Broome Arts Mirror – Local Theatre Reviews
The Broome Arts Mirror is a group of volunteers affiliated with the Broome County Arts Council who write previews and reviews about local performances and arts shows. For inquiries, including having someone review your local production, please contact us at bamirror@broomearts.org.
EPAC and Theatre Street do solid job with classic musical
Reviewed by George Basler Certain Broadway musicals, even hits, are pretty much forgotten after their initial runs while others become enduring works that reach audiences across generations. Man of La Mancha fits into the latter category. The original 1965 Broadway production ran for 2,328 performances and won the Tony [...]
Moving 9/11 play at KNOW retains its visceral power
Reviewed by George Basler For those of us old enough to remember, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 will never be forgotten. But it’s been 20 years -- two decades -- since that cataclysmic day. An entire generation has grown up since then. For them, it’s a historical event, not [...]
On with the show: Arts groups plan live performances for the fall
By George Basler Having survived their COVID-disrupted 2020-21 seasons, local performing arts organizations are gearing up for the return of a full slate of live productions this fall.Leaders believe there is pent-up demand for live performances. “The actors and staff are chomping at the bit,” said Tim Gleason, artistic [...]
Local group works to revive Cider Mill Stage
By George Basler Kate Murray has fond memories of the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott. She acted there, worked on productions and was an audience member for other shows. “The building meant a lot to me. It meant the same thing to a lot of people,” she said. Now [...]
EPAC stands as lasting tribute to Lou Ligouri
By George Basler Following Lou Ligouri’s funeral Monday (July 12), his friends and family will gather for a reception at the Endicott Performing Arts Center, and no location could be more fitting. Ligouri, who died of pancreatic cancer on July 1, was one of a small group of committed [...]
S.T.A.R returns to live action with nasty classic
By George Basler Southern Tier Actors Read (S.T.A.R) is returning to live performances this weekend on a truly nasty note. Friday through Sunday (June 25-27), the company will perform a staged reading of Lillian Hellman’s acerbic The Little Foxes at the Phelps Mansion in Binghamton. The play focuses on [...]
Vestal concludes Tier’s non-traditional high school musical season
By George Basler Austin Kiley has directed student musicals at Vestal High School for 10 years, but he says he has never directed a show like the one that will be seen this weekend. The production of Les Miserables School Edition will close out a non-traditional high school musical [...]
Remembering CyberCafé West proprietor Jeff Kahn
By Barb Van Atta Broome Arts Mirror offers its deepest condolences to the family and friends of former CyberCafé West proprietor Jeffrey (Jeff) Kahn, who died Sunday (June 13). Kahn, 59, was a towering figure in Broome County’s live music scene. Although the café closed, it maintained a Facebook [...]
Strong performances brighten KNOW’s dark ‘Birdbath’
Reviewed by George Basler Leonard Melfi’s Birdbath takes place on Valentine’s Day, but do not expect candy or flowers. The deceased American playwright, who grew up in Binghamton, was known for creating eccentric characters who are out of tune with conventional society. And the characters in Birdbath certainly fit [...]
Philharmonic plans return to Forum and busy summer season
By George Basler After more than a year’s absence, the Binghamton Philharmonic will return to the Broome County Forum Theatre on June 19 for two concerts of Baroque music. And Paul Cienniwa, the orchestra’s executive director, is excited for both the musicians and the community. For the musicians, the [...]
Award-winning musical “Honk Jr.” coming to JC
By George Basler Twenty years ago, Broome County puppeteer Robert Rogers heard the CD soundtrack of a musical from England call Honk! and was inspired by its songs and story. He was not alone. The musical -- with music by George Stiles and book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe [...]
Tri Cities Opera resuming live productions
By George BaslerAfter a 15-month hiatus because of COVID-19, Tri Cities Opera will resume live productions next week with a staging of Gaetano Donizetti’s popular The Elixir of Love. But the venue will be out of the norm for the Binghamton-based opera company.Instead of performing at The Forum [...]
Coping with COVID (update): Seton’s ‘Les Mis’ both live and streamed
By George Basler After putting a list of safety measures in place, Seton Catholic Central High School in Binghamton is ready to stage a concert version of the musical Les Miserables this weekend. Limited-seating tickets are now on sale for the four performances that will run 7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday [...]
KNOW Theatre’s ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ features memorable performances
Reviewed by George Basler Emotional wounds and physical scars are on vivid display in Rajiv Joseph’s compelling two-character play Gruesome Playground Injuries. KNOW Theatre's production, being streamed through April 30, is just as compelling, thanks to bravura performances by Jessica Nogaret and Joshua Sedelmeyer as two needy people drawn [...]
Artisan Gallery Slow Art Day 2021 Responses
2021 is the first year that Artisan Gallery and Broome County Arts Council participated in the International Slow Art Day. Hosted on April 12, the gallery's exhibition, 2nd Annual Spring Flower Show, and mini-show by Scott Yurko, The Fierce and Fantastic Flower, provided opportunities for visitors to spend minutes [...]
