It takes a lot to fill Shea’s 710 Main theater, and certainly the anticipation of Broadway and Buffalo talent performing one of the most recognizable musicals in the recent canon was all it took. Anticipation filled the air as Artistic Director Drew Fornarola took the stage to introduce Starring Buffalo’s third production in Buffalo, after … Continue reading RENT by Starring Buffalo at Shea’s 710 Theatre
Nathan Miller Reviews
Songs For A New World at Shea’s Smith Theatre
The long-awaited in person performances of Songs for a New World were heralded all over Buffalo before it even opened; the success of the streaming production in June and advertising around the city gave the production an additional sense of promise. Second Generation’s production, directed by Amy Jakiel, delivers on the promise. From the opening … Continue reading Songs For A New World at Shea’s Smith Theatre
Heathers at SUNY Buffalo State
The Heathers story has existed as a cult classic since the movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater was released in 1988. The Off-Broadway musical, written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy in 2014, restored interest in the dark comedy. It’s not often we can laugh at bullying and murder, but that’s what this script … Continue reading Heathers at SUNY Buffalo State
‘Next to Normal’ at Blackfriars Theatre
Next to Normal was the musical that changed modern perception of theater. The harrowing story of a mother plagued by mental illness and its effect on her family garnered Tony wins for Original Score, Orchestrations, and Lead Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley, the original Diana. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, and … Continue reading ‘Next to Normal’ at Blackfriars Theatre
‘Cookin’ at the Cookery’ at Musicalfare
Ember Tate and Zoe Scruggs in 'Cookin at the Cookery.' Photo by Bethany Burrows. The more I see musical revues, the more I really enjoy the style. Cookin' at the Cookery, playing at MusicalFare through March 8th, is no exception.I wasn't really familiar with Alberta Hunter going into the show, and shame on me for … Continue reading ‘Cookin’ at the Cookery’ at Musicalfare
Theatre Review: ‘Freaky Friday’ at Niagara University
Freaky Friday is one of those story people don't realize they know. For my generation, the movie starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis brought the story to life. For this generation, we have the Kitt, Yorkey, and Carpenter tuner that starred Emma Hunton and Heidi Blickenstaff which became a Disney Channel Original Movie. I … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Freaky Friday’ at Niagara University
Theatre Review: ‘Forget Me Not’ at Andrew’s Theatre
If you groan when you hear the phrase “memory play,” you were probably forced to read The Glass Menagerie in school and are biased against them on principle. Even if this is you, Forget Me Not, playing at the Andrews Theatre July 25th and 26th as part of the Buffalo Infringement Festival, might change your … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Forget Me Not’ at Andrew’s Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘First Date’ at MusicalFare Theatre
I’ll jump right into it: the world of the modern musical is CRAZY. It’s not easy to compete with “Hamilton,” or “Dear Evan Hansen,” or even “Hadestown.” When “First Date” appeared on the scene in 2013, it had to fight with new shows like “Beautiful” and “Bridges of Madison County” as well as shows that … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘First Date’ at MusicalFare Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘Fun Home’ by MusicalFare Theatre at Shea’s 710 Theatre
If you want to quickly check this review to see if you should see “Fun Home” presented by Musicalfare Theatre at Shea’s 710 Theatre, the answer is not only should you…you MUST. . . .[a] must-see production. . . Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron adapted Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical graphic novel to create “Fun Home.” The … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Fun Home’ by MusicalFare Theatre at Shea’s 710 Theatre
Theatre Review: ‘The Threepenny Opera’ at the Center For The Arts
There’s a fascination with Bertolt Brecht, especially in times of political…shall we say…absurdity. His theater of alienation is rooted in lack of formula; he desired to pull the audience into the story and then yank them out of it. It’s almost like Brecht’s work aimed to point out the absurdity of theater. Pair that with … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘The Threepenny Opera’ at the Center For The Arts
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