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.
Renata Eastlick and Madeline Maby in ‘Ms Holmes and Ms Watson-Apt-2B’ at Trinity Rep. Photo by Mark Turek
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Trinity Rep’s second show of their 61st season is the Rhode Island premiere of “Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson-Apt-2B” by Kate Hamill. She lampoons the famed fictional character of Detective Sherlock Holmes, and his befuddled sidekick Doctor Watson and cheerfully desecrates Arthur Conan Doyle’s original characters and time frame with gender and time setting adjustments.
This show is set during the post-pandemic in the spring of 2021 with Ms. Watson, a wayward American traveling around Europe, arriving in England. She rents a room from the kindly Mrs. Hudson and ends up with a bitter roommate, Ms. Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is a police consultant whose deductions make up for a frenetic personality. She decides her new roommate has run away from her past as a doctor, so Holmes turns Watson into the role of her sidekick, who accompanies her to solve multiple violent crimes that all seem to lead to a notorious villain. Along the way they develop a close friendship as they humorously solve many cases along the way. Hamill combines many of Conan Doyle’s storylines into her script, creating wild and crazy hijinks, adventures, and mysterious events.
Two other performers play multiple roles in the show, one as the kindly landlady, Mrs. Hudson, and the seductive Irene Adler, the other as the sweet Inspector Lestrade, and a Texas billionaire, Mr. Monk, with a shady past. The revolving situations thrown their way keep the audience entertained and laughing merrily all night long. Director Laura Kepley chose four strong performers for these roles and elicited comic moments of hilarity from each of them and a poignant revelation in Act 2. She supplies them with clever shtick with an undercover of mysterious elements thrown into the mix. The enthusiastic audience revels in the engaging mystery-solving with humor thrown into the mix. This splendid cast receives a spontaneous standing ovation at the close of this wonderfully directed show.
Keply is aided in her task by scenic designer Collette Pollard, costume designer Shahrzad Mazaheri, Dawn Chiang lighting designer and Sartje Pickett sound designer who all do their jobs marvelously. The stage manager’s and her crew’s expertise in changing the set pieces from many locations is excellently rendered.
Leading the cast in these two iconic roles now played by women in this show are Renata Eastlick as Sherlock Holmes and Madeline Maby as Joan Watson. As Holmes, Eastlick runs the gamut of emotions from sulky brooder to inquisitive roommate to excellent crime solver. The rapid delivery of her lines, listening to classical music, and mystery-solving are astounding. Holmes is also a sloppy housekeeper and lives by the motto not to use outside help of the internet, but seemingly doesn’t have empathy until Watson shows her the way. Renata gives a tour de force performance in this role as the by-the-book detective finally learns how to become a friend to someone at long last. The outstanding sword-fighting choreography by Mark Rose is marvelous to behold.
Maby also delivers a terrific portrayal of the world-weary doctor Watson, who has been overwhelmed by the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Trying as hard as she can to escape her past as a doctor, Holmes keeps demanding her help at every turn to try to bring her back to life by solving all these crimes and curing her of her worries and fears. Madeleine shines in this role with her frightened expressions, and funny exclamation of “What the frig” when Holmes surprises her constantly, but she also delivers the goods in a heartfelt explanation of what upset her and upended her life in America. That was how upset she was with the burnout and trauma that Watson felt in the medical field. They have great chemistry together as the leads in this show.
Angela Brazil delivers an amazing performance as she transforms into all these diverse characters, ranging from a kindly older Scottish woman delivering funny one-liners all night long to a Cockney supposedly grieving widow with a secret to hide to a sexy vamp, femme fatale that will stop at nothing to achieve her goals and entrances everyone she comes into contact with. Jeff Church is another marvelous performer who plays multiple roles. His characters include Inspector Lestrade, who is warm and understanding and then turns on a dime as the overbearing billionaire hiding many sexual secrets from his senate career in Texas. His entrance in this role will leave you rolling the aisles with laughter. Jeff also plays a role that will leave you stunned. He also narrates some of the show. Some of these portrayals need to be seen to be believed. Needless to say, the audience enjoys the madcap adventures all night long from the extremely well-written, acted, and directed script. So, if you need to escape from the trials and tribulations of the outside world, be sure to catch “Ms Holmes and Ms Watson-Apt-2B” and it will certainly brighten up your night. For tickets, go to trinityrep.com or call the box office before this run is completely sold out.
MS HOLMES AND MS WATSON-APT-2B (3 October to 17 November)
Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI
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.
Sarah Morin, Jenny S. Lee and Aimee Doherty in CST‘s ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’
Central Square Theater presents THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. Adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tale. Written by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. Directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner. Scenic & Properties Design by Julia Wonkka. Costume Design by Leslie Held. Lighting Design by John R. Malinowski. Sound Design by David Bryan Jackson. At Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, through October 6, 2024.
Starting and ending at Baker Street, London, and largely set in Devonshire, England circa 1889, this spoof of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles tells the following tale: Super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes and trusty sidekick Dr. James Watson are summoned to investigate the unusual and unnatural death of Sir Charles Baskerville, whose corpse was discovered on the ground surrounded by giant paw prints. The actors and audience members journey together to the mansion and moors to answer the following three questions and unlock the mystery: What frightened Sir Charles Baskerville to death? Is the family the target of a robbery or an ancient curse? Is Charles’ young heir Henry being stalked by a human murderer or a supernatural hound?
Jayne Atkinson, Fiona Robberson in Dorset Theater Festival’s Timely ‘True Art.’ Photos by T Charles Erickson
“True Art” – Written by Jessica Provenz. Directed by Michelle Joyner. Scenic Design by Christopher and Justin Swader; Costume Design by Barbara A. Bell; Lighting Design by Patricia M. Nichols; Sound Design by Jane Shaw; Projection Design by Joey Moro. Presented by Dorset Theatre Festival, Dorset, Vermont. Run has ended.
By Shelley A. Sackett
It was good planning to arrive a little early for the Dorset Theatre Festival’s world première of “True Art.” The bewitching set begged a closer look. Center stage, basking in Renaissance splendor, is Michelangelo’s “Leda and the Swan,’ mounted on a rich burgundy panel. Stage left and right are mirror rows of vertical metal grids, each loaded top to bottom with the A-list of coveted museum possessions, from Pollack to Picasso and Monet to Miro.
Cast of ‘Laughs in Spanish’ at Speakeasy Stage. Photos by Nile Scott Studios
‘Laughs in Spanish’ – Written by Alexis Scheer. Directed by Mariela López-Ponce. Scenic design by Erik D. Diaz. Costume design by Rebecca Glick. Lighting Design by Amanda E. Fallon. Sound Design by Anna Drummond. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company at 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02116, from September 13th to October 12th.
By Helen Ganley
Bright orange chairs sit below bare white walls bearing blank name cards for conspicuously missing paintings. Henry Fiol’s “Ahora me da Pena” (“Now I Feel Sorry”) wafts through the room as the part-telenovela, part-whodunit begins to unfold onstage. Written by Alexis Scheer, Laughs in Spanish is a contemporary play that explores the intersection of culture, identity, and family dynamics through humor. Scheer, a playwright and actress, debuted this work in 2019 at the Boston Playwright’s Theatre. Speakeasy Stage’s rendering is a high-energy and campy production that speaks to family, relationships, and the importance of connection.
The cast of ‘The Hombres’ at Gloucester Stage. Photos by John Grow Photography.
‘The Hombres’ – Written by Tony Meneses. Directed by Armando Rivera. Movement Design by Nathaniel Justiniano. Set Design by Kristin Loeffler. Costume Design by Chelsea Kerl. Lighting Design by John Holmes. Sound Design by Julian Crocamo. Properties Design by Carolyn Ferris. Presented by Teatro Chelsea & Gloucester Stage Company at 267 E. Main St., Gloucester, MA through September 22. At Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet St., Chelsea, MA from September 27-29, 2024.
by Linda Chin
Humorous and light-hearted, at times heavy (but never heavy-handed), alternately heartwarming and heartbreaking, playwright Tony Meneses’ The Hombres tells a story of five ordinary men that is exquisitely written and extraordinarily human throughout.
