Letter to the Editor: ‘9 to 5’ was a great production by Theatre West
July 26, 2018 Star Herald
Dear Editor:
Much gratitude for the superb experience I had on June 18, opening night of “9 to 5” by Theatre West.
The opening number was an entire cast choreographed where every move was in sync. Every solo was delivered with conviction and compassion. Sets were moved by the cast themselves, which saved time and consternation. Mrs. Newell channeled Dolly Parton with great panache and perfection.
Congratulations and thanks to all persons contributing to this fun, positive and empowering statement of our current society.
Gratefully,
Suella Hanlon
Scottsbluff
Much gratitude for the superb experience I had on June 18, opening night of “9 to 5” by Theatre West.
The opening number was an entire cast choreographed where every move was in sync. Every solo was delivered with conviction and compassion. Sets were moved by the cast themselves, which saved time and consternation. Mrs. Newell channeled Dolly Parton with great panache and perfection.
Congratulations and thanks to all persons contributing to this fun, positive and empowering statement of our current society.
Gratefully,
Suella Hanlon
Scottsbluff
You’re in good Company February 19th, 2013 by Christopher Key in Entertainment News North West
Rep blows out all the candles
by Christopher Key
I suppose it is rather remarkable at my age that I had never seen a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company before last night. Good thing, then, that I saw the version opening tonight at the Mount Baker Theatre’s intimate Walton venue.
...
Mark Kuntz seems to have an unerring instinct for targeting the right people. In this case, he brought in Liisa Ivary to direct and scored a bulls-eye. Ivary has extensive Shakespearean experience, is a skilled choreographer and fight coach. She uses all those skills in this production, along with an impeccable eye for casting.
...
The vignettes center on Bobby, a single man who is celebrating his 35th birthday. His married friends and girlfriends view him as (pick one) enviable, pitiable, lost, hot, cold, charming, bewildered, insane, smart, stupid, and, above all, malleable. He’s all of those, but the latter quality is what makes them all want to fix him. Bobby’s not sure he wants to be fixed, but doesn’t want to hurt his friends by telling them so.
...
Bobby’s girlfriend Marta is the ultimate New Yorker. Lauren Newell brings a sensational voice to the role and her take on “Another Hundred People” is simply brilliant.
...
Company is a thorough delight and runs February 19 through March 17 in the wonderful Walton Theatre.
For the entire article, see: http://www.ennw.info/2013/02/19/youre-in-good-company/
by Christopher Key
I suppose it is rather remarkable at my age that I had never seen a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company before last night. Good thing, then, that I saw the version opening tonight at the Mount Baker Theatre’s intimate Walton venue.
...
Mark Kuntz seems to have an unerring instinct for targeting the right people. In this case, he brought in Liisa Ivary to direct and scored a bulls-eye. Ivary has extensive Shakespearean experience, is a skilled choreographer and fight coach. She uses all those skills in this production, along with an impeccable eye for casting.
...
The vignettes center on Bobby, a single man who is celebrating his 35th birthday. His married friends and girlfriends view him as (pick one) enviable, pitiable, lost, hot, cold, charming, bewildered, insane, smart, stupid, and, above all, malleable. He’s all of those, but the latter quality is what makes them all want to fix him. Bobby’s not sure he wants to be fixed, but doesn’t want to hurt his friends by telling them so.
...
Bobby’s girlfriend Marta is the ultimate New Yorker. Lauren Newell brings a sensational voice to the role and her take on “Another Hundred People” is simply brilliant.
...
Company is a thorough delight and runs February 19 through March 17 in the wonderful Walton Theatre.
For the entire article, see: http://www.ennw.info/2013/02/19/youre-in-good-company/
Musical has just right amount of crazy September 28, 2011 by David Demic in Columns
Between super happy pills and a prescription for sex, The University of Wyoming performance of “Rainy Day People” brings an enjoyable play-gone-musical with a mental twist to campus.
...
UW alum Sean Stone, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for the show, was a one-man army in the musical. Next to writing it, he also functioned as the director and co-musical director, while also performing as the pianist in the orchestra.
The musical is an adaptation of the same-named play by UW alum Todd McCullough. It discusses such issues as societal pressure for the pursuit of happiness and the denunciation of people who prefer a more solemn approach to life—aka, “Rainy Day People.”
...
Throughout the entire musical, one might look for one character to distinctively stand out. However, such attempts will be in vain. From the main characters of the musical, Zoe (Lauren Shultz) and Zack (Griffin Murphy), to the ADHD boy, Isaac (Craig Erpelding), the main “two depressed people fall in love” story line was nicely broken up by the auxiliary characters’ agendas.
Shultz does a fantastic job portraying realistic depression in her character, as does Murphy, even though his character Zack seems to be rather one dimensional in alternating between detached and angry until the late part of the musical. Vocally, however, Shultz carried the duet through their numbers together.
...
Overall “Rainy Day People” was an entertaining non-mainstream musical that fused edginess and humor.
For entire article, see: http://www.brandingirononline.info/2011/09/28/musical-has-just-right-amount-of-crazy/
...
UW alum Sean Stone, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for the show, was a one-man army in the musical. Next to writing it, he also functioned as the director and co-musical director, while also performing as the pianist in the orchestra.
The musical is an adaptation of the same-named play by UW alum Todd McCullough. It discusses such issues as societal pressure for the pursuit of happiness and the denunciation of people who prefer a more solemn approach to life—aka, “Rainy Day People.”
...
Throughout the entire musical, one might look for one character to distinctively stand out. However, such attempts will be in vain. From the main characters of the musical, Zoe (Lauren Shultz) and Zack (Griffin Murphy), to the ADHD boy, Isaac (Craig Erpelding), the main “two depressed people fall in love” story line was nicely broken up by the auxiliary characters’ agendas.
Shultz does a fantastic job portraying realistic depression in her character, as does Murphy, even though his character Zack seems to be rather one dimensional in alternating between detached and angry until the late part of the musical. Vocally, however, Shultz carried the duet through their numbers together.
...
Overall “Rainy Day People” was an entertaining non-mainstream musical that fused edginess and humor.
For entire article, see: http://www.brandingirononline.info/2011/09/28/musical-has-just-right-amount-of-crazy/
Reviews from miscellaneous performances:
Pat O'Hara's Brewing Co.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=316039501873523&set=a.193444397466368.61540.103478766462932&&theater
Pat O'Hara's Brewing Co.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=316039501873523&set=a.193444397466368.61540.103478766462932&&theater