The Company Theatre’s ‘HAIR’ a High Note of the Summer

August 5, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Hair’ at Company Theatre Norwell

Book and Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, Music by Galt MacDermot. Directed by Zoe Bradford, Musical Direction by Robert McDonough, Choreography by Sally Ashton Forrest, Costume Design by Hannah Schuurman, Lighting Design by Dean Palmer Jr., Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Presented by The Company Theatre, Norwell through August 21

by Linda Chin

After the house lights dim, signaling the audience to put conversations and concerns aside and settle in their seats, the stage lights come down and the words “when the moon…is in the seventh house” of the stirring anthem “Aquarius” emerge from the darkness (soloist Sarah Burke, as Ronny, makes their debut). When the stage is re-illuminated, revealing a full-size car covered with flower power decals (set design by Ryan Barrow, lighting design by Dean Palmer, Jr.) and a vibrantly-colored, bell-bottomed, bare-bellied Tribe (costume design by Hannah Schuurman), the audience – transported to New York City, circa 1968 – becomes electrified. The Company Theatre’s production of HAIR opens on a high note and sustains the momentum and kinetic energy for two hours.

Strong Performances Buoy Weston Drama Workshop’s Energetic ‘Something Rotten’

August 4, 2022August 23, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

*Cast of Weston Drama Workshop’s ‘Something Rotten’*

‘Something Rotten!’ – Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell; Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick; Directed by Chris Brindley; Music Direction by Bethany Aiken; Choreography by Caroline Workman. Presented by the Weston Drama Workshop. Show closed 7/30.

by Mike Hoban

Weston Drama Workshop (WDW) closed their 2022 summer program with a bang, presenting a high-energy, full blown production (40+ performers) of Something Rotten, the 2015 Broadway musical featuring fictional Shakespeare contemporaries Nick and Nigel Bottom, whose careers are going nowhere in the shadow of the rockstar Bard. The production was given a monumental boost by a number of terrific performances by the leading players, as well as a handful of thoroughly entertaining BIG production numbers crafted by director Chris Brindley and choreographer Caroline Workman. Something Rotten successfully combines those production numbers with a Monty Python-esque premise that delivers what most musical comedies only aspire to – a welcome blast of creativity – when so many modern musicals lazily rely on recycling hit movies (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark– really?)

Theatre by the Sea Closes Season with Triumphant ‘Kinky Boots’

August 1, 2022November 29, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

by Tony Annicone

Theatre by the Sea’s closing musical of their 89th season is the 6 Time Tony Award winning musical “Kinky Boots” with book by Harvey Fierstein and music by Cyndi Lauper. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense in bringing the incredible musical to this historic Rhode Island Theatre. This show is based on true events in Northampton, England. After inheriting the shoe factory from his father, Charlie Price struggles to keep his family business open. He isn’t really interested in the family business due to his fiancée Nicola but in order to keep it afloat has to lay off 15 employees. Lola, a fabulous, sassy and popular female impersonator comes up with a wild and crazy way to save Charlie’s shoe business but also teaches people about love and acceptance of people who are different. Charlie and Lola create a partnership but also learn important lessons from each other. And with a little bit of understanding this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and create a line of stilettos unlike any the world has seen. Director/choreographer Kevin Hill casts this show marvelously and elicits brilliant performances from the entire cast while musical director Jacob Priddy brings out incredible vocals from them, as their voices soar off the charts. What sets this show about from others is the group choreography, with the drag performers doing their routines with everyone in perfect unison. Lola and the group steal many a scene with their breathtaking dance moves (in kinky boots) throughout the show. The singing, dancing and acting in this show is spectacular and wins the cast a thunderous and prolonged standing ovation.

80’s Greed Explored in Burbage Theatre’s Excellent ‘Junk’

August 1, 2022August 31, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

by Tony Annicone

After two long years, Burbage Theatre Company brings Ayad Akhtar’s Kennedy Prize winning drama “Junk” to audiences. It’s also the New England Premiere and their last show of their 10th season. Junk is based on a true story and it’s essentially The West Wing meets the Wolf of Wall Street. Junk is a sprawling epic about the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts of the 1980’s who make and break the rules of uncharted waters of finance while creating vast amounts of money for themselves. The money they garner is unbelievable as they engineer the first hostile takeover of a Dow Jones corporation and introduce the concept of debt as an asset. Is morality possible with the high stakes of involvement with money?

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Grand Horizons’ Asks, “After 50 Years of Marriage, What’s Love Got to Do with It?”

August 1, 2022August 22, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of Gloucester Stage’s ‘Grand Horizons’

Written by Bess Wohl; Directed by Robert Walsh; Scenic Design by Jenna McFarland Lord; Costume Design by Chelsea Kerl; Lighting Design by Anshuman Bhatia; Sound Design by Dewey Dellay. Presented by Gloucester Stage through August 21.

by Shelley A. Sackett

Nancy and Bill (played by real life spouses and stellar actors Paula Plum and Richard Snee) are introduced in their cookie cutter split level house as they go about their chores preparing for dinner. Silently and robotically, they perform their choreographed rituals. Bill sets the table; Nancy dishes out the food. Is this a couple so in sync after so many years that they don’t need to talk or is each seething with rancor just below their calm demeanor?

Finally, Nancy speaks. “I think I would like a divorce,” she says matter-of-factly. “All right,” Bill responds.

Ogunquit’s ‘Nutty Professor’ Updates Original Jerry Lewis Film into Madcap Musical

July 27, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

*Cast of ‘The Nutty Professor’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photo by Nile Hawver, Nile Scott Studios*

The Nutty Professor – Based on the 1963 movie of the same name. Book & Lyrics by Rupert Holmes; Composed by Marvin Hamlisch; Direction by Marc Bruni; Music Direction by Matt Deitchman; Choreography by JoAnn M Hunter; Scenic Design by Wilson Chin and Riw Rakkulchon; Lighting Design by Cory Pattak; Costume Design by Mara Blumenfeld; Sound Design by Kevin Heard: Wig Design by Roxanne De Luna. Presented at Ogunquit Playhouse,10 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME through August 1^st.

By Linda Chin

With its production of The Nutty Professor, the story of a socially awkward chemist who creates a special serum to transform him into a confident crooner, Ogunquit Playhouse demonstrates that it holds the magic formula for a fun-filled, thoroughly entertaining musical evening: Take the original book and lyrics by Rupert Holmes based on the beloved 1963 Jerry Lewis motion picture, add a score by the late Marvin Hamlisch and choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, hire fabulous designers, and combine with a talented cast of five featured principals, 13 ensemble members, and 2 swings. Mix thoroughly, share with an enthusiastic audience, and enjoy.

Weston Drama Workshop’s Incandescent ‘Indecent’ Illuminates the Power of Theatre

July 27, 2022 Theater Mirror1 Comment

*Cast of ‘Indecent’ at the Weston Drama Workshop. Photos by ASA Photographic*

Indecent by Paula Vogel . Direction by Stephanie Manning, Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez, Choreography by Kira Troilo, Costume Design by Laura Villalobos, Lighting and Projection Design by Kyle Stamm, Scenic Design by Nick Oberstein, Properties Design by Anika Reichelt. Presented by the Weston Drama Workshop, 235 Wellesley St, Weston, through July 30

By Linda Chin

For its “Renaissance” Season 60, the well-regarded Weston Drama Workshop re-emerges (after offering modified programming in 2020 and 2021) in summer 2022 with an ambitious six-show lineup that includes the musicals Something Rotten!, Tuck Everlasting and Young Frankenstein and the plays Six Characters, Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures, and Indecent.

‘Marry Me A Little’ a String of Sondheim Pearls at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre

July 20, 2022November 29, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Brittany Rolfs as Woman, Sam Perwin as Man in ‘Marry Me a Little’ at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Conceived by Craig Lucas & Norman René; Directed by Christopher Ostrom; Musical direction by Kevin Quill; Scenic Design by Christopher Ostrom; Costume Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Lighting Design by Patricia M. Nichols; Sound Design by Sam Sewell. Presented by Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre through July 24

by Linda Chin

In the small, artsy seaside town of Wellfleet on the Outer Cape, home to galleries, studios, and oysters galore, a pearl of a production is currently playing at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. Last summer’s Shipwrecked!, performed on a wooden ship with billowy sails built on an outdoor stage in their parking lot, was visually stunning though acoustically-strained. Schedule conflicts prevented me from seeing WHAT’s 2022 season kickoff (Straight White Men by Young Jean Lee, a “straight” play I enjoyed at Watertown’s New Rep years ago). But at the first opportunity, I hightailed it from Boston to see the second show of the five show season curated by Producing Artistic Director Christopher Ostrom: Marry Me A Little. Seeing live theater indoors again at the jewel that is Julie Harris Stage is a gift, in this case a string of Sondheim pearls.

A Round of Applause for Theatre in-the-Round: Cinderella at North Shore Music Theatre

July 18, 2022 Theater Mirror1 Comment

*Meadow Nguy (Ella), Stephen Brower (Topher), and the cast of ‘Cinderella” at North Shore Music Theatre thru July 24. Photos by Paul Lyden.*

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella – Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; New Book by Douglas Carter Beane; Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II. Creative Team: Kevin P. Hill (Direction and Choreography), Milton Granger (Music Direction), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Travis M. Grant (Original Costume Design), Kelly Baker (Costume Coordinator), Corey Whittemore (Lighting Design), Don Hanna (Sound Design), Rachel Padula-Shufelt (Hair and Wig Design). Presented by NSMT through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA through July 24

by Linda Chin

After being shuttered in 2020, then bringing back two previously produced shows (Mamma Mia – Encore, A Christmas Carol – 30^th Anniversary) in 2021, NSMT’s return to a six-show season with an impressive lineup of Broadway hits is in itself cause for celebration. Part of my excitement when going to NSMT is seeing how they transform productions that are typically staged proscenium-style to arena-style – with no curtain, multiple entrances and exits (including sub-terranean) and no back (or fourth) wall. In addition to the rousing standing ovation to the cast and orchestra on opening night, a well-deserved round of applause to the Director/Choreographer Kevin Hill, Music Director Milton Granger and creative team for using theatre-in-the round to its full advantage in their 2022 production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Swenson Shines Like a 14-carat Diamond in ‘Beautiful Noise’ at Emerson Colonial

July 12, 2022November 29, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Will Swenson as Neil Diamond in *A Beautiful Noise* at the Emerson Colonial. Photos by Matthew Murphy

A Beautiful Noise – Book by Anthony McCarten; Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond. Music supervision and arrangements, Sonny Paladino. Choreography, Steven Hoggett. Directed by Michael Mayer. Design team: David Rockwell (scenic design); Emilio Sosa (costume design); Kevin Adams (lighting design) and Jessica Paz (sound design). Presented by the Ambassador Theatre Group at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St. Boston through August 7^th.

by Mike Hoban

It seems only fitting that the producers of the Neil Diamond musical bio A Beautiful Noise would stage the pre-Broadway run in Boston at the historic Emerson Colonial Theatre. Not only was the venue home to debut performances of iconic Broadway shows like Anything Goes, Porgy and Bess and Oklahoma! (and more recently, Moulin Rouge), but Diamond is forever bonded to Boston since his pop hit “Sweet Caroline” was adopted by the Red Sox as a theme song for the 8^th inning stretch in 2002. The song, with its audience participation lyric, “SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!” became so wildly popular with fans that Diamond performed it on April 20, 2013, in the emotional first game back at Fenway Park after the Boston Marathon bombings. With that kind of passionate connection, maybe the Boston audience isn’t the best barometer of the quality of the show, but A Beautiful Noise – a joyous blast of fun with a surprisingly poignant book – seems destined to be a crowd-pleasing smash.