Theatre 2012  
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Theatre 2013

  
 

Photo Date Name Theatre Location Rating
Photo 01-24-13 The Threepenny Opera REP - Thompson Theatre Newark, DE maskmask
REP's first musical was a nice change of pace, and while Deena Burke had an outstanding singing voice, the others didn't match their acting skills. Stark, but appropriate staging, although I found the breaks from the time period jolting. Why use a butane lighter instead of matches? The computer generated voice-over did lead to an odd pronunciation of 'whores' which the actors mimicked, so that break did add a little humor.
Photo 03-07-13 Hamlet REP - Thompson Theatre Newark, DE maskmaskmaskmask

Michael Gothch overcame my reservations in tackling the lead, and the staging was outstanding. Few gimmicks, which worked, like having the ghost of Hamlet's father speak through a microphone and reverberate through the theatre. Cast was excellent as usual, especially Stephen Pelinski (Claudius), Steve Tague (Polonius) and Erin Partin (Ophelia). Carine Montbertrand has been quite this season, but got a chance to do her trademark comic turn as a grave digger. One complaint - while the heavy use of smoke was impressive, I came away with my throat nearly closed from swallowing the particulates.

Photo 03-23-13 Cirque Zíva Grand Opera House Wilmington, DE maskmaskmask
China's Golden Dragon Acrobats have been touring the US continuously since 1978,and have found no resaon to mess with a good thing. No gimmicks or high tech, just tradional displays of extrordinary human strength, agility and balance. Treated my dad and brother.
Photo 04-05-13 Dreamgirls DuPont Theatre Wilmington, DE maskmask
Thinly veiled recreation of the rise of Motown and particularly, the phenomenal success of the Supremes. Passable imitiations of 60's soul songs, though nothing memorable. Several performers did an outstanding job is spite of the weak material, especially Michael Jahill as Thunder Early and Charity Dawson as Effie.
Photo 04-18-13 Fever REP - Thompson Theatre Newark, DE maskmaskmaskmask

First performce of a world premier play written especialy for REP by Theresa Rebeck. Closing the season, all 8 REP members got to perform a part written just for them using all of their unique skills. Elizabeth, of course, got the sexy role; Stephen the stable adult; Mic the volatile barfly; Steve an innocent incitefulness; Kathleen the frustrated career woman; Michael the psuedo intellectual; Carine her usual comic role; and Deena with the smallest part, but the catalyst for the fireworks. Will be interesting to see if this travels to other venues. (review)
Photo 05-02-13 Memphis: The Musical DuPont Theatre Wilmington, DE maskmaskmask
Somewhat formulaic, but an interesting storyline about a white DJ bringing black music to the masses. Had to Google the inspiration, "Daddy-O" Dewey Phillips, who died young and is mostly forgotten. A number of catchy tunes, though they sounded newer than the mid 50's they were supposed to represent.
Photo 06-28-13 1776 Milburn Stone Theatre North East, MD maskmaskmask
Surprisingly, had never seen this, "The Great American Musical". Big production for this small theatre due to the fact they were able to borrow the set and costumes. I even helped a bit by being a Kickstarter contributor. Well done, and good to see old friend Rick Waterhouse as John Hancock and a couple of UD colleagues, Joe Bradley and Scott Mason. (review)
Photo 07-28-13 Wicked: The (Should Have Remained) Untold Story Of The Witches Of Oz Academy of Music Philadelphia, PA maskmask
Been around for awhile, but I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. Not a single memorable tune, and the plot was painfully convoluted. NIce enough set, and the two lead witches were very good, Laurel Harris as Elphaba and Jenn Gambatese as Glinda. John Davidson had the celebrity cameo as the Wizard, and did fine. But seriously, The Wizard was the Wicked Witch's father, and she faked her melting death in order to run away with the Scarecrow to live Happily Ever After? Throw in some animal rights preaching and dumb blonde jokes and you've got quite a mess.
Photo 09-06-13 Any Given Monday Delaware Theatre Company Wilmington, DE maskmaskmask
Didn't sound interesting, and only went because we got half price tickets, but it was surprisingly enjoyable. Didn't anticipate the plot twists, nor the ending. Four accomplished actors that we didn't know, but the audeince seemed to recognise from various TV roles. Lucy (daughter of Danny) DeVito, Leslie Hendrix (Medical Examiner on Law & Order), Kenny Morris (varoius roles) and Michael Mastro (Nurse Jackie).
  10-03-13 Cirkopolis DuPont Theatre Wilmington, DE maskmaskmask
Cirque Eloize company formed by a former Cirque du Soleil performer, continues the "New Circus" template with a performance long back story, this one set in an 1940's industrial setting. Nice background video accompaniment and, as expected, amazing feats of strength and agility.
Photo 10-06-13 The Night Of The Iguana REP - Thompson Theatre Newark, DE maskmaskmask

An unfamiliar, but maybe now my favorite, Tennessee Williams play. Lonely people as usual, but a somewhat hopeful ending. Stellar acting and production as expected, with Elizabeth Heflin getting the sexy role, as usual, and Mic Matarrese the manic lead, also expected. Carine Montbertrand is at her best with her wild comic roles, but always a pleasure to see her quite side as well.
  10-18-13 Carrie The Musical Milburn Stone Theatre North East, MD maskmask
Based on the Stephen King novel, seems like an unlikely candidate for a musical, but it somehow worked. Most of the teenage actors carried some catchy tunes quite well. Sparse stage, but clever lighting. Unfortunately, the sound was horrible and marred what could have been a good production. It was opening night, so hopefully lessons were learned.
  10-31-13 The Addams Family DuPont Theatre Wilmington, DE maskmaskmask
What a fun way to spend Halloween. Same goofy characters as the TV show, with some hummanble tunes, yet a surprisingly unoriginal boy-meets-girl from a different world story line. We were in the third row, and I couln't take my eyes off of Keleen Snowgren as Morticia. Perhaps it was the cleavage.
Photo 11-21-13 The Servant of Two Masters REP - Thompson Theatre Newark, DE maskmaskmask
An Italian Commedia dell'Arte from the 18th century, but a precusrsor to today's slapstick. It took a while to get going, and I was afarid it was going to be a bust, but once the laughs started rolling, all was saved, though once it hit the 2 1/2 hour mark, I was ready to go home. (review)

Photo 12-06-13 West Side Story DuPont Theatre Wilmington, DE maskmaskmask
Held up well for being 50 something. Updated a bit by changing some of the dialog to Spanish, and added a few sexy moves, but the same great songs. Hadn't realized that this was Stephen Sondhiem's first as lyricist. Anne joined me in place of an ailing Barbara. (review)
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    Last updated, February 22, 2014