Thomas Blakeley

Raise Your Hand... From the DEAD!!

thomas blakeley · June 24, 2023 certified reviewer
A wild, unpredictable ride from start to finish. It brilliantly marries B-movie horror elements with comedy, presenting an engaging storyline that keeps audiences on their toes. The play manages to strike a delicate balance between absurdity and heart, making it an unforgettable experience. The recurring hand-related puns and jokes are clever and consistently funny, leading to numerous laugh-out-loud moments.... full review

Two Weeks

thomas blakeley · June 24, 2023 certified reviewer
"Two Weeks" is a provocative exploration of the complexities of relationships, addressing themes of trust, isolation, and suspicion with a deft touch. The tension within the narrative was almost palpable and consistently sustained throughout the play. The performance was elevated by the remarkable acting skills of the cast, particularly Verity Van Dams Valdez, who dominated the stage with her performance, as well as her chemistry with Austin Valdez. The introduction of Shannon Gibbs as Rona took ... full review

Truly Outrageous: A Jem & The Holograms Parody Musical

thomas blakeley · June 23, 2023 certified reviewer
A joyous and campy delight, an energetic homage to the iconic 80s TV series. The production captures the nostalgia of the original show while adding a contemporary twist that gives it a refreshing feel. Its flamboyant energy, unabashed queerness, sparkling humor, and campy 80s-inspired musical numbers offer a truly outrageous experience for the audience. ... full review

High Heels on Wheels

thomas blakeley · June 23, 2023 certified reviewer
Such an enjoyable ride! “High Heels of Wheels” covers so many unique topics: roller derby, the '60s, counter culture, queerness, coming of age, feminism, and it does an awesome job of weaving everything together. Our main protagonist, Doris, has got dreams bigger than her hometown and the show does a great job of building a compelling journey for her.... full review

Queen Mab's Alarmingly Mandatory Bridal Shower

thomas blakeley · June 23, 2023 certified reviewer
A rollercoaster of cringe comedy, blending whimsy with the macabre to create a fascinating, if tragic, portrait of a narcissistic fairy queen. Elise Dewsberry's STELLAR performance as the eccentric Queen Mab brought an infectious energy that elevated the material. ... full review

Coffee, Tea, and Gin

thomas blakeley · June 22, 2023 certified reviewer
A seriously powerful piece. Casey Alcoser absolutely crushed it with a performance that was oozing talent and sincerity. Bouncing between personal anecdotes about their own life to scenes performed as Lovecraft himself, none of it ever felt confusing. The show tackles Lovecraft (and Harry Potter) by asking tough questions about how we deal with our idols' less than savory attitudes. Plus, the whole spooky Lovecraft vibe (especially at the end) really kicked the intensity up a notch! Go see this s... full review

Runaway Rue

thomas blakeley · June 19, 2023 certified reviewer
Runaway Rue was an absolute blast - a pop musical packed with heart, humor, and a whole lot of puppetry magic. Rue’s central conflict is relatable and family-friendly, while being something that kids can easily latch onto. The kids in the audience seemed to LOVE it!... full review

ENCORE RECIPIENT: The King & I, and Paul

thomas blakeley · June 17, 2023 certified reviewer
What an absolute blast! "The King & I, and Paul" is a rapid-fire comedy that feels right up there with sitcoms like “modern Family”. At just 22 minutes, I was bummed when it ended - I wanted to binge more! It's all about what happens when you move in together, the weird stuff you find out about each other, and how a surprise guest can either make or break the situation. It's a fun look at how love has a way of sorting out even the most ridiculous problems. If you're up for a laugh and want to ... full review

This Remains Between Us

thomas blakeley · June 29, 2022 certified reviewer
I may not have siblings myself, but I related HEAVILY to the sister's relationship - and the "twist" was such an ingenious way of making their dynamic into action!... full review

A Terrible Show for Terrible People by Bonnie He

thomas blakeley · June 27, 2022 certified reviewer
SIDE-SPLITTINGLY HILARIOUS! I’m not the biggest fan of clown shows, but I absolutely loved this. Bonnie killed it. I’d recommend it to anyone!... full review