Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was very stingy, almost Grinch-like, with the performance rights to his popular children’s books. But after the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre Company had a big success with a musical version of his 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, written by its resident playwright Tim Mason, in 1994 the Geisel estate allowed the stage company to adapt his How … [Read more...]
Troupe shows the lasting influence of Martha Graham
By Tara Mitton Catao It is a tall order for a dance company to perform, side by side on a single program, the works of an iconic artist such as Martha Graham (who is responsible for shaping and redirecting a whole art form) together with new works by contemporary choreographers who may or may not have been influenced by Martha Graham’s genius. But that is exactly what the … [Read more...]
Slow Burn troupe impressive in slight, silly ‘Xanadu’
A certain reverence is called for when adapting an admired film into a stage musical. No such respect is required, however, when the original movie is cheesiness personified, like, say, 1980’s pop-rock mortal-and-muse love story, Xanadu. So five years ago, playwright Douglas Carter Beane, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, and lots of comic attitude ― snap! ― transformed … [Read more...]
New West Boca theater troupe to bow with ‘Bat Boy’
Welcome to the area the Slow Burn Theatre Company, a new professional troupe that is the passion project of Patrick Fitzwater and Matthew Korinko, two former St. Louis performers-directors who moved here in 2008 and have wanted to start their own stage operation ever since. They will be the first to acknowledge that the shaky economy does not make this an ideal time to begin … [Read more...]