Still More Theater Saturday - Strike Up the Band and Medea: A Musical Comedy

We received complimentary tickets to Strike Up the Band for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Strike Up the Band

Where: Carnegie Hall

             881 7th Ave.

             New York, NY

When: This event occurred on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 

The recent MasterVoices production of Strike Up the Band at Carnegie Hall couldn't have been more timely. This show about America going to war with Switzerland over cheese reminds us how the littlest things can set off conflicts between people and how ridiculous that is. Despite the seriousness of its central message, the story is told in a light-hearted manner and is full of humor. 

The musical loaded with delightful Gerswhin tunes was brilliantly performed by a stellar cast headed by John Ellison Conlee, Shereen Ahmed, and Bryce Pinkham. Others included two-time Tony-winner, Victoria Clark; Christopher Fitzgerald, in another hilarious turn, and more. 

The show's songs include beloved standards like the rousing title song, "I've Got a Crush on You," and "The Man I Love." The latter was actually cut from several previous musicals and ended up being cut from Strike Up the Band too because it had allegedly become too popular on its own, but it has been readded to more recent versions of the show. The restoration of the song was just one of the many highlights of the evening which definitely lived up to the high standards of previous MasterVoices productions.

And that's our view. To find out about upcoming MasterVoices productions and/or purchase tickets, visit www.mastervoices.org

xxx

We received complimentary tickets to Medea: A Musical Comedy for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Medea: A Musical Comedy

Where: Actor's Temple Theatre

             339 W. 47th St.

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

Medea, a character of Greek mythology who murders her own children, does not seem like a good subject for a lighthearted musical comedy. However, this is a show more about an acting troop putting on a show than a show about Medea. The story focuses on the crazy offstage antics and interactions between the performers and how this leads to onstage hilarity and chaos as they strive to change the play to suit their own agendas.  It is still not appropriate for children though because it still deals with some darker and age-inappropriate themes including sexuality.

The show is a jukebox musical with a twist.  While the music remains the same, the lyrics have been replaced with all-new parody lyrics making them more fitting for this particular show. A great variety of songs are used in the show including ones by George Gershwin, Barry Manilow, John Lennon, and more.  Some of the new lyrics are quite amusing but none stick in your head long after the show. 

The show is funny and quite unpredictable. You just never know what will happen from one moment to the next. If you like a show that constantly surprises you, you may enjoy this one.

And that's our view. For more about Medea: A Musical Comedy or to purchase tickets, go to www.medeanyc.com

Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All Strike Up the Band productions photos by Toby Tenenbaum

All Medea: A Musical Comedy production photos by Ian McQueen Photography

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us here, and we will look into the matter.