Author Archives: burdreviews

Say the name Boca to young people and they probably won’t know what you’re talking about. However, most seniors recognize it as the shortened version of Boca Raton, a city in South Florida where many go, first for a winter getaway, and later, to retire in active adult communities. The play, “Boca,” by Jessica Provenz,Continue reading “BOCA at Act II Playhouse”

Lettie is a young woman in her early 30’s who has recently been released from prison after serving seven years for using and dealing drugs. She lives in a halfway house and plans to find work as a welder after she completes an internship. She is also hoping to reunite with her children who areContinue reading “Lettie at People’s Light”

In my junior year in college, I took a class in Shakespeare. I was a history major and only familiar with the few plays I read in high school, with a Cliff’s Notes by my side to help me understand what was going on. Fast forward a half century later and I find that ShakespearianContinue reading “Twelfth Night at Wilma Theater”

Six rather quirky kids are competing for the title of spelling bee champion in the gymnasium of a Putnam County school.  These young adolescents are joined in the competition by four invited audience members. It is hosted by two “moderators” who are rather quirky themselves. Billed as a musical comedy, “The 25th Annual Putnam CountyContinue reading “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Arden Theatre Company”

            In 1954, “The Matchmaker,” by Thornton Wilder debuted in London. About a widow who brokers marriages in Yonkers, New York at the turn of century, the play came to Broadway a year later with Ruth Gordon. A 1958 film adaptation starred Shirley Booth and included Shirley MacLaine, Anthony Perkins, and Robert Morse, before DavidContinue reading “Hello Dolly at Act II Playhouse”

How many of you have ever heard of Phillis Wheatley? Sadly, I knew nothing of this 18th century enslaved Black American poet’s existence until Quintessence Theatre brought her to my attention with the world premier of Paul Oakley Stovall’s play, “Written by Phillis.” What a fascinating and brilliant young woman!             The play begins withContinue reading “Written By Phillis at Quintessence Theatre”

            “The Play That Goes Wrong”, written in 2012, is probably one of the most successful comedies of the past ten years. It’s been on the London stage most of that time and ran on Broadway for two years before going to off-Broadway.  It’s toured across the U.S. and Australia. The story is a spoofContinue reading “The Play That Goes Wrong at 1812 Productions”

A young man, alone on the streets is cold and hungry. He’s been tossed out of his home by his brother and tries seeks refuge by breaking into an elderly woman’s home. Joshua is lonely, he is scared, he has been abandoned.             James Ijames’ newest play, “Abandon,” is making its world premiere at TheatreContinue reading “abandon at theatre exile”

Every now and then, you walk out of a theater so blown away by the show, you can’t imagine anything better. Such was the case at People’s Light where I saw “Songs for Nobodies.” I had known that one woman was to portray Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billy Holiday, Edith Piaf, and Maria Callas, singingContinue reading “Songs for Nobodies at People’s Light”

            When you see the silly poster outside the show that is currently running at the Wilma Theater, it is easy to think that this new play by Nathan Alan Davis is little more than fluff. Nothing could be farther from the truth. “Eternal Life Part 1” has many funny moments, but it is soContinue reading “Eternal Life Part 1 at The Wilma Theater”