Murder most foul in Broadway musicals? Seems an odd pairing, but time has proven the combo major hit fodder. In 1975 Kander, Ebb and Fosse’s Chicago debuted 0n Broadway, based on a 1926 play about two murderesses’ trials, and ended up as second longest running musical on Broadway with six Tony Awards, two Oliviers and … Continue reading
Tagged with watertower theatre …
Dynamic Dame Creates World of Wonderful
When William Moulton Marston created the fictional Amazonian character Wonder Woman for DC Comics (first appeared in 1941), he probably had no clue of the paradigm shifting, multi-generational impact and popularity she would have. Nor could he have imagined the impact one creative, intelligent, impassioned producer/advocate, a veritable Wonder Woman in her own right, could … Continue reading
Best on the Boards: DFW Theatre Critics Forum 2015
Another year of outstanding D/FW thespian endeavor rolls by. Herein I post the decisions arrived at by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum after three hours of deliberation, negotiation, advocacy and munching David Novinski’s delicious gluten-free brownies to finish our potluck meal at Martha’s. I’m stoked by the diversity and quality of performance art in … Continue reading
WaterTower Theatre’s Charity Case: Barely Semi-sweet
There was only one Gwen Verdon (1925 –2000). When Bob Fosse created the musical Sweet Charity and enlisted his colleagues Neil Simon (book), Cy Coleman (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics) to bring it to life, it was clearly a vehicle to celebrate the spectacular talent of his wife, Ms.Verdon. The musical received nine Tony award … Continue reading
Diana Sheehan: Enjoying A First-rate Second Act
Diana Sheehan’s blue eyes sparkle with inner warmth, reflecting her confidence, generosity and adventurous spirit. “You sure know how to make a girl feel at home, Dallas,” she exclaims, reflecting on the nearly seven years she has lived here. “How grateful I am for all of the wonderful actors, directors, designers, stage managers, dressers, … Continue reading
2013-14 DFW Theater Critics Forum Awards
Some of these shows I did not see. A number I would not honor with awards. EVER. I am disappointed that neither Ochre House’s Christhelmet (directed by Matthew Posey) nor Diana Sheehan’s Full Gallop or her sophisticated cabaret, Searching for Gertrude Lawrence at WaterTower Theatre met the critical popularity threshold. I am quite thrilled for other wins. Call it a draw…. Direction: … Continue reading
Gone Southie: Watertower Theatre’s GOOD PEOPLE
David Lindsay-Abaire’s homage to the work-worn, hard-edged folk of South Boston (known as ‘Southies’), “Good People”, gets a sincere production from a strong acting ensemble in WaterTower Theatre’s regional premiere running through June 29 in Addison. Its 2011 Manhattan Theatre Club production won numerous prestigious award nominations from the reigning East Coast set, winning Tony … Continue reading
Gertrude Lawrence on the Fringe: Diana Sheehan at The Loop 2014
“Who remembers Gertrude Lawrence?” muses singer Diana Sheehan early in her cabaret set at the 2014 Out of the Loop Festival, sponsored by WaterTower Theatre in Addison. Lawrence reigned as the US’ undisputed leading star and musical performance diva for over thirty years until cancer cut her career and life short in the 1950’s. “Kind … Continue reading
A River Runs Deep: Tom Sawyer at WaterTower Theatre
Tom Sawyer, that lovable Americana scamp icon, springs to life full throttle on WaterTower Theatre’s main stage through February 16, in a true-to-the-novel stage adaptation by Laura Eason, commissioned by Hartford Stage in 2010. It features regional professional Andrews Cope, perfectly cast in the title role, with bold direction by Emily Scott Banks. Well suited … Continue reading
Solid Gold in “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” at WaterTower Theatre
Hank Williams, or Kurt Cobain? Nobody held guns to their heads and forced them to overdose on booze or drugs. But we still wax mournful over their untimely deaths. Car and airplane crashes, jealous fans, drugs, booze, depression, suicide. Americans find the often sordid, sad lives, and deaths, of celebrity idols ideal subject material for … Continue reading
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 