Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

Past Reviews

Carpenter Square Dazzles Audience With “Me & Jezebel”

Stevie Michelle Aycock as Elizabeth Fuller and Crystal Barby as Miss Bette Davis

Carpenter Square is presenting “Me & Jezebel” directed by Linda McDonald through December 16, 2017.  This comedy is a delightful true story about a great adventure Elizabeth Fuller shared with her family and Bette Davis during the hotel strike that cast Miss Davis adrift.  Fuller was friendly with a friend of Miss Davis and was thrilled to have her bring Bette Davis to dinner.  The next day Miss Davis called and asked to impose for ‘a night or two’ and the adventure begins. … Continue reading

Fresh Paint Performance Lab Introduces “Walk”

“Walk” by Ben Harrell

“Walk” is an interesting little show that is the latest project from Fresh Paint Performance Lab.  It is a musical featuring songs very reminiscent of Stephen Sondheim. Playwright Ben Harrell and director, Chelcy Harrell bring us an excellent example of the Fresh Paint program with “Walk” their latest development. “Walk” takes place in New York City amidst the thriving, busy active metropolis filled with harried individuals who are perpetually in a hurry and leery of strangers.  There are numerous short scenes taken from the lives of typical residents, teachers, construction workers, executives, students and… Continue reading

“A Territorial Christmas Carol” is Indeed A Traditional Treasure!!!

In the past thirty years folks living in this region of been enchanted by “A Territorial Christmas Carol” at the Pollard Theatre.  This show opens on the Friday after Thanksgiving and this year that will be November 24, 2017.  The show continues on through December 23, 2017 and it certainly is a nice way to create the true spirit of Christmas.  For nearly twenty of these memorable years the part of Ebenezer Scrooge is played by James Ong, a master in his craft.  This year will be Ong’s final year as Scrooge, and while 2018 may… Continue reading

Jewel Box Theatre Brings Glad Tidings and Cheer with “Plaid Tidings”

We’ve always loved our crooners, from barbershop quartets to the boy vocalists popular in the 1960’s such as The Four Tops, The Four Freshman and The Four Tops. “Plaid Tidings” is the sequel to “Forever Plaid” in which Stuart Ross tells the story of four young men wishing to emulate the popular Fours of the 50’s. They are called “The Plaids” and they are on their way to their first major ‘gig’ when they collide with a bus filled with Catholic school girls on their way to watch the Ed Sullivan show introducing The Beatles to America. No one in the bus is injured, but the four young men lose their lives. In Ross’s story they return to earth for one night to fulfill their destiny and perform the show they hoped would make them stars. Continue reading

Comfort and Joy come to the Jewel Box Theatre with “Plaid Tidings”

The Christmas season is upon us and the Jewel Box Theatre unwraps the festive “Plaid Tidings!” The holiday edition of the classic “Forever Plaid”, created by Stuart Ross in 1990, is a sequel meant to lift broken spirits during the holidays following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It has since become a cheerful holiday treat to anyone seeking warmth and heart during this now over stimulated and rather over materialized season, and is a delight for any lover of a genuine Christmas song that hasn’t been digitally damaged with techno tunes. Continue reading

“A Behanding in Spokane” Has Possibilities; Needs Work

Toby (Leonard Jackson) with severed hands to sell.
Photo courtesy of Bricquet Media LLC

“A Behanding in Spokane” is a dark, witty comedy by Martin McDonogh, first opening in 2010.  It’s the story of four people in dire circumstances resulting from exceedingly improbable motivations.  Oklahoma City Theatre Company opens Season 19 with a show destined to bring hilarity to the ordinary folks who don’t necessarily have such bizarre situations; but real life is fraught with far-fetched situations nearly as ridiculous as the one these characters find themselves experiencing.  For example, Don Taylor who plays Mr. Carmichael took… Continue reading

Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma Children’s Theatre Collaborate on Energetic “Lord of the Flies”

Cast of “Lord of the Flies”
Photo Courtesy of Elina Moon Photography

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and Oklahoma City University present the classic “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding at the Burg Theatre on the Oklahoma City University campus.  “Lord of the Flies” is a novel that was published in 1954 and is about a group of school boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island. Their story is one of survival but it is also a story of the breakdown of civilization as the boys attempt to govern themselves.  They create a power struggle between factions, and… Continue reading

Carpenter Square’s “The Birds” Misses Objective

Julia (Miranda LoPresti) reads the palm of Diane (Angie Duke) as Nat (Doug Monson) looks on. Photos courtesy of Carpenter Square

 “The Birds” is a frightening novelette written by Daphne du Maurier, published in 1962 in a collection entitled ‘The Apple Tree’. The story is about a farmer residing in Cornwall who finds his rural community under assault from birds and is thought to be a metaphor for the blitz bombing of Britain during World War II.  The story inspired Alfred Hitchcock to make his famous thriller movie in 1963, and Colin McPherson published his new play, “The… Continue reading

Outstanding Original Production – “Gallow Walkers”

Michael Todd, Chelcy Harrell, Mat Govich and Jennifer Teel in Gallow Walkers.
Photo courtesy of Michael Weeks

Michael Todd is a gifted singer/song writer. He is known for the popular group The Wild Frontier Band, playing in venues both national and international as well as Oklahoma City.  He has put his varied talents to work on a new musical that is now playing at Shakespeare in the Park on Paseo.  The show is “Gallow Walkers” and Todd has written the music, lyrics, and the book for this rather zany paranormal folk opera.  “Gallow Walkers” is not to… Continue reading

The Pollard’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” Phenomenal and Provocative

Matthew Alvin Brown as Hedwig (right foreground) and Renee Anderson as Yitzhak perform in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is a most provocative and unique story told in a delightfully tasteless rock and roll fashion that is based on shocking and somewhat horrific events.  Hedwig is a tragic figure, yet he has made the most of the hard knocks in life, and he tells his story in a concert full of music and humor.  The music is popular; the humor is dark and cruel.  Nevertheless the story is uplifting.  The show,… Continue reading