STRONG STAGING, WEAK PLOT >>>

Tacoma Musical Playhouse's production of Nine was everything Director and Choreographer Jon-Douglas Rake announced. Based on Fellini's film  8 1/2, it was indeed beautiful - the women, the acting, the set, the songs, the orchestra, the casting, all of it. TMP did a wonderful job producing a  spectacle worth seeing. (The one technical issue was during a passionate stage kiss; the actors' mics weren't muted and the audience was forced to pick out dialogue above the rustling.)

Unfortunately, a mediocre plot can dampen the most brilliant staging.

To read Joann Varnell's full review, click here.

[Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Nine, Through April 17, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. 253.565.6867]