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Harrison David Rivers

ON THE TOWN WITH THE “LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS” AT BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE

July 27, 2024

I just got back from the Bucks County Playhouse, which I always enjoy visiting, to catch the world-premiere production of “Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” a new musical about Sophie Tucker. The show’s not ready for Broadway yet. It’s got lots of flaws which need fixing, and I’ll get to those flaws shortly. But—and this is rarer and much more important--it’s also got lots of vitality. [more]

Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

October 14, 2017

The audience sitting on three sides of the airy playing area on wooden benches is part of Clifton Chadick’s super, environmental scenic design.  The floor is covered with wood chips, logs and tree stumps, there are a several jagged wooden poles and a few red fire buckets strewn about.  On one end is a stage area and the other is a screen where Joey Moro’s atmospheric projection design is shown.  The crisp imagery includes fires, nature and abstractions.  For several distracting instances the actors at the other end of the stage are projected onto the screen for no discernable reason other than as an aesthetic flourish. [more]