REVIEW: “Nuncrackers” at the Cohoes Music Hall

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, December 2008 The last time I saw Nuncrackers, in May (yeah, in May, go figure) 2005 at the Mac-Haydn, I called it “one big Christmas turkey*.” Now I really like roast turkey, but at that time I did not use the word in a complimentary manner.…

REVIEW: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at C-R Productions

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, April 2007 You would never, ever know that this production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was a last-minute effort, but it was. When problems arose with the rights to Chicago, which was supposed to close Cohoes’ 2006-2007 season, …Forum was hastily announced, cast, and…

REVIEW: “Chicago” at C-R Productions

“Ah, fame, fame, thou glittering bauble…” – Sir James M. Barrie When I last reviewed a production of Chicago at the Theater Barn in 2003, America had Chicago fever. The 1996 Broadway revival was running (it still is!) and the Academy Award-winning film was about to be released on DVD. But the fever has…

REVIEW: “Greater Tuna” at The Theater Barn

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, September 2005 Despite everyone’s best efforts and intentions (and no one except Bialystock and Bloom get up one morning determined to stage a stinker) some shows work and some shows don’t. Back in September of 1999 the Theater Barn gave us an absolutely perfect and…