Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

2020

“A Territorial Christmas Carol” Live-Streamed from The Pollard Actors with Nostalgic Tenderness

James A Hughes as Scrooge.

 

“A Territorial Christmas Carol” has long been a wonderful tradition for Oklahoma audiences and this show can only be found in one place:  The Pollard Theatre in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  Many theatres have come up with adaptations of Dicken’s classic “A Christmas Carol” but the Pollard version is unique.  Author Stephen Scott’s adaptation moves Dicken’s original location from the economically depressed London, to the struggling but developing Oklahoma Territory not very long after the land run of 1889.  The play opens with the Moody Family preparing for a sparse Christmas in… Continue reading

Fun with Politics in “Running Mates” at 3rd Act

Yoga Class at the Storm home. From left to right: Mercedez Ferguson as Ted Wink, Leigh Miller as Sofia Storm and Allyson Rose as Liddie Valentine. Photo courtesy of Amandanell Bold, 3rd Act Theatre

In the throes of this world-wide pandemic it is hard to find a moment that seems normal.  The 3rd Act Theatre Company of Oklahoma has brought those rare ‘normal’ moments to us with their productions.  The audience still wears masks and seating is limited due to social distancing.  But the show allows us to escape for a few brief hours.  The… Continue reading

Update to Lyric’s “A Christmas Carol” with the Ivy Cast and the Holly Cast

Ivy cast member Jonathan Beck Reed as Ebenezer Scrooge. Lyric’s “A Christmas Carol” Photo courtesy of Jonathan Beck Reed

Lyric Theatre presents Dickens beloved classic, “A Christmas Carol’ for the tenth anniversary presentation with a twist.  Not the Oliver kind, but a Dickensian twist of venue! The play is at Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City: a location that enables the audience to view the play outdoors.  The scenes take place in the various locations found at the Harn Homestead which makes the audience move from locale to locale as the scenes change.  The show is surprisingly adaptable… Continue reading

Lyric Theatre Presents “A Christmas Carol” with a New Twist

W. Jerome Stevenson as Ebenezer Scrooge bonding with Tiny Tim. Photo courtesy of K Talley Photography

Lyric Theatre presents Dickens beloved classic, “A Christmas Carol’ for the tenth anniversary presentation with a twist.  Not the Oliver kind, but a Dickensian twist of venue! The play is at Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City: a location that enables the audience to view the play outdoors.  The scenes take place in the various locations found at the Harn Homestead which makes the audience move from locale to locale as the scenes change.  The show is surprisingly adaptable to all the… Continue reading

“1984” at 3rd Act Astounds Audience with Audacity

Ronn Burton as Winston Smith in ‘1984’  Photo courtesy of Christine Lanning.

Many baby-boomers grew up fearing the arrival of 1984 a year made notable by the dystopian novel “1984” by George Orwell published in 1949.  The award-winning novel presents a disturbing view of a future ruled by the tyranny of totalitarianism and propaganda.  Control of every aspect of a citizen’s life is achieved through constant surveillance of every act no matter how private and the manipulation of language, history and literature.  The novel adapted into a play by Robert Owens, Wilton E. Hall Jr. and… Continue reading

“Frankenstein” Produced at 3rd Act Reveals 200 Years of Chilling Horror

Ford Filson as Victor Frankenstein and Kat Adams as Elisabeth. Peter Fischaber as the creature looks on,’skulking with intent to lurk.  Photo courtesy of 3rd Act Theatre  

The 3rd Act Theatre of Oklahoma City is presenting a new adaptation of “Frankenstein” through September 27, 2020 as part of their Noire productions.  The final performance on Sunday, September 27 will be live-streamed and all the previous performances are live on the stage at North Park Mall.  The author of this latest version is an actor and promising young playwright, Vincent Hannam, and this production is… Continue reading

3rd Act Entertains and Delights with Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple”

Felix (Ed Spinelli) and Oscar (Chris Rodgers) attempting to impress the Pigeon sisters Cecily (Brooke Howard) and Gwendolyn (Caitlin Cairns) Photos courtesy of J. Christine Lanning and were taken before clear masks could be finished.

Neil Simon has been entertaining audiences for decades with his comedic sense. His characters are found in improbable but plausible situations that are ripe with humorous potential and wonderful zingers. “The Odd Couple” has been a fan favorite since the 1965 Broadway premiere starred Art Carney and Walter Matthau, who reprised his role as Oscar for the 1968 movie hit with Jack Lemmon as Felix.… Continue reading

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” is Hilarious Comedy at The Boom

Erin Heatly as Jeannie, Trailer Park resident at Armadillo Acres. Photo Courtesy of James Michael Avance JMA Vision

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” has, since its 2005 premiere, entertained and amused audiences with a story from the other side of the tracks.  Betsy Kelso and David Nehls collaborated to create a hilarious musical with Kelso doing the book and Nehls the music.  They certainly succeeded in this titillating trailer trash treat.

Kara Chapman who has been astounding Oklahoma City metropolitan area audiences with her superb vocals and excellent acting skills has added more accomplishments to her resume.… Continue reading

Sensitivity and Talented Performances in “The Library” at Carpenter Square

When Marshall, a former student at Mountain Valley High, unexpectedly shows up at Caitlin’s house acting strangely, she cannot help but be disturbed by him. Pictured are Ford Filson and Sara Byerly in the scene from “The Library” Photo courtesy of Rhonda Clark

Carpenter Square is presenting “The Library” under the expert direction of Terry Veal.  Veal does an excellent job of interpreting the show’s message. “The Library” is the 2014 play by noted screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, who adapted numerous Ludlum books to screen.  “The Library” is his first stage play and an interesting tale about the… Continue reading

Lyric’s “Having Our Say” Says it All in a Delightful and Historical Memoir

Terry Burrell as Bessie (left) and Julia Lema as Sadie preparing dinner. Photo courtesy of K. Talley Photography

“Having Our Say” is Emily Mann’s thoughtful adaptation of the successful book written by Sarah L. Delany and her sister A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth. The full title of the book is ‘Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years’. The memoir details the amazing and fascinating lives and careers of these two maiden lady sisters leading extremely fulfilling lives. As women of color the Delany sisters faced a changing world reluctant to accept them. Never allowing any obstacles… Continue reading