Central New York Theater Reviews

Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at Proctors Theatre
by Peyton VanDerheyden - May 24, 2023

What did our critic think of AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at Proctors Theatre?...

Review: CINDERELLA at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - May 21, 2023

What did our critic think of CINDERELLA at Geva Theatre?...

Review: SIX at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - May 18, 2023

What did our critic think of SIX at Rochester Broadway Theatre League?...

Review: TENDER RAIN at Syracuse Stage
by Dan and Julie Izzo - May 08, 2023

Syracuse Stage is currently offering a world premiere play by resident playwright Kyle Bass. Tender Rain is an intriguing play and certainly stimulated hours of discussion on our drive home. It took time to unravel the events of the play's past and untangle the complex character relationships, like ...

Review: RAGTIME at JCC Centerstage Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - May 08, 2023

JCC Centerstage Theatre's Ragtime is a powerful and moving production, featuring unforgettable performances and intricate choreography. Don't miss this epic tale of worlds colliding in early 20th century New York City, playing until May 21st....

Review: AND SO WE WALKED: AN ARTIST'S JOURNEY ALONG THE TRAIL OF TEARS at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - April 18, 2023

What did our critic think of AND SO WE WALKED: AN ARTIST'S JOURNEY ALONG THE TRAIL OF TEARS at Geva Theatre?...

Review: ALADDIN at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - April 13, 2023

What did our critic think of ALADDIN at Rochester Broadway Theatre League?...

Review: OUR TOWN at Syracuse Stage
by Dan and Julie Izzo - April 04, 2023

What did our critic think of OUR TOWN at Syracuse Stage? The Syracuse Stage production of Our Town celebrates the 125th anniversary of the birth of Thornton Wilder. One might think a play written in 1938 would be irrelevant for an audience in the 21st century. But it is important to remember that th...

Review: THE NIGHT ALIVE at Rochester Community Players
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - April 03, 2023

What did our critic think of THE NIGHT ALIVE at Rochester Community Players? Ireland has a long and rich history of producing playwrights with unique voices, exploring intricate themes through complex characters. Everyone from Eugene O'Neill to Samuel Beckett to Martin McDonagh fits this bill, and t...

Review: WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - March 28, 2023

What did our critic think of WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Geva Theatre? Rochester's Geva Theatre is currently presenting 'We are Continuous' on its Fielding Stage, a small-scale interpersonal confessional about how love grows and evolves, about the unconditional love of a mother and lover, and about the saf...

Review: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Blackfriars Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - March 27, 2023

What did our critic think of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Blackfriars Theatre? While Rochester may still be immersed in the cold and blustery late-winter climate, one need only head to East Main Street for reprieve, as Blackfriars Theatre's 'Once on this Island' will transport you to the warm tropics of t...

Review: I'M NOT A COMEDIAN…I'M LENNY BRUCE at JCC Centerstage Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - March 16, 2023

What did our critic think of I’M NOT A COMEDIAN…I’M LENNY BRUCE at JCC Centerstage Theatre?...

Review: HADESTOWN at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - March 16, 2023

What did our critic think of HADESTOWN at Rochester Broadway Theatre League? This touring production of 'Hadestown' could not have been better cast, with each performer taking turns captivating the audience and delivering lush, emotional musical performances....

Review: RUSSIAN TROLL FARM at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - March 11, 2023

What did our critic think of RUSSIAN TROLL FARM at Geva Theatre?...

Review: BEETLEJUICE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - February 16, 2023

What did our critic think of BEETLEJUICE at Rochester Broadway Theatre League? If you're a fan of late 80's pop culture, the occult, or musicals with a decidedly heavy metal Halloween-meets-'A Chorus Line' aesthetic, than the Rochester Broadway Theatre League has got the show for you. 'Beetlejuice',...

Review: WOODY SEZ at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - February 09, 2023

What did our critic think of WOODY SEZ at Geva Theatre? With rare exceptions, there probably aren't many theatregoers of my generation (Millennial) or younger who have a passing familiarity with the life and legacy of Woody Guthrie beyond 'This Land is Your Land.' I certainly didn't before heading t...

Review: THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY at Blackfriars Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - February 07, 2023

What did our critic think of THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY at Blackfriars Theatre?...

Review: MANDY PATINKIN: BEING ALIVE at Proctors Theatre
by Noah Casner - February 03, 2023

From the moment Mandy Patinkin stepped on stage, it was clear that this show was going to be something incredibly special. Met with thunderous entrance applause, Patinkin took a moment to absorb the audience response before promptly turning the applause around and clapping for us, the patrons who we...

Interview: Sam McLellan Of THE BOOK OF MORMON at Proctors Theater
by Iris Rogers - February 01, 2023

Prior to this week’s arrival of THE BOOK OF MORMON to Proctors, I spoke with Sam McLellan, who is currently playing the role of Elder Price on tour. His career includes some memorable moments, previously appearing as Dmitry in the national tour of ANASTASIA, and in the touring production of FIDDLER ...

Review: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - January 25, 2023

What did our critic think of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at Geva Theatre? It's curious that 'Ain't Misbehavin'' feels like such a perfect show for a Rochester audience, given that Fats Waller has no apparent Rochester connection; he was born in New York City, died in Kansas City, and spent the bulk of his sho...

Review: DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE! 2023 at Proctors Theatre
by Peyton VanDerheyden - January 17, 2023

A splendid evening, filled to the brim with glamour, laughs, and of course dancing!...

Review: MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Blackfriars Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - December 14, 2022

What did our critic think of MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Blackfriars Theatre?...

Review: COME FROM AWAY at Rochester Broadway Theatre League
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - December 07, 2022

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Rochester Broadway Theatre League?...

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - December 07, 2022

Christmas is a time of traditions. Be it caroling, making sugar cookies, decorating the tree, or hanging lights, folks love this time of year because of the traditions we create and revisit each December with our friends and loved ones. If you're like me, Geva Theatre's annual production of 'A Chris...

Review: SOMEWHERE at Geva Theatre
by Colin Fleming-Stumpf - October 30, 2022

What did our critic think of SOMEWHERE at Geva Theatre?...