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.
Have you been art-full this week?
What did you do in the arts this past week? Please share.
Dueling 'Spamalots' hitting Tier this season
By George Basler Theater officials swear it’s a coincidence, but fans of the British comedy troupe Monty Python should be licking their chops with glee. That’s because two local theater companies -- the Endicott Performing Arts Center and the Cider Mill Playhouse -- will be mounting productions of the [...]
Reporter's notebook: How to give birth to a book
EDITOR'S NOTE: George Basler is a blogger and reviewer for Broome Arts Mirror. He was a long-time reporter and writer for the Press & Sun-Bulletin. In his retirement he’s helped produce a book. Here are, as he phrased it, "the bloody details": A few years back Broome County Historian [...]
Cider Mill's 'Wonderettes' offer fun music but a flimsy plot
Reviewed by George Basler When you head to the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott for The Marvelous Wonderettes, be sure to bring your sense of rhythm and your memories. Nostalgia for the days of both crinolines and mini skirts is on full display in the pleasant, but forgettable, comic [...]
What have you been doing in the arts?
Did you watch a play, attend a concert, stroll along the Art Walk? What did you do in the arts this past weekend? Please share.
BU prof Peters remembered
Binghamton University theater professor Susan Peters, also a stalwart of the Cider Mill Playhouse, passed away Oct. 18. Here is a link to her Press & Sun-Bulletin obituary; feel free to add your remembrances in the comment area: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressconnects/obituary.aspx?n=susan-j-peters&pid=167763976&fhid=13291
SRO’s 'Next to Normal' is next to perfect
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri Having just seen and reviewed a stage presentation of Harvey, a comedy about the state of mental health care and one character's invisible friend just a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but draw a few comparisons with SRO Productions III’s Next to Normal. This show also [...]
Lavish 'Carmen' wows TCO audiences
Reviewed by Tony Villecco Tri-Cities Opera has prepared a lavish and vibrant new production of Georges Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen. A very full house Friday (Oct. 25) at The Forum witnessed a performance that was near perfect, with only some minor discrepancies. The production showcased both some very young voices and [...]
What have you been doing in the arts?
By Barb Van Atta My son and I attended the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton's fabulous "American Masters" concert last Sunday (Oct. 20) at United Presbyterian Church (formerly First Presbyterian) in Binghamton. What a wonderful performance, focusing on four 20th century composers near and dear to our hearts: Norman Dello [...]
Guest Viewpoint: Investment in the arts can boost region's economy, morale
Written by BCAC President, James J. Rollo, and printed in the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Sunday October 20, 2013. Are you tired of reading studies that depict our community as a laggard economically and a leader in pessimism? Have you heard enough talk about the way things used to be? [...]
BU’s 'Don’t Dress for Dinner' is sexy, silly, hilarious
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri When a man takes a lover and has the audacity to try to sneak a night at home with her while wifey is supposed to be away, we already know things aren't going to go exactly as planned. The wife, Jacqueline, played by Stephanie Naru, [...]
What have you discovered in the arts this week?
Did you celebrate the Columbus Day weekend with a little artistic discovery? Please share your adventures.
Sharp Ti-Ahwaga cast does justice to classic 'Harvey'
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri The Ti-Ahwaga Community Players in Owego open their 2013-2014 season with a familiar three-act comedy, Harvey by Mary Chase. The title character, as most people know, is a rabbit, a very tall rabbit, that nobody else but Elwood P. Dowd can see. Well, maybe. We follow [...]
BPO season opener truly triumphant; guest cellist wows crowd
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd What can we say about a 22-year-old cellist who is undoubtedly on his way to becoming a world-class star, except to thank our lucky stars that he picked Binghamton as a rung on his ladder up. Julian Schwarz, scion of a Seattle musical family (his father, Gerard, [...]
New TCO conductor brings enthusiasm and experience to the job
By George Basler Scott Bergeson set a goal for himself at a very young age. When he was all of 12 years old, the St. Charles, Ill, native started thinking about a career as a symphonic conductor. “I decided that I loved playing in an orchestra, and I loved [...]
