All stories by David Dow Bentley III on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

A Breathtaking WEST SIDE STORY Dances Into the Owen Theatre by David Dow Bentley III

All Photos by DigiSmiles Photography [Click any photo to enlarge] Something quite remarkable is happening at the Owen Theatre in Conroe, Texas. For those within the sound of my journalistic …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 12:33AM
Saturday, May 13, 2017

From Houston Ballet: A MADAME BUTTERFLY of Tragedy and Grace by David Dow Bentley III

[All photos courtesy of Houston Ballet. Photographer: Amitava Sarkar] Whenever I am privileged to report on an important ballet performance, I am reminded of a tender lyric in the legendary …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 03:36AM
Tuesday, May 2, 2017

HSO and 007 Electrify Pavilion Audience by David Dow Bentley III

My two-decade journalistic journey through the delights of countless varied performances I have enjoyed at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion began when I reviewed the Houston Grand Opera p…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 04:54AM
Saturday, April 29, 2017

MUSIC BOX Blends Comedy with Fantasy for Magical Fun by David Dow Bentley III

For a long time I have wondered if the talented quintet of players at Houston’s evermore popular MUSIC BOX nightclub wouldn’t eventually run out of cleverly planned and executed themes f…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 02:18PM
Tuesday, April 18, 2017

FARCE OF NATURE Honors Military & Local Law Enforcement at Crighton by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] It’s ShowTime again for the cheerful band of Stage Right Players at Conroe’s Crighton Theatre as they present another of the numerous comedies from Jessie Jo…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 07:24AM
Sunday, April 9, 2017

A Soaring DREAMGIRLS Triumphs in Houston by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge.] When I first saw the musical, DREAMGIRLS, back in 1982, the Broadway blockbuster was at the beginning of what would become a four-year run on The Great White Wa…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 09:48PM
Wednesday, April 5, 2017

‘Greater Tuna’ Rendition Takes a Tumble at Crighton by David Dow Bentley III

Many years ago in New York I reviewed the opening night of a new musical titled, “The Devil of Delancey Street. I opened my report with these lines: Richard Nixon famously remarked, “I a…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 02:24AM
Thursday, March 16, 2017

Musical Artistry Prevails on Night of YTA Gala and Concert of Finalists by David Dow Bentley III

[Click Any Photo to Enlarge]  There was an atmosphere of celebration last weekend here in Texas. As folks looked forward to the end of winter’s dark days and the arrival of Daylight Savin…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 06:02AM
Wednesday, March 8, 2017

A “DREAMCOAT” Dream Come True from Class Act by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge.] It’s that time again. Now entering its 20th season with this 60th production, it seems that every six or seven years Class Act Productions mounts another bril…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 02:54AM
Monday, March 6, 2017

BROADWAY returns to Houston via The Music Box Theatre by David Dow Bentley III

I was just beginning to experience withdrawal symptoms after my recent out-of-town travels, but all is well now following my recent return to The Music Box Theatre for the current delightful…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 08:12AM
Sunday, February 26, 2017

Splendid Music & Dance Highlight “AN AMERICAN IN PARIS” at TUTS by David Dow Bentley III

[CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE] It comes as no surprise that the treasured music and lyrics of George & Ira Gershwin can still produce a winner for Broadway. That fact is made abundantly cl…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 11:54PM
Wednesday, February 15, 2017

A Glorious MY FAIR LADY at Crighton Theatre by David Dow Bentley III

[ Click Any Photo to Enlarge ] It’s literally “off to the races,” for another Stage Right blockbuster with the arrival of the current production of MY FAIR LADY at the Crighton Theatre…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 06:54AM
Saturday, February 11, 2017

An Extra Special EXTRATERRESTRIAL from Houston Symphony’s “E.T.” by David Dow Bentley III

It was an extraordinary one-night-only event at Jones Hall last Thursday when the Houston Symphony took its place on stage below a large movie screen that was about to display a sensational …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:36AM
Thursday, December 8, 2016

The “Wonderful Life” of Donna Reed Remembered at Lambs Club Screening by David Dow Bentley III

It was a holiday season event that had been long in the planning by Shepherd of The Lambs, Marc Baron. As the titular leader of America’s oldest theatrical club, Baron wanted to share Fran…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:54PM
Friday, November 18, 2016

JERSEY BOYS Has Hobby Center Crowds Cheering by David Dow Bentley III

[ All Photos by Jeremy Daniel. Click any photo to enlarge. ] It has been more than a decade now since I had the pleasure of seeing the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, JERSEY BOYS, in the Bi…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 10:18AM
Sunday, November 13, 2016

Tony DeSare Dazzles Houston Pops Audience on the Ivories by David Dow Bentley III

  They say “seeing is believing,” but for those lucky enough to attend Opening Night of this weekend’s Houston Symphony Pops concert, “I Love a Piano,” the astonishing performance…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 02:48AM
Monday, November 7, 2016

MUSIC BOX THEATRE JOURNEY’S BACK TO THE 1980’S by David Dow Bentley III

Music fans who enjoy science fiction may be reminded of H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” during their next visit to Houston’s popular Music Box Theatre. The company’s current product…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 06:54AM
Sunday, October 30, 2016

HOW TO SUCCEED …With Broadway Fun! by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge. All photos by Os Galindo] Ever since its opening on The Great White Way more than half a century ago in 1961, composer Frank Loesser’s witty musical satire on …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 10:18PM
Wednesday, October 26, 2016

ADDAMS FAMILY’s Spooky Hilarity Launches Halloween Season at Crighton by David Dow Bentley III

I think it can be safely said that in my many pleasant years of reviewing productions at the Crighton Theatre, I have never laughed harder than I did last Saturday night when doubled up in h…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 01:57AM
Tuesday, October 11, 2016

A True “MADE IN TEXAS” Family Affair at Music Box by David Dow Bentley III

It was a night to showcase the singers & songwriters of the Lone Star State, and the stars of Houston’s Music Box Theater were certainly up to the challenge with their latest productio…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 03:42AM
Thursday, October 6, 2016

“MURDER” With Extra Mayhem from TWHS Theatre by David Dow Bentley III

There is a certain buzz of energy, excitement and enthusiasm before the curtain goes up on a high school theatrical production. I remember it well from my schooldays as a young actor in New …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 02:16AM
Tuesday, September 27, 2016

GLAMOROUS OPENING NIGHT FOR KINGSLEY & HOUSTON SYMPHONY by David Dow Bentley III

  It would be a day full of exquisite music. In the afternoon I had the pleasure of viewing a telecast of the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award, a presentation honoring bri…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:42PM
Wednesday, September 21, 2016

TUTS Delights from IN THE HEIGHTS by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] In 2008 a musical called IN THE HEIGHTS exploded on Broadway to begin what would become a three-year run on the Great White Way that has been followed with count…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 09:48PM
Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Crighton’s BLITHE SPIRIT is a Ghostly Affair by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] After a pleasant summer visiting family and friends in the generally cooler northeast regions of New York and New England, and despite the lingering summer heat …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 08:10PM
Monday, June 13, 2016

Frothy Fun from Off-Broadway’s MARVELOUS WONDERETTES by David Dow Bentley III

When Christina Bianco (Missy), Diana Degarmo (Suzy), Jenna Leigh Green (Cindy Lou), and Sally Schwab (Betty Jean) come bouncing onto the stage of Off-Broadway’s intimate 100-seat Kirk Thea…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 12:25AM
Thursday, May 12, 2016

Music and Youthful Enthusiasm Take Flight on Crighton Stage by David Dow Bentley III

On a pleasant Conroe Saturday night last weekend a parade of young area talent was spotlighted at the Crighton Theatre in a show aptly titled, “Come Fly with Me.” Hosting the program was…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 08:20PM
Sunday, May 8, 2016

Merry Mayhem from a “GENTLEMAN” at the Hobby Center by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] My recent trip to Houston’s Hobby Center to view the current national tour production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to L…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 01:06PM
Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Houston “…roads take me home…” to the Music Box by David Dow Bentley III

Yes, John Denver’s old country classic, “Country Roads,” is still buzzing around in my brain after last weekend’s pleasant opportunity to reacquaint myself with the popular Houston v…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 09:58PM
Tuesday, April 19, 2016

“RUMORS” Leaves Farce Fans Laughing at Crighton by David Dow Bentley III

[Photos by David Clements-DWC Photography] Followers of the comic genius of playwright, Neil Simon, have another chance to sample his oft-times hilarious repertoire with the current Stage Ri…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 07:20AM
Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Fine Voices Highlight TUTS “OLIVER!” by David Dow Bentley III

[All Photos by Christian Brown – Click any photo to enlarge] There is a pivotal moment in the Charles Dickens classic tale, “Oliver Twist,” when the hungry and naïve young orphan,…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:13AM
Sunday, March 27, 2016

A “CABARET” Miracle for Houston by David Dow Bentley III

 All photos by Joan Marcus from the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company’s CABARET. [Click any photo to enlarge] It is the early 1930’s in Berlin and the powerful r…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:12AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards