Broadway Show Reviews & Critics' Ratings

What did our critic think of WICKED at Orpheum Theatre?

What did our critic think of 13 THE MUSICAL at Players Circle Theater?

Folketeateret’s new production of Jesus Christ Superstar set out to offer a fresh take on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved rock opera, but it felt more like a retread of concepts that had become borderline clichés. Most of the lead actors cannot handle Llloyd Webber's score amd the use of live autotune cheapens the experience. The ensemble (and the orhestra) are the only saving grace in this struggling reimagining.

REVIEW: Kym Vaitiekus shares his thoughts on MAUI, bought to the Sydney Opera house by Fresh Movement Collective

Another season comes to a close at Des Moines Performing Arts, and they are going out with a big spectacle. On Tuesday, the tour of 'Moulin Rouge' opened at the Civic Center for a two-week run.  Having seen the show in New York in the summer of 2022, I was looking forward to seeing this show again and seeing how the show was reimagined for the tour. While I loved the impressiveness of the show on Broadway, I wondered if they could recapture that magic on the tour. Were they able to recapture that magic? Continue reading to find out.

Opening night of Company - entertaining and well played.

Chaos and confusion reign in this laughter-filled production.

After its critically acclaimed and phenomenal run in Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, 'the show which is like dancing on a razor blade with a powerful and poignant story that you cannot do anything gratifying,' as producer Cameron Mackintosh described, returns to Singapore after 23 years.

Plastic Jeezus: Leave Them Wanting Less, a musical comedy by Simon and Aaron, is an hour of the duo playing ukuleles and singing, all while keeping a deadpan expression on their face.

Walking into Bishops: Farewell Bruce Porcelain, you are greeted by the titular bishops, Chris Curran and Noah Matthews, welcoming you to the funeral of Bruce Porcelain and handing out booklets with the order of service as an organ version of Toto’s “Africa” plays. However, this might not be the kind of funeral we are expecting!

The Conductor is a piece of physical comedy by Amadeo Fusca that tells the story of Salvatore Giovanni, a famous conductor known for his over-the-top performances. Amadeo Fusca has taken the character and fleshed it out into an hour-long show, giving audiences insights into the world of the “world-renowned conductor.”

Ellie MacPherson: Babe Lincoln begins with MacPherson, dressed as Abraham Lincoln, walking into the room on a pair of stilts, attempting to replicate the height of the iconic historic figure. We then receive a rendition of Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” which is quite the surprise for a cabaret from a historical figure!

A Jaffa Cake Musical, written by Sam Cochrane, is a new musical inspired by a tribunal in 1991 that focused on the titular snack, asking a question that would change history - “Is it a cake or is it a biscuit?”

Huge Davies: Album For My Ancestors (Dead) is a musical comedy hour in which Davies takes audiences through his family tree using songs, though the stories may not be what you expect.

A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First, created and performed by Xhloe Rice and Natasha Roland, tells the story of two young Boy Scouts, nicknamed Ace and Grasshopper, who are living in the 1960s. Through physical and verbal storytelling, we are thrown into a world of rope swings and playing pranks on camp counsellors.

Redtwist’s THE NORMAL HEART is frequently an emotionally affecting piece, thanks to the powerfully palpable talents of its principal cast. However, some uneven performances and an occasionally murky directorial vision prevent the production’s themes and message from beating forth as forcefully as one might hope.

 In this political year, it seems very appropriate that the new production at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone’s musical 1776, the background story of the days leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In just two short years, Chasing Dreams has transformed from a passionate idea into a powerful platform for artists across the globe. Founded by Argentinian visionaries Camila Figueiras Meriggi and Delfina Perret, this cabaret series has captured the essence of what it means to pursue one's dreams in the vibrant heart of New York City and beyond.

Patricio Cierna Estrada's career in dance exemplifies a profound commitment to both artistic excellence and cultural enrichment. An accomplished Argentine dancer and choreographer, Cierna Estrada has made a significant impact in the United States by integrating his rich Latin heritage into his work. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, he is recognized not only for his expertise as a Hip Hop instructor but also for his distinguished role as a choreographer and respected judge within the dance community.

Their blend of rock, jazz, and brass elements has created some of the most memorable and innovative music in the industry, and the emotions that they elicited from their fans (including myself) were electrifying. This is a very fleeting moment that I will never forget.