First Look: ‘School of Rock’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

To be Andrew Lloyd Webber these days must be very nice. Just think, in the 2017 season, he had 4 shows running on Broadway at the same time. “Cats,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” and his newest work, “School of Rock.” Three of his shows are coming to Buffalo this season! The brand … Continue reading First Look: ‘School of Rock’ at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

Theatre Review: ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by Rocking Horse Productions at Lancaster Opera House

Theater that is geared toward children isn’t always enjoyable for adults. Some of the performances, especially when the actors are playing animals, can feel too silly and over-exaggerated. Thankfully, Rocking Horse Productions’ inventive telling of “Charlotte’s Web,” directed by Leigha Eichhorn, defies that stereotype, offering an innocently fun evening at the theater for all ages. … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by Rocking Horse Productions at Lancaster Opera House

Theatre Review: ‘Betsy Carmichael’s Bingo Palace’ by O’Connell & Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre

I signed up to review "Betsy Carmichael’s Bingo Palace" on a whim, having never heard of the show and having no familiarity with Betsy’s long history in Buffalo. I’m a Buffalo transplant originally from the Rochester area, so I didn’t realize that Betsy’s act is a pillar of the Buffalo theatre scene. I don’t know … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Betsy Carmichael’s Bingo Palace’ by O’Connell & Company at Shea’s Smith Theatre

Theatre Review: ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at ACTS Alden

Back when I was in third grade, my younger sibling and I watched a recorded VHS of Donny Osmond in a movie version of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” every night for nearly a month. The songs are catchy, the mood is fun and there’s a happy ending – what’s not to love? After … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at ACTS Alden

Theatre Review: ‘That Championship Season’ at New Phoenix Theatre

Friday night, I went to the New Phoenix Theatre on the Park to see their production of Jason Miller's Pulitzer Prize winning play, “That Championship Season.” This is a drama that takes place in small town America in the 1970’s or 1980’s. Middle aged men, members of a winning basketball team when they were in … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘That Championship Season’ at New Phoenix Theatre

Theatre Review: ‘Present Laughter’ by Niagara Regional Theatre Guild at The Ellicott Creek Playhouse

If you follow along a certain creek meandering through Tonawanda, you’ll eventually happen upon the Ellicott Creek Playhouse.  It stands to reason, then, you would be following along Ellicott Creek. The whole thing gives you a new appreciation for the folks who name things like creeks and playhouses.  The straight-up wisdom and simplicity of it. … Continue reading Theatre Review: ‘Present Laughter’ by Niagara Regional Theatre Guild at The Ellicott Creek Playhouse

Theatre Review: Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ at Aurora Players

Murder mysteries. Ugh. There is just something about them that makes me groan. Maybe it’s because they are so wordy, and maybe it is because there is always that one character that knows “everything.” When I say everything, I don’t mean they know “everything” but everything pertaining to information about the mystery at hand. Lot’s … Continue reading Theatre Review: Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ at Aurora Players