Jennifer Smart

John Logan's 'Red' is either genius or the ultimate example of stolid pretension.

Times have certainly changed but it's funny how they have yet to diminish our fondness for the old-fashioned musical. Roundabout Theatere Company's revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes, is living proof we still love the pure escapism of the original American musical tradition.

When the audience left the theater after Kitchen Dog Theater's The Chairs on opening night, its safe to assume reactions ranged from sighs of relief to exaggerated eyerolls to nervous laughter. When it's done right, Ionesco will do that to you.

Theater isn't supposed to be comfortable. Naturally pushing an audience to the limit shouldn't be overly prevalent but when it is done and it is done right, it is well worth it.

It's not hard to make the claim that Stephen Sondheim is America's greatest living composer/lyricist, and he is undoubtedly the man that almost singlehandedly redefined and helped revive the American musical in the 1970's.

Undermain Theatre's production of "Penelope" by Enda Walsh attempts a study of mankind at his darkest and most absurd.

Under Parker's direction the five actors in "Becky Shaw" perform Gionfriddo's play with the perfect combination of riotous comedy and genuine heart.

It's just another day in the life of an understudy in Amphibian Stage Production's hilarious production of THE UNDERSTUDY.