The Phantom feels there have been some wonderful shows in the Brazos Valley. Shows that truly shine. But they are far and few between. This is fortuitous because snark cannot live in a world of excellence.The Phantom is a critic. The Phantom pulls no punches.
If you are sensitive, are small, have no sense of humor, think our community theater is the next Broadway, take life too seriously, have a Pollyanna attitude and truly believe your mom when she said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all" then go away. Don't read this stuff. This is America, you have lots of freedom. Click away, lad, click away.
The Phantom is not always nice but usually funny. This is but one opinion. You may not agree. That's ok. This is not meant to be evil or mean-spirited. The Phantom doesn't want to hurt or hate anyone.
It's just a blog. Lighten up.
Phantom Man,
Do you have any reviews from 2005?
Thanks,
Sam Megee
I did see the play , Bell, Book and Candle. Being a new theater patron and sometimes techie with NTA in Navasota, I found the play a delight and all characters played their parts well! I am looking forward to more pieces done by Stage Center. Congrates to all thespians at Stage Center and the other community endeavors !
Dear Mr. Megee,
What play were you in in 2005? I’ll be happy to see if there is a review for it.
The Phantom
trying to figure out my identity, huh? well if the Phantom won’t give it up, then neither will I. By the way, why do you assume that I was IN the plays? I am very flattered! I am busting all over with pride. But, I too lack talent.
Is there a similar reviewer of music concerts or will you consider accepting reviews of them? It is a shame that the newspaper does not consider reviews serving a worthwhile purpose.
And what’s up with the Spotlight?!? Two local productions opening this weekend – The King and I at TTC and Inspecting Carol at SC, as well as an OPAS performance of The Irish Tenors and what gets featured on the cover??? – “Students chug coffee, cram during dead week” Are you freaking kidding me?!? That’s what should be highlighted in our entertainment scene? The Eagle is such a joke and so are those paltry preview articles.
The Eagle really is getting to be a joke and I, for one, am grateful for this site. I may change my mind after the review of “Inspecting Carol”! The Eagle’s just not interested in supporting the community. Their photographer came out to do the photo for Inspecting Carol and he made it very clear he did NOT want to be there and all he took was one scene. Used to be you could do a couple of poses but not any more.
Phantom,
Just wanted to drop by and congratulate You on being selected as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Thanks for your contribution to Web 2.0
Phantom–just curious to know if you saw the latest play at NTA, Hot L Baltimore? If so, is a review coming?
Dear Phantom– Did you read your newspaper today? Already the news has spread to the Empire State– I was at Aqueduct this very afternoon with Nicely Nicely and he told me about the recent unpleasantness in your fair city. Tell us should we get Big Jule and come down there and clear the Doctor’s good name? It is a crying shame that fine upstanding grifters and confidence men like ourselves cannot earn a decent living no more.
Also, youse should post an email address for your webmaster– kind of a dead-drop where we can get you notes and other poitenent information when we need to. Maybe a big light like the one the Bat Man has, so we can summon you with a beacon when you are most needed.
Until then, we will just have to send you our notes here. Tell Benny Southstreet that we say hello and that he still owes us tree big ones.
Hugs and kisses,
Harry
Oh we got trouble my friends! Right here in (Brazos) River City. With a capital “C” and that rhymes with “T” and that stands for THEFT! Chorus: That stands for Theft!
Heya Phantom – catch GrooveLily at OPAS Intimate Gatherings if you can make it. I saw them last night and they were awesome. They’re performing Striking 12, their musical version of The Little Match Girl. It’s a great show, it plays again tonight and tomorrow night, and there are still a few tickets available.
Auditions for StageCenter’s “Make Me A Match” are Mon. & Tues. Dec. 10 & 11 7:00pm at the Theatre.
201B W. 26th St. downtown Bryan, above Mr. G’s.
Casting 2 Female age 20-30, 40-50
3 Male 20-30, 30-40, 40-50
Show runs Feb.7-9, 14-16 & 21-23 2008
Hypocrites, Cowards, and Fools: Which are you?
“He can’t act”
“Neither can she.”
“Randy should have cast me–
(name hidden to protect..well, you know who)”
“Next time he better cast Foo.”
“Your spelling sucks”
“Yours does too.”
“I can use a bigger word than you!”
“Have courage, say who you are!”
“Someone saw Nicole at the bar?!”
“Where have you been, fill-in-the-blank?”
“Is there someone on this blog I need to thank?”
“We are regional.”
“Ya’ll are community.”
“What’s with all the disunity?”
we are all having a fit
I swear I’m above it
But, God, I must love it
because…
I still am reading this s***.
Okay, I’ll bite. Put me in the “Ya’ll are community.” category.
StageCenter’s production of Sam Shepard’s La Turista
Audition Dates: February 11-12 at 7pm
2 Men, 2 Women and one boy age 8-14
Show Dates: April 3-5, 10-12, 17-19
Mr. Phantom, sir, what happened to your reviews of shows prior to June 2006? They were her on your website before July 2007 and then (poof) they disappeared. Any chance you will be re-publishing them? I am very interested in perusing them again.
My dear Meyomy,
It amuses The Phantom to no end that one of my bestest Phans believes there are “phantom” reviews. Alas and alack, The Phantom began this modest blog in June of 2006 with the publication of “Hello Community Theater Lovers!” and the first review of “Off the Wagon.” All blogs are listed in the Archives drop down list on the right side of this page. You may have to scroll down to get to June 2006 but I assure you they are all there.
Thank you so much for your patronage. The Phantom’s heart has swelled to the size of a pea and nearly burst.
No, really, dearest Phantom, you need not pretend the vanishing act never happened. I read a review (YOUR review) for “Cats” upon the occasion when another Phan provided me a link to your infinitessimally profound bloggery. That musical did run at TTC in May of 2006 with your review running shortly thereafter in June. My particular interest lies within said review and for some reason, the “Cats” has vanished from the June 2006 listing as in a book by Heinlein. Please, please, dear Phantom, can you not stretch beyond the murk to recall this (and other) Pre-”Welcome” reviews? I would be most humbly grateful.
NOTES ON BIG RIVER (so, where should I post them?)
Perhaps the Phantom was “in” Big River, and his huge sense of fairplay precludes him from lavishing kudos upon the production and therefore himself, because it was a wonderful show. Practically every person I talked to about it during, after and since felt the same.
It was fun, had a great story, and the 3 hrs seemed shorter than many TTC shows that were actually shorter. Huck, Jim and Tom were just great in their roles, and the orchestra was very good, too.
On the negative side: I’m not the Phantom, so I’ll be brief. The set wasn’t impressive and some of the younger Actors did not enuciate well enough to be underestood, but other than that, it was great!
I hope TTC will swing the pendulum back toward more family-oriented entertainment like this for next season.