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.
What did you do in the arts this week?
An exhibit, a concert, a play, a bar band gig -- how did you immerse in the arts this past week? Please share in the comment section below.
Packed house savors BPO salute to Bernstein
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd Last night (March 17) wasn't just any night. As Binghamton met Bernstein, the world went away. The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, with Principal Guest Conductor Daniel Hege on the podium and at the lectern, gave an all-Bernstein concert to a packed house at The Forum, 236 [...]
BCAC announces $222,698 in 2018 UCF grants
At a press conference this morning (March 14) at The Forum in downtown Binghamton, Broome County Arts Council (BCAC) Executive Director Nancy Barno Reynolds announced the awarding of $222,698 in United Cultural Fund (UCF) grants for 2018. That amount represents 85 percent of the $268,774 received during the 2018 [...]
Were you 'art-full' this past week?
What did you do in the arts this past week? Please use the comment section to offer your news, views and mini-reviews.
'Cabaret' at JCC is dark, disturbing and compelling
Reviewed by George Basler When Cabaret first opened on Broadway in the mid-1960s, the show was daring, combining splashy musical numbers with a dark plot about the rise of Nazi Germany. More than five decades later, the show still strikes a nerve. In fact, its theme about the evils [...]
Ti-Ahwaga's 'Legally Blonde' is a frothy delight
Reviewed by George Basler A lot of words have been used to describe law school. Competitive, demanding and cutthroat come immediately to mind. But who knew it could be so much fun? Well, if the court pleases, let me introduce into evidence the Ti-Ahwaga Community Players production of Legally [...]
What did you do in the arts this past week?
Did you brave the weekend weather or hibernate? Did you, like me, take advantage of "spring" earlier in the week to check out the new exhibits at Roberson? Did you audition for a show or rehearse for a concert? What have you been doing in the arts?
Gregori dominates in TCO's 'Master Class'
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd The ghost of Maria Callas visited Binghamton Friday night (Feb. 23). The legendary opera singer, dubbed "La Divina," was channeled in a tour de force performance by actress/singer Andréa Gregori in Tri-Cities Opera’s production of Terrence McNally’s 1996 Tony Award-winning drama Master Class. The script is a haunting portrayal [...]
'True West' gets wild and crazy at KNOW Theatre
Reviewed by George Basler By the time the KNOW Theatre production of True West ends, it looks like a bomb has gone off in the pristine Southern California home where the action takes place. Beer cans liter the floor; food has been dumped on the rug, and the kitchen [...]
Cider Mill Stage cast rises above sometimes sputtering farce
Reviewed by George Basler The recipe for a good farce is a simple one: Put some outlandish characters in outlandish situations, and mix well. Pulling it off, though, is no simple task. Get any of the ingredients slightly wrong, and the soufflé crashes, and the pudding doesn’t set. Alan [...]
SRO presents a stunning 'Into the Woods'
UPDATE: A performance has been added at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 25). Reviewed by Tony Villecco SRO Productions III is giving Southern Tier residents a great big gift for having to endure a long, cold spell of nasty weather. A word of advice, though: Get your tickets immediately, because [...]
New BCAC director interviewed by P&S-B
In case you didn't catch the front-page news in Sunday's Press & Sun-Bulletin (Jan. 14), here's a link to Chris Kocher's in-depth Q&A with the Broome County Arts Council's new executive director, Nancy Barno Reynolds. We here at BAMirror also plan on asking Nancy a few things; if you [...]
Art Mission closing is sad news
By George Basler Some sad news came in over the holidays: The Art Mission and Theater gave up the ghost after showing independent films in downtown Binghamton for the past 10 years. I can’t say I was totally surprised. Sometimes I wondered how the place hung on for so [...]
Cider Mill Stage brings back beloved tradition
Reviewed by George Basler Watching a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Cider Mill Stage in Endicott is a little like sharing a bowl of Christmas punch with an old friend whom you haven’t seen in a while. First performed in 1979, John Bielenberg’s adaptation of the Charles [...]
Were the arts part of your week?
It was another busy, busy week in the arts, particularly for holiday-themed events. Did you visit a gallery, catch a concert or watch a play? How were the arts part of YOUR week? Please share in the comment section.
