Unappealing protagonists sink ‘Separation Rapid’ at Chenango River Theatre

Reviewed by George Basler

I wish I could say I liked Separation Rapid, which is getting its world premiere at the Chenango River Theatre in Greene. Unfortunately, I can’t.

The professional, non-profit theater company should be given credit for taking the risk of mounting a new work. And the staging is extremely creative in spots as director and set designer Bill Lelbach (who is also CRT’s artistic director) recreates a 20-foot,wooden boat careening down the mighty Colorado River.

Check out article by BAMirror writer

Classical Singer magazine recently published BAMirror reviewer Tony Villecco’s article about the late contralto Jean Madeira. Here’s a link.

Fenimore Quartet makes trip to West Kortright Centre worthwhile

Reviewed by Lee Shepherd

Take four fine musicians, put them in an 1850s church surrounded by farm fields frequented by horses and other critters, and ask the performers to play their favorite works, and you’ll get the marvelous concert performed last night (July 25) by the Fenimore Quartet at the West Kortright Music Centre.

Half Light Theatre schedules ‘Master Class’ benefit; Binghamton mayor has role

By George Basler

Half Light Theatre, a new Binghamton-based theater company, is planning to mark its first anniversary with a special evening this coming weekend.

On Friday (July 27), the company will take over the grand mansion foyer of the Roberson Museum and Science Center for a gala fund-raising event that will begin with wine sampling and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. followed by a performance of Terrence McNally’s play Master Class at 7:30 p.m.

EPAC successfully tackles controversial musical

Reviewed by George Basler

Director Patrick Foti calls Spring Awakening, which opened Thursday (July 19) at the Endicott Performing Arts Center, a descendant of West Side Story, the ground-breaking musical of a half century ago.

While the comparison might not be readily apparent, both shows deal with the raw emotions of young characters caught up in a world that can crush their dreams. And just as West Side Story pushed the envelope in terms of staging and themes seen on Broadway in the late 1950s, Spring Awakening does the same thing for contemporary audiences.

Lesser-known works fare best in Elton John revue

Reviewed by George Basler

In his remarkable  40+-year career, nobody has ever accused Elton John of understatement.

To the contrary, John’s name conjures up a rock star image with over-the-top performances in large arenas and stadiums, outrageous costumes and driving rock bands. One image that doesn’t leap to mind is performing his songs in a intimate, cabaret setting, with only a keyboard accompanist.

That is the challenge being taken on this weekend by the Half Light Theatre, a new local theater group, which is peforming a wide-ranging concert of the composer’s work in the outdoor courtyard of the Roberson Museum and Science Center, 30 Front St., Binghamton. The revue, featuring eight singers backed by pianist Ken Martinak, opened Friday (July 13) and will continue at 7:30 p.m. today (Saturday, July 14) and at 3 p.m. Sunday (July 15).

Summer Savoyards launch solid ‘Pirates’ production

Reviewed by George Basler

Back in the 1940s, there was a New York Yankee baseball player, Tommy Heinrich, who was called “old reliable” because of his consistency on the ball field.

While it may be stretching the comparison, the Summer Savoyards have become one of “the old reliables” of the local theater scene over the past half century. The company, which annually stages a Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera with a cast, crew and administration of volunteers, opened its 52nd season Thursday  (July 12) and didn’t disappoint. The  mostly-youthful cast turned in a solid and enjoyable peformance of The Pirates of Penzance, which stands as one of G&S’s best-known works, along with The Mikado and HMS Pinafore.