Shannon McLoud is a lifelong theater geek. She has been involved in the arts in Rhode Island for almost 20 years, first as an actor, and then finding her way to director and playwright. When Shannon isn't enjoying a show, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their son.
It is far from a chore to find yourself in Wakefield on a Saturday night. Great restaurants, beautiful sights and, of course, Contemporary Theater Company. This company of homegrown talent produces a comedy every summer, and this summer’s choice is Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy. The first thing you notice is, of course, Christopher J. […]
Can there be a more perfect setting that Theatre By The Sea for a production of The Little Mermaid? Theatre By the Sea’s penultimate production of their 2015 season is a delight for children and adults. As I took my seat, I couldn’t help but overhear subscribers worry about the show. They had never heard […]
Picture this; you’re out on the town in Newport. Maybe you just finished some shopping at Bannister’s Wharf and don’t want to make the walk to dinner. Hail a pedicab! These economical modes of transportation have been serving tourists and Newport natives since around 2006, and I can see why! They’re economical and budget-friendly. Newport […]
We’ve all attended fundraisers — the spaghetti suppers, the car washes, buying those discount books. And sure, a fundraiser is a fundraiser. They’re wonderful to support, and they are a staple in our society. But what about a fundraiser that people are clamoring to attend? A fundraiser that you will attend multiple times for multiple […]
I always believed that big flashy musicals don’t work in intimate black box theaters. You need the large stage, the cat walks and the separation of the house from the stage. I am happy to announce that Academy Players’ production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has proven me wrong. This production envelops you in the world […]
I often say that RI theater is more than a community, it is a family. Well that is literally true at the Newport Playhouse. Newport Playhouse has been a staple on the island since 1983, and this family-run business does everything possible to make sure each patron feels special. The host with the most, Jonathan Perry, […]
Many things remind me of summer. Del’s, the window at Newport Creamery, the Rustic, and Shakespeare in the park. It’s not summer without these things! The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater (TRIST) has been giving Rhode Islanders free Shakespeare shows under the direction of Bob Colonna since 1971. This summer, with the beautiful city as their […]
Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers is a play about family and kindness. I have never seen a production of this play that emulated that theme from the moment you stepped in the door — from the set construction, which was a family affair, to the lovely family created onstage — until I saw Rhode Island […]
A surefire hit this summer will be the Downtown Providence Parks and Conservancy Programming (DPPC) in Kennedy Plaza. Kennedy Plaza is no longer the dreary location it was 10 years ago. With the new renovations it is not only beautiful, but thanks to Jennifer Smith, program manager for the DPPC, during the summer it is […]
Walking into Barker Playhouse is like visiting an old friend. As the oldest theater in Rhode Island (and arguably the country), you can’t throw a stone in Rhode Island’s theatrical pool and not find someone who hasn’t been a member of this theater club, or seen one of their shows in their 106 seasons. Their […]