We sat in your house. We watched your show. And now we're going to tell you what we thought.

Ninjas Needed!!!

Right now, Theatre Ninjas is comprised of only a handful of anonymous reviewers and concentrates on Burlington and Camden Counties, New Jersey. We would love to feature the efforts of more theatre companies, but just don't have the manpower. If you would like to become a Theatre Ninja, please email theatreninjas.sj@gmail.com

Friday, January 29, 2010

1/29 - 1/31 Weekend Update

OPENING THIS WEEKEND!!!
Noises Off! at Bridge Players Theatre Company

Playing Jan 29 & 30 and Feb 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 8PM
& Feb 21 at 3PM

All tickets $18 and include dessert served at intermission!
Tickets available by calling the box office at 856-303-7620. For more information and directions, visit http://www.bridgeplayerstheatre.com/

CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND...
Falsettos at Burlington County Footlighters

Remaining performances: Jan 29 & 30 and Feb 5 & 6 at 8PM
& Jan 31 at 2PM
Theatre Ninja Octavian says that this show is "WORTH SEEING"

All tickets $18
Tickets for all performances available online at https://apps.bcfootlighters.com/tickets/

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at Sketch Club Players
Remaining performances: Jan 29 & 30 at 8PM
& Jan 31 at 2PM
Theatre Ninja needed for this show! Please email theatreninjas.sj@gmail.com if you would like to review this production.

General Admission $17; Seniors $15
Tickets for all performances available by calling the box office at (856) 848-8089 or online at http://www.sketchclubplayers.org/tix/checkout.htm

Rent at Road Company
Playing Jan 22, 23, 29, 30 and Feb 5 & 6 at 8PM
& Jan 24 & 31 at 2PM
Theatre Ninja needed for this show! Please email theatreninjas.sj@gmail.com if you would like to review this production.

General Admission $18; Seniors/Children under 12/Students $15
Tickets for all performances available online at http://www.mycommunitytickets.com/event_info.asp?eventid=25583&frame=

Monday, January 25, 2010

REVIEW: Falsettos at Burlington County Footlighters

Theatre Ninja Octavian's opinion: WORTH SEEING

Type: Musical
Where: Burlington County Footlighters, 808 Pomona Road, Cinnaminson, NJ
Website: http://www.bcfootlighters.com/
Ticket Price: $18
Run: 2 weekends left. Jan 29, 30, Feb 5, 6 at 8:00pm and Jan 31 at 2:00pm.
Family Friendly: Not Really. The show itself is definitely aimed at an adult audience. But if you're looking for a concrete reason, there is some language.

Theatre Ninja Octavian writes:
"I went into Falsettos knowing almost nothing about it, except a general plot synopsis, and so was excited to see a show which, as far as I know, had not hit this area before. Falsettos takes you on a journey with a unique family where the father (Marvin) has left his wife (Trina) for a man (Whizzer) and struggles to keep his family a tight knit group integrating his new partner into it. The family's situation is further complicated by Trina, when she begins a romantic relationship with her ex-husband's therapist, and Marvin and Trina's son Jason as he deals with his father's new life and worries about what it could possibly mean for him.

It was an enjoyable experience and I am glad I saw it. First off, the set was minimal and great. It was beautiful and well conceived for easy and seamless scene changes. Two walls border far stage right and left covered in colored tiles. But the tiles appear to be elevated off the wall and create interesting shadows. (For extra fun, pay close attention to the shadows they cast during pre show.) The upstage wall was simply a series of flats covered in fabric which gave the set a nice flowing look and soft textural feel. The set really helped create some pretty pictures on stage as well as interesting methods for multiple entrances and exits.

The music is complex and challenging. During some of the larger group numbers it felt like some of the notes were lost or simply could not be heard. Though in truth I may credit that to the acoustics of the theater and the fact the piano seemed to be over powering them every once and a while. The cast recovered well, though, and the solos and duets were, mostly... mostly... a joy to listen to. There were some weaknesses and a couple of moments that were hard to get through (some of Jason's songs, for example, but I chalk that up to the fact that I believe he IS actually in the age range of 12-14 and it sounds like his voice is days, if not hours, away from changing), but overall it was not bad. Wonderful vocal performances were given by Matt Reher as Whizzer and Barbara Burke Sherman as Trina, especially in her song 'I'm Breaking Down'.

The show was also enhanced by some solid acting. It was full of laughs and heartache as we watched the characters go through the journey to becoming a family and dealing with the insecurities, laughter, and loss that come from such a journey. Specifically keep an eye out for Mendel played by Bernard DiCasimirro, Trina played by Barbara Burke Sherman, and Whizzer played by Matt Reher.

Overall I believe this was a good production. It wasn't the strongest I've seen musically but it made up for it in other areas. I would recommend it to any theatregoers who love unique stories, recognize families in all their varieties, love a little drama thrown into their comedy, and can deal with some musical hiccups."

Outstanding Team Members:
Director, Dennis Dougherty
Set Design, Mindy Collins
Set Construction, Torben Christiansen and team
Light Design, Jim Frazer

Cast Members to Watch:
Matt Reher (Whizzer)
Bernard DiCasimirro (Mendel)
Barbara Burke Sherman (Trina)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

1/21 - 1/24 Weekend Update

CLOSING THIS WEEKEND!!!

Show Boat at Haddonfield Plays and Players
Remaining performances: Jan 22 & 23 at 8PM
Theatre Ninja Topaz said that this production was "DEFINATELY WORTH SEEING!!!", so make sure you catch it before it's gone.
  • All tickets $19.
  • The Saturday performance is SOLD OUT ONLINE, but may have tickets left at the box office. Tickets for either performance available by calling the box office at 856-429-8139. Tickets for Friday's performance are also available at http://www.haddonfieldplayers.com/tickets.php

OPENING THIS WEEKEND!!!

Falsettos at Burlington County Footlighters
Playing Jan 22, 23, 29, 30 and Feb 5 & 6 at 8PM
& Jan 24 & 31 at 2PM
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at Sketch Club Players
Playing Jan 22, 23, 28, 29 & 30 at 8PM
& Jan 24 & 31 at 2PM
Rent at Road Company
Playing Jan 22, 23, 29, 30 and Feb 5 & 6 at 8PM
& Jan 24 & 31 at 2PM

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

REVIEW: Show Boat at Haddonfield Plays and Players

Theatre Ninja Topaz's opinion: DEFINATELY WORTH SEEING!!!!

Type: Classic Musical
Where: Haddonfield Plays and Players, 957 East Atlantic Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ
Website: http://www.haddonfieldplayers.com/
Ticket Price: $19
Run: ENDING THIS WEEKEND! Remaining performances are January 22nd and 23rd, both at 8 PM
Family Friendly: Yes, but probably not that interesting to really young tykes.

Theatre Ninja Topaz writes:
"Show Boat is so classic that it's widely considered the first American musical. Since I tend to think that musical theatre only started to get interesting in the last thirty years, that's not really a selling point for me. (Check out www.wikipedia.org/wiki/show_boat for a pretty decent rundown of the show.)
That said - THIS IS A REALLY GREAT PRODUCTION!! Terrific voices, strong lead actors, and a great (small - but nothing more is needed in a venue this size) orchestra that manages not to overpower the performers are all featured in this production. I was particularly impressed with the choreography, which was skillfully performed by the full ensemble.
One of my biggest criticisms of Show Boat has always been the number of reprises. "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine, " "Make Believe," and "Why Do I Love You" are all heard twice and "Old Man River" is performed at least three times. But with actors so skilled in song, it becomes an absolute joy - particularly "Old Man River"!"

Outstanding Team Members:
Director and Co-Choreographer, A. J. Garcia
Music Director, Brian Walsh
Co-Choreographer, David McConney

Cast Members to Watch:
Stephanie Quimby (Julie)
Melissa Weisbach (Magnolia)
Kyle Robinson (Joe) - seriously. I wanted to ask him if he would follow me around singing "Old Man River" endlessly!