The Maltz Jupiter Theatre and the Wick Theatre are both grappling with a dilemma. Each has selected a classic musical – 1949’s South Pacific and 1947’s Brigadoon, respectively – because of its intrinsic dramatic and musical quality. But how do you approach such a show, knowing that your audience has probably already seen it, often many times over? To director Gordon … [Read more...]
Sher’s take on ‘King and I,’ at Kravis, renews a classic
With admired productions of South Pacific and Fiddler on the Roof behind him and My Fair Lady on his plate for this Broadway season, director Bartlett Sher is getting an acclaimed reputation for his affectionate, reverential musical revivals. That rep can only be enhanced by his take on Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s The King and I, now playing at the Kravis Center … [Read more...]
Beloved ‘Sound of Music’ comes to Kravis in touring revival
The Sound of Music is the most produced show of the prolific Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein II canon. The reasons why should be evident when the touring revival opens at the Kravis Center on Tuesday, but its popularity is also tied to the 1965 five-time Oscar-winning movie. As to other reasons it is so frequently performed, the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization’s … [Read more...]
Actors Playhouse offers beautifully sung ‘Carousel’
By Hap Erstein Of the many shows by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II that pushed the boundaries of the musical theater in the mid-20th century, they often remarked that Carousel was their favorite. You will get no argument from me about the score, which is so rich in character-laden melodies and topped by their single best musical number, the booming and delicate … [Read more...]