“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bill Mootos as Howard Beale in Umbrella Arts’ ‘Network’. Photos by Jim Sabitus
‘Network’ – Based on the screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky. Adapted for the Stage by Lee Hall. Directed by Ashley Kelly Tata. Scenic Designer, Afsoon Pajoufar; Lighting & Projections Designer, Seif Allah Salotto-Cristobal; Audio Designer, Aubrey Dube; Costume Designer, Nancy Leary. Presented by Umbrella Arts Center, Main Stage Theater40 Stow St, Concord, MA, through November 3
by Mike Hoban
It’s always a challenge to bring an iconic movie to the stage, even more so when its signature line, “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” is one of the most recognizable in film history (#19 on the list of America’s Greatest Movie Quotes according to the American Film Institute). It’s also a lot of pressure to put on an actor, but as the network news anchor turned crazed prophet Howard Beale, Bill Mootos delivers, and he does so without mimicking the brilliantly maniacal performance of Peter Finch (who played Beale in the film). Instead, his portrayal of Beale is more of a world-weary “grand old man of the news” gone mad, and it works beautifully – without losing any of the intensity of the character.
The cast of “Titanic The Musical” at North Shore Music Theatre. Photos: David Costa Photography
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The sixth show of North Shore Music Theatre’s 69th Season is “Titanic, the Musical” with a book and story by Peter Stone, who also wrote “1776” and music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, who also did the same for “Nine” and “Grand Hotel”. This is an epic musical about the 1912 sinking of the legendary ocean liner in the world, Titanic, when it ran into an iceberg. The show is a stirring and emotion-packed production based on the real people aboard this ship. It focuses on the passengers’ hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their future, who each boarded with solid and personal ambitions of their own. All of them were unaware of the terrible fate that awaited them. These passengers were the Third-Class immigrants who dreamed of a better life in America and were not treated very well by the snobbish upper classes; the Second Class imagined that they too could join the lifestyles of the rich and famous with varying success, while the millionaire men of the First Class anticipated their legacies lasting forever. It can also be seen as a cautionary tale of human greed that still exists today. The politics between Captain Edward Smith, the shipbuilder Thomas Andrews, and the overbearing chairman of the White Star Line Board, J. Bruce Ismay, who pressured Captain Smith to accelerate the speed of the maiden voyage to impress news headlines to help him out financially with his business. Ismay did not give a hoot about the passengers’ safety. He was a scummy businessman. In Act 1, we meet the multitude of characters on the ship with many joyous and hopeful moments, while in Act 2, the passengers who escape face their shattered dreams while going to the lifeboats while the doomed ones must make peace with their farewells to each other. The most heartbreaking farewell occurs between Isidor and Ida Straus who owned Macy’s Department Store. The love and devotion between these two people who have been married for 40 years is displayed in their beautiful and poignant duet “Still” which rips your heart out before this magnificent, breathtaking musical comes to a close. The audience leaped to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation with cheers and tears streaming down their face as it was a well-deserved reward.
Shira Cahn Lipman, Matt Finn, Shai Wolf, Todd Sandstrom, Travis Karas, Em Sheeran, Todd Yard in Treehouse Collective’s ‘February House’
‘February House’ – Music and Lyrics by Gabriel Kahan. Story by Seth Bockley. Directed by Katie Swimm. Music directed by Jeff Kimball. Produced by AJ Lyman. Presented by The Treehouse Collective at 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02131 from September 27th to October 13th.
by Helen Ganley
7 Middagh Street consists of plain wooden chairs sitting atop a worn red Turkish carpet, nestled between a golden bar cart and a brown settee, all tied together by a pinstriped chair in the corner. This homey, if dilapidated, artist’s enclave comes to life in The Treehouse Collective’s production of February House.
‘Million Dollar Quartet’ – Book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutux. Directed and choreographed by Greg Santos. Music Director Sam Sherwood. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Original Costume Design by Travis M. Grant. Lighting Design by Jose Santiago. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Hair and Wig Design by Rachel Padilla-Shufelt. Through October 6, 2024, at North Shore Music Theatre, 64 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA.
By Linda Chin
A million shout-outs to the uber-talented cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre. For about a hundred minutes, actor-musicians Sam Sherwood (Carl Perkins), Blake Burgess ( Johnny Cash), Brandon Fillette (Jerry Lee Lewis), Noah Barnes (Elvis Presley), Joe Bentley (Brother Joy), Stephen Blauch (Fluke), Zach Cossman (Sam Phillips), and Hailie Lucille (Dyanne, the lone female character) teach us some history and gift us with a whole lot of musical magic.
Cast of ‘Leopoldstadt’ at the Huntington. Photos by Liza Voll Photography
‘Leopoldstadt’ – Play by Tom Stoppard. Directed by Carey Perloff. Scenic Design by Ken MacDonald; Costume design by Alex Jaeger; Original Music and Sound Design by Jane Shaw; Lighting Design by Robert Wierzel; Projection Design by Yuki Izumihara.Presented by The Huntington in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company at the Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston, through Oct. 13.
By Mike Hoban
As members of any marginalized group trying to integrate into an established community can tell you from firsthand experience, assimilation doesn’t necessarily mean acceptance. The sad truth is that all too often, money, education, physical attributes, or achievement cannot overcome the deep-rooted prejudices of those who cling to the privilege of their skin color, religion, or nationality. Just ask the Obamas.
