*** Recommended *** “Kentucky” is a quirky little play about a very dysfunctional family. “Kentucky” is an odd, eccentric play. It’s funny until it’s not. It has music, but it’s not a musical. It’s a poignant story about going home, with a moral (if there is a moral) – no matter what you think you know, you can’t know – or decide - what’s best for someone else. 3 Spotlights
I had the marvelous opportunity recently to go to Symphony Center to see/hear the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) conducted by Benjamin Northey. Although I a receive a lot more invitations to plays than to concerts, I always try to accept the ones I do get. MSO commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, with “The Galaxy’s Greatest Hits”. In addition to glorious music, pictures from space were projected on a giant screen suspended above the orchestra. It was an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** I really enjoyed “An Evening with C.S. Lewis”, more than I thought I would. A few years back I saw “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert” starring Max Mason, and was bored stiff. Oh, no, another C.S. Lewis I thought. I’m happy to say David Payne’s C.S. Lewis was entirely different, more personal. His anecdotes were funny and quite delightful, his poems – or as he called them, little ditties – displayed a wry sense of humor. 3 ½ Spotlights
*** Recommended *** John Leguizamo’s “Latin History for Morons” is really, really funny, until it’s not, because, guess what? We’re the morons! When Leguizamo learned that his son’s history books completely ignored the contributions of Latins, he decided to do something about it. I actually did learn a few things over the course of the evening. 3 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** I’ve never been a fan of the whole Sherlock Holmes thing, so I wasn’t all that excited about seeing “Sherlock’s Last Case”. I think I’ve always been a bit turned off by all that arrogant know-it-all behavior, so needless to say, a play called “Sherlock’s Last Case” wasn’t on my bucket list. Describe me as surprised, “Sherlock’s Last Case” is a quirky little mystery with a serious cliff hanger at intermission. Sherlock is just as arrogant as always, but Watson brings him back to earth – at least for a little while. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** The Joffrey Ballet’s absolutely magnificent “Jane Eyre” was an experience not to be missed! Words just don’t do it justice! After multiple readings of Charlotte Brontë’s novel, I’ve always come away with a sense of Jane’s aloneness – of the girl/woman facing an uncertain and usually hostile world alone. Jane is the original survivor in my book; selfishly, I think Cathy Marston’s vision is ‘my’ story! 4 BIG Spotlights
**** Recommended **** I can’t remember the last time I saw, Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 classic, “A Doll’s House” – maybe when I was in college. At the time, I remember thinking that the story line was totally out of touch. Flash forward to 2019, Writers Theatre, and Sandra Delgado’s fresh modern adaptation. With the #metoo movement, Ibsen’s play about the powerlessness of women is once again relevant. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** We think we know everything there is to know about celebrities – even celebrities from history. On the other hand, how would their choices in life look if we had a different perspective? Why did my child do that ________ (fill in the blank)? That’s the point of “Mother of the Maid”, Northlight Theatre’s poignant historic drama about the mother of Joan d’Arc, played to perfection by Kate Fry. Kudos to Director BJ Jones on an amazing production. 4 Spotlights
**** Recommended **** If you’ve never been an actor, I’m sure you’ve wondered – I know I have – what’s going on backstage. Do you ever wish you could go back there and see what’s going on? “Bernhardt/Hamlet”, an amusing backstage romp centered on legendary actress Sarah Berhhardt, will give you a glimpse at the things those actors get up to when the audience isn’t around. The first act runs a tiny bit long, but otherwise it’s a wonderful show. 4 Spotlights
**** Highly Recommended **** I think everyone must have had the feeling sometime – you wish you could be a fly on the wall and see/hear what’s going on in that room. With his brilliant drama, “Five Presidents”, Playwright Rick Cleveland has allowed all of us to get a glimpse of the things presidents and former presidents say to each other when they’re alone. It’s a fascinating look into history in a kinder, gentler time in American history. “Five Presidents” should be a must-see on everyone’s calendar. 4 BIG Spotlights
