In this town, there's been a 20-year drought that's led to government enforcement of water regulation and, therefore, a banning of private toilets. "Pay-to-use" facilities are the solution, and they're run by a private company - a big corporation owned by the show's villain, Caldwell B. Cladwell (played by a superb Brian Lyons-Burke).

Lyons-Burke as Caldwell is the villain who loves to be hated, and his diabolical pitch for predatory behavior to his daughter, “Don’t Be the Bunny,” is so wickedly grotesque you feel dirty but you still laugh with him.

The Chairman of the Music Hall, animatedly played by Brian Lyons-Burke, kicks off the performance leading the ensemble in “There You Are,” welcoming the audience to the Hall.

“Keep It Gay” stood out because of theater director Roger DeBris (Brian Lyons-Burke) and his assistant/lover Carmen Ghia (Timothy R. King in his Little Theatre of Alexandria debut). Their interplay and mutual barbs kept their scenes crackling.

Holding his own against the chaos that is the dancing ensemble (doubling as soldiers) and the confusion that is Pippin (the character), Brian Lyons-Burke does a sensational job of bearing the crown of King Charlemagne. Spry on his feet, particularly during the sword fighting, Lyons-Burke dominates the stage as the tyrannical King whenever the moment calls for it. His body language well reflects the self-importance of the character. He delivers a robust sound during his well-articulated pattered verses of “War Is A Science” (a song which poor Pippin continues to derail with his naïve antics) and really exudes gusto when drawing this number to its confident conclusion.

Lyons-Burke brings charm and expert comedy in spades. In particular, “Reviewing the Situation” shines a light into the heart (or lack thereof) of this character, and the depths of his selfishness. However, as previously stated, the theme, along with Lyons-Burke’s thoughtful portrayal, allows the audience to empathize a bit more with a wily old man scraping by. 

"...all the elements of a a perfect performance are in place with Lyons-Burke. And his singing voice is delightful and humorous. Harder to say which is the more entertaining number, “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” or “Reviewing the Situation.” Lyons-Burke is a seasoned veteran of the stage and masterfully delivers Fagin as a show-stealing triumph in this production."

Lyons-Burke plays a quintessential Scrooge – curmudgeonly, bitter, and haughty at first, and then joyous and repentant after his ghostly intervention. For some people, Lyons-Burke will be their first Scrooge, an excellent performance that few actors could ever live up to.  

Brian Lyons-Burke as Charlie has a deadpan delivery that is as familiar as it is comforting.  His singing is outstanding (he doesn’t look like he can sing the blues as well as he does!) and “When I’m Gone” is a bittersweet testament to his life that he sings exceptionally well.

With bald head, diamond stud, and powerful frame and personality,  Brian Lyons-Burke epitomizes Oliver Warbucks.  He particularly shines in duets with Annie such as “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”  

​Galloping alongside were King Arthur and his faithful servant and the back end of his horse, Patsy (Brian Lyons-Burke and Duane Monahan). In his search for the Holy Grail, Lyons-Burke projects emotions ranging from pomposity to confusion and total despair. He used both his booming voice and his face and body to characterize emotions, including a few risqué hip shakes when happy. 

After seeing actor Brian Lyons-Burke as King Arthur in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, and now as King Triton “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” I am beginning to believe that he must be of royal blood because of his unwavering and commanding stage presence.  His rich plummy singing voice is showcased in Triton’s touching lament “If Only,” about him missing Ariel’s mother and how helpful she would be in raising her.

Three of the performances are outstanding. Brian Lyons-Burke brings a strong, rich bass-baritone voice and significant dramatic weight to the role of the evil Judge Turpin. His “Johanna,” a tour-de-force of guilt-ridden lust, is perhaps the best rendition of the song I have ever seen. 

Brian Lyons-Burke was effectively creepy as evil Uncle Ernie, who had inappropriate designs on young Tommy, singing “Fiddle About.”.....“Acid Queen” sang in fabulous drag by Lyons-Burke’s gypsy character, was one of the show’s best musical treats. 

Brian Lyons-Burke is perfectly cast as Grandpa Potts, a former war hero who loves to tell old war stories.  His warm and resonant singing voice is featured nicely in the songs “Them Three” and “Posh.” Both songs by the Sherman Brothers are wonderfully charming and may I say, perfectly witty in “Chitty.”

With his rich plummy singing and speaking voice, Brian Lyons-Burke gives a commanding performance as the unshakable and self-assured King Arthur.

The roles of the neighboring farm couple, Charlie and Marge, contribute powerhouse support to the drama in this staging, thanks to Bryan Lyons-Burke and Gillian Shelly Lawler. Both achieve unexpected moments of star presence with their solos “When I’m Gone” and “Get Closer,” respectively.

The main cast is led by the seasoned performer, Brian Lyons-Burke as King Arthur. Lyons-Burke plays the bumbling and not so bright Arthur to perfection. His showstoppers were the numbers “Find Your Grail” in Act I and “I’m All Alone” in Act II.

Brian Lyons-Burke is delightfully stomach churning as Uncle Ernie. Highlights of his performance include his solo “Fiddle About” and his surprise turn in “Acid Queen’” then in Act Two his delightful romp, “Tommy’s Holiday Camp.”.

Other standout individual performances include Lyons-Burke in a beautiful and seemingly effortless version of “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’” (also from Oklahoma!) as well as a heart-breaking rendition of “This Nearly Was Mine” from South Pacific.

As Tevye, Brian Lyons-Burke is splendid in the role of a poor dairyman with strong religious faith who doesn’t understand why he couldn’t just as easily have been born wealthy. His rendition of the now legendary show tune, “If I Were a Rich Man” is rambunctiously entertaining and brings the house down.  His magnificent talent is also evident in the soulful and powerful ballad, “Chavela” as he paints a portrait of a father anguishing over what he sees as his daughter’s betrayal.

In the hands of Brian Lyons-Burke, who also plays the father of the Darling brood, Hook is a winning combination of menace and buffoon, both vicious pirate and scaredy-cat.

Who’s the swiniest swine of all? Brian M. Lyons-Burke (Captain Hook, Mr. Darling) that’s who! Lyons-Burke “Hooks” you in with a crazy comical performance! “Hook’s Tango” proved that there’s nothing funnier than a hoodwinking pirate plotting and planning schemes to an up-tempo beat while twisting his hips to the tango! 

Brian M. Lyons-Burke is fantastic as Captain Hook! His hilarious number “Hook’s Tango” captivates, and his interaction with Peter is entertaining as well, particularly in the song “Oh, My Mysterious Lady,” where Peter teases Hook by disguising himself as a lovely woman (this silly number was particularly popular with the younger audience members).

Brian Lyons-Burke ... exudes the perfect level of arrogance and smug self-satisfaction of the confirmed bachelor as he sings “I’m an Ordinary Man” who never wants to let a woman in his life.

...they find Roger DeBris (fabulously played by Brian Lyons-Burke-especially during his tour-de-force performance in “Springtime for Hitler”)