"A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol" @ Broadway Rose

"A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol" is remarkably different from Broadway Rose's usual Yuletide fare. On the one hand, there is more story, which I've often wished for in previous years, and there is a comedic section featuring a parody of Private Eye radio dramas, which I appreciated very much as a fan of the genre. On the other hand, there is very little singing, and most of it seems incidental to the plot. As much as my own Inner-Scrooge hates to admit it, the bulk of the show-with its wartime themes registers quite often as a bit of a downer. I must also admit that I would be far more willing to tolerate this change of tone from a company other than Broadway Rose. Their unashamedly festive revues are often a welcome counterbalance to the other offerings around town which aim for a more melancholy, or even negative tone. Last year's Broadway Rose holiday production finally struck just the right balance between book and score, and so I hope that next year's "It Happened One Christmas" is a triumphant return to form.

"Inherit the Wind" @ Lakewood Theatre

I've wanted to see "Inherit the Wind" performed live since Sophomore Year in high school, where we read it in Language Arts, taught by David Sikking, who happens to play the Rev. Jeremiah Brown in this production, which was a pleasant surprise. "Inherit the Wind" is one of the two productions I have been looking most forward to this Season, both of which are at Lakewood, the other being "Dial M for Murder," directed by Mr. Sikking. Lakewood's "Inherit the Wind" was worth the nearly twenty wait. It was particularly nice to see Allen Nause come out of retirement to play Henry Drummond, and be paired with fellow Artists Rep alum Todd Van Voris as Matthew Harrison Brady. I believe "Inherit the Wind" is the best production currently running in the metro-area.