Onward to Glory with “Man of La Mancha”

December 6, 2017December 11, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

Man of La Mancha, by Dale Wasserman. Music by Mitch Leigh, Lyrics by Joe Darion. Directed by Antonio Ocampo-Guzman. Presented by New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through December 31.

“Man of La Mancha” is based on the story of Miguel de Cervantes, one of Spain’s – and the world’s – most eminent authors. Cervantes was imprisoned many times over the course of his lifetime, usually for financial reasons, and managed to survive five years in captivity by pirates during his early military career. Throughout his captivity, his love for literature kept him going, setting the stage for his creation, Don Quixote, the nobleman who wishes to restore chivalry by becoming a knight in a world that’s decidedly harsh. With the help of a recruit, poor dumb farmer Sancho Panza, who serves as his squire, and his courtly love towards the lowly born Aldonza (renamed Dulcinea), Don Quixote attempts to live out his reality in his world where chivalry thrives.

Praxis’ Successfully Blends Comedy, Political Commentary in ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’

December 5, 2017December 5, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Mike Hoban

Accidental Death of an Anarchist – Written by Dario Fo; Adapted/Translated by Gavin Richards & Gillian Hanna; Directed by James Peter Sotis. Presented by Praxis Stage at First Church Boston, 66 Marlborough Street, Boston through December 17

Who says political theater has to be dour?

Not Praxis Stage, which has updated Dario Fo’s 1970 farce, the Accidental Death of an Anarchist, to deliver a very funny take on how western capitalist political systems “deal with” dissent. The re-worked script also fires a few broadsides at the circus that is the current United States political debacle, with references to “alternative facts” and “Fake News” sprinkled throughout. The play is based on a real life case where an anarchist, who was being interrogated in connection with a 1969 bank bombing in Italy, either jumped or was thrown to his death from the fourth-story window of a Milan police station. If that sounds a little heavy-handed, don’t worry, there’s plenty of clever dialogue and physical comedy to keep the non-Democratic Socialists entertained.

“Cabaret” Little Theatre of Fall River

December 3, 2017December 3, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Little Theatre of Fall River’s current show at the Fire Barn is “Cabaret”. This Kander and Ebb Tony Award winning musical is set in the tumultuous city of Berlin right before Hitler’s rise to power. “Cabaret” won it’s first Tony for best show in 1967, the second Tony for best revival in 1998 and is based on Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories” and John Van Druten’s “I Am a Camera.” This version was inspired by the 1993 production at the Donmar Warehouse in London. The action takes place in the Kit Kat Klub where the show begins with the jazz number “Wilkommen” as well as in Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house and Herr Schultz’s fruit shop.

THE BUTTERFINGERS ANGEL – The Players, Providence, RI

December 3, 2017December 3, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The second show of The Players season is William Gibson’s “The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut and the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree” originally written for a church pageant. Hard to believe that he also was the author of the dramatic “The Miracle Worker.” An imaginative retelling of the Christmas story brings new relevance to its timeless subject. Gibson combines a series of short scenes, traditional Christmas music, antic characterizations into a wholly original theatre piece. It deals with the story of Joseph, Mary and the birth of Jesus in an off kilter point of view. The flow of the action follows the Biblical events, but is enhanced by a tree, a sheep and a donkey who talk. Gabriel is a klutzy apprentice angel facing a lay off if Gabriel messes up one more time. The angel is flustered most of the time. Mary is a feminist matchmaker who wasn’t interested in marriage or men while Joseph is a philosophy spouting wimp who proclaims he is too old for his intended. Herod is a drum beating nutcase who is the funniest one of the bunch. Director Vince Petronio picks 15 performers to play the various roles in this show.

“Noises Off”, URI Theatre

December 1, 2017December 1, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The second show of URI’s season is “Noises Off”, a 1982 play by Michael Frayn. The idea for it was born in 1970 when Frayn was standing in the wings watching a performance of “Chinamen”, a farce he had written for Lynn Redgrave. According to Frayn, “It was funnier from behind then in front” and vowed to write a farce from behind. The term “noises off” refers to sounds that occur offstage. Frayn plays on the concept of a play within a play, in this case a play called “Nothing On” in which a young girl runs around in her underwear, men drop their trousers, and many doors continually open and shut. Each of the three acts contain a performance of the first act of the play within a play. Act 1 is set at the dress rehearsal, the night before opening with the cast still fumbling for entrances and exits, missed cues. misspoken lines and bothersome props, most notably several plates of sardines. Act 2 is seen from backstage, providing a view that reveals the deteriorating personal relationships of the cast that lead to offstage shenanigans and onstage bedlam. Act 3 is the end of their 10 week run where personal friction has increased and everyone is anxious for the show to be done with. They attempt to cover up a series of mishaps but end up compounding the problems and draw attention to the bungling performance. The slapstick in the latter two acts is hilarious and where the strength of this script lies. Director Christopher Simpson chose the nine best performers for each of these roles and infuses the farcical elements needed to leave the audience in stitches all evening long.

Read more ““Noises Off”, URI Theatre”

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE MUSICAL” (The Community Players, Pawtucket, RI)

December 1, 2017December 1, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE MUSICAL”

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The holiday musical at Community Players this year is “It’s A Wonderful Life, The Musical”. Based on the beloved 1946 film, this family friendly musical faithfully follows the familiar story of George Bailey’s life from childhood dreams to midlife disappointments. After George wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make his wish come true and we all take the journey to discover whether his time on earth has mattered at all. Cinematically scored, this musical adaptation breathes new life into a familiar story, while retaining the warmth, humor and pathos of the original. Director Vinnie Lupino picked a strong leading man to portray George Bailey in Duane Langley who is onstage the entire show. His comic timing as well as his dramatic acting as he wrings every bit of pathos from this role,leaving the audience in tears. So you have the necessary ingredients for a very successful Christmas musical that audiences of all ages can enjoy thoroughly from start to finish. The musical score adds layers to these well known characters from the movie version especially Mary Hatch’s character as the audience discovers she yearned for George all through high school by being madly in love with him as she reveals in “My George Bailey.” Bravo on a job well done!

Women Stand Strong in Boch Center’s Magnificent ‘The Color Purple’

December 1, 2017December 1, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

The Color Purple – Based on the novel by Alice Walker; Book by Marsha Norman; Directed by John Doyle. Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray; Set Design by John Doyle, Costumes by Ann Hould-Ward; Lighting by Jane Cox; Sound by Dan Moses Schreier. Presented by the Boch Center Shubert Theatre through December 3.

For those who believe that pain and suffering are indeed the gateways to a spiritual life, then Celie, the central character of The Color Purple, must surely be the poster girl for that philosophy. Celie suffers through presumed incest, teen pregnancy, and losing her children all by the time she turns 15, and the years that follow don’t get much better. But through persistence and prayer she endures her trials and tribulations and transforms herself into a strong woman of dignity and honor before our eyes.