Blog

The seats were full Tuesday evening as Louisville locals strolled in to view the Actors Theatre's third annual production of A Christmas Story. This popular motion picture classic traditionally watched in homes to summon Christmastime was brought to life before our very eyes, thanks to Philip Grecian's adaptation. The set design was one of the best I have seen at Actors, with Act 1 resulting in a two-tiered set and a dramatic change in Act 2 for the mall scene. A backdrop of blue-favored-snow-laden houses paired with a techno-color Christmas tree complimented the golden light of the famous leg lamp in front of the window. The set alone could easily transport us to Hohman, Indiana, circa 1940. There were some notable differences with Grecian's...

By Dustin Meyer Fall is a time of cool weather festivities and long standing traditions, be it reaping the harvest, Halloween or seeing Dracula at Actor's Theater. This year's production (adapted and directed by William McNulty and based on Bram Stoker's novel of the same name) is phenomenally entertaining. If it's gore you're after, Dracula holds the key to your bloody little heart. The tale revolves around a character similar (albeit not referenced) to Vlad the Impaler, Prince of Wallachia and Dracula, son of the Dragon who has lived hundreds of years as a vampire, feeding his immortality on the innocent blood of the unsuspecting. Dracula has developed a mysterious interest in Jonathan's fiancé, Lucy, and has lured her to his lair. With the...

By Dusting Meyer You walk in. The scene is set. Posh, yet well constructed décor greets the eye with tasteful composition, which is ironic, for the first few lines that follow are contemporary, profanity-ridden, informal greetings between two sisters who obviously have a lot to talk about. Wily, witty, and sarcastic Devon, who still lives with the parents and works at a restaurant, is visiting her seemingly superficial and financially practical sister, Simone. Simone has become entwined with a posh crew of elegant and frivolous society people, as an assistant for a wealthy couple. The sisters clash, of course, especially once drama ensues as a result of the mysterious past decisions of Simone's employer, Michaela Kell. The dynamic of the sisters'...

by Tomi Rae Thorn on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 1:42pm Laura and I recently had a chance to enjoy a lazy afternoon aboard The Belle of Louisville. Starting with the ring of her calliope and ending with a tour of her pilot house, the Belle charmed her way into our Sunday and put a relaxed smile on our faces. Sipping mimosas as we pulled off the wharf and headed down the river, we chatted in the quaint ballroom, which has been restored to invoke its 1914 beginnings (albeit a nod to the newly installed air conditioning units), awaiting the service of a traditional southern buffet lunch. Consisting of southern staples such as potato salad and macaroni and cheese, the highlights of the meal were crispy fried chicken and wonderfully spiced green beans. And the...

What does a southern dialect, a dead cat, and transcendentalistic undertones have in common with one another? They are woven together within Mark Twain's famous novel: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer . Playwright Laura Eason and Director Jeremy B. Cohen come together as a dynamic twosome to display this tale to stages all over the country; including New York, Philadelphia, Denver, and now here in Louisville. Louisville's Actor's Theatre continues its stalwart season with a well-accomplished cast with backgrounds on Broadway, film, and television. Tim McKiernan rightfully exhibits the free-going personality of Tom Sawyer, engaging the audience in laughter with his dialogue with Huckleberry Finn (Robbie Tann). Onlookers even gasped when the two...