‘Gladiator II’ Is An Underwhelming Sequel Stuck in the Past

‘Gladiator II’ Is An Underwhelming Sequel Stuck in the Past

By Alex McPherson Lacking the focus and heart of its predecessor, director Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” undercuts its splatter-filled action sequences and on-point performance from... Details
‘Wicked’ Enthralls, Frustrates in Long-Awaited Film Adaptation

‘Wicked’ Enthralls, Frustrates in Long-Awaited Film Adaptation

By Lynn Venhaus A dazzling spectacle based on the 2003 Broadway musical fantasy, “Wicked” is overproduced and padded with unnecessarily stretched out musical numbers and... Details
An Elegant, Exuberant ‘Anastasia’ Is a Knockout for Tesseract Theatre Co.

An Elegant, Exuberant ‘Anastasia’ Is a Knockout for Tesseract Theatre Co.

By Lynn Venhaus A zestful and exuberant “Anastasia: The Musical” is a crowning achievement for the Tesseract Theatre Company, which has crafted a big, bold... Details
Heartfelt Storytelling in PPA Alumni Theatre’s Moving ‘As Told By Us’

Heartfelt Storytelling in PPA Alumni Theatre’s Moving ‘As Told By Us’

By Lynn Venhaus Two life-affirming original one-acts grab the heart through humor and genuine emotion for a moving night of original stories in “As Told... Details
YoungLiars Fracture Fairy Tales in Clever Free-Spirited ‘Wolf Kings’

YoungLiars Fracture Fairy Tales in Clever Free-Spirited ‘Wolf Kings’

By Lynn Venhaus A movable feast of tumbling ideas and kernels of wit, “Wolf Kings” is an inspired piece of inter-disciplinary performance by indomitable producing... Details
‘Red One’ Is A Slick Overstuffed Christmas Tale With Synthetic Emotions

‘Red One’ Is A Slick Overstuffed Christmas Tale With Synthetic Emotions

By Lynn Venhaus Whatever the imaginary magical Christmas feeling we crave to experience every year at this time, we seek it out in holiday traditions,... Details
Warm and Genuine ‘A Real Pain’ Explores Family Ties, Heritage

Warm and Genuine ‘A Real Pain’ Explores Family Ties, Heritage

By Lynn Venhaus Complicated family ties and honoring Jewish heritage are explored in the heartfelt “A Real Pain.” With its strong emotional pull as two... Details
Winter Opera’s 18th Season Sets Sail With a Buoyant ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’

Winter Opera’s 18th Season Sets Sail With a Buoyant ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’

By CB Adams Timing, as they say, is everything. And Winter Opera’s sprightly production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” succeeds thanks to all sorts... Details
Hugh Grant Embraces Evil in Impressive Horror-Thriller ‘Heretic’

Hugh Grant Embraces Evil in Impressive Horror-Thriller ‘Heretic’

By Alex McPherson In large part due to a deliciously sinister performance from Hugh Grant, co-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ “Heretic” is a taut,... Details
Strong Performances Celebrate Neil Diamond’s Music in ‘A Beautiful Noise’

Strong Performances Celebrate Neil Diamond’s Music in ‘A Beautiful Noise’

By Lynn Venhaus Come for the music, stay for the lovefest. A gleaming crowd-pleasing tribute, “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” celebrates the singer-songwriter’s... Details