Spotlight on Reviews

What makes a musical the best ever? According to “Time Magazine”, it is powerful memorable songs, great acting, great voices, dancing, and a great story of characters, complicated ones, This production of "Carousel", by Music Theater Works, has ALMOST all of those. 

**** Highly Recommended  Although "Million Dollar Quartet" is one of my favorite shows, I’ve never seen a production quite like total MDQ experience at the brand new 98-seat Stolpe Island Theatre in Aurora.  From the moment you walk in the door you’ll be immersed in Sun Records.  In fact, you’ll be sitting IN the studio with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis!  "Million Dollar Quartet" was 90 minutes of pure fun. 4 BIG Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended  The Towle Theater’s production of "Pippin" was a joy to watch.  The choreography is very Fosse (of course, Bob Fosse choreographed the original), the music is amazing and I loved the funky costumes.  By the way, the cast is incredible!  I watched carefully as they were dancing and every hand/head/hip was in exactly the same place at exactly the same time.  I did hear a tiny bit of feedback about the sad story, but otherwise, it’s a hit! Kudos to Co-Directors Jeff Casey and Jim LaPietra and Choreographer Nikki Dizon.  Even more Kudos to Kevin Bellamy for the set and really unusual costumes – or in some cases, semi-costumes!  4 BIG Spotlight

**** Recommended  If country music is your jam – like my friend Nancy - you’ll definitely want to see "Country Is: The Music of Main Street in Concert", the last musical of the Canterbury Summer Theatre’s season.  Even though country music is not my jam, I really did enjoy the show. The three cast members are talented, enthusiastic and energetic, although they were a teensy bit pitchy on a couple of songs.  3 ½ Spotlights