Articles Tagged With: Brian Ruff

Sweeney Todd at Rogue Swan Theatre Company ???? James Craig

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Rogue Swan Theatre Company

Reviews September 27, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

The more he bleeds the more he lives…he never forgets and he never forgives…not Sweeney… not Sweeney Todd…and you do not wish to be on his hit list, I assure you. Rogue Swan Theatre Company, celebrating their ten-year anniversary, has gone all out— not just the spacious stage and auditorium of Havre de Grace’s STAR Centre— but they’re producing Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on said STAR Centre’s mainstage and this beast of a Sondheim musical is waiting with glistening razor edge and an unusually unique Rogue Swan hallmark stamped across its existence.

The Producers at The State Theatre of Havre de Grace

Reviews September 6, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Reviews come out a lot faster when the critics leave at intermission! But take it from this critic— if you leave at the intermission, you’re only getting half the hilarity, half the good times, and half the damn show! I could never! And you should never! But you SHOULD definitely get your butt to a seat at The State Theater of Havre de Grace for what is a surprisingly heartfelt but equally off-the-rails funny production of Mel Brooks’ The Producers.

Daniel Michele (left) with Rachel Bagley (center) and Brian Ruff (right) rehearsing for The Producers with The State Theatre of Havre de Grace

When You Got- Flaunt It: A Three-Way Round Robin with Max Bialystock, Leo Bloom, and Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson from The Producers at The State Theatre of Havre de Grace

Interviews September 2, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Thank you all so much for sitting with me! Let’s start with a quick introduction of who you are and who you’re playing!

Brian Ruff: I’m Brain Ruff and I’m playing Max. Bialystock.

Daniel Michel: I’m Daniel Michel and I’m playing Leo Bloom.

Rachel Bagley: Rachel Bagley. Ulla. And please don’t make me say her last name.

I won’t…because then that means I have to figure out how to spell it!

Circle Mirror Transformation at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews September 21, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

For a season of harmony and balance, nurture and compassion, Circle Mirror Transformation seems an odd choice, especially as the kick-starter for said season. Annie Baker’s esoteric theatrical exercise-come-stage-play is now appearing at Spotlighters Theatre through October 1st 2023 under the direction of Nick Cherone.

The play itself is deeply problematic— not because it hits on any hot-button issues or is outdated/outmoded or offensive but rather because it feels unfinished. There’s sort of a beginning,

Young Frankenstein at Street Lamp Community Theatre

Reviews May 12, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

When it comes to making monsters— you can’t beat the Frankensteins! And when it comes to producing live musical theatre in crafty clever way that suits the uniquely intimate performance space tucked away in the corner of the state in Rising Sun— you can’t beat Street Lamp Community Theatre. Currently animating a production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein— directed by Allan Herlinger with musical direction by LaShelle Bray and choreography by Christie Janney— Street Lamp Community Theatre is puttin’ on the Ritz;

A Few Good Men at Tidewater Players

Reviews September 28, 2019 Joseph R. Kennedy

Aaron
Sorkin’s A Few Good Men, directed by Todd Starkey, opens up to
one of our only moments watching Greg Stiffler give us a reason to care about
the tragedy the play is built around, by making him a vulnerable guy. A man is dead and Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson
(played by Lamar Leonard) and Pfc. Louden Downey (played by Jordan Baumiller)
stand accused of murder. Moises
Estrada’s lighting and sound design built atmosphere as Eva Grove’s costume
coordination lent an air of authenticity to these characters,

Heathers at Tidewater Players

Reviews February 28, 2019 Mike Zellhofer

Freak,
slut, burn out, bug eyes, poser, lard ass, loser, short bus, bull dyke, stuck
up, hunchback, white trash! Names. Labels. Words used to describe people who
are different or don’t fit our image of what we consider the “norm.” Words that
one might associate with high school, but all to often are used far more common
in our everyday speech. In fact, if I am being honest, although I didn’t speak
the words,

Mamma Mia at Scottfield Theatre Company

Reviews October 7, 2018 Daniel Plante

Scottfield Theater Company has a dream, a song to sing… and sing it they do! Running October 5-7 and 12-14 in the Cultural Center of Havre de Grace, this production of Mamma Mia is stuffed to the brim with infectious energy, uproarious laughter, and an impressive performance of pop monolith ABBA’s timeless catalog.

Mamma Mia tells the story of Sophie and Donna, a daughter and her single mother in their journey to discover who Sophie’s father was and face the memories Donna has of her three old flames and potential father for her daughter.

Titanic at Scottfield Theatre Company

Reviews April 10, 2018 Amanda N. Gunther

There’s a place called Chicago, I’ve seen it on a map. There’s a place called Mary-land, I’ve seen it on a map. There’s a place in America called “Havre de Grace” and I’m hoping it’s a bit like Broadway, oh I’m hoping that it is… and I’m hoping that the Scottfield Theatre Company will build a floating city of success with their current production of Titanic. Directed by Al Herlinger with Musical Direction by Niki Tart,