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Aug. 19-Sept. 12
Phoenix Theatre
Usually, it’s wise to wait a few years before reviving a popular show. But the Phoenix Theatre has wisely made an exception
to that rule with “Pure Prine,” its hit musical based on the music of singer/songwriter John Prine (“Angel
from Montgomery,” “Dear Abby”).
That run earlier in the summer was scheduled for only two weeks, which left little time for word-of-mouth to get out that
the show was outstanding. (You can find my review of the previous production here.). Waiting longer, though, might
have meant losing some members of the near-ideal ensemble, which includes Tim Grimm, Bobbie Lancaster and Tim Brickley.
No, John Prine himself doesn’t appear in the show—and there’s no word yet on what he thinks of having his
eclectic songs seamlessly adapted for the theatrical stage. But given the clunkiness of previous attempts to shoehorn pre-existing
songs into “new” musicals, “Pure Prine” is an even more remarkable achievement. I’m looking
forward to seeing it again. Details here.
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