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Written by Ronnie Pirate
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Wednesday, 21 March 2007 |
 Those guys at Disney really know what they are
doing. First they create the empire of
children’s films, toys, and clothes, then they realize they can adapt them into
shows. Then these shows get performed
by elementary schools and tours all over the country, generating new interest
for the movies, toys, etc. Pretty
smart.
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Written by Martha Haney
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Sunday, 18 March 2007 |
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 Eugene Ionesco is often considered a “love him or hate him”
kind of playwright. Whether or not this is true, after Regent University’s An
Evening of Ionesco, I have come to the conclusion that Ionesco is at least
not for the faint of heart. Nor for the weak of bladder.
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Written by James R. Johnson
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Sunday, 18 March 2007 |
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 “Off the Top” is a comedy improv show that models itself after the popular television series, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”. Coming from an acting background, it sounds like a lot of fun to participate in the improv games they do on TV. And, honestly, it seemed that the actors at the 40th Street Stage were having a ball. They were loud, they were confident, they were laughing and carrying on. They had a great time. I did not.
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Written by M.J. Garland
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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
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Vulgar Little Theatre Company presents what could be called an extreme bastardization of Moliere's play The Doctor In Spite of Himself at 40th Street Stage. The play by Moliere (if you want to still call it that) has been adapted by Frankie Little Hardin and leaves you with 'little' of Moliere.
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Written by Laura Apelt
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Sunday, 11 March 2007 |
 If you haven’t already reserved your tickets for
Peninsula Community Theatre’s A Raisin in the Sun, stop reading and get them
now. You can finish reading this after you’re done. And since performances have
been selling out, your chances of getting tickets are already slim. Good luck.
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Written by Mike Diana
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Thursday, 08 March 2007 |
 Recipe for killing a mockingbird:
Start with a wonderfully written novel and render through a colander until the barest bones of the book are left behind. Set aside waste and save for later (see recipe for 'Mediocre Screen Play'). Once the bare bones have been reassembled in some patchwork of the original story, preheat lights at half for 30 minutes, then slide under the proscenium and onto stage at full for two and a half hours, turning once at the one hour mark. If the scenic designer and director's concept don't get in the way and the cast's performances bubble to the surface, halfway through the first hour you might have a chance of avoiding serving up a half-baked production of Harper Lee's much loved To Kill A Mockingbird.
No such luck For Virginia Stage Company Friday night at the Wells Theater in Norfolk.
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Written by Ronnie Pirate
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Sunday, 04 March 2007 |
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Let me begin this review by saying that I fully support what Hurrah
Players does. I think it is a wonderful organization that does an
excellent job of integrating children and their parents into the
performing arts. Their goal is to provide low cost, quality
entertainment to the families of Hampton Roads, as well as classes and
training that, for some of their performers, takes them to professional
careers. They give to the community constantly with their talent and
time. This may sound like an excuse to be able to rip into a great and
established organization, and you may be right, but there are a few
things I wonder about having seen their most recent production Freedom
is My Middle Name.
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Written by PJ Freebourn
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Tuesday, 27 February 2007 |
 Ok, let me start by saying that this is one of my favorite musicals. It is an incredibly funny self-mocking musical filled with spoof and satire. By the name, one might think we are about to be sit through an extended night of bathroom style one liners like “Big Yellow River” by I. P. Freely, but we are actually treated to an evening full of comedy that is both intelligent and fresh (plus bad bathroom jokes).
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Written by David Springstead
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Monday, 26 February 2007 |
 Thank goodness for British theatre and their playwrights, for without them we wouldn't have access to a wealth of comedy that has come to be known as the "sex farce."
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Written by Martha Haney
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Monday, 26 February 2007 |
 Poquoson Island Players (PIP's) recently opened Red, Hot and Cole. This tribute to the life of songwriter (most notably for his Broadway showtunes) Cole Porter had a two weekend run at Poquoson Middle School.
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Written by M. J. Garland
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Wednesday, 14 February 2007 |
 Currently running at the Generic Theatre is Kristine Thatcher's heart warming drama Emma's Child. This production has moments of beautiful writing and heart warming scenes while holding a much needed laugh in a male bonding scene that is not to be missed.
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Written by M. J, Garland
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Thursday, 01 February 2007 |
 Oscar Wilde was a man of words, wit and wonderment. Wilde was WILD. The Importance of Being Earnest is a play that has always been near and dear to my heart. It is very possibly Oscar Wilde’s most brilliant play, which is saying a lot since he is considered to be amongst Europe's best and brightest playwrights.
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Written by Ronnie Pirate
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Sunday, 28 January 2007 |
 I asked if any friends wanted to go with me to see a play about the Black Plague.
"Is it like Holy Grail? Bring out your dead?"
"Oh lord, this is going to be like Philadelphia or something, isn't it?"
Fortunately, neither was the case. The Little Theater of Virginia Beach has put together what I would say is one of the strongest shows of this season. The Living, though not quite what they advertise, is worthy of not only public attendance, but school field trips.
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Written by M.J. Garland
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Sunday, 21 January 2007 |
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Virginia Stage Company begins the new year with Indoor/Outdoor, a
wonderful and spellbinding comedy by Kenny Finkle.
This production is a theatrical experience from
beginning to end with sets, lighting, costumes and
performances that make you think you may have
sniffed a little too much catnip.
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Written by David Springstead
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Friday, 19 January 2007 |
 In 1950, Isaac Asimov wrote a collection of short stories entitled "I, Robot." In this collection were several tales of robots (advanced technology) and their relationship to mankind. And in order for them to peacefully co-exist, Asimov wrote that the robots/machinery had to be governed by the three laws of robotics. These laws basically stated that a human being could not be harmed, either by action or inaction.
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Written by Wendy Jade
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Saturday, 13 January 2007 |
 Have you ever been to see a production and were
thoroughly entertained and amused but, in the end, had no idea what it was
about? This is how I felt about the
Peninsula Community Theatre’s production of Greetings! by Tom Dudzick.
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Written by David Springstead
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Monday, 01 January 2007 |
 Once more the area has been graced with a production that's out on the road in one of those infamous truck and bus tours. These road shows can be everything from outstanding to just plain bad. Life on the road as an actor isn't all glamour. The number of performances is usually pretty demanding, and depending on the tour venues (A, B, or C types) your backstage area can be quite... interesting. And living out of a suitcase is never easy.
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Written by Ronnie Pirate
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Monday, 25 December 2006 |
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You may very well know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen, as well as Comet, Cupid Donner, and Blitzen. But, did you know that Mrs. Claus is a raging alcoholic? Have you heard the rumors about why you shouldn’t get caught alone with Santa in the toy shop? And what exactly did happen to Rudolph?
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Written by Mike Diana
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Monday, 18 December 2006 |
Inspector Goole:
"We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other . . . and if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." |
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Written by M.J. Garland
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Sunday, 17 December 2006 |
 This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Free Reign Theatre's production of Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim at the George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Theatre in the Chrysler Museum. This musical - amongst one of my top favorites - always poses a challenge for community based groups. This case is no different. Into the Woods also nicknamed "Into the Words" by Forbidden Broadway in New York brings many challenges to groups.
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Theatre 
