Review: Garland Civic Theatre Presents “Nunsense”
Review: Garland Civic Theatre Presents “Nunsense”

To most of us, nuns appear to be quiet, reserved, pious members of the Catholic religious community who devote themselves to a life of solitude, simplicity and humility. However, in Dan Goggin’s “Nunsense,” the good sisters of Hoboken offer a glimpse of the all-too-human, often amusing, frailties lurking beneath the veil. Garland Civic Theatre’s production channeled these underlying qualities into fun song and dance numbers and hilarious physical comedy which delivered a high-energy, uniquely-entertaining and praiseworthy comedic romp.

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Dallas/Ft. WorthChristopher PetersonShawn Stalter, Garland Civic Theatre
Review: 'The Battles of Richmond Hill' at HERE
Review: 'The Battles of Richmond Hill' at HERE

Written by Penny Jackson and taking place in the Dublin Rose Irish Bar in Richmond Hills, Queens, “The Battles of Richmond Hills” tells the story of Sheila O’Connor, the O’Conner family and the “battles” they face every day, such as loss, substance abuse, addiction, and the inability to let go. It’s a story about family and what keeps it together as well as what tears it apart and how long one can keep grasping at the past before it slips between their fingers.

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New YorkChristopher PetersonHERE Arts Center, Max Berry
Review: “Washed in the Blood” at the NuBox Theatre
Review: “Washed in the Blood” at the NuBox Theatre

On October 1st, 2015, the students at Umpqua Community College in Oregon became among the many to have experienced the firsthand horror of gun violence in their school, as an armed shooter opened fire on them, immediately after asking each of them the question: “Do you believe in God?” To this day, questions remain over the shooter’s exact motives, and why he would ask his victims that question. However, in Washed in the Blood – Joshua Crone’s fictionalized depiction of these horrific events – we are offered an idea of what might have happened that led to such a tragic incident.

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New YorkChristopher PetersonAnthony J Piccione, NuBox Theatre
Review: “The Wizard of Oz” at Casa Manana
Review: “The Wizard of Oz” at Casa Manana

Casa Manana’s production of, “The Wizard of Oz,” delivered all the wonder, magic and energy which has made this story a celebrated part of the American stage and screen tradition for multiple generations. Together, the show’s dynamic cast and crew took the audience on a remarkably-authentic journey down Oz’s yellow brick road while incorporating just the right mix of modern creative elements to make it truly shine.

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Dallas/Ft. WorthChristopher PetersonShawn Stalter, Casa Manana
Review: 'Falsettos' is Full of Love and Loss
Review: 'Falsettos' is Full of Love and Loss

There are a lot of things I liked about the Tony Award-winning musical “Falsettos,” now at The Ahmanson Theatre. I fully understand why it was nominated for five 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, however at almost three hours long, with 37 songs by composer/lyricist William Finn and playwright and director James Lapine it needs to be cut down to 120 minutes for this LA audience.

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Los Angeles, National TourChristopher PetersonJill Weinlein
Review: “Gruesome Playground Injuries” presented by Millennial Poison Theatre Co.
Review: “Gruesome Playground Injuries” presented by Millennial Poison Theatre Co.

The two-member cast of Millennial Poison Theatre Company’s inaugural production of the visceral love story, “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” at Richardson’s intimate Core Theatre delivered an energized, compelling and authentic performance. Fueled by equal portions of pain, passion and playground injuries, stars Michael Breath Jr. and Shelby Priddy wove together an introspective story of a maturing friendship and love which can withstand the physical and emotional pain life often throws our way.

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Dallas/Ft. WorthChristopher PetersonShawn Stalter, Millennial Poison Theatre Co.
Review: 'The Value of Moscow' at Dark Horse Theatre Company
Review: 'The Value of Moscow' at Dark Horse Theatre Company

It’s risky business for a theatre company to stage unknown/new works. There is no telling how the audience will react. In the case of The Value of Moscow (written by Amy Dellagiarino), the risk payed off. Dark Horse was able to put forward a very entertaining, fresh piece of theatre. The plot is described as “Three grown "adult" sisters are thrust back into living together as a last resort after their various lives have fallen apart”. It makes many allusions to Chekhov’s play Three Sisters and takes inspiration from many of his other works as well. Just like a true Chekhovian work, the play deals with numerous serious events/themes but is, at its core, a comedy of life. Part farce and part family drama, the show has something for everybody!

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Washington DCChristopher PetersonChristian Jost
“Jilted to Perfection” at The Triad Theatre
“Jilted to Perfection” at The Triad Theatre

With a book, music, and lyrics written by Debra Cook, “Jilted to Perfection” tells the story of a divorced Mormon mom and her growing relationship with a scientologist actor/director. Through this relationship she takes many risks, makes many sacrifices, and watches her life change before her eyes.  Told mostly in a monologue with songs throughout, Cook takes us through her life in this new musical.

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New YorkChristopher PetersonMax Berry
Review: Hedgepig Ensemble presents “Mary Stuart”
Review: Hedgepig Ensemble presents “Mary Stuart”

In a world enraptured equally by Game of Thrones and Fox News politics, female leaders vying for a place in the history books being pitted against each other is nothing new. In this fresh take on perhaps the world’s most iconic sister rivalry of Mary, Queen of Scots vs. Elizabeth I of England, Mary Stuart examines female leadership under the eyes of family, politics, and religion in a production fit for a Queen.

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New YorkChristopher PetersonNatalie Rine
Review: ‘Copenhagen’ at Soulpepper Theatre
Review: ‘Copenhagen’ at Soulpepper Theatre

There has always been something about Michael Frayn’s three hander ‘Copenhagen’ which has always intrigued me. West End actors were keen on performing the piece. I don’t want to spoil the plot, but one of the characters mentions an important context involving all three which made me gasp along with other audience members sitting around me. After seeing Soulpepper’s production of Mr. Frayn’s complex play, tautly directed by Katrina Darychuk, I’ve now understood its fascination for actors and their desire to add this production to their resumes.

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CanadaChristopher PetersonJoseph Szekeres, Soulpepper
Review: 'Girlfriend' at TheaterWorks
Review: 'Girlfriend' at TheaterWorks

It’s understandable how Matthew Sweet’s power-pop album, “Girlfriend,” could be a score to a musical. The songs were all recorded by him following his divorce in 1990 and they expose his feelings about the entire relationship. He commented to Rolling Stone, “It's funny how the album ended up showing everything I needed to feel. Everything I needed as an antidote is there." There is emotion throughout the songwriting with a natural timeline feel and flow, making it a great fit for the musical theatre genre.

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ConnecticutChristopher PetersonTara Kennedy, TheatreWorks
Review: Renée Taylor sharing her 'MY LIFE ON A DIET'
Review: Renée Taylor sharing her 'MY LIFE ON A DIET'

Last night I laughed throughout the autobiographical comedy by Academy Award nominated and Emmy Award winning writer and actress Renée Taylor. Written by Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna, this one-woman show MY LIFE ON A DIET was originally directed by Bologna, and made its New York premiere in 2018. With such critical acclaim, Taylor’s show was extended to run Off-Broadway at the Theatre at St. Clements and now has embarked on a national tour. In November of last year, the show won the annual United Solo Special Award for their significant contributions to solo theater during the year. 

Currently in the intimate Lovelace Studio Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center, the set by Harry Feiner is decorated with muted animal skin rugs, a large projection screen, a fancy desk and chair where Ms. Taylor sits at during most of the show.

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Los AngelesChristopher PetersonJill Weinlein
Broadway Review: 'Oklahoma!' Fails to Measure Up
Broadway Review: 'Oklahoma!' Fails to Measure Up

Buried somewhere beneath the myriad sheets of plywood neatly lining the walls and covering the floors of Circle in the Square is the original sheer splendor, strength, and – yes – the overwhelming darkness of the original production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” Alas, that poor “Oklahoma!” is dead and is unceremoniously buried in Daniel Fish’s pretentious and overwrought “Oklahoma!” – never to be resurrected from the detritus of hanging guns galore, rows of bright red crock pots, and more yodeling than might be found anywhere in the Matterhorn.

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Broadway, New YorkChristopher PetersonDavid Roberts
Review: “The Ship Be Sinkin’” at the Producer’s Club
Review: “The Ship Be Sinkin’” at the Producer’s Club

For as long as can remember, Titanic has always been one of the cheesiest romance films – if not THE cheesiest – to have been released in my 26 years of life. So naturally, it has also consistently ranked up there as one of the easiest targets for parody by comedy writers, ever since its 1997 premiere. The fact that that’s still the case is proven yet again by the Improvisational Repertory Theatre Ensemble’s latest outing at the Producer’s Club.

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New YorkChristopher PetersonAnthony J Piccione
Review: “The Art of Protest” at Articulate Theatre Company
Review: “The Art of Protest” at Articulate Theatre Company

If there’s any one word that describes the political climate that has defined this past decade, it has to be “protest”. From economic injustice and climate change to gun violence and racial discrimination, to name just a few, there have been countless social and political issues that have created a great of unrest among the people, in large part thanks to the inability – or in many cases, unwillingness – of our so-called leaders to do anything about it. That’s exactly the type of narrative that is captured in the fundraising performance presented this past week by Articulate Theatre Company.

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New YorkChristopher PetersonAnthony J Piccione, Articulate Theatre Company
Review: ‘Angelique’ at the Factory Theatre
Review: ‘Angelique’ at the Factory Theatre

From my high school days in the late 70s, I can recall in my French as a Second Language class the story of Marie-Joseph Angelique, an enslaved Black woman, who was publicly executed for supposedly setting fire to various residences in the merchant area of Montreal (including that of her owner’s along with a hospital) in 1734. ‘Angelique’, now on stage at Factory Theatre, uses the backdrop of 1734 New France to mirror our modern culture.

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CanadaChristopher PetersonJoe Szekeres
Review: 'Godspell' at Rooftop Productions
Review: 'Godspell' at Rooftop Productions

Ryan Walker excelled in the role of Jesus, commanding attention and focus every time he was on stage. He ranged from kind to stern to loving, and ultimately to heartbroken. I believed he cared for each and every one of his “disciples” and only ever wanted the best for them. His vocals never faltered, and he never seemed out of the moment. The script doesn’t provide very many given moments for Judas to shine in the piece, but that didn’t stop Jay Tilley from creating his own moments to shine. He gradually broke off from the group and made it clear he wasn’t buying everything Jesus was selling. The two worked quite well together, making the ending of the musical that much more tragic.

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VirginiaChristopher PetersonChristian Jost, Rooftop Productions