REVIEW: “The Marvelous Wonderettes” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

by Lisa Jarisch At first glance, it almost seemed a cruel joke on the part of the Mac-Haydn Theatre management—choosing as the last show of the season The Marvelous Wonderettes, another jukebox musical, with “nothing” but a four-person all-female cast, following hard on the heels of the marvelous and wonderous…

REVIEW: “Jersey Boys” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

by Lisa Jarisch I lied. I do confess it, and I beg forgiveness in the name of famed Broadway critic Walter Kerr, and perhaps with the indulgence of Saint Genesius, the patron saint of theater. My last review predicted that Godspell would be the stellar highlight of the Mac-Haydn Theatre‘s…

REVIEW: “42nd Street” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

by Lisa Jarisch Is there a better way to celebrate the first full day of summer than an evening spent at a theater putting on a show about putting on a show? Surely not, and in classic Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney “ Here’s a barn. Let’s put on a show!” fashion—complete…

REVIEW: “Xanadu” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

by Barbara Waldinger Picture a musical consisting of seven of the nine Greek Muses, daughters of Zeus (supposedly the other two are in the band), two of whom are males, whose leader (Clio, the Muse of History) wears roller skates, changes her name, and speaks with a bizarre Australian accent…

REVIEW: “The Full Monty” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

by Jeannie Marlin Woods THE FULL MONTY, which opened August 18th at the Mac-Haydn Theatre ends with a big,show-stopping song and dance number called “Let It Go.” Warning: this is not the world of Elsaand FROZEN! Instead, we are in down-on-its-luck Buffalo, New York, maybe in the 1980s,where the local…

REVIEW: “Next to Normal” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

by Barbara Waldinger Bravo to the Mac-Haydn Theatre for daring to produce Next to Normal as part of their busy summer season schedule!  Imagine a musical about mental health alongside a lineup including A Chorus Line, Urinetown, Kiss Me Kate, The Full Monty, Xanadu and Forever Plaid.  Undaunted, Artistic Director/Director…

REVIEW: “Kiss Me, Kate” at the Mac-Haydn

by Macey Levin [EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to a combination of a recent illness and the extreme heat on the date he attended, Mr. Levin was only able to see the first act. His many years in the theatre and familiarity with this classic work enable him to write knowledgeably about…