Studio Players seeks director proposals
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
Studio Players is soliciting proposals from directors for the 2012-13 season. Prospects may submit proposals for up to three titles they would like to direct, including the title, author, publisher, number and genders of characters, and a brief synopsis of each play.
Review: New musical theater troupe The Rep debuts with well-done zaniness
By Tedrin Blair Lindsay Contributing Culture Critic
Lexington's newest theater group, The Rep, headed by co-artistic directors Diana Evans Pulliam and Robyn Peterman-Zahn and executive producer Steve Zahn, opened its inaugural production Friday night at the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Center to a lively, receptive audience.
Woodford Theatre's 'Scrooge: The Musical' chases the humbugs with laughter, charm
By Tedrin Blair Lindsay Contributing Culture Critic
Woodford Theatre's charming presentation of Leslie Bricusse's Scrooge: The Musical. Based on Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol, this production will bring a laugh to the lips and a tear to the eye of even the sourest Christmas curmudgeon.
Ex-Paragon duo prep for The Rep's 'Smackdown for the Christmas Crown'
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
This weekend's production of Smackdown for the Christmas Crown will be the inaugural production of The Rep, the company that Diana Evans Pulliam and Robyn Peterman-Zahn are launching with music director Brock Terry and Peterman-Zahn's husband, Steve Zahn, who will be executive producer. "When they said they were going to do this, I said, 'I want to play,'" says Zahn, a versatile actor whose roles have included the dad in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, a prisoner of war in Werner Herzog's Rescue Dawn and volatile DJ and bandleader Davis in the HBO TV series Treme. "I wanted to contribute."
'12 Dates of Christmas' makes for a fun but not perfect night out
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
When thirtysomething Mary sees her fiancé kissing another woman on television at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, she tosses her engagement ring into a Salvation Army donation bucket and embarks on a year's worth of dates. So goes the plot of The 12 Dates of Christmas, written by Transylvania University adjunct playwriting professor Ginna Hoben.
Actors Guild brings back 'SantaLand Diaries'; it's worth seeing again
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
For two years, Actors Guild of Lexington has produced fresh, innovative material. But sometimes you just need of a revival of a tried-and-true hit, something that audiences like seeing again and again. Joe Mantello's adaptation of David Sedaris' essay The SantaLand Diaries fits the bill.
Review: Children's Theatre's 'Old Jake's Skirts' is simple, warm
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
A rustic, rambling tale filled with folk music, Old Jake's Skirts' heartwarming message sort of creeps up on you, gentle-like.
'The Nutcracker': Ballerinas' dreams of dancing Clara fulfilled
By Robert Parks Johnson Contributing Writer
Dance fans have three chances to see local productions of the Christmas classic this December, and all of them open this weekend. In anticipation of this holiday flurry, we sat down with the six young dancers who are living what many of them called "every little girl's dream": dancing the role of Clara, the young girl who dreams that the nutcracker she has been given on Christmas Eve comes to life as a prince and takes her through Tchaikovsky's wintery kingdom of candy, fairies and love.
Christian dance troupe tries to be a three-pronged ministry
By Robert Parks Johnson Contributing Writer
For Nancy Durall, dance has a mission beyond entertainment and showcasing an artform. It is a way to share her faith and, at this time of year, the beauty of Christmas.
'SantaLand' and '12 Dates' harbor no illusions about the holiday spirit
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
There is a point in Ginna Hoben's play The 12 Dates of Christmas when our heroine, Mary, decides to go to a movie.
Review: AGL's 'Seafarer' portrays dark road to redemption
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley declared Irish playwright Conor McPherson's play The Seafarer "the thinking person's alternative to It's a Wonderful Life" and Actors Guild of Lexington's opening-night production of the dark, redemptive play proves why Brantley's description is an apt metaphor.
'The Seafarer': It's not such a wonderful life
By Candace Chaney Contributing Culture Writer
Not everyone is happy at Christmas. In fact, we all know someone — or perhaps we are that someone — who descends into a dark, winter funk. The strain of family dynamics at holiday gatherings, the short days and long nights, and the pressure to be "merry" when there is a lot of suffering and hardship in the world can all take their toll.
Holiday Theater Preview 2011: A smorgasbord of yuletide productions
By Candace Chaney Contributing Culture Writer
Nothing can take the edge off of holiday stress like a good dose of escapism and hearty laughter. Central Kentucky theaters are here to help.
Review: LCT's 'Madeline's Christmas' showcases outstanding amateur talent
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
The excited anticipation of a break from school, and bouts of the cold and flu, are as much time-honored harbingers of the holiday season for youngsters as decorations, candy and carols.
Review: Hilarious 'Liz' has fine acting, but it's upstaged by curtain speech
By Tedrin Blair Lindsay Contributing Culture Critic
At its heart, Balagula Theatre's The Book of Liz is a sweet entertainment about finding your place both in the world and in your own estimation.
