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 Welcome to the Critical Review blog site! We will be publishing reviews that show exemplary eye for critique. 

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Some Like It Hot: A True Tip-Tap Treasure - by Sarah Zyskowski

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One of the better screen-to-stage adaptations of its time, Some Like It Hot is a must-see performance that recently danced its way to the Orpheum Theatre. Sending the audience back in time to the infamous Prohibition, Some Like It Hot follows two musicians on the lam who disguise themselves as ladies and join an all-female band. Based on the classic 1959 film, this show brings its audience on a chaotic musical odyssey across the country filled with dazzling choreography, sharp humor, expressive costumes, and a deeper dive into gender identity. What stood out to me right away was the sheer talent these actors expressed through the power of dance. The “Tip-Tap Twins” Joe and Jerry swept the audience off their feet almost immediately with the intricate tap number “You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have Him)” bursting with energy and excitement. Perfectly in unison, the satisfyingly crisp sounds of Matt Loehr and Tavis Kordell’s outstanding tapping talent set the stage for this dance-heavy ...
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Les Misérables Is a Classic For a Reason by Katelyn Keyes

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If I had to pick one word to encapsulate the current National Tour  of Les Misérables , it would be “art”. The lighting, designed by Paule Constable, transformed every scene into a painting, I could almost feel the sunlight on my face. The darkness was also used to the show’s advantage, leading to a shadowed opening; Prologue , where the low, rhythmic chorus deeply communicates the tragic circumstances the main character finds himself under. Imprisoned for simply stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family, Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) breaks his parole and flees, leaving him to be chased by a relentless Inspector Javert (Nick Rehberger). Along the way, we meet Fantine (Lindsay Heather Pierce), her daughter Cosette (Emerson Mae Chen, Greta Scheafer, and Delaney Guyer in various ages), and others fighting for France in the Paris Uprising of 1832.  The story is told mainly through song, which, while it does demand more of the audience’s attention to follow the story, really h...
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Clue National Tour Launches with a Bang! by Makenzie Bounds

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  Clue National Tour Launches with a Bang! Makenzie Bounds Clue , a hilarious new play, is adapted from the 1985 movie which draws inspiration from the classic Hasbro game. Translated wonderfully onto the stage, Clue follows six uproarious blackmail victims as they journey through an epic manor in an attempt to conclude who the murderer among them is before the night is up. Filled with mystery, suspense, drama, and most importantly, comedy, the tour brings something for a variety of audiences to enjoy to the stage.  While I have played the board game, I have never seen the 1985 movie. As I took my seat, I wondered if this would make me feel behind on the many iconic lines since I was surrounded by avid fans of the cult classic in the balcony. However, at the play’s conclusion, I felt as though this was to my advantage. The show left me constantly guessing, and each new twist filled me with astonishment and laughter.  Clue is astounding from a technical standpoint. Lightin...
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