Desperate deeds lead to dramatic ends in this iconic Stephen Sondheim musical Avon Players’ season begins with love, murder, and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th-century London in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street running September 6-21. From L to R: Mario Simone as “Sweeney Todd” and Joy Oetjens as “Mrs. Lovett.” Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford. In this haunting tale, Sweeney Todd (Mario Simone), an unjustly exiled barber, returns to Victorian London seeking … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Oakland University’s ‘Urinetown’ Merges Merriment and Misery into One Mind-Blowing Musical Production
October 11, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Urinetown is a musical I’ve heard a lot about over the years but never found the time to see — until now. Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance get their 2019-20 season off to a phenomenal start with their production of this Tony Award-winning musical running now through Oct. 20 in the Varner Studio Theatre. Have you ever thought about paying for the privilege to pee? Probably not, but this concept served as the inspiration for Urinetown. In the mid-90s, Greg Kotis (Lyrics and … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Life, Love, and the ‘Company’ You Keep is at the Heart of Avon Players’ Latest Production
May 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment
How do you solve a problem like Bobby’s? That’s the question on the minds of his married friends and the women in his life. And what is Bobby’s problem? He’s 35 and still single (gasp!). Welcome to composer Stephen Sondheim’s Company; an eccentric look at modern love in 1970's Manhattan and the closing production of Avon Players’ diverse 2018-2019 season, running now through June 1. When Company debuted on Broadway in 1970, it earned a record-setting 14 Tony Awards® nominations, of which … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Oakland University’s ‘Lysistrata Remix’ is Rooted in History and More Relevant Than Ever
November 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
After the season-opening success of Into the Woods, the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance closes out 2018 with another philosophical tale: the Greek comedy Lysistrata—with a few modern enhancements. Originally written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes in 411 BCE, Lysistrata takes the war Athens and Sparta are waging with each other and gives it a comedic tenor. The women want peace and their men back home on a full-time basis. Using salacious wit and a bit of … [Read more...]
REVIEW: ‘Into the Woods’ Takes the Audience on a Magical Journey Filled with Laughter and Introspection
October 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Before heading to the opening night production of Into the Woods presented by the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance, I learned the entire opening weekend is sold out. And I want to assure you, after the performance I saw, the hype is well justified. Actually, this is not my first viewing of Into the Woods this year. Earlier in the spring another local college performed it on a massive stage with wonderful costumes and props. But in all honesty, I barely remember … [Read more...]
From Fairy Tales to a Rock Opera, OU’s 2018-19 Theatre Season Offers Something for Everyone
September 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Oakland University Department of Theatre will kick off its 2018-19 season on Thursday, Oct. 11 with Into the Woods, a “Once Upon a Time” tale that introduces the hopes and dreams of characters from some of our favorite fairy tales and explores the lengths we go to for our dreams — and the potentially high cost of getting what we want. Guest directed by Scott Mikita with choreography by Rachel Constantino, Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim … [Read more...]
