I’m happy to inform you all that the demand for great theatre reviews keeps growing and growing!  There has been such a clamor for Boston Theatre Review’s attendance at Boston-area shows, that I have decided to take on two new feature reviewers to help me with the heavy load!  Seeing 4 shows a week can take its toll!

I am happy to welcome J. Jacob Krause and Christopher M. Smith to my reviewing team.

J. Jacob Krause, stage director, singer, theatrical designer and critic hails from Detroit, Michigan where the study of music and theater motivated him from a young age. He was the recipient of a Bachelors Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan where he not only studied the art and techniques of singing but the dramatic and directorial techniques of the art form. These skills coupled with his instrumental skills, primarily in Piano and Trumpet led him to pursue stage direction. Jacob has studied opera in Florence and Israel and has done Schubert Art Song Tours through the Rhein River Valley of Germany. He has performed with the Michigan Opera Theater, New England Light Opera, Marsh Chapel Chorus, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, and OperaHub. In addition to his performance credits, Jacob has also founded OperaHub, an opera company devoted to creating accessible opera for all where he has staged three successful productions (Idomeneo, Anything Goes: A cabaret, Changing Modes: An Opera Fashion Show). Jacob has also stage directed for Juventas New Music Ensemble (Tramps, Emails and Hemlock, Jabberwocky, and The Year of the Serpent). He looks forward to being able to offer his expertise for classical and operatic works to the Boston Theatre Review team.

Christopher M. Smith has always known that theatre would play a large role in his life, ever since his first moment on stage as “The Pink Fish” in Under the Sea, an inspiring musical number in his elementary school’s annual revue, Foster’s Follies.  With such a successful production under his belt, Christopher continued building a resume in performing, production and technical roles throughout his adolescence and adulthood.  Christopher most recently worked as the Technical Director for the F.UD.G.E. Theatre Company’s 2007 – 2008 season.  Christopher had also served on the company’s executive board and as Box Office and Front of House Manager for the company. Favorite theatrical experiences include: A Christmas Carol – (Jacob Marley) – The Company Theater, House of Blue Leaves – (Artie Shaugnessy) – The F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company, Steel Magnolias – (Director) – Winthrop Playmakers, Footloose- (Bickle) – Seacoast Repertory Theater, Fuddy Meers!– (Technical Director) – The F.U.D.G.E. Theatre Company.  Christopher is honored and delighted to be joining the writing staff at Boston Theatre Review.  Christopher, a native Bostonian, has worked with companies in and around Boston all his life.  He is delighted to see such a thriving industry in his hometown and hopes to contribute to its success in some small way in his work with Boston Theatre Review.  He has an immeasurable respect and love for live performance, performers and countless (and often thankless) technical and creative contributors who formulate, form and fashion the theatrical illusion.   This reverence for the full theatre experience will guide him in his work as a theatrical reviewer.