I have heard from a close relative of mine who was in New York City and saw two shows. Both were disappointing. "Spider Man" was a blah. The music was not memorable nor even hummable. The special effects were just fine, but as a show it was not very entertaining. I just read that they were were shutting the show down for two weeks to "revamp". Maybe the revamping will be an improvement.
The second show was "Sister Act'". I was told that this production needed star power. I believe that if a script is good it does not need star power. If it is a bad script star power will not help. However, this show is not recommended either.
On the revival front comes two very interesting shows. "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" stars that Harry Potter guy Daniel Radcliff. Also playing is the rip roaring musical "Anything Goes". Both shows insure entertainment.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
B & B's "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN " HITS TARGET
The musical at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is very entertaining. With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin (nee Israel Isidore Baline) how can "Annie Get Your Gun" ever miss? Hit after hit abounds in this musical, such as "There's No Business Like Show Business","The Girl That I Marry", "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly", "You Can't Get A Man With A Gun" and "Anything You Can Do" to just name a few.
The star of the show is Tiana Checchia as Annie Oakley, the legendary sharp shooter with a rifle. She has gusto, zest and enough energy for two shows. Her renditions of Berlin's music is marvelous. Her magical voice soars over the rest of the cast. Her characterization of Annie has spunk and spontaneity.
Tiana has plenty of talented company on stage. Curt Dale Clark portrayed Frank Butler. the love interest of Annie. His melodic voice enriches the show. Comics J. R. Stuart, Jeff Stockberger and Katherine Procter shows their mettle in lesser roles. They join the comedic styles with expert comic Jack Milo as Chief Sitting Bull whose timing is extraordinary. Even if his "accent" wandered all the way from Arizona to Brooklyn in the second act he did not ruffle
any feathers. With all his humor he knew he could not "steal" the show from Tiana Checchia.
In the story Annie gets her man while losing a sharp shooting contest since her sights on the rifle were altered. I had the same problem in college while taking ROTC. At a target practice I was missing the target by more than two feet. I was finally told to, "Put the gun down, Epstein , and just say bang."
"Annie Get Your Gun" will play through May 8th. Next on the Beef & Boards stage will be another musical treat, "Cinderella" the Rogers & Hammerstein rendition, running May 12th to July 1st.
The star of the show is Tiana Checchia as Annie Oakley, the legendary sharp shooter with a rifle. She has gusto, zest and enough energy for two shows. Her renditions of Berlin's music is marvelous. Her magical voice soars over the rest of the cast. Her characterization of Annie has spunk and spontaneity.
Tiana has plenty of talented company on stage. Curt Dale Clark portrayed Frank Butler. the love interest of Annie. His melodic voice enriches the show. Comics J. R. Stuart, Jeff Stockberger and Katherine Procter shows their mettle in lesser roles. They join the comedic styles with expert comic Jack Milo as Chief Sitting Bull whose timing is extraordinary. Even if his "accent" wandered all the way from Arizona to Brooklyn in the second act he did not ruffle
any feathers. With all his humor he knew he could not "steal" the show from Tiana Checchia.
In the story Annie gets her man while losing a sharp shooting contest since her sights on the rifle were altered. I had the same problem in college while taking ROTC. At a target practice I was missing the target by more than two feet. I was finally told to, "Put the gun down, Epstein , and just say bang."
"Annie Get Your Gun" will play through May 8th. Next on the Beef & Boards stage will be another musical treat, "Cinderella" the Rogers & Hammerstein rendition, running May 12th to July 1st.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Charlie's Background
I was a critic for The Jewish Post for 37 years, and a critic for the New York theatrical trade paper, Backstage. I have been in show business most of my life as an actor, director, and writer.
I have reviewed stage shows, ballets, operas, movies, and concerts. The Indianapolis entertainment industry has grown considerably in the last thirty years. Because many newspapers have gone out of business, there is an increasing use of on-line sites to bring news about the arts to the citizens of Indianapolis.
Charlie Epstein
I have reviewed stage shows, ballets, operas, movies, and concerts. The Indianapolis entertainment industry has grown considerably in the last thirty years. Because many newspapers have gone out of business, there is an increasing use of on-line sites to bring news about the arts to the citizens of Indianapolis.
Charlie Epstein
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