Arts & Theater
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I’m Ready for a Broadway Revival of “The Full Monty” — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson I keep thinking about the shows Broadway doesn’t seem all that interested in revisiting. The ones that aren’t flashy enough to feel “event”-y, or nostalgic enough to sell themselves in a single Instagram post. And every time revival season starts creeping into the conversation again, I find myself thinking about one show in particular and wondering how…
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Ranking Frank Wildhorn on Broadway — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson The other day I realized that I’ve pretty much seen every Frank Wildhorn musical that’s made it to Broadway. Some more than once. Some in different productions. Some with the kind of anticipation that comes from loving his work, and some with the quiet dread of knowing exactly what you’re walking into. Which feels like the right…
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Give Us an Intermission, Please — OnStage Blog
Kate Peckham put it plainly: if a show runs longer than an hour and a half, it needs an intermission. “If the show is longer than an hour and a half, it needs an intermission, said Kate. “A two hour one-act play is exhausting and some of the story gets lost because you’re thinking about having to pee or you’re…
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“December 24th, 9 pm…” – Make Jonathan Larson Your Christmas Eve Tradition — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson Every year, right around now, it happens. My feed fills up with the same line, posted earnestly, sometimes reverently, sometimes just tossed out into the void like a signal flare. “December 24th, 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.” No context needed. No explanation required. If you know, you know. It’s funny how a lyric from Rent has quietly…
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A Love Letter to “The Scarlet Pimpernel” — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson There are certain musicals that live quietly in the corners of your theatre-loving heart. They are not always in the current conversation. They do not get revived every ten years with a starry cast and a glossy marketing campaign. But they stay with you. And every so often, you catch yourself thinking, why aren’t we talking about…
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Let Middle-Aged Women Take Center Stage — OnStage Blog
This comment, from Megan Gifford, has been circling my head: “Middle-aged women are the lifeblood of theater, yet almost zero stories are centered in their experience. I don’t want to play Mama Rose or the loving grandmother.” She’s right. Let’s be honest, if Broadway and regional theater shut their doors to middle-aged women tomorrow, the art form would collapse in…
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The Warmest Musical You Might Be Overlooking — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson The other day, someone commented on why the musical Baby hasn’t gotten more love. I absolutely agree. I find myself wondering why this one is not pulled forward more often. Because Baby feels like us. It’s cozy and real and kind of laugh-in-the-middle-of-a-serious-moment funny. Not because it’s full of jokes, but because real life is funny. Real…
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You Don’t Always Have to Be Besties With Your Castmates — OnStage Blog
Johnny J. Gordon(Great performer name) left the following comment, “Cast mates are coworkers. Not automatically your friends. You are not required to be besties with everyone in the show (even though sometimes it feels like you have to). You should be able to work well and get along with them, though. That’s the job.” I agree. Castmates are coworkers. Not…
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Let’s Finally Have THAT Conversation About “Dear Evan Hansen” — OnStage Blog
by Chris Peterson It’s been almost a decade since Dear Evan Hansen first hit Broadway, and yet the question still lingers: is it actually a good show? Not “did you cry during it,” or “did Ben Platt sound incredible,” but in the simplest, most honest way: is Dear Evan Hansen good? It’s funny, because for a long time that question…
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Maybe We’ve Outgrown “Miss Saigon” — OnStage Blog
A commenter said, “We shouldn’t do Miss Saigon anymore. There are plenty of other shows now that actually portray Asian characters telling Asian stories that don’t rely on misogyny and racism.” And I’ll be honest, I get it. I really do. As a Korean American, I’m sensitive to how our cultures have been portrayed on stage. The stereotypes, the accents,…
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