Libby at Actor’s Express
through June 18, 2017

Libby Whittemore’s final cabaret of the season is this weekend at Actor’s Express. The show, The More the Merrier, features numbers done by more than one female singer dating from the 1940s to 1990s.

Libby is joined by Lisa Paige and Shawn Megorden, with a five piece band on stage under direction of Robert Strickland. Strickland is not only her music director but he does some creative compositions when he weave medleys for the show.

If you enjoy comfortable close-up cabaret shows, and songs where you can actually understand the words being belted out, then this may be spot-on for you. Libby has had a very faithful audience here for many a year, and she, and her crew, still provide enjoyable evenings.

These shows start at 7:30, and run a little more than 2 hours, so you can plan accordingly. Last night the ladies even managed to easily work through an unusual wardrobe malfunction, but nobody lost their footing.

More info at Actors-Express.com

Mamma Mia!
Fox Theatre
through June 18, 2017

They’re back again, again! Thank you Fifth Third Bank for bringing such a smash hit back to town. It was last here in 2014, with pretty much the same set. I had said then that the show is a pure delight from the opening number to the closing curtain; and that is just as accurate now . This is a show that really has “legs.”

The real star of this show is the music of ABBA which seems as relevant today as it was years ago. The playwrights took the songs of ABBA and wove a fine tapestry of a plot around them to delight the audiences. The show is a theatrical buffet, featuring a wide array of music, costumes, dance, humor, great lighting and one very versatile set. They’ve spiced up the repartee a bit with a lot of almost single-entendre slightly off-color gags, which adds a little kick to the show. If you have seen it before, you’ll enjoy it again. If you have never seen it, you’ll find it an evening of great joy.

Betsy Padamonsky is just wonderful as Donna Sheridan, the single mom, who’s daughter, Sophie (Lizzie Markson) is to be wed. Sophie wants her dad to give her away, but there’s one problem. Nobody knows which of three former lovers may be her father. So, without telling her Mom, she just invites all three to attend and everything goes somewhat whacko.

The three potential dads, as well as the trio made up of Donna and her 2 BFFs, all have just great voices as well as stage presence; and the choreography is top notch as well.

So, sit back, relax, soak up the lyrics and revel in the joy that transcends the production. This one is a real winner and don’t we wish every visiting show would be just as good.

Warning. . . . Don’t be in a rush to leave at the end of the show. The cast comes back after curtain calls to reprise many of the numbers for another 15 minutes, as the audience joins in. And, if you really liked the songs but couldn’t catch all the lyrics at the Fox, just listen to the CD and you’ll enjoy it all over again.

It closes this weekend, so book your tickets now and enjoy a tradition right up there with Fiddler, Phantom and Cats.

Robin Hood
Serenbe Playhouse
through August 13, 2017

Serenbe Playhouse is an outdoor theatre company which produces many very original shows in various areas around the village located in the Palmetto – Chattahoochee Hills area off 85 south of town.

You read about, or watched, Robin Hood in various media and adaptations; but this is quite different. Jordan Patrick is the title character and his side-kick, Little John is played by Brady Dunn. A lot of the action is on zip lines as RobinHood, Little John and the Captain of the Guard (Madison Welch) fly from one area in Sherwood Forest to another.

The nasty Sheriff of Nottingham is Kenny Tran, and he is a model for many current day politicians, who have adopted the creed of In Greed we Trust. Kendra Johnson as Scarlet and Casey Shuler as Maid Marian round out the cast.

Paul McGill directed this unusual one-act production which features original music by John Burke. There are some great fight scenes and the archery contest is right out of circus side-show style. The youngsters especially enjoy it as they sit up front on the ground covers and can almost touch the actors.

Keep in mind that all performances run about 50 minutes and are rain-or-shine, so check the weather, wear appropriate clothing and enjoy it. Performances are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. More info and tickets at SerenbePlayhouse.com

Race
Out of Box Theatre
through June 24, 2017

Race, by David Mamet, is an exceptional production. The plot deals with a wealthy white gent who has been accused of raping a young black woman in a hotel. The defendant, Charles Strickland, (Bob Smith) has sought counsel from a firm of two lawyers, a black lawyer, Henry Brown (Erwin Thompson), and his white partner, Jack Lawson (Zip Ramp).

Erica Dee Ragsdale plays Susan, a young black woman recently hired by the firm as an associate. The story is how we see race differences privately as opposed to publicly. This is one that makes one think, not sweat. . . .

The cards are stacked against Strickland. The DA already has sworn statements from the cops, the hotel maid, the alleged victim and others. One lawyer wants to take the case while his partner wants not to do so. It’s obvious that the reason to want the case is the big bucks from Strickland. The question of how a jury may see the events, and how they may process what they see and hear is the central point of the argument between the lawyers.

The script has plenty of typical Mamet expletives, but that’s life these days. The business of law is a business. It is not about justice nor morality and for most lawyers it never has been. I’m won’t tell you how the plot resolves itself. This is one of those scripts that as you sit and listen you can conceive of several different endings. But, you are wrong.

This production is staged in two acts, and is directed by Mia Kristin Smith and Carolyn Shepard Choe. It is a static set, and that’s because it is the spoken lines that are the grit and gist of this story. And the four actors put their ALL into it. It is really a real life drama if you read the news these days. And that says a lot about it’s content. More info and tickets at OutOfBoxTheatre.com

Beauty and the Beast
Lyric Theatre
through June 25, 2017

It is such a delight when you attend a local theatre only to find the quality of the production is right up to Broadway standards. Right now the Lyric is doing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast musical;  and even if you saw the touring production last year, you will still marvel at this one.

There’s not much memorable about the music, but the sets, props, costumes and choreography are all top quality. Robert Adams directed this cast of 26 highly professional players. Logan Denninghoff as the Beast (albeit he previously had been Gaston in a national tour) Lauren Hill as Belle, Brian Jordan as the clownish LeFou and Larry Cox as the Trumpish Gaston.

Cindy Mora Reiser’s choreography provides real eye candy and some of the line kicks can make you think you are at Radio City Music Hall. The show is performed to recorded music tracks but it is fully synchronized.

The Lyric performs just south of Marietta Square with plenty of free parking and comfy seating. This is a very special treat for kids from 5 to 95. More info at AtlantaLyric.com

Incorruptible
OnStage Atlanta
through June 25, 2017

Michael Hollinger created a medieval farce which really rocks.  You’ll laugh from the opening lines to the end of this ecclesiastical romp.      The story is simple, in that it deals with a monastery which is in financial straits, and how the Brothers bend the rules as they try get things worked out.   If you want to dig deeply into the psychological essence of the work it might be said to deal with corruption in society.  But, don’t sweat it.  Just sit back and enjoy this one on the surface.

The monastery needs to have something that will attract pilgrims who will, in turn, leave offerings, which can be used to support the Brothers and their good works.   Alas, the only saint they have on hand hasn’t produced a miracle in more than a decade, while down the road a competing Nunnery has been packing them in with a saint who has been working overtime.   Well, the Brothers do finally hit on a scheme to solve their financial problems.

The Abbot is J. Michael Carroll, and he plays off so splendidly against Brother Martin played by Darrell Wofford.   Brother Martin must have been the inspiration for Bernie Madoff.   The other two bumbling Brothers are the novices Felix (Chris Schulz) and Olf (O’Neil Delaopenha).  Felix is a little light in the celibacy department and Olf is below scale in the brains dept.    These four have to deal with the local peasant woman who comes off like a raver from Manhattan so ably played by Katy Clark.

The excellent cast is rounded out by Sara Lynn Herman, as the love object Marie, who seems at times to have been an Olympics gymnast for the twists and jumps she does, and LeeAnna Lambert who plays the bitch Abbess.    The centerpiece role is that of Jack, the one-eyed minstrel which is a totally camped up role played to the hilt by Jef Holbrook.

The show, directed by Aaron Gotlieb moves easily on a neat set by Lizz Dorsey.   While it does suggest some improper clerical behavior, the facts are that sometimes folks don’t always behave just as one might expect.  I’m pretty sure most of the clergy could enjoy this one as well.  More info at OnStageAtlanta.com

Eclipsed
Synchronicity Theatre
through June 25, 2017

It takes not only talent, but cajones to stage this one.  The play by Zimbabwean playwright Danai Gurira is set in the west African country of Liberia around 2003, when the people had enough of the corruption and terror of Charles Taylor, and took arms against his regime.  This time to succeed and Taylor fled to Nigeria, the corruption capitol of Africa.  After many captures, escapes and recaptures he wound up before a Special Court and is still in a jail in the UK on a 50 year sentence, and still trying to be involved in various African states.

The war in Liberia was tragic.  It was another one of those situations where young men were trained to shoot, where girls were taken hostage and repeatedly raped, sold, and/or enslaved.  In this play most of the action takes place in a hovel in which some “wives” are forced to live.  They have no names other than Wife #1 (Shayla Love), Wife #3 (Charity Purvis Jordan) and the Girl (Asha Duniani).  Parris Sarter and Isake Akanke appear as a warrior and a worker for peace and women’s rights.

Tanashe Kajese-Bolden directed this very stressful saga on a perfect set designed by Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay.   The play is not your average evening out.  This has a cast of five superb female actors, dealing with many forms of abuse.  And one of the really sad things is that these atrocities have yet to vanish.  Just think of what the Boko Haram have been doing in Nigeria.  In so many places in the world, and more so in Africa, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

This show has received many rave reviews, but has not had very long runs in NYC nor elsewhere.  It is certainly NOT for youngsters, nor those who may adopt the motto of “Don’t confuse me with the facts; as my mind is made up” While the show is referred to as “savagely funny” the laughs are few and far between.  It is a stressful 2 hours which brings to mind so many crimes against humanity in the past century.

More info at SynchroTheatre.com

The Dancing Handkerchief
Theatrical Outfit
through June 18, 2017

The play is quite a bit different than others you’ve seen.  Geoff Sobelle and Adam Koplan penned this story which Adam has adapted to a staged performance, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez.

Tom Key comes on as Mysterioso the Magician.  He got some help from Joe Turner, a really good local magician who has played around town.  And Tom comes off looking the part and dealing out a few illusions which are basics from Eddie’s Trick Shop, if you are into that stuff.

The play is being staged in association with The Flying Carpet Theatre Company of New York.  It is a story about a magician and his daughter, who don’t see things the same way and they part ways; only to reunite with the passing of one of them and reflection of experiences and lessons learned along the path called life.

The story is moved along mainly by Deborah Bowman, who as the adult daughter, Bastienne, delivers up 9 solo numbers, backed up by S. Renee Clark on piano and Ramon Pooser on bass, Jeremy Aggers on guitar, and Lorenzo Sanford on the drums.   Aggers also doubles in some supporting roles.

The younger Bastienne is played really well by Devon Hales who pulls off being a puppet master, with back help from Spencer Stephens, and some pretty agile moves along the way.

Whether this is one that “has legs” as we say, remains to be determined.  It isn’t a puppet show, per se, nor is it a magic show.  It is a show in which the principal characters play such roles.   While a lot of young folks might not get the true gist of the story, there may be a lot of senior citizens in the same camp.

But, directed by Adam Koplan, it is well staged and performed with total dedication.  The show runs about an hour and a quarter without intermission.  More info and tickets at TheatricalOutfit.org