Musical theater

How Syracuse Stage and SU work together to produce quality performances
By Rachel Gilbert
May 10, 2017 - 11:10pm
The professional theater has partnered with the university's drama department for 40 years, allowing students to work alongside their professors, faculty and other professionals.

Scores of students sit outside the former Regent’s Theater, laughing, running lines and soaking up the sunshine. The plaza is lined with futuristic chrome walls, the light bouncing off almost blinding passersby.

The building behind the small set of walls is the Syracuse Stage. Patrons entering the lobby are met with a cool, shady atrium lined with photos from past and present shows.

A gaggle of eager prospective students show up to Syracuse Stage, hoping to gain entry to the Syracuse University Department of Drama.

Families swoon over 'Beauty and the Beast' at Redhouse
By Kiona Dyches
December 12, 2016 - 7:40pm
Review: The pleasant rendition of Disney’s 1991 award-winning animated feature provided the audience with enthusiastic and humorous, yet heartfelt performances.

At first glance, it was hard to imagine how an extravagant and familiar Disney story would unfold in the intimate space of the Redhouse Arts Center. But as the actors took the stage, the audience was magically transported to a secluded French village surrounded by lush green trees, houses and bakeries.

What Theater brings supernatural 'Carrie' to Schine Underground with anti-bullying message
By Sarah Ann Peck
December 5, 2016 - 5:09pm
Based off Stephen King’s 1974 novel about a teenage girl whose struggles to fit lead her to being a deadly force at prom, "Carrie" came to life on Dec. 2 and 3.

For advertising junior Max Murphy, Carrie: The Musical has been his favorite musical ever since he listened to it at 16 years old.

“The message of what does it cost to be kind is so incredible, so necessary to be spread on this campus, around this world,” Murphy said.

As director of What Theatre, a campus group open to all non-drama majors at Syracuse University, Murphy chose the show for the student-run organization’s fall musical.

'Rent' remains as poignant as ever during 20th anniversary tour
By Beth Lindly
November 17, 2016 - 12:55am
Review: Now, perhaps more than any time in recent memory, a musical about life, protest, love and community is needed.

Jonathan Larson’s Rent is, distilled to its purest form, a story about life and what you do with it. One of the musical's most quoted lines is "No day but today" - a sentiment that is as poignant today as it was when Larson premiered it off-Broadway in 1996.

The 20th anniversary tour of Rent, which played at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater from Nov. 15-17, provides audiences with heartfelt, powerful performances and proved why the musical has lasted 20 years.

Theatergoers fall in love with sold-out musical 'Once'
By Wilenie Sepúlveda
October 20, 2016 - 8:07pm
Review: Production of award-winning musical 'Once' at The OnCenter Crouse Hinds Theater reminds audiences to celebrate creative passions and fall in love.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen a play that made me feel so much at the same time. Once was like riding a roller coaster of emotions from beginning to end.

The touring production of the Broadway musical that won eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, was performed at the The OnCenter Crouse Hinds Theater from Oct. 18 - 20. Also the winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Once was sold-out for its limited run in Syracuse at the 2,117-seat theater.

'Nine' from SU Drama sizzles with action
By Gabrielle Hughes
October 6, 2016 - 6:01pm
Review: Lights, cameras, action - and plenty of it! Musical "Nine" has glamour, gams and Guido Contini, the Casanova of the cinema Italiano golden age.

After originally opening on Broadway in 1982 and revamped as a movie starring Daniel Day Lewis in 2009, the Tony Award-winning musical Nine explores the lengths a man will go to hang onto his youth and find enough love to satisfy his insatiable need for affection.

'The Producers' keeps new and returning audiences laughing with lovable story and cast
By Emily McMurray
October 28, 2015 - 2:11pm
Review: The Tony-winning show comes to the Syracuse OnCenter, where the magic of the original Broadway show shines through despite script changes.

As musical theater fans would likely tell you, The Producers is one of the funniest musicals of the 21st century. Written by Mel Brooks, the musical was adapted from his 1968 film into a 2001 Broadway musical. Starring Nathan Lane as Max Bialystock and Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom, the musical won three Olivier awards and a record-breaking twelve Tony awards.

SU Drama's 'Stepping Out' is a toe-tapping good time
By Lauren Cavalli
November 18, 2014 - 1:21am
Review: An expressive cast saves the airy 'Stepping Out' from its most problematic element: its writing.

Editor's note: This review was originally published at Green Room Reviews on Nov. 17, 2014.

SU Drama’s second play of the season, Stepping Out, felt like an extra long episode of Seinfeld: It was laugh-out-loud funny, but it was a play about nothing.