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Off-Broadway's "The Secret Life of Bees" Draws High Praise from Theater Critic Michael Bourne

The Secret Life of Bees
Michael Bourne for WBGO

The theatre season is just getting started, it's way too soon to predict theatre awards -- but theater critic Michael Bourne says he's seen a winner off Broadway, The Secret Life of Bees.

The Secret Life of Bees, is a new musical was written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat), with music by Tony and Grammy Award winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), lyrics by two-time Tony nominee and Drama Desk winner Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), and directed by Tony winner Sam Gold (Fun Home); based on the best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

The show is running at the Linda Gross Theater.

Click above to hear Michael Bourne's review.

Michael Bourne, who died on August 21, 2022, was a presence on the air at WBGO between the end of 1984 and the start of 2022 when he retired from full-time hosting duty. He is the host of the Singers Unlimited Podcast by WBGO Studios. Previously, he hosted the popular Singers Unlimited (1985-2022). He also hosted the equally popular Blues Break for several years. Michael is a senior contributor to Down Beat, with the magazine since 1969. Doctor Bourne earned a PhD in Theatre from Indiana University -- which comes in handy when he's a theatre critic for the WBGO Journal.