Gamm’s “Faith Healer” Explores Truth and Myth

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Tony Estrella as Frank Hardy in Gamm Theatre’s “Faith Healer”. Photos by Cat Laine

by Tony Annicone

The opening show in 2023 at GAMM Theatre is the 1979 “Faith Healer” by the acclaimed Irish author Brian Friel, who also wrote “Translations” and “Dancing at Lughnasa.” This play deals with a faith healer, his wife and his stage manager, whose stories are told by each character from their vantage point and the audience learns there is a deep dark secret hidden in their relationships. The story is told in lyrical monologues about Francis Hardy’s performances and about a terrible event that shaped all that happened afterwards. Making her U.S. debut as a director is Donnla Hughes who originally hails from Ireland. She directs this show with a firm and steady hand. She completely understands the way that Friel writes these characters and has her performers bring out the inner workings of the three of them, so the audience grasps things completely during each of their monologues. The three characters are Frank Hardy, the faith healer, his wife or mistress, Grace Hardy and his manager, Teddy. They capture the memory and humanity of their situation in a beautiful and unique way which wins them a resounding standing ovation at the close of the show.

Lyric Stage’s Genre-Defying ‘Preludes’ Is A Trip

January 11, 2023January 12, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Preludes’ at Boston Lyric Stage

‘Preludes’ — Music, Lyrics, Book and Orchestration by Dave Malloy. Directed by Courtney O’Connor; Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez; Scenic Design by Shelley Barish; Costume Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Lighting Design by Karen Perlow; Sound Design by Andrew Duncan Will. Presented by The Lyric Stage Company of Boston, 140 Clarendon St., Boston through February 5.

by Shelley A. Sackett

I readily admit I am one of those theatergoers who enjoys plot, dialogue and purpose. You can throw in all the special effects, time warp gimmickry and non sequiturs you want, but they are the icing, not the cake. You can give me experimental, but don’t leave out the context.

So it took me some time to figure out exactly what was going on in ‘Preludes.’ In fact, it took me until intermission when I both googled a synopsis and read the playbill’s fine print.

High Spirited ‘Chicken & Biscuits’ Marks Front Porch’s First Solo Production

January 7, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Chicken & Biscuits’ by The Front Porch Arts Collective at Suffolk University Modern Theatre

‘Chicken & Biscuits’ — Written by Douglas Lyons. Directed by Lyndsay Allyn Cox; Scenic Design by Erik D. Diaz; Costume Design by Zoe Sundra; Lighting Design by M. Berry; Sound Design by Anna Drummond. Presented by The Front Porch Arts Collective at Suffolk University Modern Theatre, 525 Washington St., Boston through January 8.

By Shelley A. Sackett

The architectural bones of Suffolk University’s Modern Theater are a set made to order for ‘Chicken & Biscuits,’ the first solo production by The Front Porch Arts Collective, a Black theater company whose previous presentations have been in collaboration with other larger companies.

Theater Mirror’s Reviewers ‘Top 10’ Lists for 2022

January 1, 2023January 24, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of 42nd Street at Goodspeed Musicals 2022

Mike Hoban, Editor

The 2022 theatrical season got off to an inauspicious start, saddled by the persistent pandemic (which led to multiple cancellations of performances through the summer and some productions featuring masked performers) and a number of well-intentioned productions whose didactic approach on social-themed productions often wiped out any hope for artistic excellence. As the year progressed, both concerns became more muted, and paring down the list to a “Top 10” became much more of a challenge.

Hanover Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Thoroughly Embodies the Spirit of Timeless Classic

December 18, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Hanover Theatre in Worcester

by Mike Hoban

With so many different takes on the iconic Dickens holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol” over the years – from the 1938 Alistair Sim movie to the surprisingly accurate 1962 Mr. Magoo cartoon to the well-intentioned but heavy-handed progressive versions now appearing on some New England stages – the production now underway at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester is a welcome return to the original story, but one that also reflects the diversity of today’s society and audiences. Faithfully adapted by director Troy Siebels, this version brings us back to the streets of Victorian England, where income inequality and the attitudes of the moneyed class towards the working poor will look all too familiar.

‘Midwinter Revels’ Brings Together Multiple Cultures for an Eclectic Holiday Experience

December 18, 2022December 19, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Carolyn Saxon, Maeve Leahy, and Evan Swanson in Revels’ *Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration’* Photos by Paul Buckley

‘Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration’ – Directed by Patrick Swanson; Musical Direction by Elijah Botkin; Set Design by Jeremy Barnett; Costume Design by Heidi Hermiller; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Choreography by Kelli Edwards; Projection Design by Ari Herzig; Sound Design by Bill Winn; Puppet Design by Sara Peattie. Presented by Revels at the Sanders Theater at Harvard University through December 28.

by Mike Hoban

As the holiday-themed shows descend upon the stages of Boston theaters, it’s not likely that you’re going to find many that feature “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary”, “Hava Nagila” and the traditional Mexican folk song “La Malagueña” all in the same production. But you will find all of these selections and plenty more to warm your heart in this non-traditional holiday institution, Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration. The name change from Christmas Revels for the show – it’s the 52^nd annual – is meant to more accurately reflect the seasonal celebration that draws on Irish, Mexican and Jewish cultures, according to director Patrick “Paddy” Swanson.

ART Delivers a Spectacular “Life of Pi”

December 17, 2022December 18, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Adi Dixit (“Pi”), Rowan Magee, Celia Mei Rubin, and Nikki Calonge (“Richard Parker”) in Life of Pi at the A.R.T. Photos: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

by Michele Markarian

“Life of Pi.” Based on the novel by Yann Martel. Adapted by Lolita Chakrabati. Directed by Max Webster. Presented by American Repertory Theater, Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, through January 29.

In 2003, Yann Martel’s newly published “Life of Pi” was one of those must-reads that had to be gotten through in order to hold one’s own in literary discussions. I can’t honestly say I enjoyed the book. While it had an interesting beginning and a thoughtful ending, the middle was tedious – Pi alone at sea with diminishing zoo animals. Or at least that’s how I remember it. Luckily, Lolita Chakrabati’s stage adaptation cuts its way through that boring middle, interspersing scenes of Pi’s (Adi Dixit) interrogation with the ship’s insurer, Mr. Okamoto (Daisuke Tsuji) and Lulu Chen (Kirstin Louie) with his solo journey, lost at sea. Even with that structure, the brilliant stagecraft and artistry of this production eclipses any story line.

Theatergoers Looking for Love Will Find It in ‘Torch Song’

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Peter Mill in Moonbox Production’s ‘Torch Song’. Photos by Nikolai Alexander

Torch Song – Written by Harvey Fierstein. Presented by Moonbox Productions. Producer, Sharman Altshuler; Director, Allison Olivia-Choat; Set Designer, Cameron McEachern; Lighting Designer, Finn Bamber; Costume Designer, Joe Michienzie, Sound Designer, Aubrey Dube; Props Designer, Addie Pates. At Calderwood Pavilion, Roberts Studio Theater, Boston, through December 23^rd.

by Linda Chin

Legendary storyteller Harvey Firestein’s semi-autobiographical Torch Song Trilogy, a trio of one-acts chronicling the life of gay, Jewish protagonist Arnold Beckoff, a drag queen in 1970s New York City, made their Broadway debut in 1982 and earned two Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor. The 1983 ceremony hinted at the closeted culture of the time, when homosexuality was a taboo topic for public discussion. Presenter Diahann Carroll’s scripted note cards described nominee Torch Song Trilogy as a “devastating comic play…about the merciless mayhem that love wreaks,” and when producer John Glines wrapped up his acceptance speech by acknowledging the support of his male partner and lover, the broadcast moved swiftly to a music/commercial break (Had the internet existed “back then” it surely would have broken).

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

December 8, 2022 Theater Mirror2 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.’

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

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave 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.