school. Upon arrival, Cady meets Janice (Mary Kate Morrisey) and Damian (Eric Huffman) who explain the food chain of high school and set her on an adventure to infiltrate Regina George (Mariah Rose Faith) and The Plastics, the most popular girls in school. 

Danielle Wade has a voice that is so powerful that you have a hard time believing that a human being can produce that sound. I am happy to see her still going strong after her stint as Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz” which appeared at Shea’s a few seasons ago (I also was able to interview her about the show then!) She knocks this role out of the park.

Mariah Rose Faith plays the mean, nasty, love to hate and hate to love, Regina George. Wow! What a stage presence! What a “de-mean-or.” Her performance in “Rocking Around The Pole” had me laughing so hard that the lady sitting next to me looked at me in disgust three times! (she also had her cell phone out and was texting so I truly think it was a fair trade off).

Mary Kate Morrisey did an awesome job as Janice in this show. Along with Eric Huffman’s Damian, the two tell the story, get the laughs, and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Their comedic timing is perfect.

Jonalyn Saxer plays Karen, the extremely attractive, and completely airheaded Plastic to a tee. She is very entertaining, very funny, but she brings a great charm to the stage. Yes, Saxer is portraying a dimwit, but she is one of the most “real” characters in the show. Fantastic acting.

Gaelen Gilligand is hilarious as a trio of the adult female characters in this production. She lets her inner Tina Fey out, and if you close your eyes, you’d think that Ms Fey was actually on stage. 

Jeff Richmond’s score had me scratching my head at times, wondering what the score was trying to be? Was it a parody of Broadway showtunes? Was it a pop/rock musical? Was it an early Andrew Lloyd Webber style were many different genres would be used? I’m not sure, but it’s loud, it’s powerful, and it fits inside the world that his wife creates.

Scott Pask’s completely digital scenic design works so well in this show. At first I thought that the screens would take away from the theatrical experience, but they only complement them. 

Overall, I had a blast, and sure the story is called “Mean Girls” but if the story has one theme, it’s that we need to treat each other better. Except when it comes to getting tickets to this show. Push, kick, toss, slap, do whatever you need to do to get your seats! This show will sell out wherever it goes.

Running Time: 2 Hours 45-minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

“Mean Girls” launched it’s national tour in Buffalo New York, and continues to travel across North America. For more information, click here.