Articles Tagged With: Ronald Gusso

The Wizard of Oz (Youth Edition) at Theatreworks Live

Reviews November 28, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Wonderful… I’m callin’ it wonderful… it does sound wonderful, trust me, it’s fun! And while it may not be the GREEN v PINK everyone’s defying gravity over…remember a certain witchy-witch pair started off in their very own musical a long, long time ago— total reverse plot-twist that this is the original-origin of the ‘origin’ story! Are you ready to return to Oz? To the OG-Emerald City? Theatreworks Live has you covered with their adorable and talent-loaded production of The Wizard of Oz (youth edition.) Directed by Cathy Koncurat with Musical Direction by Megan Koncurat and Choreography by Leslie Perry,

Newsies at Phoenix Festival Theater 📷 Peter Lein

Newsies at Phoenix Festival Theatre

Reviews June 20, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

When you got 100 voices singing who can hear a lousy whistle blow? Well there may not be 100 of them on stage (though it sure sounds like it) but Phoenix Festival Theatre is making sure that the world will know! About their production of Disney’s Newsies! Sensational vocal talent, strong acting with enthusiastic choreography, this classic screen-to-stage musical is making headlines for one weekend only at Harford Community College and you won’t want to miss it.

Shrek at Phoenix Festival Theatre

Reviews March 14, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

They’re gonna shake you! They’re gonna bake you! A donkey! Pot! Whoopsie. That’s the wrong iteration of that show…now let’s see here…I made the left onto Thomas Run Road…got turned around at Maleficent’s castle— oh! Oh there it is. Phoenix Festival Theatre! Hiding out at The Amoss Center with their production of Shrek the musical! (Which does not include “Donkey Pot Pie”, not even sure that song ever made it off Broadway!) Directed by Emily Jewett with Musical Direction by Mia Bray and Choreography by Samantha Jednorski,

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 9, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

There’s so much time so little to do! Wait a minute… strike that! Reverse it! Make some time and find your way to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland this December! The reimagined Roald Dahl classic is now appearing in all its darkly delicious and devious glory on the CPM stage as their winter offering for the 2024/2025 season! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans (and live percussion musician Lisa Wood) and Choreography by James Hunnicutt,

Bye Bye Birdie at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 23, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Kids! You can talk and talk til your face is blue! Kids! But they still do just what they want to do! And they want to be laughing, singing, dancing, grinning— sensations! And while we’re on the subject— Kids! They’re at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland kicking off the 2024/2025 season with their production of Bye Bye Birdie! Complete with lots of moonlight swims and loop-da-loops! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans,

Finding Nemo Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

News March 3, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Just below the coral— sea parents dream of who their kids will be! And live on the stage of Children’s Playhouse of Maryland— you can see how wondrous these talented kids can be! Just as long as you— JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING! And you’d better swim fast if you want a chance at catching this production of Finding Nemo Jr.— several of the performances have sold out!

Neverland: A New Musical at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 5, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

What if you can’t remember the last time you were able to let go, have fun, and just be yourself? Well isn’t that exactly what theatre is for? A place to let go, have fun, and just be yourself! And Children’s Playhouse of Maryland has always been that place for all of the up-and-coming theatrical talents that pass through their doors over in Essex. Celebrating the holiday season with a very special, brand-new-production (written and conceived by their musical director and her father) Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is thrilled to present Neverland: A New Musical.

Anastasia at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 26, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

Dancing youths…painted scenes…things I almost remember… then a song— someone sings… once upon a…September… when the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland presented the area premiere of Anastasia, the much-anticipated, full-length musical. A sparkling gem, a radiant endeavor, this delightful and charming show is both beautiful and serene, full of humor and heart, and a spectacular start to the 2023/2024 season at CPM. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans Crowley,

Matilda Jr. at Cockpit Court Jesters

Reviews July 11, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

They are revolting children! Living revolting times! They sing revolting songs! Using revolting rhymes! And you’ve got to get your tickets to see them do their thing— they’re stupendous, they’re great— they are REVOLTING! Only in a Roald Dahl musical could you use an adjective like revolting as a pride-of-place badge to describe a wildly talented bunch of kids as they bounce all around the stage with exuberant energy and smashing voices. Which musical is that you ask?