With Umbrella Stage Company’s recent bang-up production, it once again proved that, despite being almost four decades old, ‘Hairspray’ will never lose its staying power for one very important reason — it is FUN.
Author: Shelley Sackett
The Huntington’s ‘Oedipus el Rey’ Transposes Sophocles to The Barrio with Mixed Success
Ultimately, The Huntington’s production, directed by Artistic Director Loretta Greco, lacks the urgency and coherence that might have helped make sense of Alfaro’s often jumbled, overreaching script.
Second Stage’s ‘The Receptionist’ Shines A Light on the Underbelly of the Underworld
But for the outstanding cast (especially Finneran and Nacer) and elevated production, The Receptionist would leave us feeling like its revival was merely an opportunity to rub salt into an open, unhealed wound, still festering after more than two decades.
SpeakEasy’s Stirring “Swept Away” Will Carry You Away
Although the script lags in places (the plot is thin on action overall), there are dazzling moments, such as the stormy scene that sends our four survivors onto a lifeboat for six days. Lost at sea with no provisions or refuge from the scorching sun, their songs focus on hunger, hopelessness and horrible sins they would consider committing if it guaranteed they would stay alive.
