Ambush Magazine

The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™

Brian Sands

Brian Sands began writing for Ambush Magazine in 1996. He became Co-Theater/Performing Arts Editor in 2002, going solo in 2011 upon the retirement of his late colleague Patrick Shannon with whom he founded the Ambie Awards in 2003 and presented them through 2011. He is a member of the Big Easy Theater Committee. He currently co-hosts, with Brad Rhines, Stage Talk with Brian and Brad; episodes can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/StageBeatNewOrleans

Trodding the Boards September 15, 2023

By

Spring Storm at Loyola’s Lower Depths Theatre through September 23 In 2010, Tennessee Williams' early play Spring Storm received its European premiere in Northampton, England; virtually unknown in America, it had never been mounted in the playwright’s lifetime. The production then transferred to London's National Theatre where it received universal acclaim. I wonder how … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 15, 2023

Trodding the Boards September 5, 2023

By

The Stratford Festival...and More For many years, I had heard of Canada’s Stratford Festival in Ontario, not only through press coverage of its celebrated productions, but because my high school drama teacher would go each year with his partner and write glowingly about it in their annual Holiday letter. (That said, until a few moments before writing this, I thought it was … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 5, 2023

Trodding the Boards July 25, 2023

By

Romeo and Juliet at Tulane’s Lupin Theater through July 30 In trying to review the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane’s (NOSF) current production of Romeo and Juliet, to use the lingo of today, “It’s complicated.” First of all, it’s a good solid production without a weak link in the cast, similar to NOSF’s Twelfth Night earlier this year. A 2-for-2 NOSF season … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 25, 2023

Trodding the Boards June 27, 2023

By

New in New York If you’re heading up to New York for July 4th, or any other time this summer, I wish I could recommend a bunch of new theatrical offerings for you to enjoy. Alas, that is not the case (and more on that later). What has blossomed, in many cases just since I was last up there in April, is a plethora of worthy exhibits at museums throughout Manhattan. If you … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 27, 2023

Trodding the Boards June 13, 2023

By

The Baltimore Waltz at Gallier Hall’s Ty Tracy Theatre through June 22 I know I saw The Baltimore Waltz when it was done at the CAC in the 1990s. I just can’t remember who directed or acted in it or much else about the production (googling didn’t help). Just that it left me kinda cold. I don’t think that will happen with Fat Squirrel’s production of Paula Vogel’s dramedy, … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 13, 2023

Trodding the Boards May 28, 2023

By

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Le Petit through June 4 Comparisons are odious. That said, after I saw The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Broadway in 2014, I described it as “a wondrous coming of age show about an autistic/math genius teenager” and encouraged "everyone" to go see it. I had a more muted response to the Curious … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards May 28, 2023

Trodding the Boards May 16, 2023

By

Where the Suga Still Sweet (thru May 21) and The Defiance of Dandelions (thru June 17) at the André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts It's rare to go to a performance of a new play in New Orleans or even New York or, for that matter, just about anywhere these days, and find yourself on the edge of your seat, waiting to find out what will happen next. Rarer still, when the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards May 16, 2023