Broome Arts Mirror
‘Laramie Project’ recalls fatal attack on gay man
By George Basler In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die outside Laramie, Wyoming. The murder put a spotlight on homophobia and helped galvanize the gay rights movement. Thirty-eight days after Shepard’s death, playwright Moises Kaufman and [...]
Ti-Ahwaga’s ‘Full Monty’ is sheer fun
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri There are several reasons in this life to bare all, be it your soul or your body, but few as equally moving and fun to watch as the musical version of The Full Monty, running weekends through Oct. 21 at the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center [...]
BU’s ‘Revolutionists’ is inventive, touching and just plain fun
Reviewed by George Basler The first thing audience members see when they arrive for The Revolutionists at Binghamton University is a striking set with a huge guillotine prominently on display. Obviously, things are not going to end well for the play’s four characters as they confront the Reign of Terror, [...]
Chenango River Theatre’s ‘Papermaker’ is an emotional shredder
James Wetzel, Brigitt Markusfeld and Paul Romero in Papermaker. (Facebook photo) Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri What happens when labor and management unexpectedly collide? Can the two sides learn from each other? Papermaker, a two-act play by Monica Wood, made its regional debut this past weekend (Sept. 28-30) [...]
BPO season opener is enchanting
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd It took Scheherazade 1001 nights to enchant her listeners, while the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra accomplished the same feat in one evening at the opening concert of the 2018-19 season. Saturday (Sept. 29) at The Forum in Binghamton, Maestro Daniel Hege showcased the virtuosity of the [...]
Cider Mill Stage shows off fine acting in challenging plays
Reviewed by George Basler Jake Wentlent and Chris Nickerson must be two of the most adventurous actors in Broome County. In the dog days of August, when the thoughts of many don’t extend beyond the beach and a cold drink, the two have taken on the daunting challenge of [...]
TCO’s Ashbaker accepts new Westminster position
Tri-Cities Opera soon will be seeing a leadership change. The company’s general and artistic director, Susan S. Ashbaker, is assuming expanded duties at Westminster Choir College at Ryder University in Princeton, N.J., and therefore is resigning from part of her TCO position. Ashbaker, who has been an adjunct professor [...]
Talented SPARE cast boosts 'Big Fish'
Reviewed by George Basler NOTE: The review, because of scheduling conflicts, is based on a final dress rehearsal Thursday night (July 12). SPARE Productions deserves thanks for agreeing to the arrangement. While some Broadway hits -- Oklahoma, for example -- are recognizable to almost everyone, other musicals are what [...]
You can bet on fun at EPAC's 'Guys and Dolls'
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri Some musicals survive because they are timely; others because they are dated and, thus, nostalgic. Guys and Dolls is kind of both. Set in New York City, the 1950 Broadway hit features gamblers, dancing girls, and a Salvation Army band meeting at the intersection of [...]
Top-notch cast entertains at CRT
Reviewed by Lee Shepherd Bengt Ahlfors' The Last Cigar, playing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through July 29 at the Chenango River Theatre near Greene, is the perfect light summer theater fare -- funny, farcical and entertaining. Translated from the Swedish by Alan Goodson and making its North American premiere, [...]
KNOW Theatre gives an intriguing look at early Tennessee Williams
Reviewed by George Basler Based on a production that opened this past weekend (June 15-17) at Binghamton’s KNOW Theatre, Tennessee Williams wasn’t reluctant to cannibalize ideas. But that’s OK, because Williams was cannibalizing himself. The three one-act plays, which will be performed through July 1, are early versions of [...]
Memorial set for artist Wang
Ruby Wang visiting BCAC in 2011 We've received word that artist Ruby Wang passed away in her home in Torrance, Calif., on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, after more than two years of medical treatment for pancreatic cancer. The traditional Chinese watercolorist formerly lived and taught in Broome [...]
What did you do in the arts this week?
Theater companies have been winding up their 2017-18 seasons. Choral groups have held spring concerts. Solo performers have visited Broome County. How were the arts part of your weekend?
Ti-Ahwaga wraps season with fun-filled 'Heaven Can Wait'
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri The Ti-Ahwaga Community Players are closing out out their 2017-2018 season with Heaven Can Wait, a three-act play about the afterlife, and what might happen if you get there too soon. Harry Segall’s comedy is a lot of fun, despite death being its main plot [...]
Clocktower serves up steamy 'Cat' at Cider Mill
EDITOR'S NOTE: Because he had social commitments out of town, the Broome Arts Mirror reviewer attended a final dress rehearsal of the play rather than a scheduled performance. Clocktower Theater Company was kind enough to agree to this arrangement. By George Basler Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is [...]
