Joseph Harrison - Page 3

What do you get when you build a musical around the catalog of hit music from an immensely popular artist with over 60 albums and 67 singles over the last 53 years? You get Jimmy Buffett’s ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE – a colorful, tune-filled romp which is light on plot but heavy on fun all set in the Caribbean sand and now playing through February 12th at the Titusville Playhouse in Titusville, FL.

Chances are you may have been scrolling through Tik Tok or Instagram over the last two years and happened upon a video of two brothers performing fresh, fun and amazing Irish dance routines together. Those brothers, Michael and Matthew Gardiner are currently on tour with the 25th Anniversary tour of RIVERDANCE which will make a stop here in Orlando January 20th – 22nd. I had a chance to speak with the brothers to learn more about how they got started dancing, their newfound social media fame and their involvement in what has become a global phenomenon over the last 28 years.

The holidays are all about tradition. Hanging a familiar ornament on the tree, baking a special dish that is only made during this time of year, watching a favorite holiday movie or TV special in order to get into a festive mood, or yes, even the annual office holiday party. But in the world of musical theatre, there aren’t a lot of productions that fit this category. But the Renaissance Theatre Company in Orlando has decided to fill this void by offering once again this year its hit immersive musical experience, THE OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA SHOW – something I certainly had on my Christmas list after experiencing it last year – and like its 2021 premiere, it offers an innovative, unique, grown up, interactive and hilarious evening that is sure to put a smile on your face and put you in a holiday mood.

You may have a certain idea of what a musical based on Greek mythology would look and feel like, but chances are you’ve never seen or heard anything like singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell masterpiece (and Tony and Grammy Award winning) HADESTOWN. Told through a haunting folk rock, blues, gospel and jazz-infused score, HADESTOWN puts a stylistic and modern twist on the tragic love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and of Persephone, the goddess of spring and Hades, the king of the underworld. Bringing the role of Hades to life in the national tour of HADESTOWN, which takes the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando December 13th – 18th, will be Matthew Patrick Quinn. I caught up with Matthew to find out more about HADESTOWN and what it’s like performing this visionary show to audiences all over the country.

'Please, sir. I want some more.' These words, spoken by Oliver Twist at the beginning of Lionel Bart's  musical OLIVER! kick off a tumultuous journey for the young boy, hurling him into a world destined to change his life forever. It’s a story familiar to many, and one that continues to inspire, even today. In its latest production, Osceola Arts presents this classic tale with a dedicated and energetic cast that entertains and excites.

Behind the spectacle, sets, large casts and costumes of many classic musicals are the relatable, human stories, the conflict, the hope and the pure joy of life. Often, however, as audience members we don’t see those things as clearly when distracted by falling chandeliers or giant dance numbers. But there is something emotionally raw and fulfilling when given the chance to see a story you know so well stripped down to its essence – exposing the beauty that has always been there. This was my experience seeing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Theatre South Playhouse – a beautiful story performed by a talented cast in a simple but immensely effective staging.

The holidays are about traditions - that special dish on the table, the favorite decoration that was handmade by your child, or a familiar song playing on the radio. And for many, nothing says tradition like watching a classic holiday film. Even though we take comfort in watching these familiar stories play out in the expected way on the small screen, for me, one of the special thrills of seeing a lot of live theater is getting to witness a timeless classic brought to vivid life on the stage. Such is the case for WHITE CHRISTMAS, the latest offering from Titusville Playhouse in Titusville, FL – a thrilling, heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining musical for everyone – young and old alike.RISTMAS at Titusville Playhouse?

“Somebody loses, and somebody wins, and one day it’s kicks, then it’s kicks in the shins. But the planet spins. And the world goes ‘round and ‘round.” So goes the title song of the musical revue THE WORLD GOES ROUND – capturing the essence of life, love, loss and everything in between – and setting the stage for a journey through the iconic catalog of musical theatre legends John Kander and Fred Ebb (CABARET, CHICAGO, ZORBA). And in its latest offering of this rare gem of a revue, New Generation Theatrical delivers a stylish, sophisticated and thoroughly satisfying production – giving audiences a simple but thrilling musical with something for everyone.

The Winter Park Playhouse, in Winter Park, FL is extremely good at producing intimate, sometimes lesser-known, but always high-quality musicals. In my short time here in Orlando, I have had the pleasure of visiting the Playhouse on a few occasions, and each time have been thrilled at my experience – not just because the shows themselves were outstanding, but because the environment radiates warmth, positivity and a true love of the craft of musical theatre. So, it was once again my pleasure to make it out this weekend to see the latest production of The Winter Park Playhouse’s 20th anniversary season – SH-BOOM! LIFE COULD BE A DREAM, and once again I came away with a huge smile and a heartwarming feeling. This latest production is everything audiences have come to expect: a fun and entertaining night of musical theatre, presented by a highly talented cast and imagined by a strong creative team.

There’s no arguing that musicals made from movies can be hit or miss. Broadway has had it’s share of them over the last few decades. Sometimes they work well (e.g., HAIRSPRAY, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE PRODUCERS) and sometimes not so much (e.g., CARRIE, KING KONG, DRACULA) but there is something particularly thrilling about seeing a fan favorite brought to life on stage. That is certainly the case for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, the musical version of the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy film of the same name. And lucky for fans (of either the film or the musical) the current production at Osceola Arts in Kissimmee is absolutely fabulous – from the first bolt of lighting to the last thunderclap (and audience clap) – it’s a non-stop, rollicking good time.

Thomas “Fats” Waller, a pioneer in jazz piano, was a prolific composer, writing over 400 songs in his lifetime, with hits like “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Honeysuckle Rose” even making it into the Grammy Hall of Fame. So, it is no surprise that in 1978 a Broadway Musical, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ premiered featuring dozens of Waller’s songs and a cast of five African American actors, including a young Andre de Shields (HADESTOWN) and the late, great Nell Carter who won a Tony Award for her performance. Since its premiere, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ has lived on, thrilling audiences all around the world including the latest production at the Titusville Playhouse in Titusville, FL – an energetic and electric production that sizzles from beginning to end.

What’s the formula for a perfect farce? First take a bunch of unwitting characters thrown together in an unlikely scenario, add to that a lot of slamming doors, physical comedy and costume malfunctions (and maybe a bunch of sardines) and let boil over until you have immense amounts of laughter. Or you could just study Michael Frayn’s masterpiece of a comedy NOISES OFF, which is currently playing at Orlando Shakes as the opening production of their 2022 – 2023 season.

Audiences in Titusville have their own chance to journey to Bikini Bottom and visit SpongeBob and friends in Titusville Playhouse’s 58th season opener – THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL – a visual feast of a show featuring an outstanding cast which delivers a fun, family-friendly, and highly entertaining night at the theatre.

How do you take a brilliant piece of classic musical theatre and improve upon it? Orlando’s New Generation Theatrical's production of SWEENEY TODD, does this by breaking down the typical stage barriers and immersing the audience in the material, creating a fresh (and fantastic) production.

What happens when you take a popular comedy film, add in new music by the king of musical theatre, and put it on stage with a talented cast? You get the Orlando premiere of SCHOOL OF ROCK presented by Theatre South Playhouse in Dr. Phillips - an energetic, entertaining, and eminently electric experience of epic proportions.

“So, did you hear the story of the Johnstone twins? As like each other as two new pins. Of one womb born, on the self-same day, how one was kept and one given away?” These are the words spoken by the Narrator at the beginning of BLOOD BROTHERS, the long-running West End musical by Willy Russell which provides the perfect setup for the play that follows. BLOOD BROTHERS is not a show that gets produced that often, but that is likely exactly why the Florida Theatrical Association has opted to mount a production of the musical – to introduce it to new audiences and provide theatregoers the unique experience of seeing the show. I attended opening night and it was, in fact, the first time I have had the chance to see a live production even though I have been familiar with the piece due to its popularity in England and its not-as-successful run on Broadway in the early 1990’s. And though the piece itself has some challenges (more on that later) the FTA’s production is solid with outstanding and emotional performances by the cast and a creative vision true to the material

Somewhere on Highway 57 between Frog Level and Smyrna sits a little diner across from a service station where the pie is fresh, the beer is cold, and the gas is cheap (if that’s even possible these days). Such is the setting for the Off-Broadway hit musical PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES. And in its latest production of this feel-good musical, The Winter Park Playhouse delivers a toe-tapping, knee slapping good time.

There are some musicals that just make you smile and can do so regardless of how many times you have seen in them. For me, one of those shows is (and will always be) LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL. Read our critic's review about this production of this fun and uplifting musical,. Titusville Playhouse delivers a fresh, energetic and thoroughly entertaining take on the story of Miss Elle Woods and her journey of self-discovery.

In the opening number of Elton John and Tim Rice’s hit musical, AIDA, Princess Amneris sings - “Every story, tale or memoir, every saga or romance, whether true or fabricated, whether planned or happenstance….All are tales of human failing, All are tales of love at heart.” and with those opening lines, she encapsulates perfectly the touching (and heart wrenching) story that audiences are about to witness. And in its current production of this classic love story, The Henegar Center in Melbourne delivers an AIDA that is thrilling from its first moments to its last and features some of the most powerful, emotional, and polished performances I have seen on stage in a very long time.

In the world of musical theatre there are productions that come along that deliver the perfect storm of creative expression. This elusive synergy can be due to the topic or setting being extremely relevant to the time that it is performed or can come from the blending of top-notch talent, creative vision and execution. Even more rarely, an opportunity comes along to mount a production in an unexpected but perfect setting for a given show. And sometimes, just sometimes, you get all the above. That is the best way I can describe the Florida Theatrical Association’s current production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s musical, ASSASSINS – a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness this wonderful piece of musical theatre, delivered by a stellar cast in an unlikely location – the Cheyenne Saloon in downtown Orlando.