Things better left unsaid

Is Drowsy Chaperone's creator a mere one-hit wonder? His new show Minsky's might tell him
February 08, 2009
Richard Ouzounian
Theatre Critic

LOS ANGELES–Bob Martin keeps looking up at the dark clouds that fill the skies on the opening day of his latest show, Minsky's, at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center.

It's not that he's worried about the rain. Far from it. He's more concerned if lightning is going to strike twice.

It was just over three years ago, in November of 2005, that The Drowsy Chaperone opened here and started its journey which led to Broadway, Tony Awards and overnight success.

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Streetwise Avenue Q deserves an 'A'

Avenue Q takes its cues (Q's?) from Greek theatre: By letting phony characters do the talking and singing, they can get away with a lot more.
July 30, 2008
Richard Ouzounian
Theatre Critic

Avenue Q

* * * *(out of 4)

Music & lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Book by Jeff Whitty. Directed by Jason Moore. Until Aug. 31 at the Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. 416-644-3665

It's been five years since I saw Avenue Q when it opened on Broadway, and judging from the enthusiastic reaction of last night's crowd at the Elgin Theatre, it's lost none of its power to entertain or engage an audience.

I don't think it's necessary to be a part of the 20-something crowd that this tuneful, touching musical is written about to feel its full effect, because at some point in our lives we've all set out with bright soaring ideals only to have them shot down in flames.

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