Along with “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Wicked,” and “The Lion King,” Les Miserables is just one of those shows that won’t stop touring. It’s rare to come across someone who hasn’t seen the show or its criticized cinematic counterpart which begs the question, “why bother?” “Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time seeing Les … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Les Miserables’ at Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Mary Best Reviews
Theatre Review: ‘Guys and Dolls’ at UB Center for the Arts
UB’s Department of Theatre and Dance has put on some real showstoppers during the past few seasons and kept that tradition going with their most recent production of “Guys and Dolls,” guest directed by Keith Andrews. “A stellar production of a classic musical” “Guys and Dolls” follows the overlapping stories of high-roller Sky Masterson, who … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Guys and Dolls’ at UB Center for the Arts
Theatre Review: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ with Second Generation Theatre Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre
Second Generation Theatre Company kicked off its second season in residence at Shea’s Smith Theatre with a brilliant production of “The Toxic Avenger.” “Hilarious and outrageously good…” Based on the 1984 cult classic film, “The Toxic Avenger” follows the town underdog as he seeks to stop global warming and rid New Jersey of toxic waste. … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Toxic Avenger’ with Second Generation Theatre Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at Lancaster Opera House
Lancaster Opera House debuted its first musical of its first season completely in residence last weekend with cult classic “The Rocky Horror Show.” Richard O’Brien’s creepy, hilarious and sometimes insane show is well performed by a talent-ridden cast, featuring plenty of fresh faces. A celebration of a cult classic… We open with, what else, “Science … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at Lancaster Opera House
Theatre Review: ‘The Crucible’ at The Stratford Festival
Many of us can recall reading Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” in high school, spending a few weeks reading lines out loud and talking about its themes for the purpose of education. While reading as a young person was a memorable experience, there is something terrifying about being swept into a live version of this pertinent … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Crucible’ at The Stratford Festival
Theatre Review: ‘West Side Story’ at MusicalFare Theatre
“West Side Story” is about as timeless as a musical can get. A romantic score with classic songs, dreamy ballet sequences and a story about star-crossed lovers and their warring families. When you start stripping away some of the more traditional theatrical elements of the musical, like a bare-bones set and smaller orchestra, it forces … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘West Side Story’ at MusicalFare Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘The Ladykillers’ at The Shaw Festival
There are few things more satisfying that a well done comedy. To genuinely laugh out loud (instead of the LOL we type with a straight face) is a great feeling, and the Shaw Festival’s production of Graham Linehan’s “The Ladykillers” is chock full of chortle-inducing moments. . . .the incredible cast never missed a beat. … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Ladykillers’ at The Shaw Festival
Theatre Review: ‘Billy Elliot: The Musical’ at The Stratford Festival
I only knew three things about “Billy Elliot: The Musical” when I sat in my cushy Festival Theatre seat one Saturday afternoon. One, that a very talented young actor was about to do a lot of impressive ballet; two, that Elton John wrote the music and; three, that it featured a super catchy song called … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Billy Elliot: The Musical’ at The Stratford Festival
Theatre Review: ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ at Niagara Regional Theatre Guild
Winter in March is one of the worst parts about living in Buffalo. One of our few solaces is escaping to somewhere else, especially through a theatrical production. While Niagara Regional Theatre Guild’s “Moon Over Buffalo” doesn’t take you to a place far from home, it’s filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to make you … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ at Niagara Regional Theatre Guild
Theatre Review: ‘Cats’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
"Cats” is a musical like no other. After it opened in 1982, it was the longest-running Broadway show in history from 1997 to 2006, entertaining generations of theatergoers with a synthesized 1980s score and yards of spandex and fur. When it returned to Broadway nearly a decade after it closed in 2016 with updated choreography … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Cats’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
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