Stage Write

Broadway Across America has opened its season with Mary Poppins at the Murat. The classic show brings the children's story to life in a musical extravaganza. Bert, a cheerful jack-of-all-trades, acts as the show's all-seeing narrator. He is at times a painter and at others a chimney sweep, but he's always around. Nicolas Dromard plays the role with a wonderful warmth and a cocky accent is as thick as the London fog. He also wows the crowd with his gravity-defying antics and particularly shines in the show's best number, "Step In Time," an elaborate tap routine with elements of STOMP. The show manages to capture many of the elements that made the original movie so magical, including Mary's bottomless carpet bag and rooms that help clean themselves. These tricks are difficult to pull off on a stage in front of an audience, but the production manages it smoothly. The audience will recognize many of songs from the Disney musical, but there are are few new ones...

Vivian Bearing is a 17th century poetry professor who specializes in the sonnets of John Donne. After decades of choosing work over a personal life, she's been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Margaret Edson's play is a brutally honest look at one woman's fight against cancer and coming to terms with the world she's made for herself. This intelligent play speaks to the loneliness our society can breed when we wrap ourselves up in our work and alienate ourselves from others. Even in this most dire time in her life Vivian can't help condescending to those she considers less intelligent than her, even those who show her affection. Her defensive nature has been built up to the point where she doesn't know how to ask for help or show weakness. She values intellect over kindness, even though it has left her alone. Vivian is ironically facing the cold professionalism of doctors in the hospital in the same way her students have had to deal with her. Both she and her docto...

History's most famous love triangle, between King Arthur, his wife Guenevere and his best knight, Lancelet, is on stage now at Beef & boards Dinner Theatre in the celebrated musical "Camelot." Beef & Board's owner Douglas Stark plays Arthur, the king of Camelot. Lerner and Loewe created the character to be a bit like Winnie-the-Pooh. Thinking may vex him, but his heart is sincere and he strives to bring peace to his lands. Stark captures the king's playful, yet troubled air masterfully. Jeff Stockberger adds a comedic boost as a quintessential Brit, peppering his conversations with "what whats" and sputtering indignation. Krista Severeid stars as Guenevere, playing opposite her real-life husband Tony Lawson, as Lancelot, in their first Beef & Boards show since their wedding last fall. Severeid's voice is lovely and perfectly suited for Guenevere's duets and solos. Lawson, who played a similar role as Gaston in Beauty...