Theater

Sex is power in 'Lysistrata'
By Diep Tran
February 25, 2011 - 1:22am
"Lysistrata" at SU Drama or, how many times can you say "sex" in a review? The answer, not enough.

If anyone is wondering where their socks went, look in the obscenely tight pants of the male cast members in Lysistrata, now being performed by SU Department of Drama. It features numerous male cast members in their underwear, which inevitably gives rise to the question: “Is it real or stuffed?”

For this bawdy sexual comedy, this kind of thinking is necessary to enjoying it. So lay back and get in position.

'Love Letters' or 'Hate Mail'? Maybe Just Call
By Diep Tran
February 13, 2011 - 3:45pm
Not Another Theater Company's double feature production of "Love Letters" and "You've Got Hate Mail" illuminates the problem of miscommunication in relationships.

It’s said, through advice columns, self-help books, and many (many, many) romantic comedies, that the most important aspect in a relationship is communication. In the Not Another Theater Company’s double feature of plays, “Love Letters” and “You’ve Got Hate Mail,” in light of Cupid day, that sentiment rings especially true.

Theater Preview: February
By Diep Tran
January 31, 2011 - 8:13pm
What's showing on the Syracuse theatrical stages this February? A little love, a little tragedy, some gender battles and Beatles. Apparently, all you need is love if it's February in Syracuse.

'The 39 Steps': Hitchcock, but with a kick
By Diep Tran
October 27, 2010 - 10:11pm
Syracuse Stage's "The 39 Steps" is a smart and slightly unhinged (but in a good way) production.

It’s a political scandal. Oh wait, it’s an unsolved murder. Or it could be the slow caress of an ankle. Quick! It’s on the run.

It’s (pause for effect) "The 39 Steps" (cue dramatic music).

Review: These Transylvanians sure know how to “Time Warp”
By Jessica Showers
October 23, 2010 - 12:51pm
Talent Company revives "The Rocky Horror Show" after 15 years

Audiences should be trembling with antici—say it!—pation for The Talent Company’s current production of The Rocky Horror Show. After all, it’s been 15 years since the last live performance. And the wait was worth it. Under Christine Lightcap’s direction, this sci-fi-horror-parody is fresh and provocatively funny.

'A Chorus Line' of SU alums
By Diep Tran
October 9, 2010 - 11:36pm
Three Syracuse University alumni perform in the national tour of "A Chorus Line," coming to the Crouse Hinds Theater.

Syracuse alumnus Nick Nerio got a special Christmas present when he was 10 years old: the original Broadway cast recording of A Chorus Line.

“I wore out the CD listening to it,” Nerio said. “I just love the opening number as the director calling out, ‘step, kick, kick, leap, kick, touch’ and you can hear the dancers doing the steps. I just fell in love with it.”

[title of review]
By Jessica Showers
October 3, 2010 - 8:23pm
Review: Rarely Done Productions puts on [title of show], a musical about writing a musical, at Syracuse's Jazz Central.

In the third song of [title of show], Hunter, dressed as a sandwich board advertisement that reads “An Original Musical,” gives Jeff a satirical crash course in how to put on a Broadway-worthy production. He promotes an over-the-top set, a huge cast and a full symphony orchestra. And when Jeff says he wants to use just four chairs, four cast members and a keyboard, Hunter replies that Jeff needs at least “a turntable or a freakin’ electric blimp or something.” 

Art mirrors life in 'No Child...'
By Diep Tran
September 24, 2010 - 11:08pm
Actress Reenah L. Golden uses her experience as a teaching artist to help her perform 16 roles in "No Child..." -- Syracuse Stage's 38th season opener.

If there’s one thing you can say about actress Reenah L. Golden, it’s that she doesn’t take things for granted. Take the moment she was offered the main role for a Rochester production of the one-woman play, No Child… by Nilaja Sun. 

FringeNYC's uneven experience
By Diep Tran
August 30, 2010 - 5:29pm
Reviews: Choosing shows at the New York International Fringe Festival is an artistic risk, as two fringe shows indicate.

The New York International Fringe Festival can only be described by one word: random.

Random in shows, random in jokes, and random in quality.

This means that when choosing shows, there’s always the chance that it will either be a questionable decision or it may be the best show that you’ve seen this season.

For me, the two shows I saw during the festival embodied this random occurrence concept.

Zombies, dark comedies and Facebook theater among options at FringeNYC
By Diep Tran
August 25, 2010 - 8:52pm
It can be tough to choose from among 200 comedies, musicals and dramas at the budget-friendly festival.

What happens when you have 200 plays, five days in New York City to see them, and a student budget?

The answer: Choose whichever one seems promising and pray that it’s worth the inexpensive $15 ticket. And this was the conundrum I found myself in during the second week of the New York International Fringe Festival.

Fringe Theater is theater that is non-mainstream, the type that is off-Broadway and not meant for mass appeal. In other words, no Wicked or Jersey Boys.