In the News Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

Review by Rikki Lee Travolta – ‘Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story’ Brings Iconic Music to Life at Metropolis

The 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story featuring a career defining performance by Gary Busey brought the music and the artist’s story of his meteoric rise to fame into the limelight for a new generation of fans. The Alan Janes script for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, now on stage through August 31 at the beautiful Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, lacks the same charm as the movie predecessor, but the uber talented cast and nuanced direction by Joe Keefe creates a plethora of magical moments.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00Aug 3, 2019|In the News|

Daily Herald Review – Music makes Metropolis’ revival of ‘Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story’

There are several reasons to recommend "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," the jukebox bio-musical and tribute concert running through Barbara Vitello Aug. 31 at Arlington Heights' Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. Most of those reasons have to do with the score, which consists mostly of Holly's songs plus a few tunes by other rock 'n' roll innovators. Few of those reasons have to do with Alan Janes' by-the-numbers book that trades in music biz tropes offering little insight into a seminal artist.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00Aug 2, 2019|In the News|

CMT Review – An electric ensemble propels Metropolis’ ‘Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story’

When telling a story with a well-known ending, both to the performers and likely to the audience, it’s easy for a production to lose its sense of urgency and give into a sense of dread. These high energy performers, however, remain expectant and engaged, leaving the audience with no choice but to wait and see what might happen next.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00Jul 28, 2019|In the News|

Daily Herald Review: Metropolis excavates laughs from ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’

Farces are arguably the toughest shows to get right. Daffy dialogue and slapstick situations can fail to land if vocal inflections or physical timing are even slightly off. This becomes clear with Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," which strikes the right chords vocally but misses a few comic beats.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00May 30, 2019|In the News|

NW Herald Review: ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’

If a joyous evening of an entertaining, albeit dated, classic musical is in your theater sights, then "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is your ticket. Director Lauren Rawitz keeps this Forum’s pace moving with an extremely talented and energetic ensemble of twenty and an unseen eight piece orchestra led by Kailey Rockwell. Forum is part vaudeville, part comedic Shakespeare with chases, mistaken identities, satire, double entendres, plot twists, and a lot of hanky-panky.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00May 30, 2019|In the News|

CMT Review: Splendid production of ‘A Funny Thing…’

Metropolis’ third show of its 2018-2019 Main Stage season, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, delivers on the promise of its properly prophetic opening number “Comedy, Tonight!”. Director Lauren Rawitz has created a raucous Roman romp with a little “something for everybawdy.”

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00May 27, 2019|In the News|

Review by Rikki Lee Travolta – Metropolis Forum is Pure Musical Comedy Brilliance

For a delightful evening of sidesplitting laughter and great entertainment, look no further than A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre. Executive Artistic Director Joe Keefe and his staff have quietly built Metropolis into a true theatrical destination to rival any theatre in Chicago.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00May 25, 2019|In the News|

Buss Review: ‘The Mousetrap’ at Metropolis Arts Theatre

Joe Lehman’s Metropolis cast is spot on from their accents to their characterizations to the sheer fun they radiate performing this well-traveled thriller. If you have heard about this legendary play and wondered why it is so successful, this is your chance.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00Feb 15, 2019|In the News|

NW Herald Review: The Mousetrap will make you never hear a nursery rhyme the same way

This version does not disappoint. It does exactly what a true mystery should … pulls you in, makes you suspect everyone on stage and beyond and then leaves you with a jaw dropping result. No spoiler alert necessary. This is worth the trip to watch British humor and characterization portrayed before your very eyes.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00Feb 14, 2019|In the News|

Daily Herald Review – ‘The Mousetrap’ snaps in Metropolis production of murder-mystery

Along with strong performances, Metropolis' "Mousetrap" features fine production values. Set designer Jeremy Hollis stages the manor's grand drawing room with a craggy stone frame suggesting that we can see through the building's walls.

James Anthony2020-08-20T12:25:02-05:00Feb 13, 2019|In the News|