By Barry Reszel The common question asked by Nonnberg Abbey nuns and casting directors alike when it comes to The Sound of Music — How do you solve a problem like Maria? This reviewer is thrilled to report that the Nick Bowling-directed production has nary a problem with this possible conundrum. Because Addie Morales, making
Marriott’s ‘West Side Story’: Meet a girl named Maria, and ask who’s minding our children
By Barry Reszel It was May 2019—which is to say, a lifetime ago—when last this site had something to say about the musical masterpiece, West Side Story. Opining on the genius of Stephen Sondheim, reviewer Patrick O’Brien connected Sondheim’s Story lyrics to his decades-later Into the Woods score/lyrics. Both offer the same query: Who is
Smart direction and magnificent cast put not-oft-staged ‘Kiss Me Kate’ on aficionados’ must-see lists
By Barry Reszel There’s a conundrum built into contemplating an evening with Kiss Me Kate, the 1948 Broadway musical comedy that won the first-ever Tony Award for best musical and ultimately ran more than 1,000 performances. The original’s argument for wife-slapping amid its gaggle of misogynistic stereotypes is tempered by the slapstick buffoonery that, believe
Marriott’s ‘World’ brings the songs of Kander and Ebb back ”Round’
By Barry Reszel Lincolnshire’s Marriott Theatre, a decades-long Equity regional leader, opened its post-COVID (we hope) life with a consummately professional, vaccination- and mask-required production of The World Goes ‘Round. The five-performer, intermission-less ninety-minute musical revue features the works of John Kander and Fred Ebb, among the most acclaimed Broadway musical songwriting teams ever. Director
