Category: Theater reviews

Theater review: ‘Cats’ at the Majestic Theatre

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The North American tour company of ‘Cats.’ Photo: Matthew Murphy, used with permission.

Now playing at the Majestic Theatre is ‘Cats,’ one of the biggest hits in theatrical history and there are still four more performances this weekend. ‘Cats’ is a sung-through musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on the 1939 poetry book “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Eliot. It is the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make the “Jellicle choice,” deciding which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. Showtimes are Saturday at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m.

‘Cats’ begins as the cats gather onstage and describe the Jellicle tribe and its purpose. ‘Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats’ Once they notice that they are being watched by an audience, they proceed to explain how the different cats are named. ‘The Naming of the Cats’ After Victoria’s (Caitlin Bond) ballet solo to signal the beginning of the Jellicle Ball, ‘Invitation to the Jellicle Ball’ Munkustrap (Dan Hoy), the show’s main narrator, explains that the Jellicle patriarch, Old Deuteronomy (Brandon Michael Nase) will make an appearance and choose one of the cats to be reborn. Munkustrap introduces the night’s contenders one by one, including Mistoffelees, (PJ DiGaetano) Rum Tum Tugger (McGee Maddox) and Bustopher Jones (Timothy Gulan). In the end, Old Deuteronomy chooses Grizabella (Keri Rene Fuller), a very old and mangy cat, to be the next one to go the Heaviside Layer and be reborn ‘Journey to the Heaviside Layer.’

From the graceful dancing of the Cats during The Jellicle Ball to the swagger of ‘The Rum Tum Tugger,’ there is something for everyone in this production because the music ranges from classical to jazz. Act I ends with a preview of the popular ‘Memory’ with Grizabella performing the entire song when she addresses the Cats towards the end. The definite audience favorites were Macavity (the evil criminal of the bunch, who can never quite be caught in the act) and Mistoffelees (he is small, black and can do feats of magic no other cat can do) as well as Rum Tum Tugger. Show highlights include Mistoffelees’ dance solo and Grizabella’s rendition of ‘Memory, which drew the most applause and cheers from the audience and is one of the most poignant moments of the show. With beautiful melodies, an extremely talented cast and amazing costumes, this timeless musical does not disappoint. ‘Cats’ is sure to entertain longtime fans as well as newbies and is a must-see for audiences of all ages.

Theater review: ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ is now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre through Sunday November 3.

Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ and this is the last weekend to catch this highly entertaining musical as it runs through Sunday November 3. ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ tells the story of two drag queens and a transgender woman who agree to perform at a resort in Alice Springs, a town in the remote Australian desert. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling the Box Office at 210-267-8388.

‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ is set in Australia and begins with drag queen Mitzi Mitosis, whose real name is Anthony “Tick” Belrose, (John Berring) performing at a club “It’s Raining Men.” His estranged wife Marion (Jimmi Nelson-Reid) calls him for a favor. She needs him to perform for a few weeks at her business in Alice Springs, Australia during which time he can get to know his son Benji (Landon Levy) who has been asking for him “I Say A Little Prayer.” Tick agrees and convinces his friend, a transgender woman named Bernadette, aka Ralph, (Ronald Watson) to join him and then has another performer, Felicia, whose real name is Adam Whitely (Jesse Beere) join them “Venus.” Together they buy a budge Barbie campervan they nickname Priscilla, Queen of the Desert “Go West.” Along the way, Priscilla breaks down, forcing them to stop at a small town where they are victims of hate crimes but also make new friends and despite their differences, the trio realizes that they can not part ways. “We Belong.”

One trait of a good musical is its ability to have audiences singing along and since ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ uses well-known pop songs as its score, that is a huge plus. Such songs include “Venus,” “I Will Survive” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and knowing the songs makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Based on the smash-hit movie of the same name, it is the heartwarming and uplifting adventure of three friends who even though they clash sometimes, they always have each other’s backs. It has humor, heart and romance but it is definitely not for young audiences due to the adult themes and language. Show highlights include “Venus” when Felicia is introduce to the audience and “True Colors” when Bernadette and Adam try to cheer up Tick when he is disillusioned after Priscilla is vandalized with homophobic slurs. Ronald Watson, John Berring and Jesse Beere are incredibly talented and work well together but Jesse’s presentation is energetic and full of enthusiasm and well worth the price of admission just to see him perform his musical numbers. The music and dancing are excellent and the costumes are just plain gorgeous. With infectious songs and amazing performances, ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ is the most fun to be had at the theater this season; perfect for a girl’s night out.

 

Theater review: ‘Les Miserables’ at the Majestic Theatre

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The company of ‘Les Miserables’ performs “One Day More.” Photo: Matthew Murphy, used with permission.

Now playing at the Majestic Theatre is the Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, ‘Les Misérables.’ The musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic is set in 19th-century France and follows the lives of different characters as they search for redemption and revolution and is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. It runs through Sunday September 22 and tickets, which are going fast, start $49.50 through Ticketmaster online, by phone at 1-800-982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. Performance times are 7:30p.m. through Thursday; 8p.m. on Friday; 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m and 7:30p.m. on Sunday.

‘Les Misérables’ begins with a Prologue set in 1815 Digne where, after 19 years on the chain gang, Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell), known as prisoner number 24601, finds that because he must openly identify himself as an ex-con, he will always be an outcast. “Soliloquy” The only one who shows Valjean any kindness is the Bishop of Digne (Andrew Maughan) and he repays him by stealing some silver. He is caught but the Bishop lies to the police to save him and he uses this chance to start his life over. Eight years pass and Valjean, after he broke parole and changed his name, is now a factory owner and Mayor. When one of this workers, Fantine (Mary Kate Moore), who was unjustly fired, “At The End of the Day” ends up on the streets and badly injured, he demands that instead of being arrested, she be taken to the hospital. On her deathbed, Valjean promises to take care of her young daughter Cosette. “Fantine’s Death”

Nine years later in Paris, Javert (Josh Davis) saves Valjean and Cosette (Jillian Butler) from a street gang but does not recognize Valjean until he is gone. There is unrest in the city because the popular leader General Lamarque, who is sympathetic to the poor, is near death. Upon his death, a group of politically-minded students stir up a revolution on the streets. “The People’s Song” One of those students is Marius (Joshua Grosso) who is smitten with Cosette. The students build a barricade but they are all killed during the ensuing fighting, except Marius, who is saved by Valjean. Him and Cosette get married “Wedding Chorale” and she learns the truth about her past from an old Valjean before he dies.

The night started off promising with the powerful voices of the opening numbers by the Company and Valjean’s “Soliloquy.” Given that most of the performances are serious numbers, “Master of the House” was well received and the audience visibly relaxed during the comedy relief of Thénardier (Jimmy Smagula) and his wife (Allison Guinn). Most impressive was the scenery, which is inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo and this includes a realistic looking fall when Javert commits suicide by throwing himself into the Seine. From the inspiring moments of “One Day More” to the heartbreaking death of Valjean, the opening night of ‘Les Misérables’ was a good start of its run at the Majestic Theatre. It is breath taking and inspirational and a must-see production for fans and newbies alike. Be advised that the show begins promptly at 7:30p.m. Late comers will be allowed but will have to wait until end of the Prologue, approximately 14 minutes into the show.

Theater review: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at The Classic Theatre

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Josh Davis and Alyx Gonzales as Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ It runs through Sunday September 29 with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are $33 for general admission,  $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for student and are available online or at the box office by calling (210) 589-8450. Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Joe Goscinski, this is one of Shakespeare’s most famous stories and revolves around two star-crossed lovers in the depths of forbidden love despite an ancient family feud

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set in Verona, Italy and begins with an argument on the street between Montague and Capulet servants who, like their masters, are sworn enemies. It is broken up by Prince Escalus of Verona (Torrence White) who warns them that disturbance of the peace is punishable by death. Count Paris (Gabriel Maldonado) wants to marry Juliet (Alyx Gonzales) but Capulet (Gabriel Itzcoatl Luera) asks him to wait another two years and invites him to a ball the Capulet family is hosting. Romeo (Josh Davis) has a crush on Rosaline, one of Capulet’s nieces, so Benvolio (Laura Boyd)  persuads him to attend the Capulet ball so they can meet.  Instead, Romeo meets and is instantly smitten with Juliet. Despite being from feuding families, the two fall passionately in love and convince Friar Laurence (Carolyn Provencher) to marry them. He agrees in the hopes of reconciling the families through their children’s marriage.

With increasing pressure to marry Paris, Juliet visits the Friar for help and he offers her a potion that will temporarily put her in a deathlike coma. She takes the potion the night before her wedding to Paris and when she is discovered “dead,” she is laid in the family crypt.  Romeo does not receive word of Juliet’s plan in time, so when he learns of her death, he is heart broken and after buying poison from an apothecary, he rushes to the Capulet crypt.  Believing Juliet to be dead, he takes the poison and when Juliet awakens and sees him dead besides her, she stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger and joins him in death. In the end, the families do reconcile, but it is by their children’s deaths and not their marriage. They agree to end their feuding ways.

There is something unique about experiencing Shakespeare at The Classic Theatre.  The intimate theater setting combined with the talented cast makes the classics accessible to everyone, from newbies to seasoned fans. This is especially true for ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy examines the universal theme of love, but it also experiments with fate, chance and predetermination. By calling the couple “star-crossed lovers,” is their love predetermined by the stars but also doomed to eventually fail because they are from feuding families? The contemporary setting makes these themes relevant to modern times. Kudos to the costume designer for using monogrammed clothing so it is easier to distinguish the Montagues from the Capulets. Josh Davis and Alyx Gonzales have a magnetic stage presence and chemistry that brings Romeo and Juliet hauntingly to life. But it is Josh’s performance during the famous “balcony scene” that makes the audience truly feel the depth of the love he feels toward Juliet. Nick Lawson is excellent as Mercutio, Romeo’s close friend; his animated performance makes the often difficult dialogue easier to understand. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a classic that never goes out of style and is now, more than ever, applicable to our times. It is a must-see production that should be experienced more than once.

*Special Student Performances — September 19 and 26, 2019 at 7p.m. School groups can register for this program online.

Theater review: ‘Dreamgirls’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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This is the last weekend to catch ‘Dreamgirls’ at the Woodlawn Theatre. Photo courtesy of Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘Dreamgirls,’ the musical about the aspirations of a female singing trio and their amazing journey from Chicago to the Apollo Theatre where they meet a would-be manager and begin their musical journey of fame, love, betrayal and friendship that spans a decade. This is the final weekend to catch this fabulous production but unfortunately the last three showtimes are sold out. Please call the box office at 210-267-8388 for additional ticket information. Through Sunday, the theater is still accepting donations of pre-paid gift cards for The Renaissance Guild. The Renaissance Guild is San Antonio’s premier black theatre company whose purpose is to promote diversity through theater.

In ‘Dreamgirls,’ the story begins in Harlem, New York where The Dreamettes, a hopeful black girl group from Chicago, enter the famous Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in 1962 “I’m Looking For Something, Baby.” The group consists of lead singer Effie White (Naomi Williams Johnson) and her best friends Deena Jones (LaToya Chenelle Crawford) and Lorrell Robinson (Janecia Stevenson). They do not win that night, but backstage they meet Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Bradley Freeman) who becomes The Dreamettes’ manager. Curtis convinces James Thunder Early (Darcell Bios), a popular R&B star, to hire The Dreamettes as backup singers. Their first performance is a success “Fake Your Way to the Top” but Jimmy wants more. They achieve fame but as the years go by, complications arise, as they often do, and the lineup changes and so does the music. Effie is replaced as the lead singer and she goes her own way. In the end, she reunites with The Dreamettes, now the Dreams, for their final concert to sing together one more time. “Hard to Say Goodbye, (My Love).”

The Woodlawn Theatre brings down the house with this high energy production bursting with music, dancing and drama. Typical of the music industry, The Dreamettes transition from unknowns to super stardom which leads to shifting careers and difficult personal relationships. It contains the universal themes of family, love and friendship and proves once more that true friendship withstands the test of time and triumphs despite life’s ups and downs. Motown fans are in for a treat as the best of the 60s and 70s R&B and soul are represented on the stage throughout the show. The brilliant comedic stylings of Darcell Bios as James Thunder Early keeps the audience laughing between the dramatic scenes. Show highlights include “Fake Your Way to the Top” by Jimmy and The Dreamettes, “(And I’m Telling You) I’m Not Going” by Effie, Deena, Lorrell, Michelle and Ensemble (Naomi Williams Johnson’s performance is heartbreaking) and the title song “Dreamgirls” by Deena, Effie and Lorrell. The extremely talented cast works well together and the gorgeous costumes are to die for. Overall, ‘Dreamgirls’ is a nostalgic look back at the early days of Motown will appeal to all ages. It is definitely a must-see production.

Theater review: ‘Matilda The Musical’ at The Public Theater

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‘Matilda The Musical’ is now playing at The Public Theater through August 11. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Weekends were made for family fun and there are still plenty of chances to catch Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda The Musical’ in the Russell Hill Rogers Auditorium at The Public Theater of San Antonio. It opened July 12 to much acclaim and runs through Sunday August 11. ‘Matilda The Musical’ is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. Tickets are available online and at the box office by calling (210) 733-7258.

‘Matilda The Musical’ begins with a large group of spoiled children at a birthday party singing “Miracle” and delighted about how special they are, as their parents shower them with praise and attention.  At the same time, a clueless and nine-months pregnant Mrs. Wormwood (Briane Green) is at the hospital and even though she insists she must travel to Paris for a dancing competition, she gives birth to a baby girl. Mr. Wormwood (Robby Vance) is disappointed that it is a girl and that is how Matilda’s (Taylor Paige Henderson) mistreatment at the hands of her family begins. Five years later, an unhappy Matilda lives with her family and to cope with the constant verbal abuse, she gets even by playing pranks on them.“Naughty” Her situation does not change once she goes to school due to the cruel and child-hating headmistress Miss Trunchbull (Shane Glenn Vickers) but she finds an ally in her teacher Miss Honey (Madison Genovese). At first it seems like Matilda will never have her happy ending but when her family has to leave town, Mr. Wormwood agrees to let her stay with Miss Honey and finally acknowledges her as a girl.

This version of the story of Matilda is darker than what most people, who are fans of the movie, are used to. The cast of children do an admirable job alongside the adults and Taylor Paige Henderson, as Matilda, is especially talented in the role. Note: Audrey Anne Davis plays Matilda on alternating days. An honorable mention goes to Shane Glenn Vickers for his portrayal of the heartless and mean Miss Trunchbull. Show highlights are when the company performs “When I Grow Up” as the children ponder about their adult lives and “Revolting Children” as the defiant children swear to continue to fight for their rights. One of the funniest musical numbers is “Loud” when Miss Honey visits the Wormwoods to get them to put Matilda in an advanced class and Mrs. Wormwood and Rudolpho (Luis Garcia Jr.) insist on rehearsing their dance number instead. Overall, ‘Matilda The Musical’ is the charming story of an underestimated little girl who uses her imagination and sharp mind to take a stand and change her own destiny. It appeals to audiences of all ages and is filled with humor, laughter and heart. A definite must-see production for the entire family.

Theater review: Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is playing at the Woodlawn Theatre through Sunday July 28. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ the musical based on the award-winning animated movie that revolves around Belle, a young woman in a small town and the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. This family friendly production opened on Friday July 5 with much acclaim and will run through Sunday July 28. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets prices range from $18 to $30 and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388.

After the Overture, Disney’s ’Beauty and the Beast’ begins on a cold winter’s night. An old beggar woman (Madeline Gutierrez) comes to a young spoiled prince’s castle and offers him a single rose in return for shelter but the prince (Chris Fuglestad) turns her away because of her appearance. The old woman warns him not to be fooled by appearances because true beauty lies within but the prince rejects her again. She then transforms into a beautiful enchantress and turns him into a hideous Beast and all his servants into various household objects. She gives him a rose and tells him that the only way to break the spell is to find someone to love and someone to return that love by the time the last petal falls. “Prologue”

Years later, a beautiful young girl named Belle (Reagan Wilson) comes into town one morning on her way to the local bookseller and expresses her wish to live in a world like the ones she reads in her books. “Belle” Her eccentric father Maurice (James Frazier) is an inventor and gets lost in the woods on the way to an invention fair and wanders into the Beast’s castle. He is thrown into the dungeon for trespassing and when Belle comes looking for him and finds him imprisoned, she strikes a deal with the Beast. She agrees to stay behind as long as her father is freed. At first Belle and the Beast clash, but eventually they become friends and end up falling for each other. Just before the last petal falls, Belle admits she loves him and her declaration breaks the spell and the Beast is transformed into a human again. “Transformation”

Friday night’s performance was to a nearly full house and it did not disappoint. Even though the show is based on an animated movie, it has something for everyone, from romance to comedy. During “Belle,” the first musical number, Gaston (Cary Farrow IV) becomes an audience favorite, bringing to mind the lovable cartoon character Johnny Bravo. Other beloved characters include Lumiere (Nick DeGraw) and Cogsworth (Brian Zavala). Standout performances include “Be Our Guest” by Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and the ensemble, which ends in a confetti explosion, and “Human Again” by Lumiere and the ensemble when they desperately wish to be human again. Belle’s “A Change in Me” is sweet and heartwarming and the Beast’s “If I Can’t Love Her” is one of the show’s most poignant moments. Just watching the Beast and Belle dance during “Beauty and the Beast” was a treat in and of itself. Overall, Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is an unforgettable show that the whole family can enjoy. The story, characters, gorgeous costumes and amazing singing and dancing makes this a show not to be missed. An outstanding job by the talented cast and crew.

Theater review: ‘Don’t Blame the Car’ at The Classic Theatre

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Jaston Williams’ ‘Don’t Blame the Car’ runs until Sunday June 30 at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Sandra Cruz

On Thursday June 27, The Classic Theatre opened their Second Series production of Greater Tuna’s Jaston Williams’ ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ Texan favorite Jaston Williams returns to the Classic Theatre with more amusing anecdotes from his childhood and personal experiences and there are still a few chances to catch the show. It runs until Sunday June 30 with showtimes at 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7p.m. on Sunday. General admission tickets are $25 and available online. There will be no late seating at any performance. Written and Performed by Jaston Williams.

As is customary, Jaston Williams did a small introductory scene and introduced himself and the material he is about to cover. This is not his first visit to the Classic Theatre and most of his loyal fans are those who are familiar with his work with Joe Sears in the Greater Tuna franchise, the much-loved series of satires set in Texas. He builds up the anticipation by carefully setting up his props before he begins the storytelling and does it with a subtle smile. The show’s title comes from when his mother tried to teach him how to drive a standard and basically assured him it was permitted to pass on the right, even on a two-lane road. His father’s advice: he told him to “write down everything she had told me about driving a standard, take it out in the backyard and burn it.” Spoiler alert: his life-time hatred of potatoes comes from being overexposed to them because his family farmed potatoes. True story. The guy was traumatized by the experience.

The set has funny graffiti on the wall and a couple of paintings. Scattered throughout the stage are several props, including a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. In ‘Don’t Blame the Car!’ Jaston Williams shares his lifetime of experiences and, being a humorist, manages to make them hilarious. One audience favorite was when he went trick or treating as an adolescent and an elderly female neighbor questioned whether he was too old for the Halloween tradition and threw in a single Tootsie Roll into his candy bag. He did not make a scene but rather returned later that night and toilet papered her house and “made it rain” with a water gun. The one that goes with the St. Francis of Assisi statue on stage? Earlier he placed several stuffed dogs around it and later explained that they represented the dogs his mother had accidentally ran over on the driveway with her car. That one is more sad than funny. But overall, he recounts his stories with a certain gusto that makes them enjoyable. Overall, it is also a tribute to his brother Corky, who taught him to see beyond a person’s outer shell. It is a must see production and fans of his work are in for a treat. The show runs approximately 90 minutes long without an intermission.

Theater review: ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ at the Majestic Theatre

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‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is now playing at the Majestic Theatre through Sunday.

Now playing at the Majestic Theatre is ‘The Play That Goes Wrong,’ Broadway and London’s award-winning smash comedy. It opened on Tuesday and will run until Sunday June 23. There are still five chances to see it with showtimes on Friday at 8p.m., Saturday at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at Ticketmaster online, by calling (800) 982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. Called “A gut -busting hit “ by The New York Times and “The funniest play Broadway has ever seen” by HuffPost, this classic murder mystery is full of mishaps and madcap mania. Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things quickly go from bad to utterly disastrous.

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is a play by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre Company. Before it begins, the stage crew of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are making last minute adjustments to the set, including trying to mend a broken mantlepiece and looking for a lost dog. The disasters begin as soon Chris, (Evan Alexander Smith) the head of the drama company, comes onstage to introduce the night’s play and misses the spotlight. He talks about the company’s past attempts at putting on productions but is thrilled to introduce their latest effort. The first scene of the play has the lights prematurely go up as Jonathan (Yaegel T.Welch) – playing Charles Haversham is crawling on the floor trying to take his place onstage. The lights go down again and come back up as he is posed as dead on the chaise longue. His death is at the center of this play within a play and is meant to be a 1920s murder mystery play but in the spirit of show business, “the show must go on.” During the performance, several disasters plague the cast and crew including doors sticking, props falling from the walls, misplaced props, mispronounced words and being hidden in a grandfather clock. The climax is a tribute to a scene in Buster Keaton’s film Steamboat Bill, Jr. when most of the remaining set collapses.

The Majestic Theatre usually plays host to musicals, so to experience a play, a comedy no less, is a treat. The laughs begin right from the beginning and keep coming with every scene. A cross between a Sherlock Holmes mystery and a slapstick Monty Python comedy, it is entertaining on all levels and even breaks the fourth wall when they reference and address the audience. Occasionally, a scene goes on for too long, for example, when a missed line causes a repeated loop of the scene, but it is still funny. The talented cast works well together and the physical comedy is top-notch. Sometimes a hearty laugh or two is just what the doctor ordered and overall, ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is a hilarious good time and a must-see production. Come prepared to laugh your socks off.

Theater review: ‘Cabaret’ at The Sheldon Vexler Theatre

cabaretbillThis is the last weekend to enjoy the local production of ‘Cabaret’ at The Sheldon Vexler Theatre with the final showtimes at 8p.m. on Saturday and 2:30p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $20 for seniors/military and $19 for JCC (Barshop Jewish Community Center) and even though they are sold out, there is an in-person wait list before every performance one hour before showtime. This unforgettable musical focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles.

‘Cabaret’ is set in Berlin in 1930 at the infamous Kit Kat Klub as the Nazis are rising to power. Act One begins with “Willkommen” by the cabaret girls and waiters as the flamboyant and audience favorite Emcee (Rick Sanchez) welcomes the audience to the Kit Kat Klub and invites them to leave their troubles behind and enjoy themselves. He introduces Sally (Amanda Golden), who performs a racy and flirtatious number “Don’t Tell Mama.” At the train station, Cliff Bradshaw (Brian Hodges) is coming to Berlin to work on his novel and while there meets Ernst Ludwig (Kevin Cox), a German officer. He offers Cliff work and recommends a boarding house where Fräulein Schneider (Kimberly Stephenson) makes him a deal to rent him a room “So What?” Soon after the mood starts to change as the rising political turmoil is foreshadowed by Cliff’s reading of ‘Mein Kampf’ and the revelation at Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz’ (Philip Marzec) engagement party that Cliff’s friend Ernst is a member of the Nazi party. On top of it all, Fräulein Kost (Chelsea Steele) and company reprise “Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” with more overtly Nazi overtones, as Cliff, Sally, Fräulein Schneider, Herr Schultz and the Emcee look on. Cliff and Sally’s relationship ends, Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz break up due to him being Jewish and the cabaret performers, including the Emcee, become victims to the Nazi atrocities “Willkommen.” It all comes to the shocking conclusion as the Emcee takes off his overcoat to reveal a concentration camp prisoner’s uniform marked with a yellow Star of David and a pink triangle.

The story is a social commentary of the times and eerily relevant to the current political situation. ‘Cabaret’ starts off with decadent celebrations and slowly descends into political upheaval. It follows the blooming relationship between Sally and Cliff but the secondary relationship between landlady Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, the elderly Jewish fruit shop owner, is also important because it depicts the rise of Nazism and its effect on daily life and relationships. Show highlights include the cabaret girls’ “Kick Line” and “If You Could See Her” by Emcee and the Gorilla, that ends with the Emcee’s shocking line “if you could see her through my eyes…she wouldn’t look Jewish at all.” The German officers, in full Nazi uniforms, marching across the stage after “Kick Line” was especially unnerving. All the performances are solid with top nods going to Rick Sanchez for his portrayal of the Emcee. Some of the dancing sequences are risqué and due to the adult themes and language, it is recommended for mature audiences. Overall, the dark subject matter may make it uncomfortable to watch but it is a must see.