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The Lightning Thief Review- Empress Theatre

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  The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical follows troubled teenager Percy Jackson, who discovers he is a demigod, embarks on a quest to find Zeus's missing lightning bolt, and works to prevent a massive war among the Greek gods. Based on Rick Riordan’s book, the stage adaptation features a book by Joe Tracz and music/lyrics by Rob Rokicki. Direction: The director for this production was Beth Bruner, with Braxton Moore as assistant director. Bruner  made sure to assemble the best production team around. She had a clear vision, and made sure to let her team know what she wanted. Most parts of the show flowed together because of her clear direction. She made sure that the actors on stage could be seen at most angles, and made sure that the story could be told. There was a good use of a projection to help set the setting of certain scenes. There was also an effect with an exploding toilet during capture the flag that was brilliant and helped show Percy's powers. The music ...
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Disney's Descendants Review- Empress Theatre

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Disney's Descendants The Musical   i s a stage adaptation based on the popular Disney Channel movies, focusing on the teenage children of Disney's greatest villains who are given a chance to attend school alongside hero kids. The four Villain Kids (VKs)—Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos—must decide whether to follow their parents' wicked footsteps or embrace goodness   This production is a little different because all of the actors are 45 years of age or older.  Direction: The director for this production was Adam Cannon with LeiLoni Bertrand as the assistant director. With the production being 45+ they played to the humor of some lines that referred to age. (ie. The Beast was talking to Ben and said, "16 is just a baby.") They pulled all the adults to play to the best of their ability as a believable teenager.  The choreographer was Jords Shami with Tony Faauli-Sao as the assistant choreographer. The choreography for "Rotten to the Core" filled the stage and w...
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Arsenic and Old Lace review- Empress Theatre

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Arsenic and Old Lace   is a 1941 dark comedy by Joseph Kesselring centered on Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic who discovers his sweet, elderly aunts, Abby and Martha, are poisoning lonely old men with elderberry wine. Set in Brooklyn, the chaotic plot involves Mortimer trying to manage his aunts, his brother who thinks he is Theodore Roosevelt, and his murderous brother Jonathan, who returns home. Direction: The director and costumer for this production was  Carleigh-Jo Naylor and the assistant director was Sara Goldberg-McRae.  Naylor made  sure to assemble a production team that worked well together. She had a clear vision, and made sure to let her team know what she wanted. All parts of the show flowed together because of her clear direction. Naylor made sure to play to all comedic moments and had the audience laughing throughout the night. I especially appreciated her choice of pre-show music. Naylor's choice of costumes put you into the time period. The...
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Little Shop of Horrors- Empress Theatre (from the eyes of a stage manager)

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 This review is a little different, because I am reviewing the show from the perspective of the stage manager.) Little Shop of Horrors is a wildly entertaining musical comedy that blends doo wop, rock, and Motown with outrageous humor and heart. Follow meek flower shop assistant Seymour as he discovers a mysterious plant with an insatiable appetite and a talent for bringing him fame, fortune, and romance… at a deadly cost. Packed with unforgettable songs, larger than life characters, and deliciously dark comedy, this cult classic is a thrilling, laugh out loud experience for audiences of all ages.  Honestly, I have never loved Little Shop of Horrors. The director of this production knew my opinion of the show, change my mind of it, and created something that is worth seeing. Direction: The director for this show was Nanny McKenzie. Any time Nanny asks me to be a part of her projects, I will always answer yes. She has a talent to make productions to be even more than what they...
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Beetlejuice Jr.- Empress Theatre

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  Beetlejuice Jr.   is a family-friendly, shortened, and adapted version of the Broadway musical, following strange teen Lydia Deetz as she moves into a haunted house, teams up with mischievous ghost Beetlejuice to scare the living (including her new stepfamily), and navigates grief and the afterlife with newly deceased ghosts Barbara and Adam Maitland. The music is by  Eddie Perfect and the book is by Scott Brown and Anthony King. This show is based of the 1988 film directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren based on a story by McDowell and Larry Wilson.  Direction: The director for this production was Scott Savage, with Cara Johnson as the assistant director. This duo made sure that the production was reminiscent to the film. They put together a production team that was able to make audiences relate it to the film it's based off of. Savage threw in some surprise effects that I didn't know could be possible at the Empress. T...
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