Who can forget the critically acclaimed 1997 Disney animated musical comedy film Hercules? The outstanding and award-winning movie is currently attracting full-house crowds in an unforgettable production, thanks to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.
Tonight’s Disco Daydream was an immersive fun-fete celebrating the universal quest for elusive love and where it might be found. The cast touched hearts and drew inspiration from an empathetic audience that sighed at hints of romance, camaraderie, and reminiscences of disco’s glory days. The music never stopped in this story of love and tragedy as it unfolded through incredible dance routines, driving music, humor, charm, and physicality.
The men were dapper, the ladies elegant, they were all beautiful, and together drew viewers into the time best befitting each Irving Berlin song’s historical context. We heard charming anecdotes while reveling in the choreography, lighting, sound, costumes, dancing, singing, and the orchestra — it was all as it should be in a joyous evening of smiling and nostalgia with wonderful music, singing, and dancing.
Misrahi is a boyish, lovable character who is bawdy, irreverent, clever, and entertaining with repartee and humor as delightful as his singing. His selection of songs seems to spring from biographical sentiment, and while he can sing to be funny, he can also touch hearts with the intense pathos, sadness, and beauty he expresses in songs like Sondheim’s “One More Kiss” from Follies. The song ended with a whisper, silence, and thunderous applause.
Adventures in Vegas is a sentimental, hilarious look at life as a showgirl and more. Now celebrating her 73 year’s young birthday, the intimate 1970 diary unfolds of actress, comedian, dancer, and singer Andrea Bell Wolff.
Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar presented a sentimental, delightful journey through the American Songbook of the best of musical theater. Each song and setting was perfectly characterized, rapturously sung, and sparkling.
Reynolds and Price are passionate creators and intellectuals of their art. Their work is an alchemy of surpassingly inventive and sympathetic creative minds. They prove that great prose creates great music just as each informs and enhances the other. They are direct descendants of the great songwriting teams who came before them like Kern and Hammerstein, the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, and Lerner and Loewe. Their music is fresh, emotional, rich in character, sophisticated, and affects listeners in a memorable and important way.
As the show unwound, it was like a fun family reunion picnic of Saturday Night Live, Second City Television, and a dash of Uncle Floyd, where everyone takes turns showing what they can do to make everyone smile and better off than when they arrived.
Americano The Musical introduces the audience to the actual life story of Tony Valdovinos who came to the United States with his parents when he was two.
Mr. Saturday Night is the story of Buddy Young, Jr. (Billy Crystal), an aging comedian whose career has long waned. He’s forced to play the retirement homes and is lucky to get a laugh when the audience is breathing. During an Emmy award show broadcast on television, it’s announced that Buddy Young Jr. has passed away, giving rise to his second career chance.