Feature: HITS! THE MUSICAL at Southern TheatreMarch 12, 2023When HITS! THE MUSICAL was gearing up to embark on a 48-city tour of the United States, a reality TV crew was brought on board to document the journey. The thought of 29 young adults between the ages of 10 to 22 traveling as an army across the United States seems to be ready made for a sudsy docudrama.
Feature: INTO THE WOODS at Short North StageMarch 9, 2023After reciting the 'The Witch's Entrance' for 19 shows in Short North Stage's production of INTO THE WOODS, Diana DeGarmo may never look at a salad the same way again.
Review: SLAVE PLAY at Short North StageFebruary 5, 2023What did our critic think of SLAVE PLAY at Short North Stage? People always ask critics two questions: “did you like it?” and “is it worth seeing?” When it comes time to discuss SLAVE PLAY, these two questions are going to be tough to answer. Did I like it? From a theatrical rubric, it checks off the boxes of fantastic acting and wonderful direction, and powerful message. However, is it enjoyable? At times yes … and sometimes it felt like a punch to the stomach.
Review: THE PRICE OF POWER at Abbey Theater Of DublinJanuary 17, 2023What did our critic think of THE PRICE OF POWER at Abbey Theater Of Dublin? As the director of THE PRICE OF POWER, Abbey Theater of Dublin director Joe Bishara is up against an interesting challenge. How does one present a show about John F. Kennedy, one of the most famous faces in the history of American politics?
Feature: 2022 HOLIDAY SHOWS In ColumbusDecember 19, 2022I will proudly admit it. I don't like Christmas shows. I once videotaped HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and purposely stopped taping right about the time the Grinch was about to dump the presents off the edge of Mount Crumpet. I empathize with Miles Finch and Mr. Potter more than I do with Buddy the Elf and George Bailey.
Interview: ELF: THE MUSICAL at Palace TheaterDecember 7, 2022Most Christmas shows seem to follow a simple pattern: Someone doesn't have that festive spirit meets someone who does, a miracle happens, and the bah humbuger sees the joy in the holidays.
Review: VETSAID at Nationwide ArenaNovember 16, 2022What did our critic think of VETSAID at Nationwide Arena? When the Eagles appeared in Columbus for the 'The History of the Eagles' tour, the members of the band appeared in nearly identical black suits. One of the first questions readers always ask is: 'Joe Walsh has a suit?'
Review: ASSASSINS at Columbus Performing Arts CenterNovember 14, 2022What did our critic think of ASSASSINS at Columbus Performing Arts Center? Stephen Sondheim issued a not-so-subtle warning to critics attending his musical ASSASSINS. In the song, 'the Ballad of Booth,' the balladeer questions the Abraham Lincoln killer for his motives: 'Some say you killed a country, John/Because of bad reviews.'
Feature: VETSAID at Nationwide ArenaNovember 9, 2022For the last three days, Haiden (no last name given) and his mother have kept a lonely vigil at Used Kids records (2500 Summit St. in Columbus), waiting to meet guitar hero Joe Walsh.
Review: THE WHO at Schottenstein CenterOctober 12, 2022What did our critic think of THE WHO at Schottenstein Cente? When the Who, a 1990 inductee to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, announced their current 'The Who Hits Back' tour, the response of many 'fans' on one website was a hard pass.
Review: HAMILTON at Ohio TheatreOctober 10, 2022What did our critic think of HAMILTON at Ohio Theatre? Before the lights fade and the curtain parts on HAMILTON at the Ohio Theatre, the audience receives a message from King George (Peter Matthew Smith) reminding them to shut off their cell phones and to enjoy 'MY show.'
Interview: Katie Jacoby And Keith Levenson of THE WHO at Schottenstein CenterOctober 5, 2022After stunning her St. Mark's High School classmates with a blistering re-creation of the violin solo in the Who's 'Baba O'Reilly,' Katie Jacoby was ready for bigger things. Jacoby, then 15, emailed the Who to let them know she was available to perform in their upcoming show at the Wachovia Center in 2007.
Interview: HAMILTON at Ohio TheaterOctober 3, 2022When Tyler Belo looks at his final transcripts from Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, it is always the D+ in general economics that makes him smile. Belo barely passed the class because he opted out on the final to crash an equity-only tryout for HAMILTON.
Review: REVIEW: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at Southern TheatreSeptember 26, 2022What did our critic think of REVIEW: DISNEY’S NEWSIES at Southern Theatre? Aristotle is credited with coming up with the phrase, 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.' Had he witnessed the Columbus Children Theatre's production of DISNEY'S NEWSIES, the philosopher may have reversed the quotation to 'the parts are greater than the sum of the whole.' An energetic cast, sharp management by director Joe Deer and choreographer Vincent Sylvester, and tight orchestration by musical director Lara Brooks lifted a cheesy musical to stellar heights.