Studebaker Theater

Champions of Magic – Studebaker Theatre – Through Sept. 2, 2026

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All seven reviews of Champions of Magic that I was aware of highly recommended it. If you’re looking for something to take your pre-teen grandchildren to, then go for it. They’ll probably have a great time, based on the enthusiasm of the kids when I attended, though I can’t personally relate based upon my youth.

As adult entertainment, unless you’re been living in a monastery your whole life, I would pass.

To be fair, there may have been awe-inspiring things in the second act, but I left at intermission, as did the two adults sitting next to me, having seen nothing I hadn’t seen before, and nothing that made these versions of old tricks stand out, not that I’m suggesting that I know how every illusion was done or that the craftsmanship was missing.

What often separates magicians is the quality of their banter, There was some decent back and forth between the performers and with the audience, and there was mild humor, all very professional, but, again, nothing memorable. The closest I came to excitement was when I almost got hit in the eye by a ping pong ball that was among the dozens launched from the stage.

Even the “death-defying” escape from a straightjacket was no match for the very old Penn and Teller version, which, though on the surface less dangerous than when performed in the manner done in Champions (a bear trap was involved), was far more entertaining.

If the regular magic shows around town aren’t enough for you, perhaps delay a trip to the Studebaker until Lucy Darling appears there in late September.  Past experience tells me that she’s a hoot.

 

Follies – Porchlight Music Theatre at Studebaker Theater – April 26, 2025

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Porchlight’s Artistic Director, Michael Weber, once again put his impeccable casting abilities on display via a 21-person all-star ensemble that featured great individual performances and exquisite matching of characters, in particular the younger and not younger versions of Sally and Phyllis.

I don’t have room to mention everyone’s wonderful performance (and I do mean everyone), but if the audience reaction, in the way of loud, sustained applause and cheering, is a good measuring stick, then three solos are worth highlighting.

First, near the end of the first act, came Susie McMonagle chewing the scenery, in a good way, while belting I’m Still Here.

Next, in the second act, came Michelle Duffy’s rendition of Could I Leave You? Even as I was relishing her bravura performance, I couldn’t help but wonder whether it would be fun to then have Anthony Rapp, as her husband, enter singing If Ever I Would Leave You, from Camelot.

The third thunderous ovation came for Angela Ingersoll’s emotive performance of Losing My Mind. I was close enough to the stage to see tears coming down her cheeks, which she confirmed for me after the show.

I also would like to mention Stephen Wallem singing The God-Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me-Blues because I love the Blues, and hyphens, and because Wallem’s turn reminded me of John C. Reilly, and that’s a good thing.

Finally a shout out to Teagan Earley, whose sophisticated shoulder moves during her dancing caught my attention. It’s the little things.

Oh, and the 12-piece band was terrific.

Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical – Studebaker Theater – July 9, 2023

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This show wants to go to Broadway. As someone suggested to me, maybe Broadway and Belmont. I agree. For my money, this Price is not right.

I mean the show, not the person, as Saint Aubyn, playing the lead, portraying the elder Price, as opposed to the Elder Price, a character in The Book of Mormon, a much better play, is terrific, singing, dancing and interacting with the audience.

If you watch the video of the real Price on the Ed Sullivan show, and compare it with Aubyn’s stage version of that event, Aubyn is the clear victor. In the video, Price dances like Elaine Benes.

Performances, and great dancing by the whole cast aside (that shouldn’t be cast aside), there is a lot that could be cut from Personality, especially in the second act. I’ll try not to spoil it for you, in case all the highly recommended reviews lead you astray.

So please cut the scene where Price and three members of his band (redacted), the scene where he gets advice from (redacted), and the scene where (redacted) sings (redacted), which may lead the audience to believe (redacted), which is not true.

And wouldn’t it make his story even more interesting if those scenes were replaced with some reference to the interesting latter parts of his life, admittedly not associated with music, such as working with Don King to promote the famous Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manilla prizefights and starting a company to develop low income housing for underprivileged minorities.

And while, according to the show, his marriage was less than ideal, none of the online bios I could find mention that fact at all. According to the 2021 obituaries I found, he was survived by a different wife and several more children than were introduced in the play. May he and this show rest in peace.