ELVIS Is Another NSMT Crowd Pleaser

November 6, 2023November 6, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Dan Berry in “Elvis” at the North Shore Music Theatre. Photo © David Costa Photography

‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’ at North Shore Music Theatre. Book by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti. Based on a concept by Floyd Mutrux. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Co-Music Direction by Milton Granger and Robert L. Ruckinski. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Costume Design by Travis M. Grant. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Wig and Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At the North Shore Music Theatre through November 12.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Who can resist the charm, energy and smoldering heat of that hip-swinging, pelvis-grinding consummate crooner and actor known as Elvis? At Bill Hanney’s award-winning North Shore Music Theatre, fans and fans-to-be of the “King of Rock and Roll” can spend a toe-tapping two and one-half hours (one intermission) as over 40 of Elvis’ most famous songs are belted out by talented Dan Berry while a cast of 29 sings and dances their hearts out to a live orchestra of nine.

Throw in the theater-in-the-round setting with its intimacy and excitement, and you’ve got all the ingredients for an evening of sheer entertainment.

At NSMT, Elvis Lives!

November 3, 2023November 4, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of “Elvis” at the North Shore Music Theatre. Photo © David Costa Photography

Elvis: A Musical Revolution at North Shore Music Theatre. Book by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti. Based on a concept by Floyd Mutrux. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Co-Music Direction by Milton Granger and Robert L. Ruckinski. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Costume Design by Travis M. Grant. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Wig and Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At the North Shore Music Theatre through November 12

by Linda Chin

Whether, like me, you’ve seen Elvis Presley perform his hip-gyrating hits on archival footage, or like my plus one, saw him perform ‘live’ on the Ed Sullivan Show on black and white TV in 1956, you’re in for a fun time at NSMT. Their current production of Elvis: A Musical Revolution features over 40 of his songs, a terrific 9-piece orchestra, a 29-member company of triple-threats, and a breakout performance by Dan Berry as the King. And unlike watching Elvis on the screen, in this theater-in-the-round – where you’re never more than 15 rows from the stage – you’ll see the actors in full form, live and up close – and not just visible from the waist up.

At North Shore Music Theatre, A Rousing Production of ‘The Full Monty’

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of “The Full Monty” at North Shore Music Theatre. Photo © Paul Lyden

Book by Terrence McNally. Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek. Gerry McIntyre, Director and Choreography, Milton Granger, Music Director. Kyle Dixon, Scenic Design. Kelly Baker, Costume Coordination. Travis McHale, Lighting Design. Alex Berg, Sound Design. Rachel Padula-Shufelt, Wig & Hair Design. At NSMT, Beverly, MA through October 8, 2023.

By Linda Chin

Hats off – literally – to North Shore Music Theatre, for putting on a rousing, crowd-pleasing production of The Full Monty and the sizzling ‘Hot Metal’ steel-workers-turned-strippers and for pulling off the fabulous final scene with total finesse. Donning full police uniforms over sparkly red thongs, the sextet executed energetic choreography (inspired by Michael Jordan’s smooth basketball moves) and did a full Monty, stripping naked from head to toe, their officer caps covering their cajónes. David Yazbek’s (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) rock-pop score bursts with sass and sentimentality, and his lyrics are expository and clever – deserving of extra credit for a rhyming bonus with cajónes. Terrence McNally’s (Ragtime) fleshed-out book and strong character development also make The Full Monty an atypical musical.

A Sweet and Salty ‘Margaritaville’ at North Shore Music Theater

August 20, 2023August 20, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Wes Williams (Tully) and the cast of Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape To Margaritaville” playing at North Shore Music Theatre thru August 27. Photo © Paul Lyden

‘Margaritaville’ –Book by Greg Garcia & Mike O’Malley. Music & Lyrics by Jimmy Buffett. Directed & Choreographed by Charlie Sutton. Musical Direction by Robert L. Rucinski. Scenic Design by Nate Bertone. Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Corey Whittemore. Sound Design by Alex Berg and Don Hanna. Wig & Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt . At North Shore Music Theater, Beverly, through August 27.

By Linda Chin

North Shore Music Theater closes its summer 2023 trifecta (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Sound of Music) with Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. Like a perfect margarita – a six-part combination of tequila, triple sec, and fresh-squeezed lime juice in a 3:2:1 ratio, sweetened with a simple syrup and served in a glass rimmed with salt, NSMT’s production is perfect for a hot summer evening. Though the show’s book is on the weak side, the company of 18 talented triple threats – ensemble members and six principals in a 2:1 ratio – deliver a strong performance.

At North Shore Music Theatre, ‘The Sound of Music’ Makes the World Go Round

July 17, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘The Sound of Music at NSMT’. Photos by David Costa Photography

‘The Sound of Music’ – Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Directed by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Choreography by Briana Fallon. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jose Santiago. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Wig & Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA through July 23, 2023.

By Linda Chin

Let’s start at the very beginning. When crystal chandeliers in a circular formation descend from up high, Maestro Granger lifts his baton, the orchestra and nuns of Nonnberg Abbey open Act 1 with the hauntingly beautiful “Praeludium,” and the theatre comes alive with glorious sounds of music, all seems right with the world. But those familiar with The Sound of Music or European history (or who like me, learn about people and cultures from theater as well as textbooks) know that in 1938, in Nazi-occupied Austria at the cusp of World War 2, all is not harmonious.

North Shore Music Theatre’s ‘Beautiful’ is Full of Feels

June 10, 2023June 10, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Elena Ricardo as Carole King in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” at North Shore Music Theatre thru June 18, 2023. Photo @ Paul Lyden

Beautiful: The Music of Carole King – Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. Directed and Choreographed by Marcos Santana. Music Direction by Camille Villalpando Rolla. Scenic and Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Costume Design by Travis M. Grant. Co-Sound Design by Alex Berg and Don Hanna. Hair and Wig Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, through June 18, 2023.

by Linda Chin

North Shore Music Theatre’s season opener, Beautiful: the Music of Carole King, is not a stop that is part of a national tour/Broadway in Beverly – but a regional production that has been created and cast de novo with a blend of professional and emerging theater-makers. NSMT Producer Bill Hanney and Producing Artistic Director Kevin Hill, in concert with show director/choreographer Marcos Santana (Jersey Boys, 2022), have imbued Beautiful with their signature stamp of artistic excellence. On a similar note, Elena Ricardo, who played the titular role in NSMT’s Peter Pan at NSMT and understudied the lead role in Broadway’s Beautiful, does not attempt to clone Ms. King (née Carol Klein) nor actor Jessie Mueller, who won the 2014 Tony for her portrayal, but makes the role her own. Other actors, such as Jean McCormick as Genie Klein, play down the stereotype of an overbearing Jewish mother.

North Shore’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Beautifully Blends Theatre of the Past, Present and Future

December 8, 2022 michaelhoban2 Comments

The cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at North Shore Music Theatre. Photos©David Costa Photography

‘A Christmas Carol.’ Adapted for the stage from the Charles Dickens novella by Jon Kimbell. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Original Scenic Design by Howard C. Jones. Costume Coordination/Additional Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Leon Rothenberg. Original Wig and Hair Design by Gerard Kelly. Additional Wig Design by Kat Shanahan. Projection Design by Nick Wass. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, through December 23.

by Linda Chin

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the heartwarming image of a young boy (Tiny Tim) holding a little cane above his head sitting on his father’s shoulder (Bob Cratchit) – joy on the pair’s faces undiminished by their well-worn winter clothing and the son’s disability – has been immortalized in 19^th century lithographs and 3-D porcelain (and plastic) figurines alike. With beautiful costumes, traditional songs, amazing acrobatics, special effects, and an outstanding cast and orchestra bringing the classic story and its iconic images to life, NSMT’s A Christmas Carol is the perfect show for people of all generations to continue – or begin – an annual holiday tradition. First presented in 1989, director and choreographer Kevin P. Hill keeps the show fresh by retaining the traditional elements and changing the staging/choreography, special effects, and cast members who outgrow their roles – like Tiny Tim. NSMT’s 2022 production of A Christmas Carol beautifully blends theatre of the past, present and what’s ‘yet to come.’

Just Wanna Have Fun? Say Yeah to ‘Kinky Boots’ at NSMT

October 30, 2022October 31, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The cast of KINKY BOOTS at North Shore Music Theatre thru Photo © Paul Lyden

Kinky Boots – Kevin P. Hill, director and choreographer, Dan Rodriguez, musical director, Kyle Dixon, scenic designer, Gregg Barnes, original costume design, Kelly Baker, costume coordinator/additional costume design, Jose Santiago, lighting designer, Adam Bates, sound designer, Josh Marquette, original wig design, Rachel Padua-Shufelt, additional hair and wig design. At North Shore Music Theatre, October 25 – November 6.

by Linda Chin

With pop icon Cyndi Lauper’s triumphant “Raise You Up/Just Be” as its grand finale, NSMT’s Kinky Boots ends on a high note – and not just because everyone on stage is singing and dancing in glittery 4 to 5-inch heels. Rather, the characters we have come to adore have stories with happy endings, and inspire the audience to celebrate themselves and make their own.

NSMT’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Turns Campy Cult Classic into Musical Comedy Gem

September 23, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Audrey II, Andrew Montgomery Coleman (as Seymour Krelborn) and Kim Sava (as Audrey) in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at North Shore Music Theatre thru October 2, 2022. Photos © Paul Lyden

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ – Book by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken; Based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Directed by Bob Richard; Choreography by Diane Laurenson; Music Direction, Dan Rodriguez. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA through October 2

by Mike Hoban

Little Shop of Horrors, now playing at the North Shore Music Theatre, is the rarest of modern musicals. Unlike the recent Broadway trend of taking a good (or at least popular) movie and turning it into a bad musical, Little Shop transforms a very bad movie – but supremely campy cult favorite – and turns it into a very good musical. Combining an early 60’s inspired rock ‘n roll score and an absurd but very funny plot, it’s the very definition of a musical comedy.

NSMT’s ‘Buddy’ an Entertaining Musical Journey

August 25, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Matt McClure (Buddy Holly) and the cast of BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY playing at North Shore Music Theatre thru August 28. Photos by © Paul Lyden

‘Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’ – Written by Alan James. Directed and choreographed by Marcos Santana. Music Direction by Milton Granger. At the North Shore Music Theatre through August 28.

by Linda Chin

In contrast to the multi-generational theatregoers who attended Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in July (including many young girls wearing princess dresses), the crowd at Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, skewed towards the older set – Baby Boomers who were eager for a fun night out reliving the rock and roll of their youth. So the audience for the third production in North Shore Music Theatre’s spectacular summer ‘22 lineup were likely familiar with the fact that Buddy’s story – his tragic death in a plane crash at age 22 – does not have a fairy tale ending.