SU Drama

Magic fills Syracuse Stage as the musical 'Mary Poppins' lifts off
By Wilenie Sepúlveda
December 4, 2016 - 11:38pm
Review: Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Disney film of the same name, the Broadway musical shares the beloved story of a nanny's magical effect on a family.

Young children – and adults too – who have already seen Mary Poppins at Syracuse Stage may still be trying to figure out how the titular nanny removed a coat rack, among other large props, from her famous carpet bag.

The special effects throughout the whole show, from Mary and the kids flying to chimneysweep Bert walking and dancing upside down on a rooftop, play with the mind.

Holiday production of 'Mary Poppins' will highlight the best of city and university
By Brett Weiser-Sc...
November 25, 2016 - 6:32pm
The magical nanny drops in on Central New York for the holidays, and families can see the beloved musical from Nov. 26 to Jan. 8.

Twenty current Syracuse University students join experienced performers for the holiday production of Mary Poppins at Syracuse Stage.

“It’s a big production,” said Joseph Whelan, Syracuse Stage’s assistant marketing director. “It has a big cast. Mary Poppins flies. Bert does a dance at the top of the proscenium. It’s a big musical with big production numbers.”

Tragicomedy 'Laura and the Sea' makes debut with SU Drama
By Shradha Rao
November 6, 2016 - 5:50pm
Review: With touches of comedy, "Laura and the Sea" by SU Drama reflects on how people struggle to form connections in a digitally disrupted world.

SU Drama’s latest offering is an engaging exposition of life in the digital age. Directed by Katherine McGerr, Laura and the Sea opened to a packed theater Saturday evening in the Storch Theatre at the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex.

SU Drama-Syracuse Stage partnership nurtures burgeoning actors
By Jiamin Jiang
December 8, 2014 - 3:28pm
The collaboration between SU's drama program and downtown's theater allows students to graduate ahead of the curve in terms of real-world acting experience.

Jonathan R. Watson, a musical theater senior in Syracuse University’s Department of Drama (SU Drama), never tires of talking about his interesting experience of performing at Syracuse Stage, a professional regional theater downtown.

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.

'Parade' at SU Drama: The struggle between justice and revenge
By Haley Chouinard
October 13, 2014 - 12:57pm
Review: A talented ensemble of collegiate performers and production workers makes 'Parade' into a haunting, emotional theater presentation.

Editor's Note: This review originally appeared at Green Room Reviews on October 12, 2014.

Syracuse University Department of Drama opened its season Friday, Oct. 11 with a heart-wrenching production of Parade.

SU Drama's "Spring Awakening" demands to be seen
By Nick Reichert
May 2, 2014 - 6:34pm
Review: The production of the 2006 Tony Award-winning rock musical closes the university's season with creative daring.

It all seemed at first glance like I walked in the theater way too early.

The orchestra was splayed out on the left side of a giant, tattered barn that looked incomplete, half full. Shirts, pants, dresses, socks, shoes and various haberdasheries were arranged downstage-center. And the young, nubile ensemble were talking, laughing, mischievously whispering as they stretched, warmed up and put on their clothes.

SU Drama's season opener 'Seussical' sets bar high
By Andrew Martini
October 14, 2013 - 6:08pm
Review: Between the talented cast, creative costumes and colorful lighting design, SU Drama presented a highly entertaining production of this fun musical.

Seussical the Musical opened at the Arthur Storch Theater Friday to kick off the Syracuse University Department of Drama's 2013-2014 season. Seussical tells the whimsical story of Horton the elephant (played by junior Ben Odom) and his adventures with the quaint people of Whoville, setting it to music by Stephen Flaherty and SU alumna Lynn Ahrens.

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.

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.