Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

2017

“South Pacific” at The Jewel Box—Enchanting Community Theatre

Katie Mei Markmiller
Scott Hynes
Cade Sweatt
Katie Sperry

Every now and then a name jumps out of the program for one reason or another. In “South Pacific” now showing at Jewel Box Theatre, that name belongs to Scott Hynes.  It seems to be in the wrong place.  He’s in front of the lights—when he’s usually behind them!  Hynes is the pre-eminent lighting designer for the OKC area. His role in “South Pacific” is that of the dashing, debonair Frenchman, Emile De Becque.  Fortunately, he is also the lighting designer, and everyone in the show looks… Continue reading

Hilarity and Frivolity Abounds at The Pollard Theatre with “The Producers”

We Can Do It!
Jared Blount and
W. Jerome Stevenson

The refreshingly politically incorrect musical called “The Producers” opens at the Pollard to a delighted audience.  Mel Brooks is an American Icon and his original movie of the same name was then adapted to a stage musical by Brooks. The live production from Guthrie, Oklahoma is a professional masterpiece that rivals any other.  Max Bialystock remarks early in the piece (to paraphrase) that reviews come out earlier when the critic leaves at intermission. The critic is critical to success or failure.  But how could any critic leave… Continue reading

Excellence in “The Whipping Man” at Carpenter Square

Justice Wickstrom, Thonie Lee and Michael Page

Carpenter Square Theatre is presenting “The Whipping Man” by Matthew Lopez.  Directed by Linda McDonald, “The Whipping Man” is an interesting drama set at the end of the Civil War.  Jews comprise only a small part of the population in the American South and before the Civil War the number of Jews who ran plantations and were slave owners was an extremely small number, less than 2% of the entire Southern Jewish population.  But they were there and they suffered alongside their neighbors.  Their slaves were no different than… Continue reading

Student Talent Foremost in OCU Theatre Presentation of “The House of Atreus”

Esteemed Professor and Head of Performance at Oklahoma City University Theatre D. Lance Marsh has undertaken the significant adaptation of Greek tragedians, Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles.  His adaptation is called “The House of Atreus” and is currently being performed at the Burg Theatre at Oklahoma City University.  The adaptation draws heavily from ‘The Oresteia’ by Aeschylus, with significant augmentations from Euripides ‘Electra’ and also Sophocles version of ‘Electra’ and others.

There are four acts in the adaptation.  The first two acts make up Part One of “The House of Atreus” and detail the story of Agamemnon and… Continue reading

“James and the Giant Peach” Fun Fantabulous Fantasy!

Cast of “James and the Giant Peach” at Lyric

Lyric’s production of “James and the Giant Peach” is being performed through April 9 at Lyric at the Plaza.  Set Designer Kate Sullivan, is also the designer for “I Am My Own Wife” running concurrently. The beautiful and intricate set for both shows easily transforms from a lovely fun space for “James and the Giant Peach,” to the elegant but musty gentility found in the evening performances of “I Am My Own Wife” in short order.

“James and the Giant Peach” is a show that is great fun for the… Continue reading

Lyric’s “I Am My Own Wife” is an Outstanding Theatrical Experience

Matthew Alvin Brown as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf

Oklahoma City’s Lyric Theatre presents Matthew Alvin Brown in a phenomenal one man performance of “I Am My Own Wife” from playwright Doug Wright. Wright became interested in the true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Berfelde, and determined to interview her and tell her story of survival under oppression.  As a young man, Berfelde suffered under an abusive father, an SS officer of the Third Reich.  At the height of WWII Lothar defended himself successfully against his father, striking a blow for freedom for himself and his mother. … Continue reading

A Star Visits OKC Thanks to CityRep—Audra McDonald at OCCC

Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre (CityRep) is one of the major assets in Oklahoma City.  Of course, Oklahoma is well known in the sporting arena with the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys and now the Thunders, but the contributions in performing arts are also being noticed.  Of course, Oklahoma City has long been known for producing exceptional talent in ballet as well as music and theatre.  Thanks largely to CityRep, major stars are recognizing Oklahoma City as an important place.  Important because here talent is appreciated and performers are given the credit they are due.… Continue reading

Poetry Expressed in Dance, Not Words

Oklahoma City University has long been noted for academic excellence in virtually every discipline.  In performing arts, it is evident from the quality of production in theatre, music, musical theatre and dance.  John Bedford, Dean of OCU’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management and Jo Rowan, Chairman of the Ann Lacy School of Dance and founder of the American Spirit Dance Company are quite a team.  Since 1981, the American Spirit Dance Company has showcased a revue that reveals the exceptional talents of the students attending OCU.  The program is exciting and beautiful,… Continue reading

“Bus Stop” Breezy not Cheesy, Drama Peppered with Humor

The Jewel Box Theatre is nearing sixty years of quality community theatre.  “Bus Stop” by William Inge is just a little older.  Inge, a significant and award winning playwright created the drama with memories of his own roots on the plains.  The howling winds blowing across the prairies in Kansas and Oklahoma can suddenly produce dangerous storms.  An early March snowstorm has closed the roads in a small town just 25 miles west of Kansas City, Missouri.  The bus pulls into Grace’s Diner but cannot continue on as the roads have been closed.  The… Continue reading

“Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” Fantastic and Fatalistic

Paul Taylor, Liza Clark and Bob Hess holding their Simpson Masks by Robert Pittenridge

 “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play” by Anne Washburn is a critically acclaimed favorite for the millennial generation.   Washburn envisions life for survivors following an apocalypse that has decimated the population and destroyed their infrastructure, including the nuclear power plants.  The resulting radioactivity further decimates the population several times over. Survivors group together defending themselves from marauders and wondering how to build a new world as they grieve for all they have lost.  Family, friends, lovers, neighbors, refrigeration, television and texting are all… Continue reading