Reviews by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Over the years, I think I’ve heard entirely too many motivational speakers.  None of them ever seem to get where I am or what I’m feeling.  Curiously, this Man (Jim Ortlieb) in the American Blues Theater production of "Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight" seemed to understand exactly how long it had been since any of us felt connected.  John Kolvenbach has written a brilliant script, incorporating the angst of the past two years in among the motivational clichés.  Ortlieb, who can play almost any part and give it credibility, made it look easy as he convinced the opening night audience (full of critics – skeptics all) to read from a paper, clap, sigh, hum, or stand on cue.  Amazing!  4 Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** Music Theater Works production of "La Cage Aux Folles" is probably the most extravagantly glitzy yet hilariously funny show I’ve seen in a while.  They’ve pulled out all the sequined stops, bringing in RuPaul’s Drag Race headliner, Ginger Minj, to play Albin and Project Runway designer Justin LeBlanc to do costumes. In fact, Minj and co-star Jason Richards have chemistry!  Casting is practically perfect, choreography is outstanding and the comedy is spot-on.  Finally, "La Cage Aux Folles" might be set in a drag club in St. Tropez, but at heart, it’s really about family – the family we’re born into and the family we make.  4 BIG Spotlights

**** Recommended **** "Passage" is a play that makes you think.  At the beginning, I wasn’t sure where it was going, but while some things became clearer, a lot did not, but there are plenty of parallels to the problems in today's world. Kudos to Remy Bumppo Theatre Company and director, Kaiser Ahmed, for opening with Christopher Chen’s gripping play.  4 Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** When I went to see "Hadestown"  I had a vague idea that the story was based on Greek mythology, but I had no expectations.  Now that I’ve seen the show, I have to say, it blew me away!  "Hadestown" doesn’t wait for you to get into the story, it reaches out and grabs you with its hauntingly beautiful music, glorious voices, joyous dance, and a sense of joie de vivre on stage.  Even though it doesn’t have a ‘happily ever after,’ it does end on an upbeat note!  The coolest thing of all, "Hadestown" was written and directed by women, Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin respectively!  4 BIG Spotlights