By Barry Reszel There’s no arguing with the promo material for Disney’s, The Lion King. It claims the moniker of the world’s number one musical, having earned six Tony’s in 1998, including Best Musical, and boasts that its 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people over the past 18 years.
Archives for December 2015
All Kokandy deserves for Christmas is you…and bring your friends
By Erin Fleming One might think that the first holiday show attempted by a theater with “candy” in its name might err on the side of being too syrupy sweet, but Kokandy Productions comes right out of the gate with a wonderful show that, while full of joy and cheer, contains enough savory contemplation to
Abby Mueller is queen as King in this ‘Beautiful’ touring production
By Barry Reszel Oh Abby Mueller, you had me with, “Tonight you’re mine, completely…” Welcome home for the holidays. Indeed, the Broadway in Chicago touring version of Beautiful…The Carole King Musical does everything to live up to its name…and its tagline. This is truly a beautiful biographical piece. Its magnificent storytelling success is credited first
Calmly contemplate Theo’s Sinatra tribute amid Christmastime chaos
By Barry Reszel Wrapped in the freneticism of holiday season 2015-16, when those with no greater worries choose to allow unassuming red coffee cups to bunch their (probably very boring) underwear, small house musical theatre genius Fred Anzevino and his stellar Musical Director Jeremy Ramey gift audiences a night of contemplative reverie with their extraordinarily
Mercury’s ‘Schooner’ lovingly sails the harrowing holiday seas
By Ian Rigg “What is Christmas without a Christmas tree?” the charming characters of The Christmas Schooner query. They come to learn, as the Grinch came to learn and Ebeneezer Scrooge came to learn and characters of other great holiday classics came to learn: It is never just about the tree; it’s about what the
