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.
Five Irish Tenors delight at BU
Reviewed by Tony Villecco On Tuesday (Feb. 1), Binghamton University’s Anderson Center presented the Five Irish Tenors to what appeared to be a capacity audience. Singing everything from traditional Irish balladry to pop and light rock, the five men proved they were not only gifted but fun to watch, often interjecting [...]
Classic British comedy endures in 21st century
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri There’s a reason why The Importance of Being Earnest endures. Oscar Wilde’s 1895 farce about Victorian manners and polite society is funny – and so is the production that opened Thursday (Jan. 26) at the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott. The actors use believable accents, [...]
S.R.O's '1776' is lively, well-sung history lesson
Reviewed by George Basler The musical 1776 originally opened on Broadway in the midst of the Vietnam War and the hippie era exemplified by Hair, which was running just down the block. The timing meant the show got labeled as a square peg in the round hole of a turbulent [...]
Services held for BC Pops co-founder Agard
Memorial services were held Sunday (Jan. 22) for BC Pops co-founder and conductor (1974-1998) David L. Agard, who passed away Jan. 20 at the age of 75. Over his long career, Agard also was an assistant conductor at Tri-Cities Opera and a conductor of the Triple Cities Welsh Chorale. [...]
Conversation with artist adds to appreciation of her work
By Chris Bahr I dropped by the Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery on a recent Saturday afternoon to check out his holiday art exhibition, a nice collection of high-end art and crafts. Cindy Henry's mixed-media pieces was represented as well as work by photographer and architect Greg Chianis. Both are part [...]
Were the arts part of your weekend?
My son and I were among the members of the Binghamton Downtown Singers performing Handel's Messiah Saturday (Dec. 17) with the Binghamton Philharmonic. How have the arts been part of your life lately? -- Barb Van Atta
Intimate setting gives immediacy to ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Phelps
UPDATE: Additional performances have been added at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Dec. 16 and 17). Call the Phelps at 722-4873. Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri For the third year, Jan DeAngelo & Co. and Studio 271 Productions have brought their original adaptation of A Christmas Carol to the Phelps Mansion Museum in [...]
Inaugural HOTA winner Kanazawich dead at 93
Funeral services were held today (Nov. 28) for pianist Irene Kanazawich. Known fondly by her colleagues at Tri-Cities Opera and elsewhere as “Iron Fingers Irene,” the indefatigable accompanist was one of the Broome County Arts Council’s inaugural Heart of the Arts Award winners in 2004. Here is link to [...]
Everything's coming up Rose at EPAC; 'Gypsy' is a smash
Reviewed by George Basler Hold on to your hats: a human tornado in the form of Mama Rose is anchoring an outstanding new production of Gypsy by the Endicott Performing Arts Center Repertory Company. Mama Rose is the centerpiece of the show, and Terri-Jo Ramia gives a blistering performance as [...]
Covelli's artistry is high point of well-played BPO concert
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd In a week of turbulent events that turned America on its ear, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra paid tribute to veterans and offered a much-needed note of hope for the future. Guest conductor Daniel Hege programmed beloved and iconic works by American composers Aaron Copland and George [...]
TCO’s 'Hansel' is magical
Reviewed by Tony Villecco Tri-Cities Opera has offered up a delicious concoction in the popular opera based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Engelbert Humperdinck's opera has been enchanting adults and children alike since 1893, and TCO's production, which opened Friday (Nov. 11) did not disappoint. A [...]
Mystery farce 'Baskerville' falls surprisingly flat at Cider Mill
Reviewed by George Basler Mystery is afoot in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, which opened this past weekend (Oct. 27-30) at the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott. But the real mystery is why there aren’t more laughs. Ken Ludwig, the playwright, has written some truly funny farces. One of them, [...]
Dynamic teen pianists dazzle with solos, duets
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd With its concert this weekend, Classical Pianists of the Future celebrated its 10th anniversary. "It's hard to believe. We didn't think we'd get beyond the first year," said Alvin H. Williams III, co-founder and co-executive director with Lance G. Hill, the area's pre-eminent piano technician/tuner. [...]
What did you do in the arts this week?
The fall arts season is in full swing. How have you been participating in the arts in Broome County?
Binghamton Unversity's 'Hat' is a potent mixture of humor and heart
By George Basler With a title like The Motherf**ker with the Hat, audiences can probably guess they’re in for a brash, in-your-face evening. And the play, now being given an excellent production by Binghamton University’s Theater Department, is certainly that. But mixed in with the profanity and raw subject [...]
