Review: MOON OVER BUFFALO at Candlelight Music TheatreMay 20, 2024Candlelight’s MOON OVER BUFFALO is an uproariously funny comedy by Tony Award winning playwright Ken Ludwig. Last year they mounted his LEND ME A TENOR which was both parts as hilarious and charming. Ludwig’s plays have starred Carol Burnett, Alec Baldwin and Tony Shaloub, to name a few.nk of MOON OVER BUFFALO at Candlelight Music Theatre?
Previews: FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE at The Grand Opera HouseMay 10, 2024It is not surprising to those who work in the live arts, performing arts or fine arts, that we understand a vibrant arts community attracts visitors who spend money and help keep local businesses thriving. They keep Delaware residents spending their money locally, vital income for local merchants.
Review: DANCING AT LUGHNASA at City TheatreApril 20, 2024Celebrating its 30th year as Delaware’s off-Broadway theatre, City Theatre delivers DANCING IN LUGHNASA, a stunning tour de force in ensemble acting, direction (Mary Catherine Kelley), linguistics/dialect (Michael Toner), scenic design (Rick Neidig) and every musical and technical aspect imaginable. The production was greeted with a Standing O opening night; a deserving distinction indeed.
Review: THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD at Candlelight Music TheatreMarch 25, 2024What did our critic think of TCandlelight Music Theatre normally plays it safe when scheduling a season. That’s’ why Aisle Say was surprised that “THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD” was part of this year’s season. And more so for the musical was written by Rupert Holmes, whose most prominent claim to fame was his #1 Billboard hit, the romantically funny tune, “The Pina Colada Song”. (To give Holmes his due, the musical won the Tony for Best Musical in 1986).HE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD at Candlelight Music Theatre?
Review: HELLO DOLLY! at Candlelight Music TheatreJanuary 29, 2024Hello Dolly! Opened on Broadway in 1964 with the irrepressible, wide-eyed, charismatic Carol Channing in the title role, winning 10 Tony’s including Best Musical and Best Actress for Channing. The show was her signature and, to understate, she held it close. An understudy once remarked that she was looking forward to subbing in for her. “Don’t hold your breath, sister”. Channing played the part over 5000 times.
Review: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Walnut Street TheatreJanuary 26, 2024It’s 23 years into George and Martha’s minefield marriage, and passion has long since cooled into contempt The play is a cruel and competitive game of escalating insults between career-stalled history professor George (a riveting Greg Wood) and Martha (a boozy and absolutely compelling Susan Riley Stevens),
Review: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Candlelight Music TheatreNovember 27, 2023Aisle Say considers something we’ve all thought about it. During episodes of grave doubt and seemingly unrelenting anxiety – whether it be family or financial or health – we have considered maybe the world would be a better place if we had not been born.
Interview: Brynne Smith of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS at The PlayhouseNovember 16, 2023Aisle Say has interviewed tens of actors prior to their tour landing at The Playhouse. My chat with Brynne Smith-Jenkins, however, is a first. Never before had I spoken with an actor who had just left rehearsal for a show opening here tomorrow November 17 through the 20th. Not in recent years has a tour originated here. That exciting. And, there will be even more excitement on stage with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS.
Review: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT at Resident Ensemble PlayersNovember 13, 2023Aisle Say has had the privilege of reviewing this staggering talented ensemble since 2008. Still do I remember their second show of the season, THE IMAGINARY INVALID. Forever imprinted in my mind are the enema gloves of Michael Gotch and Mic Matarrese. These two actors and many of their colleagues from the PTTP Masters Program remain today, representing the culture that founder and now retired Sandy Robbins created.
Interview: Joshua Kring of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL at The PlayhouseOctober 10, 2023Aisle Say chatted with Joshua Kring, an actor from PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical, embarking on a 3 day tour at The Playhouse on October 13-15. The composer is Bryan Adams, yes that Bryan Adams, pop rock icon of “Summer of ‘69”, “(Everything I Do) I Do For You”. The creative team is a powerhouse of Tony Award winner Director/Choreographer Jerry Mitchell and book writer, the legendary Garry Marshall, who directed the film.
Review: INTO THE WOODS at Candlelight Music TheatreSeptember 27, 2023Candlelight Theatre continues to astound. While regional professional theatres are going from six week runs to three (see DE Theatre Co), the funky old barn in the bowels of sylvan Arden continues to welcome sold out crowds for a full six.
Review: SOUND OF MUSIC at Candlelight Music TheatreJuly 20, 2023What did our critic think of SOThe Preludium (i.e. prelude) begins Candlelight Music Theatre’s Sound of Music. Sung in Latin and – one must believe – meticulously rehearsed by Music Director Douglass Lutz and Sisters Margaretta (Neena Boyle) Berte (Lindsey Grant), Sophia (Leah Senseney) and Mother Abbess (Audra Casebier). Their harmonies were beatific; appropriate to their cloistered domicile.ND OF MUSIC at Candlelight Music Theatre?
Review: FREAKY FRIDAY at Wilmington Drama LeagueJune 15, 2023Community theatre is where it all begins. Children attain their first production in community theater; life experiences never to be forgotten. A nurturing Mom and Dad could say, “Hey, why not try this. It’s a cool.” Or a friend might comment, “Hey, I auditioned for this show. Come on. Let’s have fun. Let’s do this together.” Some are pulled in. And, if so entranced by the excitement of performing, the supercharged atmosphere of opening night and the culture of the venue, well…the theatrical ‘beast’ explodes and remains within them for the rest of their lives. Yes, theatre people are different. I know that. You know that.
Review: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at Candlelight Music TheatreApril 28, 2023What dAisle Say was a trifle surprised at the first dialogue interchange of I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, the current production at Candlelight. It was risqué, somewhat risk-taking from the norm, owing to the senior citizen demographics of their audience.id our critic think of I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at Candlelight Music Theatre?
Review: SISTER ACT at Candlelight Music TheatreFebruary 27, 2023Having the privilege of reviewing Candlelight Theatre for years, the once community theatre has morphed into a fully professional troupe. Over the past 3 years, Aisle Say has witnessed productions there that absolutely rival non-equity touring shows staged at The Playhouse.
Previews: ANASTASIA at The PlayhouseFebruary 1, 2023Wilmington resident and theatre veteran Gerri Weagraff comes to The Playhouse as the Dowager Empress in the national tour of ANASTASIA. Six performances from February 9 – 12. Music and lyrics are by the award-winning team of Flaherty and Ahrens (RAGTIME, SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND) with a book written by Broadway legend Terrance McNally.
Review: IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS at Candlelight Music TheatreNovember 28, 2022After a stellar run of showstoppers and extraordinary, electric entertainment in 2022, Candlelight returns to the seasonal theme of sentimental and saccharine with Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS The Musical. Sentimentality and nostalgia are good. And, the venue is to be applauded for staging this show. It’s good box office. IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMA at Candlelight Music Theatre.