Author Archives

University administrator and teacher by day, theater and arts critic by night.

THEATER REVIEW: In The Ballad of Trayvon Martin at New Freedom Theatre, History Looks All Too Current

As a play, Ballad has flaws; as a community experience, it’s overwhelming.

Lucas Hnath’s bold, beautifully nuanced play in a pitch-perfect production.

Considerable moment-to-moment power here is stronger than the big picture.

The energetic, high-wattage ensemble isn’t an optimal fit for this dark-tinged show about life on the margins.

A crowd pleasing, musically expert production of Donizetti’s delightful comedy closes the season in style.

Director Tom Reing gives us an accomplished, exhilaratingly theatrical show, but the core story and its protagonist remain elusive.

A few curious choices mark Jonathan Kent’s production, but they don’t diminish the play or Jessica Lange’s riveting performance.

Director Brenna Geffers’ visually stunning production turns an old play into the freshest, most daring show in town.

Laura Eason’s play, a mix of serious themes and meet-cute glibness, is simultaneously overwrought and undercooked.

This Crucible, a veritable melting pot of theatrical ideas, is by turns heartbreaking and brilliant, overwrought and silly.