Theater

Rainbow Company director like a theater mom: Tuesday, November 24, 2009; PEOPLE IN THE ARTS:; By Kristen Peterson; A weekly snapshot of creative people living in the Las Vegas Valley.

'The Shawl': Smart and spooky: Wednesday, October 28, 2009; REVIEW: Mamet play about a psychic, a client and a mysterious third delivers; By Joe Brown; “The Shawl,” a seldom-performed three-hander by David Mamet, culminates in a seance.

'God Lives in Glass' — from children’s lips to Las Vegas stage: Tuesday, October 20, 2009; THEATER:; By Jerry Fink; What began as one man’s effort to find solace for his children during a time of stress has grown into a full-scale musical concert that brings comfort to many.

Compelling ‘Bronx Tale’ is refreshingly good theater: Wednesday, October 14, 2009; REVIEW:; By Joe Brown; I wondered why Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale” was suddenly booked into the Venetian Showroom for a limited run this month.

'Company': Musical about couples, pal proves hard to stage: Monday, October 5, 2009; REVIEW:; By Joe Brown; My friend’s cell phone rings as we’re driving to see “Company” at UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theatre on Friday night. After a few minutes of small talk, it becomes clear that the caller is distressed about her spouse.

Chazz Palminteri's 'A Bronx Tale' a tale of toughness: Wednesday, September 30, 2009; Theater: Actor, playwright based his work on an act of real violence; By Jerry Fink; Actors look for motivation. “Starvation was mine,” says 58-year-old Chazz Palminteri, dressed casually in black slacks, shirt and slippers.

Sparks, curses fly in resonant play about love: Thursday, September 24, 2009; Review: In darkly funny production, acting shines; By Joe Brown; For days afterward, I couldn’t stop thinking about “Reasons to Be Pretty,” the latest play by Neil LaBute, at UNLV’s Black Box Theatre. And not just because I had to write about it.

Holocaust survivor shares painful memories with students: Wednesday, September 23, 2009; By Tiffany Gibson; Holocaust survivor Ben Lesser doesn’t need a serial number tattoo to remind him of his childhood spent in a concentration camp. He said he will have the experience etched in his mind forever. During his time imprisoned by the Nazis, Lesser was pistol whipped, starved and stabbed. He lost family members. But he never lost his faith.“Why was I so fortunate to live?” Lesser said. “God needed a witness.”

In zany spoof about ‘reefer,’ the joke’s on squares: Monday, September 21, 2009; Review:; By Joe Brown; About halfway into Act I of “Reefer Madness: The Musical,” it hits you: Chris Mayse picked, produced and directed this show just so he could play God. Really.

'Working': A show about work: Monday, September 14, 2009; REVIEW: Cast and crew competently present praise for jobs big and small; By Joe Brown; When the lights go up on “Working,” a musical about, well, working, it seems as if the show has made a dent in Las Vegas’ unemployment problem all by itself.

Knowledge really is power at 'School House Rock Live!': Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Cast teaches as they perform in throwback to '80s cartoon show; By Allison Duck; With all the focus on back to school shopping and getting students ready for classes, it’s easy to forget that school is starting for the teachers too. School House Rock Live! opens with a scene of a nervous teacher preparing for her first day. The musical at The Stage Door Theater in Town Square returns the teacher to her early days of learning as characters from the beloved Saturday morning cartoon show remind her “knowledge is power.”

Audience reaction isn’t always what it seems: Friday, August 21, 2009; DAILY MEMO: ENTERTAINMENT:; By Joe Brown; Something funny happened at the theater the other night. But it wasn’t on the stage.

This should have stayed in ‘South Park’ creator’s drawer: Wednesday, August 19, 2009; REVIEW:; By Joe Brown; “Cannibal! The Musical” begins promisingly enough. The title is funny, the backdrop is a mountain scene painted “South Park”-style, the comedy begins with a “Deliverance” banjo duel involving a toy beaver, a pushbroom, a hoe and an audience volunteer.

Taste of tropics a welcome escape: Monday, August 17, 2009; REVIEW: ‘Once on This Island’ soars at Spring Mountain Ranch; By Joe Brown; Everything seems so shouty! and strident! lately. With all the political and financial ruckus rattling everyone’s nerves, sometimes even Las Vegas’ most escapist shows can seem to agitate rather than entertain, coming at us full speed and full blast with their brights on.

Please forgive my excitement for the fall arts season: Tuesday, August 11, 2009; FALL ARTS PREVIEW:; By Joe Brown; Journalists, we are told, are not supposed to take an advocacy position, and that includes arts reporters and reviewers.