Stage Write

Beef & Boards launches its 2015 season with the buddy comedy The Odd Couple. It’s the story of two men, unmoored from their marriages, who find themselves as unlikely roommates. One is the fastidious Felix, a worry wart with an anxious disposition and a deep desire to clean. The other, Oscar, is a slob, with no motivation to tidy his home. The Neil Simon comedy is celebrating its 50 year anniversary, which is a tribute to just how timeless this story is.   The production is a perfect showcase for two of Beef & Boards’ favorite performers, Eddie Curry (Felix) and Jeff Stockberger (Oscar). It’s at its best during a silent scene where the two men circle each other after a big fight. They do everything they can to provoke a response, all without words. Both men excel at physical comedy and the bit works well. The set gives the show a farcical feel, which fits in well as Beef & Boards traditional season opener usually falls into that category. Doorbells or pho...

Beef & Boards is bursting at the seams with holiday cheer this month. Their annual Christmas show is back to help audiences celebrate the Christmas season. As always, it’s co-hosted by the ageless duo Deb Wims and Kenny Shepard. This is Shepard’s 20th year performing in the Christmas show. The production is a flurry of high kicking chorus lines and kid-friendly numbers. Four main performers take on most of the numbers while Kelly Teal Goyette belts out a few solo songs. Unlike previous years, there aren’t any standout performances that carry the show. Instead there’s a steady stream of Christmas carols and holiday standbys. The Beef & Boards Orchestra is excellent as always; highlighted center stage on the all-new set by Michael Layton. Dominic Sheahan-Stahl provides a fitting salute to the military with his rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” You’d be hard pressed to find a more enthusiastic Christmas show in town this year. From the Grinch ...

Beef & Boards has toned down the razzle dazzle in this year’s Christmas show. The quieter production is hugely improved by sweet Christmas carols and a heavy reliance on the talented Holidaires instead of flying reindeer or goofy elves. The quartet is made up of three Smoke on the Mountain veterans and Jillian Wallach, a new addition to B&B. Jayson Elliott, Sarah Hund and John Vessels have proved their talent in a dozen shows over the past couple years and this performance is no exception. The production is at its best when it allows its performers to relax into roles they excel at. Vessels has a wonderful voice and a unique ability to pull off the silliest bits. He never fails to delight audiences. Elliott and Hund, in addition to being able to sing, can each play multiple instruments. Their talent is showcased wonderfully as they playfully duel on banjoes, fiddles, guitars and harmonicas. Each of the singers held their own, but newcomer Wallach shone the brightest. She took t...

The dinner theater's popular Christmas show returns with new musical numbers, dance routines and Mrs. Claus as its gracious host. It provides all of the tinsel and tap dancing needed to fill the holiday season. This year's production includes a brand new country Christmas section. Songs like "Tennessee Christmas" and "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" shower the audience with plenty of twang and calls of Yee-Haw. Jayson Elliot, who plays the recurring role of Uncle Stanley in "Smoke on the Mountains," joins the Christmas show's cast this year. The production's quiet song, especially Gerald Atkins' "O Holy Night" remain its greatest strengths. The theater's inclusion of dinner in the ticket price makes it a great choice for a night on the town this year and the family-friendly content means that kids are sure to love it. Don't Miss the Show Performances : The show runs until Dec. 31. Doors open for evening performance...