1880, South Africa: The Queen’s flag flies high and proudly; Victorian roles of men and women are clearly defined; classes are correctly divided; whites rule and those of color serve; social norms are clear, and proper manners are strictly followed. Well, that is at least true until Caryl Churchill paints a bit different picture of what that supposedly blissful life is … [Read more...] about Cloud Nine
Custom Made Theatre
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
If there is anyone who is curious why President Trump has a picture of Andrew Jackson watching over him in the Oval Office, that person need only sit through a production of Alex Timbers’ (book) and Michael Friedman’s (music and lyrics) Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, now playing at Custom Made Theatre Company. Lyrics like the following make that pretty clear, as Jackson at one … [Read more...] about Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
“Passion”
PassionStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); James Lapine (Book)Custom Made Theatre CompanyJuliana Lustenader & John MelisTwo voices intertwine as their beautifully sung notes erotically embrace in an opening song that mirrors the locked eyes, the probing hands, and the lip-to-lip brushes of two lovers singing “Happiness” in duet:“I’ve never known what love was ...But now, … [Read more...] about “Passion”
“Life Sucks”
Life SucksAaron PosnerCustom Made Theatre CompanyThe Cast of Life SucksThe cast comes on stage to prepare us. The seven cast members banter about what the play we are about to see is all about, with suggestions that it is about “love,” “longing,” “loss,” and “how fucked up the world is.” With that final, upbeat proclamation and a few of the regular warnings about … [Read more...] about “Life Sucks”
“American Hero”
American HeroBess WohlThe Custom Made Theatre Co.Paul Stout, Devon deGroot & Laura EspinoDay-by-day, the slices of turkey, pastrami, and cheddar dwindle away. Already there are no more chips and no more Dr. Pepper. But at Toasty Subs that just recently celebrated its grand opening, the three “sandwich artists” continue to spread what mustard is left on the few … [Read more...] about “American Hero”
“When We Were Young and Unafraid
When We Were Young and UnafraidSarah TreemCustom Made Theatre CompanyZoë Foulks & Stacy RossIt’s 1972; and the U.S. Senate has finally followed the House’s lead and passed the Equal Rights Amendment, sending it to state legislatures with the hopes of millions of women that the constitutional amendment first introduced in 1921 will soon finally become law. But not all … [Read more...] about “When We Were Young and Unafraid
“In the Heights”
In the HeightsLin Manuel Miranda (Music); Quiara Alegria Hudes (Book)Custom Made Theatre CompanyThe Cast of In the HeightsIn 2008, a musical that opened on Broadway and went on to win four Tonys that year (including Best Musical) quickly established itself as one that would influence a new generation of stage musicals. Not only was the large cast all but one of … [Read more...] about “In the Heights”
“Good. Better. Best. Bested.”
Good. Better. Best. BestedJonathan SpectorCustom Made Theatre Company and Just TheaterThe Cast of Good. Better. Best. Bested.It’s a typical day in Vegas. Tourists dressed in red, white, and blue roam about drinking and being totally obnoxious – even belligerent – to the gold painted, “frozen statue” of a man. A Roman gladiator and a foot soldier kibbutz in a quick … [Read more...] about “Good. Better. Best. Bested.”
“Tinderella: The Modern Musical”
Tinderella: The Modern MusicalRose Oser (Book), Weston Scott (Lyrics) & Christian B. Schmidt (Music) CustomMade Theatre Company & Faultline TheaterThe Cast of TinderellaTwo years ago, I raved in a review about a world premiere musical that I described as “a modern fairy tale with no happy ending guaranteed but a lot of sex and excitement getting there.” The tight, … [Read more...] about “Tinderella: The Modern Musical”
“Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies”
Hooded, or Being Black for DummiesTearrance Arvelle ChisholmCustom Made TheatreTre'Vonne Bell & Jesse VaughnTwo, mid-teen guys chat about their aspirations and dreams:- “So you don’t want to be a vet any more?”- “No.”- “What do you want to be?”- “Alive.”Even though “Laugh” signs light up to prompt us as an audience to take this as a joke, there is mostly silence as the … [Read more...] about “Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies”
“Man of La Mancha”
Man of La ManchaDale Wasserman (Book); Mitch Leigh (Music); Joe Darion (Lyrics)Custom Made TheatreEdward Hightower as Don QuixoteAndy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Roberta Flack, Elvis, Cher, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are just a few of the many who have recorded what is surely one of the most enduring standards to emerge from an American musical. And while every … [Read more...] about “Man of La Mancha”
“How I Learned to Drive”
How I Learned to DrivePaula VogelCustom Made TheatreAmanda Farbstein & Eric Reid“That day was the last day I lived in my body.I retreated into my head and lived there ever since.”A night at the theatre is not always an easy, enjoyable experience, even when the production is first-rate. When the play’s subjects include pedophilia, incest, and misogyny, one cannot … [Read more...] about “How I Learned to Drive”
“The House of Yes”
The House of YesWendy MacLeodCustom Made Theatre Casey Robbins & Caitlin EvensonLightning flashes; winds howl; and the rains pound the multi-paned windows. But the approaching hurricane’s fury cannot begin to compare to the maelstrom that is brewing in The House of Yes, Wendy MacLeod’s 1990 play that is a modern version of a Jacobean tragi-comedy. Like its … [Read more...] about “The House of Yes”
“Isaac’s Eye”
Isaac’s EyeLucas HnathCustom Made Theatre CompanyRobin Gabrielli, Adam Niemann, Jeunée Simon & Gabriel A. RossWalking out of a bioplay, audience members today are often immediately asking Google, “Did such and such really happen or not?” Lucas Hnath has solved that problem for us in his play, Isaac’s Eye, about the early, pre-fame life of Sir Isaac Newton. … [Read more...] about “Isaac’s Eye”
“Belleville”
BellevilleAmy HerzogCustom Made Theatre CompanyJustin Gillman & Alisha EhrlichSometimes -- even often times -- there appears to be such an alignment of the stars that everything in a live, theatrical production comes together to create a magical evening not soon to be forgotten: script, direction, actors, creative team. Other times -- fortunately not too often -- one … [Read more...] about “Belleville”
