Review: THE SECRET GARDEN by Central Florida Vocal Arts at Dr. Phillips Center
by Joseph Harrison - May 06, 2023
There are some musical theatre scores that burrow themselves into your subconscious and stay with you long after the first listen or the first time experiencing a show in a darkened theatre. For me, Lucy Simon’s score for THE SECRET GARDEN is one of those that has permanent real estate in my head ev...
Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Osceola Arts
by Joseph Harrison - May 01, 2023
'Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion', states southern sage and beauty shop owner Truvy Jones in STEEL MAGNOLIAS. No line of dialogue describes so well the audience's experience while viewing this hilarious and touching play. And in Osceola Arts’ latest production of the Robert Harling cla...
Review: URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL at Theatre South Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - April 29, 2023
URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL may not be the most appealing title for a show, but it has proven over the last 20+ years since its journey to Broadway (scoring ten Tony nominations and three awards) that it can be a real crowd pleaser, despite the unfortunate title (and unique subject matter). With music an...
Review: THE SOUND INSIDE at Florida Theatrical Association
by Joseph Harrison - April 24, 2023
The latest offering by Florida Theatrical Association at the newly-opened Orlando Fringe Arts Space in downtown Orlando, is the Central Florida premiere of Adam Rapp’s, THE SOUND INSIDE. This Tony Award nominated play provides audiences with a complex and fascinating journey into an unlikely relatio...
Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Athens Theatre
by Joseph Harrison - April 22, 2023
In the world of theatre, there are some shows that simply resonate on a different level. In my experience, this happens when the perfect cast comes together with visionary creatives at the perfect moment in time. And when these puzzle pieces all snap into place, it delivers a performance that just f...
Review: KINKY BOOTS at Orlando Shakes
by Joseph Harrison - April 17, 2023
Some theatrical productions just come around at the perfect moment in time. And here today, in Florida, with self-expression and, specifically, drag queens, under fire seemingly every day, a show like KINKY BOOTS – conveying the importance of acceptance and walking a mile in someone else shoes (or h...
Review: INTO THE WOODS at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - April 09, 2023
In the skilled and creative hands of Titusville Playhouse, INTO THE WOODS is fresh and fantastic – with all the familiar elements, yes – but with a current sensibility and a unique aesthetic that made me feel like I was seeing this show for the first time again....
Review: PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - March 12, 2023
One of the things I love about musical theatre is how it can be so many different things all at once. Shows that tackle a deep subject or address a serious social topic sit next to light and fun stories of queens and knights in shining armor, and all make great musicals. And some shows, like PRISCIL...
Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at New Generation Theatrical
by Joseph Harrison - March 05, 2023
Who is creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and altogether ooky? It’s the Addams family of course! This iconic, weird and wacky family first graced the pages of the New Yorker in a comic strip by Charles Addams 85 years ago and since then have spawned a fan-favorite 1960’s TV show, a series of films an...