Matt Banks

NEWS 4/12/12 7:00pm

'Trig' has problems to work out

By Matt Banks

High school: So many of us hated it, while others wish we could relive those glory days. From those desires spawns Martel College theater's 2012 production of "High School Trig." With the potential to be great, Martel's show delivers varied performances, inconsistent technical aspects and a script that needs a little time in study hall.

NEWS 11/1/11 7:00pm

Seductive musical remake of cult classic

By Matt Banks

Some people go trick-or -reating on Halloween. Some run Baker 13. Others get dressed in ridiculous costumes and go see cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight at the River Oaks Theater. Sid Richardson College's newest production brings the classic to a theater — live — near you. Although inconsistent acting and poorly executed design detract from the musical's quality, Sid's newest creation is a treat for anyone turned on by hilarity and steamy romances.

NEWS 10/19/11 7:00pm

Freshmen One-Acts a crack up

By Matt Banks

What do you get when you combine some new students with three chimpanzees, two atomic bombs and one awkward reference to bestiality? You have the 2011 production of Wiess Tabletop's Freshmen One-Acts! A long lasting Wiess College tradition, the show stars 24 new Wiess students performing in short plays directed by Wiess upperclassmen. As usual, Wiess again delivers an amusing, varied performance guaranteed to make anyone happy.

NEWS 2/3/11 6:00pm

Oh, the Humanity! a tragic failure

By Matt Banks

Stages Repertory Theatre's most recent production, Oh, the Humanity and Other Exclamations, presents the regional premiere of Will Eno's work. Plagued by a bad script and overdramatic design, the show fails on almost every aspect possible.Oh, the Humanity consists of five different short scenes. Ranging from a pair of photographers to a couple in a car, the situations attempt to portray the pitfalls of being human and make the audience laugh and cry, simultaneously. We see how these different characters unravel, both independently and in tandem, and are given insight into humanity as a whole. Or, at least, that is what the playwright intended.

NEWS 11/11/10 6:00pm

Wild Party is tame

By Matt Banks

After last year's production of RENT, Martel, Brown, Jones and Duncan Colleges have combined forces again to bring us The Wild Party. A departure from the mainstream musicals produced in the past three years, The Wild Party features several strong performances but is plagued by technical problems and inconsistent acting.Based on the narrative poem by Joseph Moncure March with book, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, The Wild Party tells the story of Queenie and Burrs (Jones junior Lilla Pivnick and Duncan freshman Ben Hirsch, respectively), two vaudeville performers in an abusive relationship. Determined to get revenge on Burrs for hitting her, Queenie decides to throw a party where she can publicly humiliate him. Her plan unfolds around Mr. Black (Brown junior Jordan Morgan), the most recent lover of Queenie's best friend Kate (Hanszen College sophomore Nupur Jain). The party quickly devolves into an orgy and emotions run high as Burrs becomes increasingly belligerent, culminating in a showdown with Mr. Black.