Audio By Carbonatix
Diaries of a Barefoot Diva: And Other Tales and Stories From the Ghetto The residents of a rundown building on MLK Boulevard become subjects of a documentary by an aspiring filmmaker in this new musical by its star, Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, and composers Joe Rogers and Aaron Petite. The comedy is get-down funny, and the tuneful songs comment on the hopes and dreams of the eccentric characters. Who needs Tyler Perry’s Madea? This show’s biggest heart and sassiest mouth belongs to Aunt Bea (Carolyn Hatcher), the neighborhood busybody in the floral muumuu. And though we assume that old Mr. Charlie (Robert Rouse) is homeless, his sudden death reveals a secret that will change his friends’ lives for the better. Keyton, as always, uses her gigantic voice to great effect. But the best vocals come from Rouse, who doesn’t need to shake the rafters to move the audience. Through April 23 at Jubilee Theatre, 506 Main St., Fort Worth, 817-338-4411. Reviewed this week. (Elaine Liner)
The Mousetrap No use wondering if the butler did it. There isn’t one in this Agatha Christie chestnut about a spree killer working his (or her) way through the guest list of a small London bed-and-breakfast. Trouble is there’s not much suspense sustained in this fusty two-act mystery. Director Kerry Cole asks the cast to overplay their silly roles so broadly that it all becomes a crazy cartoon. As a gay architect named Chris Wren, Chad Peterson doesn’t just mince and lisp, he flaps his wrists, tosses his Woody Woodpecker hairdo and perches birdlike on the furniture. Enough already. Good actor Ashley Wood seems nearly invisible as the hotelkeeper. He’s too subtle to be noticed. Through April 22 at Theatre Three in the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh St., 214-871-3300. Reviewed this week. (E.L.)
The Phantom of the Opera In the leading role of the masked man, Gary Mauer acts as well as he sings. At last an actor makes it clear to the audience what drove the deformed opera freak underground: maternal rejection. If his mother hadn’t sold him off to the circus as a toddler, he might have become a successful impresario instead of merely haunting the rafters of the Paris Opera House. After he kidnaps ingénue soprano Christine (Marie Danvers, looking a mite too old to be considered a girl) for the purpose of intensive vocal training, a romantic triangle develops among the Phantom, Christine and her young swain, Raoul (Jim Weitzer). Hmm, handsome boyfriend or weird guy in a white mask and cape? The girl’s gotta choose. Great work by the huge cast in this big-budget touring production. The sets and effects are every bit as eye-popping as last fall’s Wicked. And the voices attack Andrew Lloyd Webber’s monotonous score like it really is grand opera. Through April 16 at Fair Park Music Hall, 909 First Ave., 214-631-2787. Reviewed this week. (E.L.)