Luzia, one of the most unusual shows I’ve seen from the Cirque du Soleil franchise, is the latest production to visit Oaks, PA. Based on Mexican culture and heritage, it’s innovative and international, boasting great costumes and set pieces. Luzia, presented in a Big Top with plenty of free parking and reasonable admission rates, attracts families of all ages. With this particular show, those of a Latino background got to enjoy their language and culture at the circus. Originally premiering in 2016, Luzia feels brand new. While using the traditional music of Mexico, it also brings in a modern…
Come From Away is, in my opinion, one of the greatest musicals of all-time. This Tony Award-winning musical tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in Newfoundland after the 9/11 attacks, and the kindness of the locals who welcomed them. With a heartfelt book, lovely music, and nonstop pacing, it’s no wonder this musical ran for over five years on Broadway. Even though it just closed in 2022, New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse has decided to mount this musical with a slight reimagining. The return of Come From Away to our lives feels like a salve for the…
The state of Vorarlberg in western Austria is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich places on Earth. From towns like Schwarzenberg in the Bregenzerwald to Hohenems in the Rhine Valley, these villages seem like they’ve emerged from fairytales. Yet they have so much more to offer than just their beauty. Schubertiade, an annual festival honoring composer Franz Schubert, is held in both Schwarzenberg and Hohenems, Austria. For those unfamiliar, Schubert was born in Austria in 1797 and was a child prodigy, dying at the young age of 31. He had an extraordinary body of work including one of…
New York City Center is becoming increasingly appreciated as a place not just to revive underappreciated musicals, but to put them on with all-star casts. From Parade to Ragtime, they’ve had tremendous success. When it was announced they’d be producing 2001 off-Broadway cult classic Bat Boy, I was thrilled. Bat Boy: The Musical is NYCC’s newest production in Encores series, and they have once again brought new life to a hidden gem. Bat Boy tells the story of a half-boy, half-bat discovered in a cave outside of a West Virginia coal town. We follow the Bat Boy as he transforms…
