Central New York Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 12

BWW Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is Powerful at The Baldwinsville Theatre Guild
by Natasha Ashley - February 04, 2018

Baldwinsville Theatre Guild, an ambitious community theatre in Central New York, repeatedly tackles some challenging large-scale musicals to show off local talents. Their latest musical production is none other than The Hunchback of Notre Dame, featuring a principal cast of ten, an ensemble of seven...

BWW Review: NEXT TO NORMAL is Electrifying at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - January 28, 2018

Under the brilliant direction of Robert Hupp, the Artistic Director of Syracuse Stage, Next to Normal is thrilling audiences at Syracuse Stage with its intense story, dynamite singers, and powerful score. The uniquely brilliant musical covers many controversial topics such as grief, suicide, drug ab...

BWW Review: MOSCOW BALLET'S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Enchants at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - December 18, 2017

The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker has once again returned to Syracuse, New York for two performances at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theatre. This annual tour, produced by Akiva Talmi, is a holiday tradition that many look forward to seeing again and again and for good reason; it is breath...

BWW Review: 1940's Radio Hour at The Central New York Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - December 10, 2017

Syracuse's Central New York Playhouse latest show is 1940's Radio Hour, written by Walton Jones and featuring various hit songs of the 1940s. Directed by Patricia Catchouny with musical direction by Abel Searor, 1940's Radio Hour transports us to December 1942 the final holiday broadcast of the Mu...

BWW Review: THE NUTCRACKER Brings Traditional Holiday Cheer at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
by Natasha Ashley - December 05, 2017

The Syracuse City Ballet has once again brought The Nutcracker ballet to the Crouse Hinds Theater. Many families look forward to carrying on the tradition of seeing The Nutcracker every Holiday season and this year's production did not disappoint under the fabulous direction of Kathleen Rathbun....

BWW Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ is an Astonishing Acrobatic Adventure at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - December 03, 2017

The holiday production at Syracuse Stage is always a family favorite to look forward to and this year is no different. Syracuse Stage and the Department of Drama have joined forces with New York City-based 2 Ring Circus to bring a twist on the iconic story of The Wizard of Oz. Cleverly directed by D...

BWW Review: THE LION KING Opens New North American Tour at The Landmark Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - November 01, 2017

The excitement in the air in Syracuse, New York has been going on for quite awhile since it was announced that the North American tour of The Lion King would be coming to the Landmark Theatre in late October. The time has finally arrived and the crowds are packed into the theatre, ecstatic to once a...

BWW Review: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is Captivating at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - October 30, 2017

The Tony Award winner for Best Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, is now captivating audiences at Syracuse Stage. This thought-provoking and enthralling production is co-produced with the Indiana Repertory Theatre, where this same cast previously received rave reviews. Impressi...

BWW Review: A GENTLEMAN's GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER is Hilariously Entertaining at The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
by Natasha Ashley - October 11, 2017

Broadway in Syracuse opens its new season with the hilariously entertaining A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder. The musical comedy, based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman, features a clever book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and music and lyrics by ...

BWW Review: Syracuse University Department of Drama's CRAZY FOR YOU is a Toe-Tappin' Good Time at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - October 10, 2017

Crazy For You is one of those musical comedies that helps the audience escape reality. You immediately become absorbed in the hysterical and uplifting score by the renowned George and Ira Gershwin, Ken Ludwig's timeless love story, and, of course, stellar dancing. The Syracuse University production ...

BWW Review: THE THREE MUSKETEERS is Riveting at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - September 25, 2017

Syracuse Stage begins its new season with the enthralling play of The Three Musketeers. The production marks the directorial debut of Syracuse Stage's Artistic Director Robert Hupp, and it's a good one. The swashbuckling adventure is packed with sword fighting, dramatic entrances, gorgeous period ...

BWW Review: ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE Shines at The Merry – Go – Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - September 23, 2017

The Merry - Go - Round Playhouse in Auburn, New York ends their 2017 season with Always...Patsy Cline the musical based on a true story of the legendary Patsy Cline. The show shines light on the talented singer Patsy Cline and the memorable music she brought to the country music industry during her ...

BWW Review: GHOST THE MUSICAL Captivates at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - September 05, 2017

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse once again has brought a top-notch group of actors to Broadway in the Finger Lakes and is now thrilling audiences with Ghost the Musical....

BWW Review: MAMMA MIA! at Capital Repertory Theatre
by Gianluca Russo - August 11, 2017

It's nearly impossible to not have fun while hearing some of ABBA's most iconic songs sung right before your eyes, especially by the wonderful team at Capital Repertory Theatre. Though the show itself is encompassed with flaws, Capital Rep's production of MAMMA MIA! is just what it should be: a fun ...

BWW Review: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Entertains at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - August 07, 2017

The current production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas now performing at The Merry - Go - Round Playhouse in Auburn, New York brings comedy, dancing, a lot of attitude, and very little clothing. Director and choreographer Parker Esse brings a rowdy, toe-tapping, and carefree good time with hi...

BWW Review: AMERICAN IDIOT Sparks Many Emotions at the Central New York Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - July 24, 2017

The Central New York Playhouse has once again chosen to take on a musical that most audience members would not expect to see at a community theatre. This time, the show is American Idiot, featuring the music of the punk band Green Day, and I applaud Director Liam Fitzpatrick for taking it on. The ri...

BWW Review: PARADE is Breathtaking at The Merry – Go –Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - July 10, 2017

Chilling, breathtaking, and astonishing are just some of the words that come to mind after seeing the latest production playing at The Merry- Go- Round Playhouse. Under the meticulous and masterful direction of Brett Smock, Parade is stunning audiences at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival....

BWW Review: CELTIC WOMAN VOICES OF ANGELS Tour Inspires at Crouse Hinds Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - June 23, 2017

The Celtic Woman returned to Central New York this week for a one-night-only engagement of the group's current concert tour, Voices of Angels. They were welcomed with open arms once again to Syracuse, a city full of Irish pride, as they passionately performed music and dance of the Emerald Isle at t...

BWW Review: CHICAGO Delivers Killer Performances at The Central New York Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - June 20, 2017

Central New York (CNY) Playhouse's production of Chicago is a dream come true for Director Dustin M. Czarny, the ambitious Syracuse area community theatre's Artistic Director. The show is one of the hardest productions to receive the rights to perform in North America and the devoted director's requ...

BWW Review: RING OF FIRE Captivates at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - June 12, 2017

Syracuse Stage ends its season with the jukebox musical Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. The musical, created by Richard Maltby Jr. and conceived by William Meade with orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby, features the familiar and well-loved music of Johnny Cash. So, expect to he...

BWW Review: GUYS AND DOLLS is a Sure Hit at The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - June 10, 2017

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse has officially kicked off their 2017 season of Broadway in the Finger Lakes with none other than the multiple Tony Award-winning musical of Guys and Dolls. Featuring a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, along with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, the musical is widel...

BWW Review: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is a Groovy Good Time at The Landmark Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - May 17, 2017

The U.S. tour of Motown the Musical is lighting up the stage at Syracuse, New York's Landmark Theatre. The jukebox musical based on Berry Gordy's (book) autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown features familiar music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalog and fo...

BWW Review: SU Drama's BERLIN TO BROADWAY WITH KURT WEILL: A MUSICAL VOYAGE Connects Weill's Music and Today's World at Syracuse Stage
by Natasha Ashley - May 08, 2017

The Syracuse University (SU) Department of Drama is performing the powerful and engaging music of German composer Kurt Weill in its production of Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage at the Storch Theatre at Syracuse Stage. The entertaining production, directed by Syracuse University...

BWW Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is Stunning at The Landmark Theatre
by Natasha Ashley - April 19, 2017

The latest musical to grace the stage at Syracuse's Landmark Theatre is the U.S. tour of the jukebox musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Featuring a book by Douglas McGrath it showcases the early life and career of singer and songwriter Carole King. The music and lyrics featured in the produ...

BWW Review: THE ODD COUPLE Entertains at The Central New York Playhouse
by Natasha Ashley - April 17, 2017

The Central New York Playhouse or 'The Theatre in the mall' usually delivers great comedic shows and their present production of Neil Simon's hit comedy of The Odd Couple is no exception. Under the impressive direction of Heather J. Roach, the strong leads put on an entertaining show with a lot of l...