In 1975 our family went to New York to see the original Broadway production of The Wiz. I will never forget the power of that performance and how wonderful it made me feel. Even though I was 4, I knew right then that I wanted to be an actor. My performing career has been an adventure. Running a gambit doing stage, television, sketch comedy and film. Ive been nominated for a NAACP Best Actor Award for portraying Booker T. Washington in the musical Ragtime. Performed at L.A. Festival of Sketch Comedy. Created my own traveling children's show to promote literacy (thebearshow.org) and Birmingham's sketch comedy (perrycomedy.com) I love the stage and the stories that inspire. My soul smiles when I experience theater that is enriching and memorable. It is a privilege to share these feeling with you.
The touring company of 'Mean Girls' is an energetic cast with a 'fetch'ing chemistry that you should see before school lets out. ert Hall?
What did our critic think of SOUND AND CINEMA: ORCHESTRAS ARE BRINGING MOVIES LIVE IN CONCERT
This week in Montgomery, Alabama, you will find a unique, strong offering with the Force. On Thursday, The Montgomery Symphony Orchestra performs Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert. The movie will be projected above the orchestra as they play the entire John Williams score with the film. The concert will be led by MSO Music Director and Conductor Jamie Reeves.
What did our critic think of LIZZIE: THE ROCK MUSICAL at Actors Community Playhouse?
What did our critic think of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE?
Red Mountain Theatre’s Holiday Spectacular” is a joyful celebration of song, laughter, togetherness, and hope. Things with COVID may have dulled your view of unity right now. This production clears the isolation fog and allows you to believe in miracles again seeing with the eyes of a child.
If you are skilled in the kitchen you know sugar, butter and flour are the holy trinity of baking. “Waitress” is a moving musical made with a similar simple recipe. Take two people, mix them with love, and let it rise.
If you heard a thunderous boom last night, it wasn't Doc Brown's DeLorean. It was Red Mountain Theatre's singing at 88mph, sending Birmingham 'Back To Broadway'. This high-energy musical theater revue is the perfect kick off for the inaugural season at Red Mountain Theatre's brand new art campus in Parkside.
'Puffs' at Birmingham Festival Theatre is a comedy that takes great liberties with the hit stories of a certain popular young wizard. An enchanted cast that is fearlessly rambunctious electrifies 'Puffs'. Director Kelsey Crawford's magic gets you under the spell of the show right from the jump. If you are a Harry Potter fan, 'Puffs' is a must see performance. Written by Matt Cox 'Puffs' focuses on this less notable house at the big school for wizards. It's not the house of the brave ones, the smart ones or the snakey ones. This is house of Puff! Home to the outcasts, weirdos, and lesser-known children at the Wizarding School who never get a second glance. They are gleeful to fail, and are never a threat. With Puffs, it's third or nothing!
'Natalie Needs a Nightie' skillfully laces misdirection and great comedic performances by a hilarious cast. It lifts you in all the right places. Hugs all the curves using smart sexual innuendos. It's so comfortable you leave wanting to buy another pair, of tickets.
'Godspell' is a celebration of humanity and spirituality, free from any specific religion. it's a song filled ride about peace, love and hope for us all to be better people in a larger community.
Harriet (Karen Marie Black) is a highrise uptown girl and Janie (Sara James) who is unmotivated and heavy on the chutzpah. These two young women are facing a dilemma in trying to find and fit all of their life expectations into a self-imposed small box labeled 'you can have it all' in the romantic comedy 'Isn't It Romantic' at Homewood Theatre.
Max McLean is president and artistic director of Fellowship for Performing Arts. They have a long history of producing theatre from a Christian worldview to engage a diverse audience. The weekend they bring Birmingham a captivating production of C.S.Lewis' Screwtape Letters. McLean shares insight with me into this ten year running production and his passion for blending faith and the arts.
Scott Bradlee shares on going from a creative kid to living his dream as the creative head of Postmodern Jukebox in his book 'Outside the Jukebox: How I Turned My Vintage Music Obsession into My Dream Gig.' His interview gives a candid and inspiring look into moments, conversions, and reflections in his long career growing the success of Postmodern Jukebox.
This new revival of 'Les Misérables' is alive and bellows with the rising voice of the people. The creative presentation delivers high production value, memorable talent. The end result created an unexpected experience as if I was viewing 'Les Misérables' for the first time with fresh eyes. Performances of the iconic songs 'I Dreamed A Dream,' 'On My Own,' 'Stars,' 'Bring Him Home,' and 'One Day More' will strike a cord in your spirit.
Actress Jillian Bell successes have been growing like comedy kudzu as a result of her bright spirit and comedic brilliance. Bell consistently shines in memorable performances including 'Brittany Runs a Marathon', '22 Jump Street', 'Workaholics', ''Idiotsitter', 'Bless The Harts', and the comedy 'Sword of Trust' filmed in Birmingham. We chatted recently about running on the road of her career.
Theatre UAB is offering an exceptional new play that highlights the voice of young women in the practice field to adulthood. 'The Wolves' is writer Sarah DeLappe's strikingly fresh and female centric drama. I found this play to be an enlightening and engaging look into the lives of nine completely different but competitive teenage girls on a high school soccer team. The play is structured as often-overlapping conversations play out over a series of practices. The 'real on the field' stems from the cause and effect of the girls lives getting into position for adulthood. The goals are made as relationships are tested, broken, and built between the team. The rare all female cast and production team radiate an exciting energy into 'The Wolves.'
Theatre Downtown has to relocate to a new building and will be shuttering up it doors on 5th Ave next weekend. Come enjoy their production 'Mr. Burns!' before they move out. Theatre Downtown's artistic luster shines from love given from a collective community of committed actors, crew, volunteers, and patrons that make home in their hearts to original theater you won't find anywhere else.
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra recently conjured the Ghostbusters incredible music by Elmer Bernstein. They crossed the streams, making a musical walk down memory lane much more magical. Everyone was entranced as the live music faced the scary sweetness of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Theatre UAB is offering a rendition of 'Hair' worth breaking out your vintage Rolling Stones T-Shirt or fringe vest and bell-bottoms. Theatre UAB has produced a wonderfully entertaining, and relevant and modernized rendition of this classic rock musical. This is for the youthful spirited, and those who want to make love, and not war.
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