Starboard, Overboard, Never Bored in GBSC’s ‘Titanish’

March 13, 2024March 13, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

‘Titanish’ – Written by Jeff Shell & Ryan Dobosh. Music by Mark Siano. Directed by Tyler Rosati. Music Direction by Avery Bargar. Scenic Design by Rachel Rose Burke. Lighting Design by John Holmes. Costume Design by Bethany Mullins. Sound Design by Andrew Duncan Will. Properties Design by Emily Allinson. At Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA, through March 17, 2024

by Linda Chin

Making its East Coast premiere at Greater Boston Stage Company, the play Titanish, by Jeff Shell and Ryan Dobos, is a parody – not of the tragic event of 1912 that killed nearly 1500 people, nor the Broadway production of 1977 that won five Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” but of the Oscar-winning “Best Picture” of 1998 that was the first to gross $1 billion worldwide. I don’t associate the movie ‘Titanic’ – nor its characters Jack and Rose (the roles that thrust Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet into stardom overnight) with comedy. In fact, the only time I recall laughing with the Titanic as the subject matter is the old joke with the punchline, “Iceberg, Goldberg, what’s the difference?”

‘All is Calm’ and Ten Stars Shine Bright at Greater Boston Stage Company

December 13, 2023December 13, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘All is Calm’ at Greater Boston Stage Company

‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ – Written by Peter Rothstein with vocal arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. Directed by Arthur Gomez. Music Direction by Lea Peterson. Original direction and choreography by Ilyse Robbins. Scenic Design by Erik Diaz. Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg. Costume Design by Bethany Mullins. Sound Design by David Remedios. Properties Design by Sarajane Mullins. At GBSC, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through December 23, 2023.

When GBSC announced their 2023-24 season earlier this year, with All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 – winner of the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Musical – returning to fill the holiday slot, I had mixed emotions. Having absolutely adored last year’s Little Women the Musical, which was also directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins (and which garnered Norton nominations for Liza Giangrande as Jo March, and Amy Barker as Marmee, for Outstanding Leading and Featured Performances in a Musical, respectively), I was hoping the Company would be mounting another new musical that was familiar, family-friendly, and full of big feels. Yet being all-too-aware of the economics of producing musical theater (high ticket prices/attendance/revenue that exceeds high costs), a risky business that has become even more risky in these highly uncertain ‘post’-pandemic times – I was relieved they were making a sensible choice. And having missed seeing the highly-touted production two years ago, I was especially excited for the chance to see it.

Superb Cast Delivers Murderously Good Comedy with GBSC’s ‘Clue’

June 10, 2023December 27, 2023 michaelhoban4 Comments

Jennifer Ellis, Stewart Evan Smith, Sara Coombs, Bill Mootos, Mark Linehan, Paul Melendy, Maureen Keiller, Genevieve Lefevre in GBSC’s ‘Clue’. Photo Credit: Nile Scott Studios

‘Clue’ – Written by Sandy Rustin; Directed by Weylin Symes; Scenic Designer, Katy Monthei; Costume Designer, Deirdre Gerrard; Lighting Designer, Jeff Adelberg; Sound Designer, Caroline Eng; Properties Designer, Emily Allinson; Assistant Director, Tyler Rosati; Movement Consultant, Ceit Zweil; Production Stage Manager, Shauwna Dias Grillo; Assistant Stage Managers, Emily Fitzgerald, Cassie Lebeau; Production Assistant, Alexandra White; Production Manager/Master Electrician, Casey Leone Blackbird; Fight Choreographer, Alexander Platt; Scenery Built by The Ogunquit Playhouse Scene Shop. Adapted from the Paramount Pictures film written by Jonathan Lynn and the board game from Hasbro, Inc. Additional materials by Hunter Foster and Eric Price

CAST (in alphabetical order): Fernando Barbosa, Sara Coombs, Jennifer Ellis, Lisa Kate Joyce, Maureen Keiller, Genevieve Lefevre, Mark Linehan, Paul Melendy, Bryan Miner, Bill Mootos, Katie Pickett, Stewart Evan Smith, Ceit Zweil. Performances through June 25 at Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 02180; Box Office: 781-279-2200 or greaterbostonstage.org

**by Nancy Grossman**

One of the hallmarks of growing up in the 1950s and 60s was the simplicity of it. On nice days, children played a variety of outdoor games with their friends – hopscotch, tag, hide ’n’ seek, and disorganized football or baseball, if there were enough kids to make teams. On rainy days or through the colder months, most families could gather around a selection of board games. Monopoly was probably the best-known and most popular, but Clue was one of my favorites for the mystery of it all. It was pretty exciting for a kid to have the chance to play detective and scope out who was the murderer, what was the murder weapon, and where did it happen? I probably didn’t know the term deductive reasoning, but I learned how to do it while playing a great game.

Fast forward about sixty years and CLUE (adapted from the board game and the 1985 Paramount Pictures film) is now onstage at the Greater Boston Stage Company. The black comedy/mystery features a fabulous ensemble cast playing a group of strangers invited to a dinner party where they are to confront their blackmailer, only to find themselves suspect when he is murdered. Mirth and mayhem (and not a whole lot else) ensue, but this trivial pursuit is an amusing ride.

Your gracious host is Wadsworth, the butler, captivatingly played by GBSC favorite Paul Melendy (Elliot Norton Award winner for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow). He sets the pace and tone as the other characters arrive on the scene and jump into the fray. Thanks to Ceit Zweil’s inventive movement design and Melendy’s physical comedy chops, seven actors snake and trot from room to room in a series of humorous parades, enhanced by atmospheric lighting changes (Jeff Adelberg) and zippy music (Caroline Eng, sound).

The familiar suspects include pompous Professor Plum (Mark Linehan), femme (is-she-or-isn’t-she) fatale Miss Scarlet (Jennifer Ellis), tipsy Mrs. Peacock (Maureen Keiller, over the top in a good way), stuffy Colonel Mustard (Bill Mootos), timid Mr. Green (Stewart Evan Smith), and serial widow Mrs. White (Sara Coombs, u/s). They are supported by the maid Yvette (Genevieve Lefevre) and cook (Katie Pickett, u/s) until they join the growing pile of bodies atop Mr. Boddy (Bryan Miner), the apparent blackmailer.

Scenic designer Katy Monthei and the Ogunquit Playhouse Scene Shop provide a dollhouse of a set with lots of moveable walls and a multitude of doors that add to the fun. Watch for little details like color-coded costumes (Deirdre Gerrard) and oversized murder weapons (Emily Allison, properties) to heighten the experience. Like any good detective, the more things you notice, the more likely you are to solve the puzzle. Kudos to Director Weylin Symes for putting together this crackerjack ensemble and helping them to show that murder and blackmail can be a team sport.

“Beehive: The ‘60s Musical” Swarms with Talent and Fun

April 16, 2023April 17, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

“Beehive: The 60s Musical”, created by Larry Gallagher. Directed/Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins. Musical Direction by J. Kathleen Catellanos. Substitute Musical Direction by Jim Rice. Presented by Greater Boston State Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through May 7.

“Beehive: The 60s Musical” is not so much a musical, but a terrific revue starring six extremely talented women singing the music of various female artists from the 1960s. While there is no narrative arc other than the social and political struggles of the decade itself as a backdrop, the music and the feelings it conveys are more than enough to carry this entertaining show forward.

‘Boulevard of Bold Dreams’ Shines a Light on Hattie McDaniel and Her 1940 Oscar

March 14, 2023March 14, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Samantha Jane Williams, Michelle Fenelon, and Stewart Evan Smith in *‘Boulevard of Bold Dreams’* at GBSC. Photos by Nile Scott Studios

‘Boulevard of Bold Dreams’ — Written by LaDarrion Williams; Directed by Taavon Gamble; Scenic Design by Rachel Rose Burke; Lighting Design by Corey Whittemore; Costume Design by Klara Escalera; Sound Design by James Cannon; Property Design by Emily Allinson. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main St., Stoneham, MA through March 19.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Playwright LaDarrion Williams has cherry-picked a dramatic moment in history to explore in his well-crafted ‘Boulevard of Bold Dreams.’ The date is February 29, 1940, the night of the Academy Awards. The setting is Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel bar, outside the grand ballroom where the awards will be presented.

Before the ceremony even starts, this year’s Oscars have made history. Hattie McDaniel is the first Black actor to be nominated for an award. She is up for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as Scarlett O’Hara’s ‘mammy’ in the Civil War era blockbuster, “Gone With the Wind.”

‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical’ Is Another Home Run for Greater Boston Stage

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Little Women’ at Greater Boston Stage Company – L to R Sarah Coombs, Liza Giangrande, Amy Barker, Abriel Coleman, Katie Shults

‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical’ – Book by Allan Knee based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and Music by Jason Howland. Directed and Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins. Music Directed by Matthew Stern. Scenic Design by Shelley Barish. Lighting Design by Katie Whittemore. Costume Design by Gail Astrid Buckley. Sound Design by John Stone. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company, Stoneham through December 23.

by Shelley A. Sackett

Greater Boston Stage Company has a knack for picking the perfect material and director for its holiday offering. Last year, the musical, ‘All Is Calm,’ also directed and choreographed by the talented Ilyse Robbins, was a crowd pleaser that raised the bar and spoke to audience members of all faiths with a message that transcended the usual Christmas pablum. This year, with its flawless production of Little Women: The Broadway Musical, that bar got even higher. At 150 minutes (including intermission), the play didn’t seem too long, a feat in and of itself.

‘Little Women’, Big Feels at Greater Boston Stage

December 1, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Once again this holiday season, Greater Boston Stage Company director and choreographer Ilyse Robbins and music director Matt Stern bring families – on stage and in the audience – together with the shared experience of musical theater. While presenting a special holiday production has been a decades-long GBSC tradition, its offerings are not always “traditional” holiday shows.

Melendy Rockets into Comedy Stratosphere with ‘Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ at GBSC

October 23, 2022October 24, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Paul Melendy in ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ at Greater Boston Sage Company, Photos: Nile Scott Studio

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Adapted from the story by Washington Irving by John Minigan. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes. Scenic Design by Kathy Monthei. Lighting Design by Corey Whittemore. Costume Design by Deirdre McCabe Gerrard. Sound Design by David Remedios. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company through November 6, 2022.

by Tom Boudrot

The Greater Boston Stage Company bills “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” as a ‘One-Man Show’ but the incredibly funny and talented Paul Melendy summons more characters than most shows put on stage for a large-scale production. I’m not just talking about Washington Irving’s Connecticut townsfolk – Ichabod Crane, Katrina Von Tassel, Brom Bones and others. But just imagine a cast that includes the likes of Jim Carrey, Mr. Bean, Don Knotts, Martin Short, Patrick McKenna and Sponge Bob SquarePants telling Washington Irving’s classic New England ghost story, and you’ll get a better picture of the night you have ahead of you when you visit the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham.

Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Popcorn Falls’ is Feel-Good Fare

September 22, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Christopher Chew and Sarah Elizabeth Bedard in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘*Popcorn Falls’*

‘Popcorn Falls’ – Written by James Hindman. Directed by Lisa Rafferty. Scenic Design by Kristin Loeffler, Lighting Design by Elmer Martinez, Costume Design by Deirdre Gerrard, Sound Design by Caroline Eng, Properties Design by Sarajane Mullins. Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main St., Stoneham, through October 2.

by Linda Chin

Like eating popcorn on the couch with an old friend, Greater Boston Stage Company’s production of Popcorn Falls fills that craving for comfort food that many people have had since the pandemic began – for the feelings of nostalgia, or belonging, that a familiar family recipe evokes. The play’s title Popcorn Falls refers to both the name of a small town where the story takes place, and its namesake waterfall which provides a source of drinking water and an income stream from tourism. At the top of the show we are introduced to the town’s newest resident, Mayor Trundle (Christopher Chew) and long-term resident/town clerk, Joe (Sarah Elizabeth Bedard) who are anxiously preparing for a community meeting to discuss a most urgent situation: the town is nearly bankrupt.

GBSC’s ‘Miss Holmes Returns’ Is Not Just for Sherlock Fans

May 10, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Marge Dunn, Alexander Platt, and Shonna Cirone in GBSC’s ‘Miss Holmes Returns’

by Shelley A. Sackett

“Miss Holmes Returns” — Based on the characters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Written by Christopher M. Walsh. Directed by Weylin Symes. Set Design by Katy Monthel; Lighting Design by Corey Whittemore; Sound Design by David Remedios; Costume Design by Deirdre McCable Gerrand. Produced by Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main St, Stoneham, MA. (Run has ended)

In this world premiere, the all-male main characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous mysteries are recast as women. Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson are called upon to get to the bottom of a murder (or two) for which an Indian nurse is framed. Along the way, they encounter the effects of racism, sexism, classism and the Contagious Disease Act, laws enacted by men to “tell women what they can and cannot do with their own bodies.”

The Victorian era never seemed so far away, and yet so close.