Charlotte Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT at Belk Theater
by Perry Tannenbaum - November 29, 2024

While Marc Shaiman's score often sounds effortful in striving to make SOME LIKE IT HOT what it was in the first place—a musical with cherry-picked hits for Marilyn Monroe to sing—the book by Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin helps the story and its main characters diversify and evolve. Director Casey N...

Review: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at The Arts Factory
by Vickie Evans - November 12, 2024

JaJa's African Hair Braiding is a humorous depiction of West African immigrants. Even though it was funny, it also packed a powerful message of the challenge of deportation immigrants face....

Review: & JULIET at Belk Theater
by Perry Tannenbaum - October 25, 2024

What did our critic think of & JULIET at Belk Theater?...

Review: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at Blumenthal Performing Arts
by Perry Tannenbaum - October 05, 2024

At Belk Theater, with a house twice as large as the venues where GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY played London and Broadway, the touring musical seems more like a distant mirage than a precious rolling stone by a dream team.The Belk's wretched sound further hamstrings Conor McPherson's book and Bob Dyla...

Review: BNS Productions Presents CLYDE'S
by Vickie Evans - September 17, 2024

This was my first time seeing any work by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Lynn Nottage. I was delighted at the storyline of 'Clyde's' and the wonderful direction and casting crafted by BNS Productions....

Review: THE INTERNATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL'S STAR-STUDDED GALA
by Vickie Evans - August 12, 2024

THE INTERNATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL'S STAR-STUDDED GALA is one of my favorite events because it showcases the best of the best in theatre excellence. This event is equivalent to our Oscars....

Review: International Black Theatre Festival Noon-Day Press Conference
by Vickie Evans - August 06, 2024

The IBTF's Noon-Day Press Conference is one of my favorite events because it presents a snapshot of the planned activities for the week with a star-studded roster of theatre professionals....

Review: GRAMMY AND NAACP Award-Winning Saxophonist, Najee, at Knight Theater
by Vickie Evans - July 22, 2024

I was ecstatic to see the Grammy and NAACP award-winning jazz saxophonist legend, Najee, at the Knight Theater, in Charlotte, North Carolina....

Review: SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA CHAMBER MUSIC at Dock Street Theatre
by Perry Tannenbaum - June 09, 2024

Wiancko is more about theming each of the 11 concerts in the chamber series, more about the Zen of each program. Nuttall was laid-back and West Coast in his attitude: If you want to applaud between movements, go right ahead. A couple of times, Wiancko took what seemed like a Far Eastern approach, re...

Review: THE JAZZ STYLIST OF THE 'INCOMPARABLE SAMARA JOY' at Belk Theater
by Vickie Evans - June 06, 2024

There are no adjectives that can effectively describe the level of greatness in which Samara Joy delivers the sounds of Jazz. She is phenomenal and an 'old soul' in a beautiful contemporary body. She is on the frontline of bringing jazz to a new generation of followers....

Review: HOW TO BE AN ETHICAL SLUT at Comedy Arts Theater Of Charlotte
by Vickie Evans - May 31, 2024

What did our critic think of HOW TO BE AN ETHICAL SLUT at Comedy Arts Theater Of Charlotte?...

Review: HADESTOWN at Belk Theater
by Perry Tannenbaum - May 10, 2024

What did our critic think of HADESTOWN at Belk Theater?...

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Blumenthal Performing Arts
by Perry Tannenbaum - May 03, 2024

Pardon me a second, but I seem to be noticing stretch marks on my suspension of disbelief. Three nights before the curtain rose on the touring version of MRS. DOUBTFIRE that rolled into Belk Theater, I saw a rather fine production of Twelfth Night across town at Central Piedmont College. Since both ...

Review: TURANDOT at Belk Theater
by Perry Tannenbaum - April 22, 2024

Yes, a grand opera was inserted at Belk Theater as the clock or calendar was winding down! Around the world, Callas, Nilsson, and Sutherland are among the divas who have graced the powerhouse role of TURANDOT, and Franco Zeffirelli's production at the Met is as revered for its stateliness and splend...

Review: CATCHING THE MOON at Children's Theatre Of Charlotte
by Vickie Evans - March 25, 2024

'CATCHING THE MOON' at Children's Theatre Of Charlotte is an awesome depiction of a very impactful figure in African American history, Marcenia Lyle, aka Toni Stone....

Review: The Broadway Stage Play THE MOUNTAINTOP Debuts at Theatre Charlotte
by Vickie Evans - February 17, 2024

The Mountaintop is an interesting spin from the mind of Katori Hall of a fictitious conversation between Dr. King and a maid named Camae in the Lorraine Motel the day before his assassination. I find her creativity and imagination very vivid and enlightening indeed especially since it did have some ...

Review: CONFEDERATES Makes Its Debut in Charlotte, North Carolina at The Arts Factory
by Vickie Evans - February 12, 2024

Confederates is a thought-provoking stage play that depicts two women - a slave and professor, on similar journeys....

Review: BNS PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS AUGUST WILSON'S 'THE PIANO LESSON' at The Parr Center
by Vickie Evans - February 06, 2024

The Cast Of BNS Productions' adaptation of August Wilson's 'Piano Lesson' was absolutely superb which facilitated the outstanding presentation of an intriguing storyline....

Review: COMPANY at Blumenthal Performing Arts
by Perry Tannenbaum - November 27, 2023

Injecting diversity, switching genders pell-mell, and even gifting us with a gay couple, Marianne Elliott's overhaul of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY isn't more illuminating or revelatory than the 1970 original. But the horseplay and the gay wedding-day shenanigans are wildly entertaining - and the sup...

Review: THE INTRICACY OF THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at Three Bone Theatre
by Vickie Evans - November 21, 2023

The acquisition of knowledge is important to me. Before this production, I knew nothing about The Lehman Brothers and their capitalistic pursuit. After the production, which was three-hours long, I thoroughly knew their evolution from shop owners to investment bankers and their integral role in the ...

Review: BRIAN CULBERTSON BRINGS HIS TRILOGY TOUR TO CHARLOTTE, NC at Knight Theater
by Vickie Evans - November 17, 2023

Music is a soother of the soul. Seeing Brian Culbertson in person is such a jubilant experience. The melodious display of jazz, R&B, Funk, and Soul bought theater patrons so much joy that was expressed in dancing, singing, and toe-tapping....

Review: SPEAKEASY TAKES A 'SOULFUL RIDE' at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Booth Playhouse
by Vickie Evans - November 15, 2023

Speakeasy is a good modern dramatization that reminds me of the days of Blaxploitation fiims and African American sitcoms....

Review: PHILLIP JOHNSON RICHARDSON RETURNS 'HOME' TO CHARLOTTE, NC IN THE PRE-BROADWAY REVIVAL OF 'THE WIZ'
by Vickie Evans - November 09, 2023

Excellent Show! First time as a theater reviewer that I had no criticism at all. Every aspect of the production (cast, music, costumes, set, choreography, etc.) was EXCEPTIONAL....

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Blumenthal Performing Arts
by Perry Tannenbaum - October 20, 2023

They haven't fixed the clunky storytelling or finally used actual Fanny Brice material, but FUNNY GIRL still scores big when it comes equipped with an electrifying lead and a top-notch cast....

Review: TIRED SOULS: THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT at Children's Theatre Of Charlotte
by Vickie Evans - October 10, 2023

Mike Wiley, The Playwright, cleverly foretold the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by randomly choosing audience members to portray historic African American heroes. It was entertaining, but not as full-scale and visual as the productions I am accustomed to....