Reviews by Carol Moore

**** Recommended **** Drury Lane Theatre’s production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins” is even more “practically perfect”.  Sure, “Mary Poppins” is still dispensing “A Spoon Full of Sugar”, but there are also new songs and scenes and even technical derring-do.  This is a Broadway quality musical; and yes, Mary Poppins does fly!  This is a perfect show to introduce your children and/or grandchildren to live theater.  Don’t miss “Mary Poppins”, it’s one of my top ten musicals of the year.  4 BIG Spotlights

**** Highly Recommended **** You can’t help but feel nostalgic when you see Theatre at the Center’s production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”.  Just wait, the terrific cast will sing and dance themselves right into your hearts.  You’ll be humming along to Berlin’s wonderful melodies, too.  Unless you’re a curmudgeon, I guarantee you’ll be in the holiday mood when the fabulous cast sings the title song.  I give “White Christmas” 4 BIG Holiday Spotlights.       

***** Highly Recommended ***** I’m a Jane Austin fan.  I’ve read and reread all of her books, wry commentaries on the courtship rituals of the English gentry.  The Bennett family, described so well in “Pride and Prejudice”, is dear to me.  I loved Northlight Theatre’s 2016 production of “Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley”, so I was happy to see that Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon had written a companion play set ’downstairs’ at Pemberley.  “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” is fresh and witty, fitting perfectly into Jane Austin’s world.  I loved it.  4 BIG Holiday Spotlights. 

**** Highly Recommended **** After seeing Lookingglass Theatre’s production of “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” for the second time, I can say this holiday pantomime is special every time you see it.  If you’re looking for a holiday outing for your family, this should be the show.  Featuring five uber-talented artists, amazing puppets, talented musicians, fantastical costumes and more, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” is completely charming.  Mary Zimmerman’s interpretation of the Hans Christian Anderson story is done entirely in pantomime.  I loved it!  4 BIG Holiday Spotlights