Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd
“A Raisin in the Sun” Looks Back and Pays Forward
Three generations of the Younger Family in “A Raisin in the Sun” Norma Goff as Lena Younger (left) Myles Currin-Moore as Travis Younger and Nykezia Giles as Ruth Younger (standing) Photo Courtesy of Jewel Box Theatre.
“A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry is one of the most definitively important plays of the 20th century. Earning numerous awards since the 1959 Broadway debut, the play explores the obstacles faced by the black, or in the language of the day “colored,” community. The title comes from a line in Langston Hughes poem ‘Harlem’ or ‘A Dream… Continue reading
OU’s Cabaret Remains Startling and Relevant
Kirsten Myers as Sally Bowles in OU’s Cabaret. Photo courtesy OU University Theatre.
Cabaret opened on Broadway in 1966, but it remains shockingly relevant in 2019. Based in Berlin in the early days of the Nazi party, Cabaret is alluring and tempting, dark and horrific, and it still speaks to cultural and political topics that we’re debating to this very day. Cabaret features two worlds: The drab boarding house where American writer Cliff Bradshaw spends his days working on his latest novel, and the exciting and seedy Kit Kat Klub, every bit the opposite, where he spends his nights.… Continue reading
UCO’s Musical Theatre Department Presents the Spooky, Spectacular Macabaret
The cast of UCO’s 2017 production of Macabaret.
There’s something fun about mashing up words, especially for the season at hand. The ever popular Snowpocalypse comes around occasionally for an impeding snow storm and the apocalyptic response that ensues. Then of course, there’s the classic Fallsummoween. This is one we’re very familiar with in Oklahoma. It’s officially Fall, according to the calendar, but it still looks and feels like Summer outside. So naturally, we crank the A/C down, turn off the lights, and burn a pumpkin candle, just pretending like it’s Halloween. The UCO Musical Theatre students are capitalizing on… Continue reading
Go Back to High School with UCO’s Grease
UCO’s Grease at Mitchell Hall Theatre. Photo by Mutz Photography.
Though it debuted in 1971, with a hit movie in 1978, it seems like Grease has been around forever. It’s woven so completely into the American songbook, and heavily into the theatre rotation, that nearly everyone from sea to shining sea knows the songs, the characters and at least some of the story. But in case you’ve somehow missed it entirely, here’s a quick rundown: Based in 1959, the classmates of Rydell High, an Anywhere, USA High School, assemble back at school after an eventful summer. A new student joins… Continue reading
The Pollard Resurrects Evil Dead
Wil Rogers and Megan Montgomery in The Pollard’s Evil Dead: The Musical.
Five years after its original run, The Pollard Theatre company is bringing back one of their most popular shows to date. Evil Dead: The Musical returns in a new Halloween tradition for The Pollard, complete with their wildly popular Splatter Zone. It’s just as crazy and messy as it sounds. No one is safe from splattering, albeit theatrical, blood in the Splatter Zone. Those on the outskirts, in the buffer zone and regular seats, are somewhat safer, but no guarantees. Regardless of where you sit or how splattered… Continue reading
Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” is the Perfect Comic Opera from Painted Sky
Isaac Frishman as Count Almaviva courts Mary Beth Nelson as Rosina behind the suspicious eyes of Andy Papas as Doctor Bartolo in “The Barber of Seville” Photo courtesy of Painted Sky Opera
Painted Sky Opera presents “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” or “The Barber of Seville” by Gioachino Rossini from September 20, 2019 to September 27, 2019 at the Freede Theatre in the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall. Considered one of Rossini’s most popular comic opera’s, “The Barber of Seville” has been delighting audiences for over 100 years, and this version from Painted Sky hits the mark squarely. … Continue reading
Theatre Fringe offers a Festival Style Experience for Patrons
Brad McEntire in Theatre Crude Fringe Festival’s Cyrano A Go-Go. Photo by Audacity Theatre Lab.
If one thing is certain about popular culture today, it’s that festivals are IN. From the famed Coachella in California, to Austin’s South by Southwest, Chicago’s Lollapalooza, and even the infamous Event That Never Was, Fyre Festival- festivals offer a one-stop for music and concert fans around the country. They certainly draw crowds. Lollapalooza rakes in an additional 500,000 people in Chicago in one weekend in August. Coachella expects 100,000 people a day during its 6-day run. And why not, it’s the best way to… Continue reading
UCO Gears Up for Grease at Mitchell Hall Theatre
From left, Dylan Herrin as Danny, Morgan Rothwell as Sandy, Kalyn Glover as Frenchy, Sarah Royse as Marty and Hailey Hatfield as Jan in University of Central Oklahoma and Broadway Tonight’s production of Grease.
Grease is the word! UCO’s Fall 2019 season is starting up with the quintessential American musical. Their production of Grease: The Musical takes us back to high school with the greasers, the pink ladies, and all the antics of Rydell High! It’s a wild ride and tons of fun. And of course, the music and poodle skirts! They’re classic Americana and classic Grease.
Early on… Continue reading
Stillwater’s Town and Gown Theatre Presents Sweeney Todd
Jeffrey Ambrosini and Elizabeth Ziegler in Town and Gown’s Sweeney Todd.
Town and Gown Theatre in Stillwater is opening its 69th season with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Sweeney Todd is as memorable as it is gruesome. When Sweeney returns to Victorian London, he’s on a mission of revenge against those who wronged him, particularly an evil judge who banished him to Australia. Framed and disgraced, he sets his plan for vengeance into motion when he opens a barber shop just above Mrs. Lovett’s pie bakery. Barber shops and pie bakeries in London sound about… Continue reading
Let’s Do the Time Warp Again with Lyric’s Rocky Horror Show
Cult classic The Rocky Horror Show makes a long-awaited return to Lyric’s Plaza Theatre! Shiver with anticipation no more. The Lyric only does this show every 3 years, and luckily it’s on in 2019! Rocky Horror has a following like no other, with an ability to raise the freak flags in even the most demure fans. Case in point: yours truly is planning to wear a corset and purple eyelashes to the show on opening weekend!
Rocky Horror is nearly nonsensical in the looseness of the plot. However, there’s a true perfection in it that can’t be found in any… Continue reading