Central New York Theater Reviews

BWW Reviews: GOOD PEOPLE Presents a Lesson on Pride at Syracuse Stage

Margaret Walsh swears she will never beg, even if she wanted to. Her sarcastic pride would stop her before uttering a profane-introduced "please." Or, at least that's what she demands you to think. She's begging the entire time, and that's okay. She has every right to. (more...)

BWW Reviews: TWO TRAINS RUNNING Arrives at Syracuse Stage

How good can chicken taste when you really wanted ham-when you've spent an exhaustive amount of energy for it? Chicken will never taste the same again: probably sour and, perhaps pridelessly cheap. Fittingly for TWO TRAINS RUNNING, ham and chicken are inherently a cultural war cry, excitedly felt at Syracuse Stage. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Landing NEXT TO NORMAL at Geva Theatre Center

Geva's presentation of NEXT TO NORMAL is affecting and provides a lingering thought of what normal could be. The cast is astounding, and the emotion is real. You hope that they can land on normal, but the truth is, they're not really sure where normal is anymore. (more...)

BWW Reviews: WHITE CHRISTMAS Brings the Holidays Early to Syracuse Stage

IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS is exactly what it should be: a sensational holiday feel-good experience. One that worships warm reds and greens, fervent Christmas trees, musings of snow and the cozy thoughts of sipping 'hot cocoa.' (more...)

BWW Reviews: WICKED Brings Magic to The Landmark Theatre

It's not hard to realize why WICKED remains a huge favorite for theatergoers and even for those with a less musical inclination. (more...)

BWW Reviews: JERSEY BOYS Still Flaunts the Grit and Glam of The Four Seasons

To recreate the fame and heartbreak of the badass group, there has to be a gritty finesse in order to showcase the unexpected voices and talent of four Jersey hoodlums. The story is the all too familiar tale of four boys under a streetlight; the tremendous success and the embittered fall-right back to a glamorous reunion. This tour has that finesse. (more...)

BWW Reviews: THE 25TH ANNUAL SPELLING BEE e-n-t-e-r-t-a-i-n-s at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

Watching six kids all vying for a spelling bee championship title will make the audience realize that they are indeed, not smarter than a fifth grader. (more...)

BWW Reviews: Geva Theatre's SUPERIOR DONUTS Serves Sweet Sampling of Relationships

Tracy Letts's script is brought to life by a small, intimate cast sprinkled with local performers. (more...)

BWW Reviews: BROKE-OLOGY Offers Rich Theatricality at Ithaca's Kitchen Theatre

Set in a gang-run, poor neighborhood in Kansas City, Kan. BROKE-OLOGY is about family, fatherhood, regret and the choices people make surrounding the three. (more...)

BWW Reviews: RED Paints a Portrait of Humanity at Syracuse Stage

Humanity's penchant for observing suffering is part of the reason breaking news segments, thriller novels, soap operas and horror movies thrive: these mediums contain stories filled with elements of dread. Life is painted with such events that both equalize and alienate people from one another. But what happens when suffering sparks art, and art sparks debate? (more...)

BWW Reviews: Drying Like A RAISIN IN THE SUN at Rochester's Geva Theatre

Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN is one of those canonic, American plays that is a regional theater favorite and is almost undisputedly good. This means Hansberry's writing is rarely questioned, and the viability of the show being well-received by audiences also goes without skepticism. However, in Geva Theatre's production, director Robert O'Hara's artistic license with Hansberry's script is close but no cigar. (more...)