The Marriage Matinee - Page 5

Reading the synopsis of CHILDREN OF EDEN leads you to believe you know exactly what's to come. The story of the Book of Genesis is one many people have at least a passing familiarity with. However, this musical makes the stories come to life in new ways and provokes questions and thoughts that are as relevant today as they were in Biblical times. A journey through the Garden of Eden becomes a whirlwind of music, movement, and moving moments that goes far beyond the words on a page.

Based on songs by ABBA, Mamma Mia! is established in a Greek island where a young lady named Sophie Sheridan is about to get married. Getting married without her birth father giving her away is deeply troubling her, so she sets to remedy that. However, she really has zero clue who he is, so she invites three men who were amorously involved with her mother some 20 years ago to the wedding. When they arrive on the island, Sophie's mother, Donna Sheridan, is brought back memories of love and heartbreak.

At first glance, WAITRESS has a deceptively simple surface plot. Woman in a bad marriage hangs with gal pals encouraging her to do better for herself. That may be the bare bits of this musical, but its complexities and melodies are as enticing as one of Jenna's famous pies.

We had the privilege of interviewing Steven Good, who plays Dr. Pomatter in the upcoming tour of WAITRESS coming through Indianapolis. We had to ask him what this musical is able to serve up, other than pies, and he had some great insight to share with us about this fun and touching musical.

Razzmatazz, glitz, glamour, intrigue: 42ND STREET is filled with these classic themes, which is why it still thrills audiences decades after its premiere.

The musical, THE KING AND I, accounts the experience of widow Mrs. Anna Leonowens (Anglea Baumgardner), an English school teacher, who was take on as a main driving factor in the King of Siam's push to modernize Siam in the late 1800s. Anna and her young son travel to Siam where she teaches the royals about culture, customs, and the modern world. With the King also being thought of as "a barbarian", Anna also prepares a formal party for English diplomats with hopes they will change their tune about the King.

The draw is easy: Joshua Henry, Broadway star, with a meteoric rise which includes HAMILTON. Enough said, right? But therein lies the beauty of the setting of a cabaret.

THE KING AND I has the power to evoke many iconic songs, images, and fond memories. It has become a designated Broadway classic. However, what do the classics have to offer us in this modern age? Timothy Matthew Flores fills us in on how this national tour has breathed new life into the classic, showing its timeless qualities.

'Grease' is certainly the word at Beef & Boards as the original production of the celebrated musical started its run.

SCHOOL OF ROCK is a musical about rebellion, the mantra of "sticking it to The Man", of children finding their voice in a controlled and advantaged setting and finding their courage to rise up.

We had the privilege of speaking with Deidre Lang, who plays Ms. Sheinkopf in the upcoming touring production of School of Rock, and she had quite a few reasons why we all need to go back to school. She reflected with us on what this show can mean as something beyond a musical, which predominantly features kids, and how it can speak to us as adults.

The advertising is very clear: for mature audiences only. MURDER BALLAD is a rather steamy and enticing piece of musical theater.

The assumption when you take your seat for THE BOOK OF MORMON is that you will laugh, perhaps even laugh a lot, but that is far from the truth. You are much more likely to be in physical pain from full-belly laughing for nearly the entire show. Trey Parker and Matt Stone did an exceptional job using humor as a vehicle for some excellent life lessons.

The first impression created by THE BOOK OF MORMON does not necessarily scream 'timeless themes,' but Corey Jones, who plays the General in the second national tour, begs to differ. The musical is the brainchild of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, a duo expected to deliver hilarity, but Jones gives an insight into why this musical is relevant for more than a few laughs.

It was our pleasure to be invited to review CIRCUMSTANTIAL HOLIDAYS by local playwright and director Christine Kruze, and we have to say that we came in with a certain amount of skepticism. That was a huge mistake on our part because the production was nothing but fun from start to finish.

Many of us are sure to feel a surge of nostalgia as we recall the days when Dr. Seuss' beloved children's books graced our shelves. But nothing quite evokes that feeling as much as DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL.

'Elf the Musical,' that is playing at Beef & Boards this past holiday weekend, left this reviewer longing to go home and watch the 2003 movie that inspired the traveling musical. But, that's not because I was disappointed.

Many of us find ourselves caught up in the hubbub of daily life, constantly being pulled this way, then that. It becomes so easy to lose your way and forget that there can be more. BRIGADOON calls to us out of the misty forest to remember a simpler time, when life was focused on living and loving.

When you go to a Broadway revue or a show featuring a mixture of performance types, you usually expect it to be good. You don't expect what had the pleasure to witness on Monday night.

It seems impossible to improve upon a classic, but the touring company of THE LION KING has managed just that. It has shown that classics become so for a reason, and they can still take on new life in the hands of a talented director and cast.