Lester Purry is a theatrical force, bringing Thurgood Marshall to life through expert physicality, an impressively dense amount of memorized material, and a true commitment to the portrayal of an icon of American history.
Theater
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Theater review: ‘A Bronx Tale’
“A Bronx Tale,” from leads to ensemble, is one of the highest caliber shows from the last few seasons at the Auditorium. From vocals and dancing to acting and character chemistry, this is a show that truly feels like Broadway on tour.
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Review: ‘Becoming Dr. Ruth’
Everyone loves a good origin story — a true rags-to-riches, underdog-beats-the-odds-tale can be almost as satisfying as good sex. Through October 21 JCC CenterStage and Bristol Valley Theatre present a retelling of the journey of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, from her childhood as a German Jew pre-Holocaust to respected American sex therapist.
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Theater review: ‘Anna in the Tropics’
Blackfriars Theatre kicks off their 2018-19 season by working with Rochester Latino Theatre Company to produce “Anna in the Tropics.” Set in 1929 Tampa, the story focuses on an immigrant Latinx family who owns and operates a Cuban cigar factory and the lector who read novels aloud to entertain the workers.
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Review: ‘Dogfight, the Musical’ at JCC CenterStage
The Vietnam War is a looming menace throughout the story, but the real villain is toxic masculinity — disguised as brotherhood and camaraderie — that is portrayed with a loathsome and sickening success by the young actors.
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Rising culture on Joseph Ave
Joseph Avenue’s arts and cultural scene continues to grow with the recent opening of The Avenue Blackbox Theatre. At the helm is Reenah Oshun Golden, whose vision has been to create a community theater that serves the neighborhood and incorporates the culture that already exists there.
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JCC CenterStage announces 2018-19 season
The six-show season includes plays and musicals about celebrated sex therapist Dr. Ruth, the cultural impact of the British Invasion, and the scandalous first lesbian kiss on Broadway.
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Theater review: Open Road Theatre’s “Living in Exile”
Billed as “a war story about compassion not revenge” and inspired by Homer’s epic poem, “The Iliad,” the play certainly emphasizes the instances of human kindness — even among enemies — that can occur amid
the horrors of a decade of entrenched battle.
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Review: ‘The Bridges of Madison County, the Musical’
A small but mighty cast presents the adapted tale of a Midwestern whirlwind affair, with a range of soaring ballads, gospel, and honky-tonk.
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RAPA Family Theatre’s expanded 2018-19 season
It’s never too early for a young person to learn the phrase “you do you.” RAPA Family Theatre’s coming 2018-19 season thematically focuses on wit, adventure, and embracing your uniqueness.
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Geva stages world premiere of ‘One House Over’
Catherine Trieschmann’s new play explores themes of family, culture, and roots — it’s a sweet, hilarious story about immigration, love, and trusting strangers.
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Blackfriars Theatre announces 2018-19 season
With each new season, Blackfriars Theatre seems to further test its own boundaries. In its 2017-18 season, the company set a mission to focus on more women artists and women-centered stories — to great success with its all-female “Twelfth Night,” its holiday show, “Little Women,” and the recent “When We Were Young and Unafraid.” The […]
