All stories by David Dow Bentley III on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Carolyn Wong Triumphs in Crighton’s “DOLLY” by David Dow Bentley III

After a historically sad and troubling week for Americans aware of the tragic events in Florida, the abundant joy that is now being offered by the Stage Right Players production of HELLO DOL…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 01:28AM
Tuesday, January 23, 2018

For Fascinating “BALLS,” There’s No Business Like Busy-Business by David Dow Bentley III

[ Click any photo to enlarge. All photos by Russ Rowland. ] As a modest player myself, and a frequent fan of the major tennis championships, I’ve been currently suffering my annual frustra…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 08:23PM
Friday, December 8, 2017

CROSS THAT RIVER Reveals a Little-Known Cowboy World by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] It is not at all unusual for something special to be going on at one of New York’s most sophisticated theatrical venues, the 59E59 Theatres. That tradition is …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 09:24AM
Tuesday, October 10, 2017

The Lambs Meet the Nighthawks at Iguana by David Dow Bentley III

[CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE] For members of America’s oldest theatrical club, THE LAMBS (https://the-lambs.org/), the evening would be a highlight of the summer season as members gathered …

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 11:48PM
Thursday, October 5, 2017

TRIXIE MEETS THE TEXANS AT THE LAMBS by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] It was yet another recent weekly night of “Low Jinks” fun for America’s oldest theatrical club, The Lambs, established in 1874. (https://the-lambs.org/) It…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:24PM
Tuesday, September 19, 2017

SUTTON FOSTER Highlights Caramoor Summer Festival by David Dow Bentley III

It was my first visit to the elegant estate of CARAMOOR. This legacy of the original owners, Walter & Lucie Rosen, became what is now the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts near Kato…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 03:42AM
Thursday, September 7, 2017

GATLIN BROTHERS Concert to Benefit Hurricane Harvey Victims by David Dow Bentley III

It has been more than a decade since my first enthusiastic comments about Houston’s multi-talented actor/singer/director, Steven Fenley, and the treasured Texas Repertory Theatre for which…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 05:12AM
Sunday, July 9, 2017

Theatrical Whirlwind for ATCA San Francisco by David Dow Bentley III

[Click any photo to enlarge] #ATCASF17         For members of the American Theatre Critics Association, (AMERICANTHEATRECRITICS.ORG) their recent national conference was a late-sprin…

SOURCE: thepeoplescritic.com at 04:04AM
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

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Nov 17, 2024: Elf - Marquis Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre