Reverend’s Reviews: "Screams from the Tower"…and from Broadway!

Way back in the early 1990’s, Reverend was attending a Roman Catholic seminary in rural Indiana. Saint Meinrad School of Theology, as it is known today, had a college then with a radio station! This priest-in-development had a radio hour on either Thursday or Friday nights during which I previewed and invited discussion of movies being released that weekend. Little did any of us realize then that I would eventually develop into the fabulous Father Flick/Reverend Review!

The new indie movie Screams from the Tower, now available on Dekoo and VOD, brought back a lot of memories. It is a Midwestern coming-of-age dramedy that follows Julien Rosdahl, his best friend Cary, and their outcast friends through high school in the mid-1990’s. When Julien (who is secretly gay at first) and Cary’s dream of having their own show on their school’s radio station is finally realized, it brings them a popularity and infamy they never imagined. But it also raises conflicts between the two young men.

Writer/director Cory Wexler Grant shared the following about his very good film: “I set out to write Screams from the Tower as a teen comedy, a comingof-age story, very much in the style of John Hughes. I thought ‘What if John Hughes had centered one of his films on two closeted gay high school boys? What would that look like?’ His films defined my youth, were filmed where I grew up, and made such an impact on generations of kids. I don’t think anyone has done it better.”

He continued: “Above all, (the movie) is a love letter to my best friend--we met when we were eight years old–my gay brother from another mother. This film is a romantic comedy about our lifelong friendship. I hope audiences enjoy it. I hope they see themselves in it. And I hope they watch it and share it with their best friends.”

The filmmaker’s sentiments reflect my experience of his film nicely. Reverend highly recommends it to those of “a certain age” like myself.

Reverend’s Rating: B+

Here in the greater New York City vicinity where Reverend now resides, the end of April marks the conclusion of the annual theater season. Tony Award nominations have just been announced and die-hard Broadway fans/obsessives are screaming! They’re screaming about new shows they love, new shows they hate, shows that were nominated, shows that weren’t nominated, and the price of tickets for some of the most popular shows we are doing our best to see!

Here are my brief takes on several new Broadway shows Reverend was able to weasel myself into, with huge thanks to a few hard-working NYC publicity reps:

Beaches: The Musical (now playing at the Majestic Theatre)

Speaking of best friends, as Cory Wexler Grant does most eloquently above, this adaptation of the 1988 movie that memorably starred Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey arguably works way too hard at capitalizing on its “besties” vibe. It also arrives on Broadway feeling dated stylistically, not surprising given that it had its first, out of town production 10+ years ago. 

Jessica Vosk’s terrific performance as wannabee star Cee Cee Bloom is the best thing in the show, although the precocious Samantha Schwartz runs a close second as Little Cee Cee. Kelli Barrett is fine in the admittedly less showy role of straight-laced Bertie White. The songs—which are all new with the exception of power ballad Wind Beneath My Wings—are serviceable but unmemorable. Beaches on stage retains the plot’s climactic tear-jerking effectiveness but it all feels been there, done that. Tony nominators apparently agreed, as it received no love from them. : (

Reverend’s Rating: C

Schmigadoon! (now playing at the Nederlander Theatre)

Speaking of been there, done that, the two-season run of Apple TV’s delightful series that venerates and skewers classic Broadway shows in equal measure was a fairly recent success. I loved both seasons (the second was appropriately subtitled Schmicago!) but adapting it for the stage so quickly reeks of a cash grab. 

Although the theatrical Schmigadoon! adds nothing to the first season of the series aside from a couple of new songs, it offers many delights to the unitiated. These include snappy direction and choreography by Christopher Gattelli, vibrant scenic design by Scott Pask, and a very funny if redundant book by series creator Cinco Paul. Best of all, though, is a cast headlined by such Broadway notables as Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, Brad Oscar, Ana Gasteyer and, reprising her role as Mayor Menlove’s wife from the TV series, the always welcome Ann Harada. This show also benefits from the hardest working chorus currently on Broadway.

Reverend’s Rating: B

The Balusters (now playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre)

There is usually at least one show each season that everyone walks into knowing next to nothing, and this entertaining new play by previous Tony and Pulitzer winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Kimberly Akimbo) likely qualifies as our 2026 entry. An element of surprise and/or audience ignorance can definitely work in a show’s favor. So can a top-notch cast that includes John Boy Walton himself, Richard Thomas; Anika Noni Rose; Margaret Colin; Carl Clemons-Hopkins; and Marylouise Burke. 

This is a very funny, perceptive and unpredictable critique of gentrification via its depiction of the Home Owners Association from Hell. Longtime fans of new Tony nominee Thomas will surely agree it is worth the price of admission just to watch his character lose it at one point and smash up parts of Derek McLane’s meticulously designed set. Lindsay-Abaire has also been nominated once again for Best Play. Reverend prefers The Balusters over the other Best Play nominees I have seen.

Reverend’s Rating: B+

Now I'm screaming: Go see a show and watch the Tony Awards on June 7th!!!

The Most Reverend Chris Carpenter is editor of Movie Dearest and chief contributor. He has been reviewing movies and theatre since 1996 and also contributes to Rage Monthly magazine (ragemonthly.com). He is a founding member and former Vice President of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Critics (galeca.com) and currently serves as a nominating/voting member of its New York-based Theatre Wing. Reverend Carpenter has been an ordained minister since 1995.