“THE GREAT GATSBY” (University of Rhode Island Theatre)

April 11, 2017April 23, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

URI’s closing show of their season is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This classic novel has been adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, it remains the evocative story of the pursuit of wealth and romance in The Jazz Age of the roaring 1920’s. Enigmatic self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby pursues the married, moneyed Daisy Buchanan as his party guests drink and Charleston their frenzied way through life at his opulent Long Island mansion.

EXIT LAUGHING (Newport Playhouse)

April 8, 2017April 8, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The opening show of the Newport Playhouse and recently renovated cabaret restaurant’s 35th season is the 2013 heartwarming comedy “Exit Laughing” by Paul Elliott. It is a sassy ode to female friendships. When the biggest highlight of your life is your weekly bridge game with the “girls,” what do you do when one of your foursome unexpectedly and inconveniently passes away? If you are Connie, Leona and Millie, best friends for 30 years, you do the most daring thing you’ve ever done. You “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game, and the wildest, most exciting night of your lives. Bring on a police raid, a cheeky male stripper and soon the ladies get a whole new look at the fun you can have by truly living. Director Richard Johnson has a keen eye for comic situations and brings out the best in his five performers. Set designer Tonya Killavey creates a gorgeous two story house setting that is so realistic that you feel as if you could move right into it. Stage manager Olivia Sahlin keeps the cast on their toes and keeps things moving smoothly all night long.

‘Altar Boyz’ A Heavenly Romp

April 3, 2017April 3, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

Altar Boyz – Music and Lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker. Book by Kevin Del Aguila. Co-Directed by Tyler Rosati and Ceit Zweil, with Music Direction by Matthew Stern. Presented by Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through April 9.

The first image one gets of the Altar Boyz is five hooded figures in long white robes, silver crosses on their backs, entering the stage to ominous sounding music from the four-piece band behind them. It’s a Spinal Tap moment, and one that made me laugh out loud. For the next eighty minutes, if I wasn’t laughing, I was smiling. A lot. This is one super fun show with a tight and talented cast.

Theater Mirror Short Takes: “The Little Dog Laughed” & “Our American Hamlet”

April 3, 2017April 4, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

“The Little Dog Laughed” – Take Your Pick Productions

The Happy Medium Theater Company may have taken their final bow with last summer’s production of Ronan Noone’s “Brendan”, but HM founders Mikey DiLoreto and Audrey Lynn Sylvia have gotten off to a roaring start with their new company, Take Your Pick Productions, with a very funny and touching production of “The Little Dog Laughed” by Douglas Carter Beame.