William Elliott News

Eugene O'Neill's epic LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT is undoubtedly one of the most venerated works of the American theatre. With a star-studded Broadway revival set to open in April, it is a show that is never far from the theatergoing public's consciousness. While that can be a blessing for theatre companies anxious to attract audiences based on the title's Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning resume, it can also mean that memories of previous incarnations can set the bar unattainably high. Orlando's Mad Cow Theatre has assembled an impressive cast for their production running through April 17th, however, for nearly all of the show's four-hour running timing, the four incredibly talented actors seem to be performing four very different versions of the play. Irrespective of each other, they each have moments where they are moving, and even mesmerizing, but when placed together into the show's larger context, the disjointed perspectives become distracting. From mismatched accents to the production's ever-shifting tone, it's difficult to hone in on director Mark Edward Smith's specific voice for this masterpiece of family drama.

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for Eugene O'Neill's dramatic masterpiece LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, opening March 18, 2016 in the Harriett Theatre as the sixth production of Mad Cow Theatre's Season 19. 

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for Eugene O'Neill's dramatic masterpiece LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, opening March 18, 2016 in the Harriett Theatre as the sixth production of Mad Cow Theatre's Season 19. 

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for the dark comedy Art, opening Jan. 22, 2016 in the Harriett as the fourth production of Mad Cow Theatre's Season 19. This production is sponsored by Harriett Lake.

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for the dark comedy Art, opening Jan. 22, 2016 in the Harriett as the fourth production of Mad Cow Theatre's Season 19. This production is sponsored by Harriett Lake.

In the American theatrical cannon, there is perhaps no play more beloved than George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. The cherished comedy has been one of the most enduring works on American stages since its debut in 1937, and Church Street's Mad Cow Theatre Company has brought a charming production to Orlando through October 25th. Directed by David Russell, the original madcap family comedy still carries as many life lessons as it did nearly 80 years ago, all the while providing a laugh a minute. While there is a layer of subtext seemingly missing from this production, it is nonetheless thrilling to see such an incredibly talented cast dive head first into these delightfully bonkers characters.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of the classic comedy You Can't Take It With You, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. You Can't Take It With You is set to open Oct. 2, 2015 in the Harriett Theatre as the first production of Season 19.

Now, running through September 6th, Mad Cow Theatre has brought to their stage an exemplary production of Norris' surprisingly funny CLYBOURNE PARK that is so full of intelligence, talent, and compassion that it can't help but engage Orlando theatre audiences in this discussion that has become vitally important given tragic events in our country over the past year.

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of Ain't Misbehavin' by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr. featuring the music of Fats Waller. Ain't Misbehavin' is set to open June 5, 2015 in The Harriett Theatre as part of Season 18.

I have to admit, I have a significant gap in my pop culture knowledge. I have never seen the movie version of Philip Barry's play THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, which starred Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart, and garnered six Academy Award nominations in 1940. While I have seen a stage production Cole Porter's musical adaptation, HIGH SOCIETY (which was also a 1956 film), it wasn't until I saw Mad Cow Theatre's production (running through April 19th) that I truly appreciated the charming wit and sophistication of this classic high comedy. Under the direction of Aradhana Tiwari, Mad Cow's cast is an exceptionally talented group that will bring a smile to your heart, and just might bring a sentimental tear to your eye. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is the most enjoyable Mad Cow mainstage production that I have seen.

Mad Cow Theatre presents The Explorers Club, by Nell Benjamin, set to open January 23, 2015 in The Harriett as part of Season 18. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Mad Cow Theatre is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of The Explorers Club, by Nell Benjamin, set to open January 23, 2015 in The Harriett as part of Season 18.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of The Explorers Club, by Nell Benjamin, set to open January 23, 2015 in The Harriett as part of Season 18.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of James Joyce's The Dead, music by Shaun Davey, book & lyrics by Richard Nelson, set to open December 5, 2014 in The Harriett as part of Season 18.

Today, November 18 Bloodshot will release While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records, a collection of 38 musical acts covering songs from the label's catalog.

If you didn't catch the initial announcement: on November 18, we will release While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records, a collection of 38 musical acts covering songs from the label's catalog.

The limited-edition double CD/triple LP/digital release (including a pre-order only blood-red vinyl) celebrates the 20th anniversary of the venerable independent Chicago alt-country/roots/punk label. The genre-spanning collection features artists such as Blitzen Trapper, Andrew Bird and Nora O'Connor, Ben Kweller, Mike Watt, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Shakey Graves, Chuck Ragan, Superchunk, and many others covering Bloodshot current and former roster acts such as Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Adams, Neko Case, Scott H. Biram, Ha Ha Tonka, Lydia Loveless, Old 97's, Murder By Death, Robbie Fulks, Cory Branan, and more. The entire track listing – including original album titles – is included below.

Alan Bennett's masterpiece, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, documents senior boys and the educators responsible for filling their minds with knowledge. When the Headmaster of an all boys school brings in Irwin, a young and ambitious teacher who believes education is applicable only to the exam for which he is preparing the boys to take, Hector, the tenured eccentric general studies teacher who believes in cultivation, is rocked and sent to fight for his job. A debate on education is not the only theme here; sex, unrequited love, religion, failure, friendship, scandal, and an existential breakdown to name a few are all found in this loquacious play.