'The Pillowman': Dark tale is stark, well-done and timely
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
The stark, jarring tone of The Pillowman is in keeping with director Eric Seale's affinity for taking on challenging, edgy material, and his AGL directorial debut is no different. The result is a show whose signature bleak intensity and noir humor is both its greatest strength and occasional liability.
'Macbeth': Innovative production falls just short of great
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theater Critic
From raucous romps of gothic camp to emotionally stark whodunits of haunted intensity, there is no shortage of Halloween fare for this season's theatergoer. Woodford County Theatrical Arts Association is not alone in scaring up audiences this month, but it is the only Central Kentucky theater offering a classical treatment of terror, with its latest production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Tenor says 'La Boheme' recording drew him to opera
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
Jeremy Cady was drawn into the world of opera through listening.
Doris Roberts won't be silenced
By Amy Wilson awilson1@herald-leader.com
Doris Roberts has, more than once, remarked that she would like to have been born in the South. The actress and St. Louis native loves the food, the sass and the straightforward pluck of the Southern-gal mentality.UK presents French farce that inspired American opera
Herald-Leader Staff Report
Lisa Ling sees job as doing good
By Amy Wilson awilson1@herald-leader.com
Go to www.lisaling.com and see for yourself her personal credo, as a kind of reminder to herself: "Lisa Ling, Trying To Do Good."
The real mystery of 'Irma Vep': How can anything be so funny?
By Candace Chaney Herald-Leader Contributing Writer
As you walk into Natasha's Bistro to see the Balagula Theatre's latest production, it is immediately obvious that something is different about the funky, eclectic space. For one, the adjoining boutique is surprisingly just ... gone. In its place is an expanded space devoted to housing Balagula's expanding theater offerings.
Unabashed theater junkie takes reins of Actors Guild's 'The Pillowman'
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
In June, at a Theatre Communications Guild conference in Denver, Eric Seale felt a little out of place.
Satire 'Irma Vep' is for laughs — lots of them
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
Ryan Case has wanted to put on a production of The Mystery of Irma Vep ever since he saw the show at Actors Guild of Lexington in 1996.
'The Giver': A gorgeous, well-acted tale full of lessons
By Candace Chaney Contributing Theatre Critic
When you are a kid, most choices are made for you. Some authority figure, a parent or a teacher, generally dictates the details of your day, from what you will eat to when you go to sleep. This is considered, by and large, good parenting. As we grow older, more choices become available to us. This is considered growing up. But what if all our choices were made for us?
Random acts of keenness
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
Who needs methamphetamines when you can have government economic development grants? That's the philosophy that the residents of Random, Ky., a little town up in a holler, developed in playwright Elizabeth Orndorff's mind.
Comedian's making it without sex jokes or sitcom
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
Back in the 1990s, Brian Regan was making his way through the comedy club circuit, dreaming of graduating to theater gigs.Broadway's 'Legally Blonde' to close Oct. 19
Associated Press
Elle Woods, Broadway's prime example of girl power, is leaving Broadway next month. Legally Blonde The Musical , which launched Lexington native Laura Bell Bundy to stage stardom, will close Oct. 19 at the Palace Theatre after a run of 595 performances, producer Hal Luftig announced Wednesday.
Actors Guild names Kimberly Shaw managing director
By Rich Copley rcopley@herald-leader.com
Actors Guild of Lexington has hired Kimberly Shaw as its managing director.