“Always A Bridesmaid” Where There is Always A Hit at Jewel Box Theatre
“Always A Bridesmaid” cast from left to right: Carol McDonald-Walley (Sedalia Ellicott) Denise Hughes (Libby Ruth Ames) Larrissa Garvin (Kari Ames-Bissette) Amy Kelly as (Charlie Collins) Teri Hood (Monette Gentry) and Christine Jolly (Deedra Wingate) Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Always a Bridesmaid, never a bride is an old saying that usually doesn’t come true, and certainly isn’t true for the characters in the play “Always A Bridesmaid” now showing at the Jewel Box Theatre in Oklahoma City. Not the 1943 film, it is the play written 70 years later by Jones Hope Wooten, the collaboration of writers,… Continue reading
“Fun Home” Outstanding, Interesting and Insightful Fun
Lyn Cramer as Alison Bechdel in “Fun Home” at Lyric Theatre Photo Courtesy of KO Rinearson
“Fun Home” is a musical based on the autobiographical graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. Bechdel writes of her experience growing up in a small town where her father owned the Bechdel Funeral Home-hence the name ‘Fun Home.’ Young Alison has an unusually creative family. Her father is an English teacher and her mother is an actress, performing in the local community theatre. Like many little girls she worships her dad and tries very hard to please him. As a young college… Continue reading
Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” — A Triumph for Oklahoma City University
Sage Tokach (Olga) with Marae Marae Narvaez (Irina) and Kaiden Lynn Maines (Masha) in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”
Anton Chekhov is considered one of the masters of Russian literature and he is noted for his plays as well as his short stories. “Three Sisters” was written in 1900 and premiered in 1901 with Konstantin Stanislavski directing as well as appearing as Lt. Col. Vershinen. The play is certainly a tragic story of a family as the hopes and dreams they cherish fade along with youth. Yet moments of mirth appear occasionally, and brief visions of the natural gaiety… Continue reading
Award Winning Director of The Pollard Presents The Little Mermaid, a Re-Imagined Classic
…..by Adrienne Proctor with Elizabeth Hurd
W. Jerome Stevenson Photo courtesy NewsOK Archives
The Governor’s Arts Awards is one of the prestigious awards given to individuals for their service to the community in arts. For many years W. Jerome Stevenson has been leading the Pollard Theatre with incredible and diverse talent, down to earth practicality and profound integrity. Stevenson has been honored with the Community Service Award this year. Stevenson wears many hats, and the hat tree that can actually hold the number of hats he wears has not yet been designed. He requires an entire coat closet… Continue reading
Blood Relations Brings Chills and Thrills at Carpenter Square Theatre
……..by Adrienne Proctor
Brenna Betz as Lizzie/Bridget (left) and Corrynn Englerth as Lizzie/Actress (right)
Sharon Pollock’s Blood Relations is the mostly true tale of Lizzie Borden and the events leading up to and following the murders of her father and step-mother in Massachusetts in 1892. The play features characters based on actual people and events, as well as fictional characters.
Corrynn Englerth stars as The Actress, a mysterious woman staying with Lizzie, ten years after Lizzie’s acquittal in the infamous murders. Englerth also spends the majority of the show as Lizzie herself, as she is “acting out” the murderous events… Continue reading
“The Mousetrap” Unfortunately Unheard
“The Mousetrap” by the incredible Grande Dame of mystery, Agatha Christie, first opened on the West End in 1952. The show is still being presented! That’s right; “The Mousetrap” is as old as I am! London’s “The Mousetrap” is the longest running show in history. The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond opened “The Mousetrap” on Thursday, March 29, 2018 and UCO only presents a show for one weekend. That means that UCO’s “The Mousetrap” directed by Daisy Folsom has the shortest run of this play in history! It is a distinct possibility that the show will have… Continue reading
Lyric Theatre Presents the Inspiring, Tony Award winner “Fun Home”
…by Adrienne Proctor
Lyn Cramer as Alison \ Lyric’s “Fun Home” Photo by KO Rinearson
More than just a night out of the house, an evening at the theatre is one of the most powerful forms of escapism there is. Fun, dazzling, and inspiring, musical theatre can sometimes be so moving and ground-breaking that it becomes more than just entertainment. Lyric Theatre is offering that level of inspiration with their latest production, the regional debut of Fun Home.
A story of coming out, learning about yourself, and facing your own past, the five-time Tony Award winning Fun Home is deeply… Continue reading
“Greater Tuna” Celebrates CityRep’s Outstanding Performers!
Jonathan Beck Reed (in pink)
Donald Jordan (in baby blue)
Photo courtesy of MUTZ Photography
In the early 1980’s Joe Sears, Ed Howard and Jaston Williams first imagined the town of Tuna, Texas as a familiar place for many Americans. Tuna is a small southern town with a definitive culture, celebrating what they know has worked for generations, unaware that generations to follow are more sophisticated, but not necessarily less determinate. The show celebrates the greatness of these Americans even as the dialogue holds up those inbred notions of self-superiority to ridicule; we must admire their strength and… Continue reading
Congratulations To Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed!
Jonathan Beck Reed (in pink)
Donald Jordan (in baby blue)
Photo courtesy of MUTZ Photography
March 17 has been declared Donald Jordan and Jonathan Beck Reed Day by Governor Mary Fallin. Wow, what an opening night for “Greater Tuna” this Saturday.
“Greater Tuna” the brilliant two man show with too many parts to count has been fascinating audiences and filling them with laughter since 1981. Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard wrote the hit comedy and Sears and Williams have toured it frequently over the years.
Another two actors, cast in the show in 1985, were intrigued with… Continue reading
Junie B. Jones Wows and Delights at Lyric Theatre
Kristen Küns as Junie B. Jones Photo Courtesy of KO Rinearson
….by Adrienne Proctor
Junie B. Jones is a beloved book series about a precocious, intelligent little first grader, and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma has brought her to life on stage. Kristin Küns stars as the energetic young Junie, and her cast of friends and family are equally charismatic and fun. The cast features six actors, most in multiple roles.
While Küns may only have one role, as the title character she’s on stage for the duration of the show. Küns sings, dances, and bounces about the stage with all… Continue reading