Musical Geek - Musical Theatre Reviews

Yes, it's suddenly gone very 'pink' (although I hear 'tangerine' is the new 'pink' !) at Stourbridge Town Hall this week as Quarry Bank Musical Theatre Society Youth perform their production of 'Legally Blonde' led by a blindingly outstanding performance as Elle Woods by Heather Hadley, some comedy, some pathos and an amazing vocal, you couldn't ask for anything more in the role. It's fortunate that this is a cast full of talent that can keep-up and expertly coordinated by Director/Choreographer, Zoe Russell and Musical Director, Nick Jeavons. So Elle chases her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III (a suitably handsome performance from Harrison Hill) to Harvard Law, what strange deluded planet is she on you might ask. Well if she hadn't there would be no meeting with real love interest, Emmett Forrest another exemplary performance from Alex Brettell and we all know she is a much better match with him, leave Warner to that 'evil preppy wit...

Always exponents of creative, niche musical theatre, Obsidian Theatrical Productions have surpassed themselves again with another hard hitting production, this time Green Day's, American Idiot. I'll be honest I wouldn't generally be a fan of this sort of loud, opinionated style but, Billy Jo Armstong's insightful lyrics and the blend of rock and ballad tunes, makes this a strangely appealing piece of theatre. It's very much a story about life and how the choices you make can take you in a direction, sometimes positive, sometimes negative and occasionally an eclectic mix of both. I would suggest there are lessons to be learnt from watching this production, its educational and the story is impeccably well told by a talented cast. Three friends Johnny, Will and Tunny are full of annoyed angst against the world but, much as they would all like to disappear on an alcohol and drug infused holiday, only Johnny played with every emotion possible (and as a last minute charac...