Peter and the StarcatcherRick Elice, based on the novel by Dave Barry & Ridley PearsonHillbarn TheatreDan Demers & Will Springhorn, Jr. With tongue often in cheek, with twinkles in every eye, and with impishness in the corner of each mouth, the Hillbarn Theatre cast of thirteen romps through Rick Elice’s Peter and the Starcatcher, providing us the prequel story of … [Read more...] about “Peter and the Starcatcher”
Hillbarn Theatre
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
The Hunchback of Notre DameAlan Menken (Music); Stephen Schwartz (Lyrics); Peter Parnell (Book)Hillbarn Theatre Randy O'Hara (Quasimodo) & the Gargoyles Based on the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame as a stage musical retains the songs of the 1996 Disney film while keeping more of the darker, more serious elements of the novel than does the … [Read more...] about “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
“Sister Act”
Sister ActAlan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Cheri & Bill Steinkellner (Book)Hillbarn TheatreDawn L. Troupe, Melissa Costa and CastGlory Hallelujah and Amen! Hillbarn Theatre may not have Whoopi Goldberg from the 1992 movie or Patina Miller from the 2009 London and 2011 New York openings; but thank the Almighty, the Foster City company has found its miracle … [Read more...] about “Sister Act”
“Rumors”
RumorsNeil SimonHillbarn TheatreThe Cast of Rumors With a cast whose tongues are fully in cheek, slapstick skills are sharply honed, and mission is to milk every laugh possible from the ninety-minute script, Hillbarn Theatre stages an entertaining Rumors. Touting little social, redeeming value other than to produce much laughter from increasingly silly … [Read more...] about “Rumors”
“Cabaret”
CabaretJoe Masteroff (Book); John Kander (Music); Fred Ebb (Lyrics)Hillbarn Theatre Keith Pinto & Jessica MaxeySince its 1966 Broadway debut and its initial eight Tonys, the inspiring hit Cabaret has continued to evolve through several major, award-winning revivals in both New York and London, becoming ever darker, starker, and rawer with each new … [Read more...] about “Cabaret”
“A Few Good Men”
A Few Good MenAaron SorkinHillbarn Theatre Brad Satterwhite & Thomas GorrebeeckMany audience members probably arrive at Hillbarn Theatre's A Few Good Men with Tom Cruise, Jack Nicolson, and Demi Moore in their mind’s eyes in the roles of Kaffee, Jessup, and Galloway. The wonderful aspect of live theatre and of a production so well cast, directed, and … [Read more...] about “A Few Good Men”
“Legally Blonde”
Legally BlondeLaurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin (Music & Lyrics); Heather Hach (Book)Hillbarn Theatre Courtney Hatcher and the Cast of Legally BlondeDare it be said that anyone who enters with a built-in dislike for high-pitched, somewhat shrill, and overly enthusiastic female voices still is a sure-fire bet to be infected with the catchy, contagious earworm of “Omigod … [Read more...] about “Legally Blonde”
“Sweet Charity”
Sweet CharityNeil Simon (Book), Cy Coleman (Music), Dorothy Fields (Lyrics)Hillbarn TheatreMonique Hafan as Charity With a cast of twenty-plus who know how to dance and to sell a story full of heart and laughs, Hillbarn Theatre presents a Sweet Charity whose title character rarely leaves the stage and thoroughly steals the show.Please click this link to read my full review … [Read more...] about “Sweet Charity”
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
The Full Cast The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeWilliam Finn (Music & Lyrics); Rachel Sheinkin (Book)Conceived by Rebecca Feldman; Additional Material by Jay ReissHillbarn TheatreEven though we are collectively fast losing all abilities to calculate numbers, write in cursive, or spell almost any word without technology’s help, we do still have a fascination … [Read more...] about “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (Hillbarn Theatre)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); Burt Shevelove & Larry Gelbart (Book)Based on the Plays of PlautusHillbarn Theatre David Blackburn (Hero) & Dan Demers (Pseudolus) The cast and co-directors of the current Forum at Hillbarn Theatre clearly understand why they and we are there spending yet another evening with … [Read more...] about “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (Hillbarn Theatre)