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

December 18, 2022 michaelhobanLeave 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 michaelhobanLeave 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 michaelhobanLeave 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 michaelhobanLeave 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 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.’

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

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022 michaelhobanLeave 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.

Cirque de Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…’ Is True Family Holiday Fare

December 3, 2022 michaelhoban2 Comments

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…’ at the Boch Center

‘‘Twas the Night Before…’ – Conceived and Directed by James Hadley. Production by Cirque de Soleil at Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston through December 11.

by Shelley A. Sackett

‘Twas the Night Before…, Cirque de Soleil’s first Christmas show, delivered a sunny holiday respite from the blinding rain last Wednesday night. But the 85-minute intermission-less show was more than just shelter from the storm — it was a family-friendly retelling of the familiar Christmas classic with all the thrill, glitz, and mind-boggling contortions that have become Cirque de Soleil trademarks.

The lighting, set design and costumes were nothing to sneeze at, either.

Cirque du Soleil ‘Twas the Night Before…’ is a Holiday Blast of Pure Fun

December 2, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…’

‘Twas the Night Before…’ – Conceived and directed by James Hadley. Production by Cirque du Soleil. At Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston through Dec. 11.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the myriad of (sometimes unrecognizable) adaptations of A Christmas Carol to rev up your holiday spirit, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining way to do so than grabbing a ticket to Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…. The production is Cirque’s first-ever Christmas-themed show, which debuted back in the pre-COVID days of 2019 at the Chicago Theatre. Inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem ‘A Visit From Saint Nicholas’, ‘Twas uses the iconic work as the launching pad for their trademark acrobatics and other circus arts, producing more “oohs and ahhs” than a Fourth of July fireworks display, along with some thoroughly entertaining dance and comedy bits.

GAMM Theatre’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Brings Back Magic of Radio

December 1, 2022December 13, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of GAMM Theatre’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

by Tony Annicone

GAMM Theatre’s holiday production this year is “It’s a Wonderful Life:A Live A Radio Play” adapted by Joe Landry. GAMM’s fourth presentation of this show features seven performers plus a sound effects man to deliver all the lines of all the characters from the film version. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live radio broadcast right here in Warwick, RI. The audience is transported back in time as a radio audience watching an ensemble of performers bringing dozens of characters to life onstage. The “broadcast” is interspersed with live commercials about Greenwood Credit Union and GAMM Theatre. Before the show there is a sing-a-long with cast members belting out “Jingle Bells” and “12 Days of Christmas” and the Foley Artist doing sound effects for each of the days. Relive the story of the idealistic George Bailey as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. This is a fully realized version of the story originally brought to life by Frank Capra in the movie that starred Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Directed previously by Damon Kiely and remounted this year by Tony Estrella, who molds these eight talented performers into the iconic characters from the movie perfectly, obtains incredible performances from them and blends the comedy and pathos together to deliver many laughs and tears on their journey. Tony played George in the past three versions of this show. A spontaneous standing ovation is their well-deserved reward at the end of the performance.

‘Little Women’, Big Feels at Greater Boston Stage

December 1, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Once again this holiday season, Greater Boston Stage Company director and choreographer Ilyse Robbins and music director Matt Stern bring families – on stage and in the audience – together with the shared experience of musical theater. While presenting a special holiday production has been a decades-long GBSC tradition, its offerings are not always “traditional” holiday shows.