Spotlight on Reviews

***RECOMMENDED*** Arthur Schnitzler would probably be truly shocked to learn that his 1897 play "La Ronde" has influenced multiple generations of artists who have created a nearly countless amount of theatrical and cinematic output which are based upon it. The simple concept of his legendary work documents 10 random individuals who meet and physically connect, starting with a whore and a soldier, for a casual sexual experience and then depart to engage with their next conquest. The soldier moves on to hook-up with a nurse, who in turn encounters a college boy and tends to his carnal desires and so on until we circle back to the whore at the conclusion. The idea has been utilized in nearly twenty films (the most famous being made in France and Germany in the 1950s and early '60s), a chamber opera as well as being the inspiration of Susan Stroman's Tony Award-winning 2000 musical "Contact." Four gay versions exist for the stage, with all of the characters played by male actors -- one of which, with a profanity-laced title -- played at Pride Films and Plays in 2018. Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre is carrying on the tradition by presenting Michael John LaChiusa's take on the subject with his 1993 musical version "Hello Again." 3 SPOTLIGHTS

**** Recommended **** I have mixed feelings about “The Color Purple”.  On the one hand, the Drury Lane production was excellent; on the other, I’m not in love with the musical itself.  Alice Walker wrote a really powerful book, which Steven Spielburg made into a really powerful movie.  Why not a really powerful play? Maybe even a play with music – like at church, or in the juke joint or when Shug is feeling like singing.  The musical’s script is actually quite different from that of the 1985 movie which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover and Margaret Avery. There were some rough spots, but overall, a good show.  3 ½ Spotlights 

** Somewhat Recommended **  I’ve had a difficult time writing a review of “Dana H”, a performance I’d call ‘reality stage’.  It was obvious from the applause that some people in the audience really liked it but it definitely wasn’t the show for me.  The subject matter is so gruesome my friend Helen had nightmares.  2 Spotlights

**** Recommended ****  Theatre at the Center’s production of “Pajama Game” is a whole lot of fun.  It’s a light rom-com romp with really good music.  The leads might have fallen in love a little faster than the speed of light, but that just adds to the fun.  The talented cast is having a wonderful time, you will too.  4 Spotlights