Category Archives: Shows

NYMF 2012: Review Roundup Week 1

The 2012 New York Musical Theater Festival, presented in the summer this year instead of in its usual fall outing, has just passed the halfway mark of its ninth annual edition. Of the ten “full” productions offered in the first … Continue reading

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Dogfight: Review Roundup

The new Off-Broadway musical Dogfight, based on the 1991 film directed by Nancy Savoca, opened at Second Stage last night to mixed but generally positive reviews. For the record, the creative team includes Peter Duchan (book), Benj Pasek and Justin … Continue reading

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Fela!: Review Roundup

The return summer engagement of the 2009 bio-musical Fela!, based on the life of Fela Kuti as inspired by Carlos Moore’s book Fela: This Bitch of a Life, opened last night to somewhat mixed but generally positive reviews. For the … Continue reading

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Triassic Parq: Review Roundup

The new Off-Broadway musical Triassic Parq, which won Best Musical at the 2010 N.Y. Fringe, opened to mixed but generally positive reviews. The creative team includes Marshall Pailet (book, lyrics, music, direction), Bryce Norbitz and Steve Wargo (book, lyrics), Kyle … Continue reading

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Closer Than Ever: Review Roundup

Last week, York Theatre Company opened its Off-Broadway revival of the 1989 revue Closer Than Ever to very positive reviews. The creative team includes Richard Maltby Jr. (concept, lyrics, direction), David Shire (music), Scott Smith (concept), Andrew Gerle (music direction), … Continue reading

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Rock of Ages: Review Roundup

Rock of Ages, the $75 million film adaptation of the 2009 Tony-nominated Broadway musical, took in an underwhelming $15.1 million in its first weekend, though it has received generally positive reviews. The creative team includes Adam Shankman (direction), Justin Theroux, … Continue reading

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Wheelhouse: Review Roundup

The world premiere of the GrooveLily musical Wheelhouse, presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley at the Mt. View PAC, opened this week to tepid reviews. For the record, the creative team is GrooveLily (book, lyrics and music), Lisa Peterson (direction), Kate … Continue reading

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Tulipomania: Review Roundup

The world premiere of Arden Theater’s commissioned musical Tulipomania has opened to primarily negative reviews. The creative team includes Michael Ogborn (book, lyrics and music), Terrence J. Nolen (direction), James Kronzer (sets), John Stephen Hoey (lights), Rosemarie E. McKelvey (costumes), … Continue reading

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Los Otros: Review Roundup

The world premiere musical Los Otros opened last week at Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles to unenthusiastic reviews. The creative team is Ellen Fitzhugh (book and lyrics), Michael John LaChiusa (music), Graciela Daniele (direction), Christopher Barreca (sets), Ann Hould-Ward … Continue reading

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Battlefield America: Review Roundup

The hip-hop dance movie Battlefield America opened June 1 to scathing reviews. The creative team is Chris B. Stokes (direction), Marques Houston (screenplay), Miko Dannels (cinematography), Sherril Schlesinger and Harvey White (editing), Tema L. Staig (production design), Keith Davidson (art … Continue reading

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