Adam Lazarus does unspeakable things with a roast chicken in The Art of Building a Bunker
The best show I’ve seen this week—the best show I’ve seen in many weeks—is The Art of Building a Bunker, which is playing here as part of the rEvolver Festival. [Read more…]
Classical pianist Karen Lee-Morang and opera singer Joel Klein (aka Maria Toilette) join forces with composer Isaiah Bell in “Cocktales with Maria”at the rEvolver Festival.
The rEvolver Festival looks like the most likely place to have a good time in a theatre this weekend. [Read more…]
It ain’t easy, but Fighting Chance Productions (mostly) rises the challenges of Into the Woods
The best show up right now is Fighting Chance Productions mounting of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical, Into the Woods, which is playing at the Jericho Arts Centre until May 16.
Stephen Sondheim’s songs are crazily difficult to realize musically and, under Angus Kellett’s direction, the small orchestra and mostly amateur cast do an admirable job with them. And director Ryan Mooney’s decision to stage the show in the round keeps things visceral; I usually feel like nodding off in Act 2 of Into the Woods, but this time I was downright perky.
I can’t unreservedly recommend this show: the material can sparkle more than it does here, the performances are inconsistent. and, on opening night, microphone glitches were distracting. (When will Fighting Chance get its microphone act together?)
The net sum is positive, though. And you’ve got to give this humble company credit for doing a credible job with such an ambitious piece.
Stay tuned for this week’s theatre pick; I’ll be posting tomorrow.
