Ahhh, the 80s. That transcendent, evolutionary time in our cultural history that ushered in mullets, mall bangs, day-glo, Lycra and Memorex. Sure, there were way more important things happening in the world at the time, but for those of us who were teenagers and too young to understand or care about anything else, we would […]
Mary Young
Mary Young was born and raised in Springfield and has been performing in, producing and directing live theater for decades. She's done film and voice-over work, performs occasionally with local bands and takes part in improv troupe The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company.
Van Gogh and an actor’s return to the Springfield stage
A bit of personal history: A very long time ago, when I was an art major, one of my favorite painters (like so many others…art major or not) was Vincent van Gogh. He still is. His bombastic painting style, his poetic letters to his brother, his death at an early age, spoke to my young, […]
First lady of Tupperware returns to the Legacy Theatre
After taking Broadway and the world by storm, Dixie Longate, the fast-talking, funny and heartfelt Tupperware hostess-with-the-mostest, returns to Springfield for three shows March 10-12 that are sure to entertain. If you’ve already seen Dixie’s show, you’re probably a fan of Dixie. For those curious to know more, I caught up with the Tupperware Queen […]
Ladies and gents, and those who have yet to make up their minds…
Don’t be fooled by the title. While Kinky Boots might sound a little…well…kinky, the show is really a touching story about two unlikely friends who team up to help save a failing business and, along the way, come to terms with each other’s complicated relationship with their fathers. Told through the book by Harvey Fierstein […]
Matilda, weird and wonderful
The weird and wonderful Matilda closes out the Muni Opera season and is sure leave you inspired as well as entertained. A witty and heartfelt book by Dennis Kelly, melodious score by Tim Minchin, along with a talented cast and staff combine to present this unique story based on the classic 1988 novel and characters […]
My One and Only tap dances into your heart
MILD SPOILER ALERT: Near the end of My One and Only, Captain Billy Buck Chandler bypasses fame and fortune to try and reunite with his true love, renowned ex-channel swimmer Edythe Herbert. When he does find her, the ever-optimistic Billy speaks a simple truth that has stuck with me ever since the first time I […]
Stop the presses!
Continuing the theme of fighting for what’s right and dipping into our nation’s history for lessons learned, the Springfield Muni Opera presents its the third show of the season, Disney’s Newsies, a story based on the 1899 newsboys’ strike which forced a change in the way newspaper hawkers (many of them orphaned children) were compensated. […]
Ragtime is a good time
“You are a complacent man with no thought of history. You have traveled everywhere and learned nothing.” Younger Brother, Ragtime The Springfield Muni Opera’s production of the Tony Award-winning Ragtime, the Musical (book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens), is a profound civics and history lesson told through captivating performances and […]
