Branson Shows Reviewed

All shows are listed alphabetically. The statements that are made in the reviews are mine and mine alone. I have never seen a bad show at the Springfield Little Theater. Any comments that you would like to make, may be emailed to me at WildcatWackerly@yahoo.com . All of your comments will be read only by me and will receive a response from me directly.

The Producers September 25-October 11, 2009

I have returned home after viewing the play, The Producers, And could not wait until tomorrow to write this review. I wish I could have seen another performance immediately following the one that I had the privilege to see tonight. If you want to spend over two and a half hours laughing until it hurts, this is the show to see. The Entire cast is very talented. The show is a little risque and delightful at every turn. There are so many great performances that it is hard to pick out the best. The set is well designed and very appropriate and useful for the play. Jeff Jenkins is a total delight and gives the performance of his life as Max Bialystock. I really feel he is as good, if not better than Broadway's Nathan Lane. I really believe that he could handle the part on Broadway or at least one of the touring companies. But please Jeff, stay here in Southwest Missouri. We need you. Eric Eichenberger as Leo Bloom compliments Jeff Jenkins very well. They act, sing and dance well together. Stephanie Judkins grabs your attention every time she is on stage. Her rendition of the Bag Lady, "Not You" girl, Shirley the lighting designer, Kiss Me-Feel Me, and a Bavarian Fraulein. The performances made me double over in laughter especially the bag lady and the "Not You" girl. Make sure you pay attention during this play, there are so many one-liners said that they can bring the audience to laugh. Jeff Jenkins ad-libs so well that you will think it is part of the script. The best musical number, without question, is "Springtime for Hitler". The best vocal of the play is James Brandon Martin's opening solo of the song "Springtime for Hitler". The entire cast joins in and makes it the best musical number. Brandon's voice is truly a gift given by the Lord above. Brandon, treasure your gift and let us, your audience, hear it often. If you ever record a CD, please notify me, I want to buy the first copy. Mark Gideon gives a stellar performance, as usual, as Roger DeBris and eventually the part of Hitler in the play within the play. He is a massive talent that Springfield has enjoyed for decades. He is still letting us enjoy his talents. This is a large cast and the following small part actors caught my eye because of their performances. The list includes: Patrick Schuster as Carmen Ghia, Josh Inman as the Indian and Storm Trooper Boy, and Vince Miller as the sailor and audition participant. Jimmy Wilson as Franz the "Springtime for Hitler" author is wonderful and memorable. He gives a stellar performance that is thoroughly enjoyable. Erin Henderson is well cast as "Ulla" the blond bombshell that dances and acts so well. She and Eric, as Leo, are a tremendous pair and bring about one of the best duos in the play. One of the best parts of the play are the costumes. Kudos to the costumers, Kim Carnes and Rick Charton. They are absolutely beautiful and well thought out. The chorus girls outfits in "Springtime for Hitler" segment are breathtaking. The outfits, that open the show as the song "It's Opening Night" is sung, are very believable and wonderful. They are elegant and could have realistically been worn in New York, the setting and date of this play. The music was well done and Susan Gravatt is great at the conducting of the house orchestra. Lorianne Dunn continues her excellence in the choreography of the show. She is a gem that is enjoyed by the audiences of most of SLT's musicals. The set designer is John R. "Chuck" Rogers and it is masterful. I would like Chuck to tell me how he made the white set of Max's office after intermission. The Lighting was done by Jamie Bower and was a great job, as usual. Congratulations Beth Domann, you have done it again. This is now the best play that I have seen beating out SLT's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". I saw the production at Juanita K. Hammons Broadway touring production in 2007 and that performance does not hold a candle to what I saw tonight. What a great job Beth as well as your cast and crew!

All Shows are reviewed by Gary R. Wackerly of www.BransonShowsReviewed.com. All nominations and commentaries are decided and awarded by Gary R. Wackerly. The final decision on the nominated winners will be decided by Gary R. Wackerly. www.BransonShowsReviewed.com has no affiliation with any show, company, City of Branson, City of Springfield or any Chamber of Commerce.