Bullets Over Broadway — National Tour — Academy of Music
Much in the touring production of Woody Allen’s “Bullets Over Broadway” is directly from the musical’s unwarrantedly short 2014 Broadway run. Susan Stroman’s gravity-defying dances, re-created for the road by … Continue reading
La Traviata — Opera Philadelphia at the Academy of Music
Lisette Oropesa in the Opera Philadelphia production of “La Traviata” is nothing less than an operatic ideal. As lithe as she is beautiful, Oropesa sails across the Academy of Music … Continue reading
Don Carlo — Opera Philadelphia at Academy of Music
The artistry of one Giuseppe Verdi hardly needs more extoling, but under the baton of maestro Corrado Rovaris, the Opera Philadelphia orchestra reveals Verdi’s score for his 1867 opera, “Don … Continue reading
Dirty Dancing — National Tour — Academy of Music
The touring stage rendition of the popular 1987 movie, “Dirty Dancing,” makes a common but fatal mistake. It takes its audience entirely for granted. “Dirty Dancing,” as a movie, seems … Continue reading
Oscar — Opera Philadelphia at Academy of Music
The life of Oscar Wilde spiraled quickly from the giddy heights of fame, flare, and frivolity to the degradation of confinement, disease, and penury. British law, which in 1897 forbade homosexual practice and … Continue reading
Motown: The Musical — National Tour — Academy of Music
A familiar beat is struck recalling sounds that were favorites from my transistor-listening, records-in-the-basement youth. You hear a slight strain of the Martha and The Vandellas hit, “Dancing in the Street,” … Continue reading
Cinderella — National Tour — Academy of Music
A waltz makes the difference in the touring production of “Cinderella.” All goes along ably but without much excitement until, dressed in simple white and looking demure among other women … Continue reading
Evita — National Tour — Academy of Music
Michael Grandage’s production of “Evita,” touring the United States after runs in London and New York, is a pageant-like affair that successfully meets the challenge of staging a work that … Continue reading
Rain — National Tour — Academy of Music
“Rain” is an honest show. The Beatles tribute that arrives perennially with the regularity of precipitation is a straightforward concert featuring the music of John Lennon and Paul McCartney and … Continue reading
The Wizard of Oz — National Tour — Academy of Music
The production of “The Wizard of Oz” currently crossing the U.S. looks less like a touring company than like a tourist trap. You might expect to find this kind of … Continue reading
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