Broome Arts Mirror
CRT presents smart, well-acted take on Ibsen update
Reviewed by George Basler Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 masterpiece, A Doll's House, ends with a shocker as Nora, the main character, walks out the door, leaving behind a suffocating marriage and abandoning three young children. Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House, Part 2 begins with Nora walking back through the door [...]
BPO ends season right ‘en pointe’
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Daniel Hege, closed its 2018-2019 season (and Hege’s first season as conductor) on Saturday (May 11) with “A Night at the Ballet” -- minus toe shoes or tutus. According to Hege, in remarks introducing the [...]
Actors’ scripts disappear in S.T.A.R.’s reading of ‘A Doll’s House’
Reviewed by Nancy Oliveri Don’t miss your opportunity to see how scripts in the hands of competent, talented actors all but disappear in a staged reading of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, presented by Southern Tier Actors Read (S.T.A.R.) and directed by Chris Nickerson. A series of readings opened [...]
TCO presents strong, sprightly ‘Pinafore’
Reviewed by Sherri Strichman The Forum in downtown Binghamton hummed with excitement Sunday afternoon (April 28) for Tri-Cities Opera's single performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta H.M.S. Pinafore. From the downbeat, the orchestra was light and together under the direction of Joshua Horsch. Director Nicholas Wuehrmann had his leads [...]
BU’s ‘Thebes’ is capable production but falls short of emotional payoff
Reviewed by George Basler Down through the ages, folly, pride and arrogance have led to disaster for a long parade of leaders. The Greeks knew all about this in the fifth century BC when Sophocles wrote his great tragedy Antigone. Unfortunately, it’s a lesson that people never seem to [...]
KNOW Theatre’s ‘Blackbird’ is well-crafted, well-acted and … disturbing
Reviewed by George Basler The setting for David Harrower’s Blackbird is a soulless, trash-filled break room in an equally soulless company. The room is lit only by glaring fluorescent lights. In other words, the setting is a modern version of hell. That’s only fitting because the play’s two main [...]
There’s still time to see intriguing exhibit by BU art faculty
Reviewed by Chris Bahr Attending the opening reception of the Binghamton University Department of Art & Design’s faculty exhibition was a very interesting and eclectic experience. Located in the Fine Arts Building’s Elsie B. Rosefsky Memorial Art Gallery (Room 259), this cross-section of work is a good introduction to [...]
Fab Arts’ ‘Mullingar’ is a lyrical heartstrings’ tugger
Reviewed by George Basler Mix two lonely people with the beautiful, but remote, Irish countryside and you have the main elements of Outside Mullingar, a modest but endearing play that opened this past weekend (March 29-31) and will run through April 14 at the Cider Mill Stage in Endicott. [...]
Savoyard cast charming while playing ‘Earnest’
Reviewed by George Basler Let’s face it: Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest isn’t known for its plot, clever though it may be. What makes the play stand out is the playwright’s biting and witty dialogue, still sparkling 124 years after the work was first performed. [...]
Gardners, BPO shine in whirlwind Wagner concert
Reviewed by Barb Van Atta In past seasons, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has given full concert treatments to music, much by John Williams, from film sagas such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. Last night (March 23) at The Forum in Binghamton, the BPO, under the sure guidance of [...]
BCAC awards $227,969 in UCF grants
At a press conference today (March 21), Broome County Executive Jason T. Garnar and Broome County Arts Council Executive Director Nancy Barno Reynolds announced that the BCAC this year is awarding $227,969 in United Cultural Funds (UCF) grants to 23 local arts organizations, community non-profits and individual artists. The [...]
TCO anniversary season features world premiere
By Barb Van Atta Tri-Cities Opera’s 70th season will feature a repertoire classic, a world premiere and a genre-crossing musical. Casts are still being finalized but will feature both current and former TCO Resident Artists including nationally acclaimed soprano Jill Gardner in the titular role of the opening production, [...]
BU students passionately stage drama about race
Reviewed by George Basler The need to break through the reluctance to discuss racial issues and honestly hear others’ stories is a main theme of Baltimore, a provocative new play by Kirsten Greenidge that opened March 1 in the Watters Theater of Binghamton University's Fine Arts Building. The play, [...]
Remembering the accomplishments of Peyton Hibbitt
Last week, we reported the passing of Peyton M. Hibbitt, 93, who died March 1 of natural causes at his home in Binghamton following several years of declining health. For many in our arts community, Hibbitt’s is a familiar name, but for those who don’t know his impact on [...]
Ti-Ahwaga Players’ ‘Plaza Suite’ goes down smoothly although play is dated
Reviewed by George Basler Mention playwright Neil Simon, and most casual theater goers are likely to think of light comedies and one-liners. But beyond wisecracks, a sense of melancholy hangs over parts of Plaza Suite- a production that opened this past weekend (March 1-3) at Ti-Ahwaga Community Theater in [...]
