Category: Review

“INHERIT THE WIND” (Attleboro Community Theatre)

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

The opening show at Attleboro Community Theatre’s 62nd season is “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. While this Tony Award winning play debuted in 1955, its story is as relevant today as it was then. It is a fictionalized account based on the Scopes monkey trial of 1925, when a Tennessee teacher was arraigned for reading passages from “On the Origins of Species” to his pupils. The teacher, Bertram Cates is a callow Darwinian. The real battle in this show is between the two counsels. For the prosecution, in Hillsboro, a small town in the Bible belt, is Matthew Harrison Brady, a thrice defeated presidential candidate and a religious fundamentalist. Opposing him is Henry Drummond from Chicago who believes in the right to individual thought. The controversial subject of evolution versus creationism causes two polar opposites to engage in one explosive battle of beliefs. Says Jerome Lawrence about this play, “We used the teaching of evolution as a parable, a metaphor for any kind of mind control. It’s not about science versus religion. It’s about the right to think.” Director Kelli Tallman casts 23 performers in these roles. They make us see how the more things change the more they stay the same. People have to remember their individuality and not be controlled or swayed to think one way or the other due to the popularity of one person or one cause.

 

Kelli uses music from this time period in the show including religious songs “Old Time Religion” and a comic song “Monkey Business” to lighten the heavy drama of the show. When this show was first written in 1955, the McCarthy hearings were fresh in the minds of the American public, having come to an end two years earlier. The mindset of the country was that there was a Communist hiding behind every tree. This can be comparable to some current day feelings on illegal immigrants, fake news and alterative facts and everyone minds blindly follow the dictates of those in charge without having a free thought of their own. “Inherit the Wind” is a marvelous example that freedom of thought is important for not just the selected few but for everyone. There are electrifying moments in this show especially in the trial sequences. Some of the standout performers in this show are Paul Nolette playing Henry Drummond who is based on Clarence Darrow and Paul Tourville as Matthew Harrison Brady who based on William Jennings Bryan.  They both deliver multilayered performances and stun the crowd with their enormous amounts of dialogue. Paul Nolette has to convince the jury the right to free thought is the crux of the matter. Drummond cautions Cates to beware of all shine and no substance. I last saw Paul in “Mack and Mabel” in Pawtucket back in 1978 before he moved to CA. He is brilliant in this role. Paul Tourville has to use the religious ideals the character has been championing for many years. Brady quotes Proverbs when he states “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart.” Their combined efforts wins them a well deserved standing ovation at the end of the show.

 

Matthew Moos does a marvelous job as the cynical journalist, E.K. Hornbeck who is based on H.L. Mencken. He keeps things boiling in this small town by bringing in the hot shot lawyer from Chicago. Bertram Cates, the defendant is excellently played by Bob Lively. His earnest and brilliant portrayal is a shining moment in the show. Another standout performance is by Ryan Foster as Mrs. Brady who has a tugging of the heartstrings scene with her husband when he is crushed by being laughed at in the courtroom. Two comic performers are Jay DiLisio as Mr. Bannister who can’t read and Joe Livingston as the Mayor who talks directly to the audience to help win him reelection in town.  So for a thought provoking show from the past that still resonates with contemporary audiences, be sure to catch “Inherit the Wind” at Attleboro Community Theatre.

INHERIT THE WIND (5 to 21 October)

Attleboro Community Theatre, 71 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA

1(508)226-8100 or www.attleborocommunitytheatreACT@gmail.com

 

GHOSTS OF APPOMATTOX, MMAS, Mansfield

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

MMAS’s latest show is an original script about the Civil War called “Ghosts of Appomattox” written by local residents and playwrights Tom Souza and Alex Salachi. A modern day college professor challenges her students to explore the relationships between key figures of the American Civil War and its aftermath. In doing so, the professor hopes that the students will be able to find connections between the lessons of the past and our present political environment. Alex was a classmate of mine at Assumption College in Worcester. Director Steve Dooner takes this well written script and brings these historical figures of U.S Grant and Robert E. Lee to life so we can look at history from a perspective and of that time period to learn that two attributes that stand out are of character and perseverance that are very sorely lacking from this current U.S. government.

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A Bright Room Called Day – Flat Earth Theatre

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By James Wilkinson

 

BOX INFO: Two and a half hour, two act, production of Tony Kushner’s 1985 play, appearing September 30-October 14, 2017; Thursday-Saturday 8pm; matinee Sunday at 2pm. The Black Box Theatre at The Mosesian Center for the Arts, 21 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. www.flatearththeatre.com

 

There’s a moment early in Flat Earth Theatre’s production of A Bright Room Called Day that, intentional or not, strikes me as oddly prescient. The character of Agnes is attempting to write a skit that will mobilize the Communist party. She speaks the lines, “The world is perched on the brink of…the brink of…” She searches for the right word then gives up and sighs, “Shit.” Sitting in the audience, I wanted to yell out, “You have no idea…”

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CHICAGO (Footlights at the Grange, Swansea, MA)

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Welcome to the 1920’s with the current musical at Footlights at the Grange. Director/choreographer Brian Barry Pereira transports the audience to the prison atmosphere needed for this terrific blockbuster musical “Chicago.” Kander and Ebb’s 1975 vaudeville type show is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Watkins. The 1997 musical version won six Tony Awards and the 2003 movie version won the Academy Award.

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Halloween Family Fun with ‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’

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By Sheila Barth
A nod of the shroud to North Shore’s Stage 284 for its two-act, two-hour finger-snapping, fun production of musical comedy ”The Addams Family”.  Based on Charles Addams’ cartoons, the spoofy, spooky, kooky family play resurrects the popular 1960‘s TV wacky, weird, family, and their creepy, abnormal, anti-societal demeanor.

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YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

The current show at MMAS is the 1999 revival version of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” which is based on Charles Schultz’s beloved “Peanuts” comic strip. The revival opened on February 5. 1999 and made a star out of Kristen Chenoweth, winning her the Tony Award for best featured actress as Sally Brown. The show takes us through an average day in the life of Charlie Brown. The audience catches a glimpse of their favorite characters and includes many moments from all the days of his life from Valentine’s Day to baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair. They include all his friends. both human and non-human and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening. Director/choreographer Adam Joy infuses the musical with high energy from start to finish with his talented cast while musical director Eli Bigelow not only conducts his five piece orchestra but plays keyboards and taught them this glorious music. They are rewarded with a resounding ovation at curtain call.

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“Hair” Still Rocks at Fifty

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By Michele Markarian

 

“Hair” – Book and Lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni. Music by Galt MacDermont.  Directed by Joey C. Pelletier. Presented by Heart and Dagger Productions at Club Café, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, through October 20.

 

I was a little kid when my parents bought the album of the original Broadway cast of “Hair”, after they’d gone to New York to see it. I thought the music was contagious and would sing along to the soundtrack.  My naïve mother didn’t know the meaning of the words in “Sodomy” any more than I did, so the singing worked out nicely.  Years later, I found a book in our local library by original cast member Lorrie Davis, called “Letting Down My Hair: Two Years With the Love Rock Tribe–From Dawning to Downing of Aquarius”. Fans of “Hair”, this book is not to be missed!  ($30 used on Amazon.)  I read and reread it cover to cover until my mother, who had wised up by then, got her hands on it and declared it “filthy”. Years later, as a young theater reviewer in college, I volunteered to see a Brown University production of “Hair”. The show itself was excellent, but I was disappointed to experience it as a piece of history, rather than something relevant to the times.

 

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“SHREK, THE MUSICAL” (Stadium Theatre, Woonsocket, RI)

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Stadium Theatre’s fall show is “Shrek, the Musical”, based on the Oscar winning Dreamworks animation movie with the same name from 2001. It has music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire with the original source material from William Steig’s 1990 book “Shrek.” The story begins when Shrek tells the audience his parents sent him out of the house at the age of 7 and into the world to make a living. They warn him because of his looks, everyone will hate him and he will come to a bad end. The audience joins Shrek and his loyal steed, Donkey on their quest to rescue the beautiful if slightly temperamental Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a love sick fire-breathing dragon. Throw in the diminutive Lord Farquaad who is in love with Fiona, a gang of fairytale misfits, and a gingerbread cookie with attitude to the list of wild and crazy characters that Shrek and the audience meet along the way. Shrek is an outsider who goes on a journey to discover where he belongs in the world. This is something everyone can relate to as well as an important lesson to learn that you should learn to accept everybody no matter how they look. Add splendid singing and dancing by this 41 member cast with excellent direction by Ashley Lopes, terrific choreography by Jennifer Webb and marvelous music direction by Alex Tirrell. This high energy musical is rewarded with a spontaneous standing ovation at the curtain call with the whole audience singing “I’m a Believer” with Shrek and his cast mates.

Ashley picks the best performers for these roles and infuses them with keen insight into the comic and dramatic moments that enthrall the crowd. Jennifer’s choreography is breathtaking especially the tap dance, the twist, the Charleston and some Motown dances. The 19 songs and music soar under Alex’s direction with his excellent 12 piece orchestra. Leading this huge cast is Aidan Horrigan as Shrek. He is dynamic in this role, winning over the audience with his sympathetic portrayal. Aidan’s songs include “Big Bright Beautiful World”, when he sings about being alone in the swamp, “When Words Fail” when he tries to explain his feelings to Fiona, “Build a Wall” when he is angry with everyone around him and “Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty”, when he falls in love at last. His duet with Fiona is “I Think I Got You Beat” which is reminiscent of “Anything You Can Do” from “Annie Get Your Gun” where they compete with each other in an hilarious burping and farting contest. Aidan closes the show with “I’m A Believer” of Monkee fame with the whole cast dancing to it.

 

Brian Lopes is a hoot as the Donkey. He is a hoot with his wild and crazy antics as well as his delivery of the witty one liners. Brian’s powerful voice is heard in “Don’t Let Me Go” when he first meets Shrek, “Travel Song” where he explains he’s a GPS in fur, “Forever” is when the Donkey discovers the Dragon is holding Fiona captive, “Who I’d Be”, “Make a Move” when he encourages Shrek to pursue Fiona and “This Is Our Story” which brings the Donkey a happy ending. Multitalented beautiful red head, Dalita Getzoyan is superb as the spunky, Fiona. This character isn’t afraid of anyone and speaks her mind freely. Her lovely voice is heard in the very poignant “I Know It’s Today, where she sings about being rescued by a prince ( sung in perfect three part harmony with Jennifer Leamy as Young Fiona and Elizabeth Larabee as Teen Fiona) “This Is How A Dream Comes True”, “Who I’d Be” where she, Shrek and the Donkey sing of the secrets they are hiding, “Morning Person”, a stunning show stopping tap dance that opens Act 2, “I Think I Got You Beat”, the farting song and “This Is Our Story” where she and Shrek get together at last. Marvelous work by the three leading players.

 

The rest of the cast lives up to the high standards of the leading players. Dillon Tognacci plays the part of Lord Farquaad excellently. He is the villain of the show as he wants Shrek killed so he can have Fiona for his own. Dillon is a hoot as this Snidley Whiplash character as he oozes evilness from every pore of his being. He plays the part on his knees with fake legs and his dancing has to be seen to be believed. His strong voice soars in his two big song and dance numbers “What’s Up Duloc?” and “The Ballad of Farquaad.” Dillon is hilarious while stealing many a scene with his strong comic timing. Farquaad’s even smaller father, Grumpy of Snow White fame is played by tiny Jake Smolan who also plays Young Shrek. He is a hoot as Grumpy who finally puts Farquaad in his place. Michaelyn St. Pierre plays the comical Dragon marvelously. She displays her powerful voice in “Forever” with Brian as she falls in love with Donkey. Leading the fairytale characters is Pinocchio played splendidly by Connor Buonaccorsi and he is hilarious as his nose keeps growing longer every time he tells a lie. Connor speaks in a high pitched voice and leads the chorus in “Story of My Life”, “The Goodbye Song” and “The Freak Flag” which is where the fairytale characters do a Motown dance that captivates the audience. He also plays the Pied Piper and he and the rats do a terrific tap dance. Bryn Martin who is a  gorgeous blonde is a hoot as Gingy, the gingerbread cookie who is tortured by Farquaad so he can find his princess and become king. Her fabulous singing voice is heard in “The Freak Flag.” Madison LaPlante has a fabulous voice which soars in “Freak Flag” song where she plays Humpty Dumpty. There are many twists and turns leading up to its heartwarming ending. So for a wonderful musical treat that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, be sure to catch “Shrek, the Musical” at the Stadium Theatre.

SHREK, THE MUSICAL (12 to 14 October)

Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket, RI

1(401)762-4545 or www.stadiumtheatre.com

 

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Stadium Theatre’s current musical extravaganza is “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, a new musical which debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in California in October, 2014. Then in March, 2015 it played at Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey. Both theatres have had shows transferred to Broadway. Unfortunately this musical did not make it and why is a complete mystery to me. This version is based on the Victor Hugo 1831 novel which was transformed by Disney into an animated film in 1996. This version has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell. However this is not the usual happy musical from Disney where everyone lives happily ever after. The songs from the Disney film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” are powerful and potent and the tale dark and Gothic but still it is an entrancing and enticing musical to see and savor. Director Becca Donald and musical director Mark Colozzi pick the best performers for these roles and infuse them with high energy all night long. Mark plays lead keyboards and conducts a fabulous 9 piece orchestra and obtains awesome harmonies from the cast. Choreographer Matt Parello supplies some upbeat dances to lighten up the show in some of the gypsy sequences. Their expertise wins a very well deserved spontaneous standing ovation at the close of the performance.

 

The storyline is a deformed man, Quasimodo is hidden from the world by his devious caretaker and longingly observes all of Paris from atop a bell tower. However during the Feast of the Fools, he escapes for the day to join the crowd, discovering both the cruelty and compassion of strangers and new friends he must defend from a familiar evil. Becca blocks this huge epic musical splendidly on a fantastic two story cathedral style set by Wayne Boucher. She brings every ounce of pathos pouring out to the very appreciative audience. The multitude of gorgeous costumes are by Eve Lajoie, Gina Giuliano, Linda McDermott, Dean Hernandez and Caroline Tillinghast . Jack Cappadona does a magnificent job as Quasimodo, the poor tormented creature whose only friends are the gargoyles of Notre Dame. He captures the pathos of this character perfectly and acts his heart out in this role. Jack’s voice is so powerful as he renders the hopeful “Out There” where he yearns to be like other people, “Heaven’s Light” and the 11th hour show stopping song “Made of Stone” which is despairing but all are fabulously sung by this young man who should be a professional performer after seeing him in this performance. Hannah Duhamel also shines as Esmeralda, the gypsy who captures Quasimodo’s heart. She is a gorgeous brunette with a beautiful voice which is heard with the chorus in “God Help the Outcasts” and in “Someday”, a duet with Phoebus where people should learn to live with each other peacefully after facing prejudice against the gypsies. Hannah also sings the poignant “Top of the World” song with Jack when he brings her to the bell tower.

 

Powerful vocalist Cooper Ceruolo plays the Captain of the guard, Phoebus who falls in love with Esmeralda. His voice is heard in “Rest and Recreation” and “The Court of Miracles.” I last reviewed him as Chris in “Miss Saigon” at the Stadium. John McElroy Morgan as Frollo, the pious archdeacon who lusts after Esmeralda and becomes more depraved. He is terrific as this pious but bigoted man whose hate for the gypsies overpowers his religious nature and he also treats his nephew, Quasimodo with disdain due to his father’s assignation with a gypsy girl. When Frollo meets Esmeralda, his dark side comes out. John is onstage almost the whole musical. His powerful voice is heard in “Hellfire” with the choir. He sends chills up your spine with this bloodthirsty song and his malevolent character. The chorus and congregation vocalists are incredible and their voices soar in the group numbers especially in “The Bells of Notre Dame”, the Latin songs, “Justice in Paris” and “While the City Slumbered.”  Mark does a magnificent job with the soaring, beautiful harmonies of these numbers. So for a splendid new epic musical, be sure to catch “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at the Stadium Theatre before time runs out. Tell them Tony sent you.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (20 to 22 October)

Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket, RI

THE CRAZY TIME , Newport Playhouse

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Welcome back to the 1970’s and the battle of the sexes in the current show at Newport Playhouse, “The Crazy Time” by Sam Bobrick. Miles Gladstone finds himself making some drastic midlife changes after leaving his wife of thirty years and marrying a gorgeous woman half his age. Just six months into his new marriage, his new wife is nowhere to be found, his daughter Susan fears that her marriage is headed down the same road as her parents. Miles, business partner Jerry is plotting a hostile takeover and surprisingly ex-wife Kate is back in his life but now involved with a much younger boyfriend. The crazy time occurs in your lives when outside distractions lead you astray from your path of life. Director Rick Bagley infuses his cast with keen insight into these comic roles and they lead the audience on a merry romp after the audience enjoys an all you can eat buffet before the show and a delightful, fun filled cabaret afterwards.

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