Tag: Review

MRT’s ‘Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ Blends Horror, Human Stories

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John Patrick Hayden in MRT’s ‘Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’. Photos by Photo: Mikki Schaffner

‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’ by David Catlin. Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. Scenic Design by Sam Reno. Costume Design by Rainy Edwards, Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg, Projection Design by Robert Carleton Simmel, Sound Design by Zack Bennett. Produced by the Merrimack Repertory Theater in partnership with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall, 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell, through November 24.

By Mike Hoban

If you’re heading to Merrimack Rep hoping for a post-Halloween fright fest (as if the election results weren’t horrifying enough) based on the Boris Karloff Frankenstein films, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. But if you’re looking for a high-quality theatrical production that eschews special effects and makeup in favor of a staging that brings psychological and emotional terror to the stage, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein delivers brilliantly.

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Melendy, Wise Deliver a Physical Comedy Tour de Force in GBSC’s ‘Dinner for One’

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Paul Melendy and Debra Wise in Greater Boston Stage Company’s‘Dinner for One’

‘Dinner for One’ – Written by Christina Baldwin, Sun Mee Chomet, and Jim Lichtscheidl. Weylin Symes (Director); Katy Monthei (Scenic Designer); Jeff Adelberg (Lighting Designer); Deirdre Gerrard (Costume Designer); David Remedios (Sound Design); Tim Goss (Music Director). Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company through November 17, 2024.

The Greater Boston Stage Company has opened its 2024-2025 season with a new look, renovating its historic theater (originally built in 1917) including new seats, re-configuring its seating area to create a more intimate feel, and eliminating the poorly conceived all-gender restrooms (much to the relief of its older patrons, one imagines). But it’s the addition of comic powerhouse Paul Melendy to the company’s stable of talent that has given the theater its biggest boost in recent years. While that assessment may be a bit hyperbolic, there’s no underestimating the impact his performances have had on the company since Boston theater emerged from the pandemic in 2021. Since then, he’s appeared in a half-dozen (mostly comic) productions at GBSC, including the brilliant one-man show “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” which earned him the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Solo Performance in 2022.

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Let Musical Theater Be Our Lifeboat in These Tumultuous Times: NSMT’s ‘Titanic’ is a Gem

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The cast of “Titanic The Musical” at North Shore Music Theatre. Photos: David Costa Photography

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre presents ‘Titanic the Musical’. Story & Book by Peter Stone. Music & Lyrics by Maury Yeston. Directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Scenic & Lighting Design by Jack Mahler. Original Costume Design by Jeffrey Meek. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Hair & Wig Design by Rachel Padilla-Shufelt. At North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA through November 10, 2024.

by Linda Chin

Putting away the deck chairs for the winter or rearranging the metaphorical deck chairs at work getting you down? Wondering how a single sociopathic businessman’s desire for power and fame can drive a decision that trumps others’ safety and happiness? Hungry for the power of live musical performance to unite, create, and heal communities?

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Trinity Rep Takes ‘A Christmas Carol’ to the Providence Performing Arts Center

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The cast of Trinity Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Photos by Mark Turek

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the bigger and better 48th Annual “A Christmas Carol” by Trinity Rep Company, which, due to renovations, has moved on down two streets in Providence, RI, to a larger theater, Providence Performing Arts Center. This venue allows everything on a much grander scale, including sets, special effects, and audience capacity. However, performances have been limited this year due to a National touring show that has already been booked at PPAC. Director Tatyana-Marie Carlo takes the helm of the show and overcomes them with her expert direction and adaptation of the script this year. She uses twelve adults and twelve children (two alternating casts of children) in her presentation. Carlo infuses them with the insight and energy to tackle these roles. He presents a very satisfying interpretation of this well-known show to help audiences capture the spirit of Christmas.

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SpeakEasy’s “Pru Payne” Is A Must See for Fans of Fabulous Theater

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Karen MacDonald and Gordon Clapp in SpeakEasy Stage Company’s production of Pru Payne.
Photo: Nile Scott Studios

“Pru Payne”— Written by Steven Drukman. Directed by Paul Daugneault. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage at Boston Center for the Arts, Calderwood Pavillion, 539 Tremont St., Boston, through Nov. 16.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Karen MacDonald, recently introduced as “the empress of Boston,” adds another gem to her tiara with her portrayal of Prudence Payne, a Dorothy Parker-esque reviewer whose sharp wit, acid tongue and encyclopedic familiarity with minutiae of all things cultural have earned her many awards. We are introduced to her as she and her son, Thomas (De’Lon Grant) sit in the Brook Hollow clinic anteroom, awaiting a consultation with a doctor. The television is blaring pablum. Pru regally grabs the remote, waves it like a magic wand. She tries to turn the television set off, but can’t. She retakes her seat, slumping in confused defeat. Thomas reminds her that there are other people in the room who may want to continue watching. “Re. Member,” Pru says, enunciating each letter as if it were a syllable unto itself.

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The Huntington’s “Nassim” Bridges Our Differences through Language, Gimmickry and Charm

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Jared Bowen in Nassim at the Calderwood Pavillion, BCA. Photos by © Mike Ritter

“Nassim” — Written by Nassim Soleimanpour. Directed by Omar Elerian. A new guest performer for every show. Presented by The Huntington through October 27.

By Shelley A. Sackett

“White Rabbit, Red Rabbit,” Iranian Nassim Soleimanpour’s absurdist adventure, which sits on the boundary of comedy and drama and burst into London’s West End in 20212, changed my opinion about audience participation in theater. Not a big fan of the genre, I left the 2016 performance at New York City’s Westside Theatre a convert.

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Lyric’s “Urinetown” Delivers a Steady Stream of Satire and Fun

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Cast of Lyric Stage’s ‘Urinetown. Photos by Nile Hawver

“Urinetown” –  Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann.  Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis. Directed by Courtney O’Connor. Presented by The Lyric Stage Company of Boston, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston, through October 20.

By Michele Markarian

If I were to be perfectly honest – and somewhat lazy – this review would consist of only three words: See this show. But that wouldn’t be fair to the truly talented director, cast, and crew, so bear with me while I tell you why. It’s a hilarious script with a catchy score and pointed undertones that’s performed flawlessly in moments both tongue-in-cheek and sincere. 

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It’s the “Best Day Ever” in Wheelock Family Theatre’s ‘The Spongebob Musical’

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Cast of Wheelock Family Theatre’s ‘The Spongebob Musical’. Photos by Nile Scott Studios.

‘The Spongebob Musical” – Book by Kyle Jarrow. Conceived by Tina Landau. Arranged by Tom Kitt. Directed by Nick Vargas. Music Directed by Jon Goldberg. Choreographed by Joy Clark. Presented by Wheelock Family Theatre at 180 Riverway, Boston, MA 02215 from October 5th to October 27th.

By Helen Ganley

An iconic yellow pineapple sits on the bottom of the ocean, the calm surface masking the hilarity below. Within a world comprised of kelp, sea anemone, and delicious hamburgers, Wheelock Family Theatre’s production of The SpongeBob Musical is a must-see bubbly adventure.

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What the World Needs Now is Ogunquit’s ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’

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Cast of Ogunquit’s ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Photos by Nile Scott Studios

‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’ – Based on the TriStar Pictures Film. Book by Ron Bass and Jonathan Harvey. Music & Lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Music Direction by Andrew David Sotomayor. Scenic & Costume Design by Colin Richmond. Lighting Design by Rich Latta. Sound Design by Kevin Heard. Wig/Hair & Makeup Design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit ME through October 27th.

By Linda Chin

Don’t know what to do with yourself on Wednesdays through Sundays in October? After you wake up, put on your makeup, and say a little prayer, grab a good friend, bestie, or if you have a gay best friend – and head up the great big freeway (I-95) to the Ogunquit Playhouse to see the world premiere of the new rom-com musical My Best Friend’s Wedding.

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Moonbox’ “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”  a Delightful Romp On the French Riviera

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Matthew Zahnzinger and Julius P. Williams in Moonbox Production’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”
Photos by Molly Shoemaker

by Michele Markarian

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek. Book by Jeffrey Lane. Directed by Allison Olivia Choat. Presented by Moonbox Productions, One Arrow Street, Cambridge, through Oct. 20.

There’s a lot to love – and a ton of talent – in Moonbox Productions’ “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” a musical tale of three con artists looking to grift off of the well-to-do in the fictional town of Beaumont sur Mer on the French Riviera. Based on the 1988 film with Steve Martin, Michael Caine and Glenne Hedley (actually a remake of a film from 1964 called “Bedtime Story”), “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” was made into a Broadway musical that opened in 2005 and starred John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott. Having enjoyed the 1988 film and the Broadway musical, I went to see the Moonbox production with high expectations. With strong direction, an excellent cast, and a wonderful ensemble of singers and dancers,  it did not disappoint.

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