January 25, 2020 | Jason Applegate I must precede this review by confessing that The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has always been one of my favorite novels. I love the poetic prose of the novel that encapsulates the Jazz era. I love the flawed characters who ironically believe the lie that their lives only have value if they are deemed successful by the very people who will do everything in their power to destroy any chance of their […]
December 1, 2019 | Dr. Jeff List “If everything is the same, there are no choices.” The stage adaptation of the essential young adult novel, The Giver, marks the second selection for Pit & Balcony’s current season. This story, set in a dystopian future, tells the story of Jonas who discovers the joys and pains of living when selected for a special role in society, the Receiver of Memory. The Giver shares his collected knowledge and memories of humanity long […]
November 30, 2019 | Jessica McFarland In a not-too-distant future, people live in planned communities where secrets must be confessed, differences must not be pointed out, and choices are forbidden. Jonas (Nick Pellegrino IV) is on the cusp of turning twelve and getting his typical job assignment for the rest of his pleasant, black and white life, until he is told that he has been given a rare and honored position as the Receiver of Memory. He meets his teacher, […]
October 10, 2019 | Todd Thomas Collaborations of any kind are challenging. Each of these area theatres has their own resources, processes and cultures and you can imagine the kind of train wreck a huge production like this could have been. Managing Director of Pit & Balcony, Amy Spadafore, Director of Theatre Programs at Midland Center for the Arts, Dexter Brigham, and Operations Manager for Bay City Players, Kathy Pawlowski, were clearly the right people to produce this show. As […]
September 21, 2019 | Todd Thomas When I saw Mamma Mia, I was seated in front of a group of sequin-clad women who had clearly pre-gamed the show, and were having a joyous time at the ABBA jukebox musical. When you see Mamma Mia! (and you really should), don’t expect the weightiness of “Hamilton,” or the societal messages of “Rent” or the brutal satire of “Book of Mormon.” In fact, don’t expect a very believable story line. But believe the […]