Columbus Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 6

BWW Review: THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB at Curtain Players
by Paul Batterson - September 15, 2020

In the play,THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB, a group of female swimmers return each year to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a weekend rendezvous of drinking and playing catch-up on each other's lives. Curtain Players' season-opening production of this five-women play feels much the same way. ...

BWW Review: A Glorious Production of MY FAIR LADY at the Ohio Theatre
by Christina Mancuso - March 13, 2020

With the recent pandemic sweeping our world, it was so refreshing to be whisked away by this glorious production of Lerner & Loew's MY FAIR LADY. Brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher, this version embodies everything a musical should be -- lavish costumes, exquisite sets, superb acting, effortless ...

BWW Reviews: Short North Stage Brings YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN to Life
by Paul Batterson - March 09, 2020

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Consider this entry from the 'If at first you don't succeed' department. A young television writer is recruited to write a book for the musical SHINBONE ALLEY. Haven't heard of it? That's not too surprising. It lasted a little over a month and closed on Broadway after 49 perform...

BWW REVIEWS: ANASTASIA is Not a Botox Version of the Animated Movie
by Paul Batterson - January 31, 2020

When the movie ANASTASIA was released in 1996, somewhere someone was humming along with the score of the 20th Century Fox film and thought 'This might make a fantastic musical.' It took nearly 20 years but the faith in the concept is paying off....

BWW Review: Reimagined LES MISERABLES Triumphs with Sensational Voices at the Ohio Theatre
by Christina Mancuso - November 21, 2019

Arguably the greatest musical of all time, Les Miserables strikes every possible chord with its powerful message of love, rebellion, sacrifice, redemption and inspiration. A brilliant musical masterpiece oozing with a lush, rich score, Les Miserables is a timeless testament to the ultimate survival ...

BWW Review: MEAN GIRLS Makes the Transformation From Movie to Musical
by Paul Batterson - October 26, 2019

In the television show, 30 Rock, Tracy Jordan, the self-centered actor played by Tracy Morgan, decides his life-goal is to EGOT (meaning to capture Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards). Jordan asks Whoopi Goldberg, an EGOT winner herself, for advice....

BWW Review: BWW REVIEWS: BACK TO BEING A DUO, PAGE SHINES AGAIN IN NEWARK at 31 West Ballroom
by Paul Batterson - October 21, 2019

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BWW Interviews: Bare No More Former BNL Front Man Turns Over a New Page
by Paul Batterson - October 07, 2019

Even after close to three decades of performing, sales of over 15 million records, twice being named as group of the year at the Juno awards, and a selection into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Steven Page still feels he has to win his audience over at every show....

BWW REVIEWS: DEAR EVAN, Thanks For Everything. Sincerely, Columbus.
by Paul Batterson - September 19, 2019

As it did at the Tony Awards, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, the 2017 award winner for Best Musical, rolls into Columbus on the tails of HAMILTON, the 2016 Tony Award winner which played in the Ohio Theatre in the Spring. Although the style of music and subject manner are hard to compare, there are many similari...

BWW reviews: NPAC presents a sweltering performance of KISS ME KATE
by Paul Batterson - September 16, 2019

The second act of the Northland Performing Arts Center & Vaud-Villities Production of KISS ME KATE opens with Cole Porter's classic 'Too Darn Hot.' It turned out to be a fitting anthem for the evening production. The temperatures hit in the high 80s-90s mark on the thermometer and the performance of...

BWW Interview: Anthony Focuses on role, Cartoon Network as He Takes Lead in DEAR EVAN HANSEN
by Paul Batterson - September 03, 2019

When Stephen Christopher Anthony first saw the show DEAR EVAN HANSEN, he marveled at the performance of Benjamin Platt, his former cast mate in THE BOOK OF MORMON, in the title role. Platt went on to win the 2017 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his port...

BWW Review: Betty Buckley Makes Her Grand Entrance in HELLO, DOLLY! at the Ohio Theatre
by Christina Mancuso - May 09, 2019

Betty Buckley is as refined as it gets, starring in the refreshingly classic production of HELLO, DOLLY! at the Ohio Theatre. From the moment she saunters onto the stage, there is no doubt that we are among a true legend. She is humble and charming as she effortlessly embraces this iconic role with ...

BWW Review: SWEET CARROT - A Fresh, Innovative Approach to Homemade Comfort Food
by Christina Mancuso - November 09, 2018

Hop on over to the SWEET CARROT on Tuesday, November 13th when it launches its newest location on Sawmill Road in Dublin, Ohio. I had the fortunate opportunity to catch a sneak peek prior to its opening. Serving all natural, made-from-scratch comfort foods with an emphasis on dietary needs, this res...

BWW Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON Returns to Columbus and They're Still Something Incredible
by Christina Mancuso - May 27, 2018

Hello, again.  Columbus was glutton for punishment when THE BOOK OF MORMON returned to the Ohio Theatre for another blasphemous yet gut-wrenchingly hilarious week of musical theatre genius.  This time, the audience was snickering and giggling while they shuffled in their seats before the show even b...

BWW Reviews: Imagine steers recent graduates down Avenue Q
by Paul Batterson - May 14, 2018

Each year colleges across the country come up with an odd list of commencement speakers, from Kermit the Frog (Southampton University) to Mike Tyson (Central State University), to offer pearls of wit and advice to their college graduates....

BWW Review: Eddie George Kills It in CHICAGO!
by Christina Mancuso - February 08, 2018

'Murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, treachery...' Where else can you find such debauchery wildly entertaining and darkly alluring? Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and the longest running show on Broadway, there's no wonder why former NFL superstar a...

BWW Review: WAITRESS Serves Up a Sweet Treat for Columbus
by Christina Mancuso - November 08, 2017

Oozing with sweetness, the irresistible WAITRESS is serving up goodness in Columbus, Ohio just in time for the holidays. Led by an all-female creative team and powerhouse Director Diane Paulus, WAITRESS will leave you feeling satisfied with its simple ingredients that produce scrumptious results....

BWW Review: CATCO Posts Powerful Performances of FUN HOME
by Paul Batterson - September 18, 2017

Theatergoers found Post-It Notes attached to their program and were asked to describe CATCO's performance of the musical FUN HOME. It turns out the one inch square probably wasn't large enough....

BWW Review: HENRY FORD'S MODEL E - A Historical Drama With a Universal Message
by Nick Komjati - April 24, 2017

The American industrialist Henry Ford is most frequently remembered for his Model T - an affordable automobile that redefined transportation for middle-class America. The Model T is synonymous with Ford and the success of his automobile empire. But in Herb Brown's new play, the "Model E" reveals its...

BWW Review: You'll Wanna Feel the Heat of THE BODYGUARD at the Ohio Theatre
by Christina Mancuso - February 15, 2017

Love was in the air when a packed house celebrated Valentine's Day on opening night of THE BODYGUARD at the Ohio Theatre. Starting out with a bang (literally), Deborah Cox dominated the stage with her powerhouse voice and stunning presence as 'Rachel Marron', originally played by the late Whitney Ho...

BWW Review: Spectacular Sets and Special Effects Make THE LITTLE MERMAID Shine
by Amanda Etchison - February 01, 2017

Glimmering coral reefs and a colorful cast of underwater creatures are brought to life in breathtaking detail in 'Disney's The Little Mermaid,' which opened in Columbus Tuesday night. Presented by Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, 'The Little Mermaid' is a stage adaptation of the 1989 animated Disney mo...

BWW Review: Comedy and Clues Combine in BASKERVILLE, CATCO's Captivating Caper
by Amanda Etchison - January 30, 2017

Grab your deerstalker hat and get ready to put your Holmesian skills of deductive reasoning to the test at CATCO's "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery."...