Spotlight on Reviews

**** Recommended **** "Evita" has always been one of my favorite musicals.  I love the eclectic mix of music - tango, salsa, rhythmic Latin, classic and rock – especially when the staging doesn’t get in the way of the music.  I will never forget reading a review of the movie, in which the young-ish writer actually said it would have been a better movie without all the singing!  Drury Lane’s streamlined staging allows the music to soar.  Kudos to Director, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, on finding the perfect blend of voices.  If you want a full-on Broadway-style production, then Drury Lane’s "Evita" is the show for you!  4 BIG Spotlights     

**** Recommended **** I don’t mind admitting that I am an Agatha Christie fan, so I was eager to see First Folio’s production, "The Secret Council", based on Christie’s second book, "The Secret Adversary", which introduced Tommy and Tuppence aka Thomas Beresford and Prudence Cowley to the reading public.  David Rice’s adaptation was kind of campy, a little melodramatic, and definitely played for laughs and it was a lot of fun.  4 Spotlights

*** Recommended *** "Wellesley Girl" is not about a student at a women’s college in Massachusetts, it’s not even about the town of Wellesley.  200 years into the future, the water has been poisoned by some apocalyptic event.  (If it seems like there’s an abundance of apocalyptic stories, it’s because there are!)  Obviously the survivors – who believe they’re the only ones left – are up against impossible odds.  Plot is kind of tired but the acting is strong.  3 Spotlights

** Somewhat Recommended ** If you’re an "Oklahoma!" purist, you’ll probably find the new touring production at the CIBC Theatre heavy going.  If you’re open to a completely new interpretation of this perennial favorite, then this is the show for you!  Although it’s advertised as Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Oklahoma!", it’s just not.  Director Daniel Fish had a new idea.  Now I don’t care if he changed the set, the costumes and the time line, but he wasn’t finished.  He also changed the songs!  They do still sing the original lyrics but the music is played bluegrass style.  The talented cast tried to win me over but no, I am a purist.  2 ½ Spotlights