In The Spotlight, Inc.

The Lady With All the Answers

2010-01-30T22:49:00.003-05:00

Hartford TheaterWorks, Hartford, CTwww.theaterworkshartford.orgthrough March 7, 2010by Jarice Hanson Biographical plays are always a challenge to mount when members of the audience have an image of the subject in their minds. David Rambo's The Lady With All the Answers portrays the life of Eppie Lederer, known as Ann Landers, on July 1, 1975 -- the eve of writing a deeply

The Lion King

2010-01-30T22:45:00.002-05:00

The Bushnell, Hartford, CTwww.bushnell.orgthrough February 14, 2010by Shera Cohen While many theatre-lovers have taken sides on the Disneyfication of today's musical theatre - its effects on the medium, audiences, and future audiences - this review takes "The Lion King" strictly at face value. The fact that its Broadway opening earned just about every theatre award given is

Men Fake Foreplay

2010-01-27T16:21:00.004-05:00

Men Fake ForeplayCity Stage, Springfield, MAwww.symphonyhall.comthrough January 31, 2010by R.E. Smith "Men Fake Foreplay" is neither as simple nor as crude as the title might suggest. In fact, this witty, funny and insightful show is actually quite complex. Emmy award winning comedian Mike Dugan is an affable and candid performer who has set out to win our trust with humor

Rachmaninoff & Brahms

2010-01-25T17:20:00.006-05:00

Springfield Symphony Orchestrawww.springfieldsymphony.orgSymphony Hall, Springfieldby Debra Tinkham The house was full, the orchestra was charged and Maestro Keven Rhodes made his usual exuberant entrance for an action packed evening. Gaetano Donizetti's Robert Devereau Overture, premiered in the mid-19th century, displayed deliberate patriotic percussion and theme. Being a

Almost, Maine

2010-01-11T09:28:00.003-05:00

Majestic Theater, West Springfield, MAwww.majestictheater.comthrough February 14, 2010by Shera Cohen"Almost, Maine" is charming, delightful, funny, and sweet. "Almost, Maine" is also poignant, sad, powerful, and harsh. This is a non-existent town located in northern Maine where, on a Friday night, one can see the beauty of the aurora borealis lights, taste moose paddies, and fall in or out of

In the Heights

2010-01-06T16:45:00.005-05:00

The Bushnell, Hartfordwww.bushnell.orgthrough January 10, 2010by Shera Cohen While the title of "In the Heights" refers to New York's Washington Heights neighborhood, this is a musical that's high on life, dreams, challenges, and changes. The story may be universal for all eras, yet this is very much a contemporary show evidenced particularly by the multi-racial cast, songs

Christmas with the Rat Pack�Live at the Sands

2009-12-17T08:21:00.003-05:00

The Bushnell, Hartford, CTwww.bushnell.orgthrough December 20, 2009by R.E. Smith �Christmas with the Rat Pack� reinforces the notion that �they just don�t make �em like that anymore�. The personalities, the songs, even the tuxes all serve to transport the audience to a different time and place. The time is the �60s, the place is Las Vegas, and the performers are Frank

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5, et al

2009-12-04T18:08:00.002-05:00

Hartford Symphony OrchestraThe Bushnell, Hartford, CTwww.hartfordsymphony.orgby Terry Larsen When the leader of an ensemble is in complete control it might be said that he had them eating out of his hand. Regarding the Hartford Symphony's concert, it is more fitting to say that the orchestra and guest conductor Andrew Grams were feeding off each other. Each of Grams'

�Mamma Mia!�

2009-12-02T22:38:00.005-05:00

The Bushnell, Hartford, CTwww.bushnell.orgthrough December 6, 2009by Shera CohenWhat can a reviewer write about �Mamma Mia!� the fifth time around? First, this musical is obviously worth seeing over and over again. Second, it�s two hours of sheer joy as nearly everyone in the audience has a constant smile. The smile doesn�t come off for the next two days � just about the same time the humming of

Barber & Tchaikovsky

2009-11-23T09:04:00.005-05:00

Springfield Symphony OrchestraSymphony Hall, SpringfieldSpringfieldSymphony.orgby Debra Tinkham Kick off your shoes, put your feet up and relax for a quick review of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's 66th season gala performance with Maestro Kevin Rhodes, now in his 9th season, and guest Janet Sung, performing Samuel Barber's violin Concerto Op 14, on a c. 1600 Maggini

Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats

2009-11-15T13:31:00.003-05:00

Mahaiwe Arts Center, Great Barrington, MAwww.mahaiwe.orgby Amy Meek The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats thrilled and delighted the large audience of the beautiful Mahaiwe Arts Center with a show that successfully combined amazing acrobatic feats with both colorful spectacle and humor. The troupe, which was comprised of young performers who displayed immense skill and agility,

Schumann & Brahms

2009-11-14T22:38:00.007-05:00

Hartford Symphony & Hartford ChoraleThe Bushnell, Hartford, CTwww.hartfordsymphony.orgby Terry Larsen So many love choirs, orchestras, and the great musical works that feed them, with the monumental �Ein Deutches� Requiem being one of the most cherished. The instruments and vocals all meet with the other necessary element of the ritual sharing of sonorous beauty -- the

Til Death Do Us Part/Late Night Catechism 3

2009-11-12T22:22:00.015-05:00

CityStage, Springfield, MAwww.symphonyhall.comthrough November 15, 2009by K.J. RogowskiCityStage's "Late Night Catechism 3" confirms what most audience members already know: nuns are really funny people. This one woman show featuring Kimberly Richards as everyone's archetypal nun, has the theatregoers participating and laughing out loud from the moment she steps on to the stage and brings the

Mistakes Were Made

2009-11-10T09:21:00.006-05:00

Hartford Stage, Hartfordwww.hartfordstage.orgthrough November 22, 2009by Shera Cohen Hartford Stage has a deserved excellent and long-running reputation of presenting quality productions - in all areas including costumes, special effects, sets, acting, and direction. First and foremost, however, is play selection. Certainly, no one anticipates that every audience member will

Piecemeal - The Frankenstein Musical

2009-11-01T22:16:00.003-05:00

Majestic Theater, West Spingfield, MAwww.majestictheater.comthrough December 6, 2009by Shera Cohen "Piecemeal" has taken a known entity - the story of Frankenstein - and created a humorous, loveable, musical prequel. The Majestic presents local playwright Howard Odentz's version of how Dr. F., Igor, the Monster, et al came to be. Not only did Odentz write the play, he

Dan Zanes and Friends

2009-10-26T08:36:00.004-04:00

Fine Arts Center, Amherst, MAwww.umass.edu/fac/by Eric Sutter Dan Zanes and Friends brought their rollicking rollercoaster of musical fun into the Fine Arts Center for the entertainment of area families. Zanes is a multi-instrumentalist who fronted the 80's rock band the Del Fuegos. The new century has brought him into the children's music market where he has found success

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

2009-10-23T01:23:00.002-04:00

Goodspeed, East Haddam, CTwww.goodspeed.orgthrough November 29, 2009by Shera CohenThe introductory song of "Forum" says it all. "Comedy Tonight" is exactly what takes place on the Goodspeed stage. The plot is silly, the women are sexy, and the characters are stupid - all with a capital "S." One of Stephen Sondheim's early works, it is also one of the more accessible. Perhaps better known for

Interview with Estelle Parsons

2009-10-22T08:27:00.011-04:00

Massachusetts native and Academy Award winning actress Estelle Parsons stars in the Bushnell�s production of �August: Osage County,� November 17 � 22, 2009 Q: After appearing in the show for almost a year on Broadway, why were you eager to go on the road with this play? A: I haven�t had much opportunity to tour, because I was always bringing up kids. But I�ve always loved

Dionne Warwick

2009-10-19T22:21:00.004-04:00

Springfield Symphony OrchestraSymphony Hall, Springfield, MAwww.springfieldsymphony.orgby Eric Sutter Elegant, graceful and soulful... these words describe popular music icon Dionne Warwick. Through Motown, the British Invasion, Heavy Metal, the 70's singer-songwriter era, Disco and the Big 80's she has weathered the musical storm with class and integrity. Nightfall in

Cymbeline

2009-10-17T20:14:00.007-04:00

Arts Theatre, London, Englandwww.artstheatrewestend.comthrough October 24, 2009by Emily List In 2006, England's National Youth Theatre celebrated "50 Years of Giving Youth a Voice." Three years later, that voice resonates strongly in the NYT's latest production to date, Shakespeare's Cymbeline. Directed by Brendan O'Hea, the cast members (all of whom are under age 21)

Visiting the Cape in Off-Season

2009-10-17T19:25:00.027-04:00

By Alyce SkeltonWellfleet Harbor Actors TheatreHarbor Stage"Sexual Perversity in Chicago"Located along a stretch of the docks and beach that looks out over boaters and kayakers, the theatre is a double decker building. The letters WHAT - several feet high - sitting atop the theatre reminded me of the Hollywood Hills sign. Floodlit, the letters are hard to miss. This production of "Perversity"-

The Andrews Brothers

2009-10-17T19:22:00.004-04:00

Exit 7 Players, Ludlow MAwww.exit7players.comthrough Oct. 31, 2009by Eric Johnson What is so funny about guys in dresses? In this case, it seems to be these particular guys. Robert Clark III, Joe Alvernaz, and Steven Sands are hysterical as Lawrence, Max and Patrick Andrews, three USO stage hands who find themselves caught without a headline act (you guessed it, the Andrews

Girls Night Out: The Musical

2009-10-14T16:26:00.007-04:00

CityStage, Springfield, MAwww.symphonyhall.comthrough October 25, 2009by Sharon Smith The "girls" in the audience of "Girls' Night Out: The Musical" want to have just as much fun as the title implies. Five 40-something friends gather to celebrate the milestone of one of their daughter's engagement. Drinking and karaoke ensue. That the audience comes prepared to party helps

The Foreigner

2009-10-12T21:41:00.006-04:00

Suffield Players, Suffield, CTwww.suffieldplayers.orgweekends through Oct. 24, 2009By Donna Bailey-Thompson The Suffield Players are whooping it up with a wild and raucous comedy that 25 years ago won Obie and Outer Circle Critics awards for Best New American Play. Written by Larry Shue, "The Foreigner" is as timely today and perhaps even funnier because, let's face it, the

Bruce Hornsby/Wood Brothers

2009-10-08T15:24:00.007-04:00

Mahaiwe, Great Barrington, MAwww.mahaiwe.orgby Eric Sutter An audience has to move when hearing good music or at least be moved... this was the case with both acts which knew how to make a good noise. The Wood Brothers are biological brothers with a rootsy front porch blues-folk brand of Americana that rocks. The rich ringing tones of "Lovin' Arms" from their "Loaded" CD