Colin Fleming-Stumpf is a native of Rochester, has acted on stages across Western New York, and is active in the local theatre community as a performer, musician, fundraiser, board member, and reviewer, serving avidly as a theatre critic for BroadwayWorld since 2017. Colin has reviewed hundreds of professional, regional, community theatre, and touring Broadway productions across Rochester, Buffalo, and Canada. He holds a Masters degree in Arts Administration, and by day works as the Director of Grants for the Rochester Regional Health system, as well as an adjunct lecturer in SUNY Brockport's Public Administration department.
What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at JCC CenterStage Theatre?
One of theatre’s many powers is its ability to reflect the happenings of the outside world, illuminating events and societal trends, and even portending things to come. When “Cabaret” was written in 1966 we were only one generation removed from the biggest global conflict in world history, in which America and much of Europe battled down the forces of fascism and tyranny. The show explores the period leading to this tumultuous era, and now in 2024 as American democracy once again feels fragile and antisemitism is on the rise around the world, “Cabaret” is, unfortunately, quite topical.
What did our critic think of STELLA AND LOU at Out Of Pocket Productions?
What did our critic think of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Company Theatre?
Currently playing at Rochester’s JCC Centerstage Theatre is a play that seems out of place in our modern era of intense division and heightened polarization because it explores the deep respect and affection between two people who hold sharply different political and philosophical views, performed by two women who capture all the intellect, humor, and authenticity of the play’s subjects.
Currently playing on Geva Theatre’s Fielding Stage is “Sanctuary City”, a powerful—and timely—story about the American dream and the concept of home.
f you’re a 90’s kid like me, that famous greeting from cinema’s most iconic Scottish nanny is permanently imprinted on your memory, especially if, like me, your childhood home had “Mrs. Doubtfire” playing on repeat throughout your formative years (I think we eventually burned out the VHS tape). And while the stage adaptation of this pop culture classic presents some new characters and storylines that will be unfamiliar, it provides just as many heartwarming moments and, more importantly, side-splitting belly laughs.
What did our critic think of OEDIPUS REX at Company Theatre?
There is perhaps no greater rivalry in the history of music than that of rock and disco. Both genres had their icons and their laughingstocks, and the rivalry among the respective fanbases reached a level of ferocity unforeseen in the annals of popular culture. What better fodder for the 2024 installment of JCC’s beloved annual tradition, the “Hitmaker” series.
“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” is a story with myriad adaptations. The 18th century novel was spun into a stage play in 1985 by playwright Christopher Hampton, which was then adapted into the 1988 film “Dangerous Liaisons”, which was THEN adapted into the 90’s cult sensation “Cruel Intentions.” It’s not hard to understand why; who doesn’t love tawdry palace intrigue with a dash (Splash? Tidal wave?) of sexuality and decadence? If these things are piquing your interest, better hurry to Rochester’s Blackfriars Theatre before February 11th.
What did our critic think of DIAL M FOR MURDER at Geva Theatre?
What did our critic think of THE CHRISTIANS at Out Of Pocket Productions?
What did our critic think of THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Blackfriars Theatre?
Though it’s not necessarily a Christmas show in the way that “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” are, “Annie” captures many of the essential elements of the Christmas season: friendship, love, optimism, and hope for the future. There is possibly no more prominent feel-good story than “Annie”, and the touring production currently on stage at Rochester’s West Herr Auditorium Theatre is, as you would expect, heartwarming from top to bottom.
As someone who covers theatre I’m always a bit apprehensive as the holiday season approaches each year, because having seen “A Christmas Carol” more times than I can possibly count, I fear that I won’t have something new to say; the story is 180 years old after all, so at this point there aren’t many new angles to explore. We all know the plot, the themes, and in the case of Geva’s production, can probably hum the tune of Fezziwig’s Christmas party in our sleep. And yet, each year I find myself noticing something new, appreciating a new feature of the staging or set, and leaving the theatre after curtain call with a renewed sense of Christmas spirit. It’s a testament to the power of this story, but also to the care and precision that Geva’s artistic staff takes in mounting the production each year.
The power of memory is a fascinating thing. We all have that one song that transports us back to our wedding day, or that TV commercial that immediately makes us think of our Dad, or a smell that evokes the comfort of Christmas morning. Nora and Delia Ephron’s play “Love, Loss and What I Wore” explores how that same emotional attachment exists with our clothes, and how—often unintentionally—we chronicle the many chapters of our lives, both the ups and the downs, through the clothes we wear.
If Rochester’s gloomy late-autumn weather has got you down, prepare to be whisked away to the bright lights and teeming intrigue of Paris’ underground nightlife, and explore the Bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom, and love; “Moulin Rouge” has landed at the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.
What did our critic think of LOBBY HERO at Penfield Players?
What did our critic think of FRIDA...A SELF PORTRAIT at Geva Theatre?
What did our critic think of ROMEO & JULIET at The Company Theatre? One of Rochester’s newest performing arts organizations, The Company Theatre, launches its 2023-2024 season with a well-known stalwart, “Romeo and Juliet”, playing until the end of October in Rochester’s Temple Theatre.
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