Audiences Tickled Pink by The Queen of Versailles at Emerson Colonial Theatre

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abrahamin“The Queen of Versailles” at Emerson Colonial Theatre. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES – Produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, and Kristen Chenoweth, through her production banner Diva Worldwide Entertainment. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Lindsey Ferrentino based on the documentary film “The Queen of Versailles” by Lauren Greenfield and the life stories of Jackie and David Siegel. Directed by Michael Arden. Scenic and Video Design by Dane Laffrey; Costume Design by Christian Cowan; Choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant; Music Supervised by Mary-Mitchell Campbell; Lighting Design by Natasha Katz; Sound Design by Peter Hylenski. At Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston, through August 25th.

by Linda Chin

I must have missed the memo. For the beautiful and ebullient crowd at the Emerson Colonial Theater attending the highly anticipated new Stephen Schwartz musical, hot pink and sequins were the colors of choice, minidresses to ballgowns with floor-grazing trains the length of choice, boas and bling the accessories of choice. The Queen of Versailles – starring Tony and Emmy award-winner Kristen Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel – is a rags-to-riches-to-rags musical that follows working-class teenager “Jackie Mallory, who has a minimum wage salary” and lives in Endwell, NJ. She gets a degree in engineering – part of her lifetime dream is to work at IBM – but gets “pulled in a new direction.” There are plenty of references and allusions to Broadway shows and pop culture, and product endorsements for McDonald’s and Louis Vuitton (“the two bags under my eyes”). The show is enjoying a pre-Broadway run through August 25 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre (location and date of the Broadway run to be announced at a later date), and if the response at the opening night performance I attended is any indication, audiences are already tickled pink with the production.

Emerson Colonial Theatre’s Dazzling “Queen of Versailles” Showcases Kristin Chenoweth’s Super-Sized Talent

August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of *“The Queen of Versailles”* at Emerson Colonial Theatre. Photo Credit Matthew Murphy

“The Queen of Versailles” — Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by Lindsey Ferrentino based on the documentary film “The Queen of Versailles” by Lauren Greenfield and the life stories of Jackie and David Siegel. Directed by Michael Arden. Scenic and Video Design by Dane Laffrey; Costume Design by Christian Cowan; Choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant; Music Supervised by Mary-Mitchell Campbell; Lighting Design by Natasha Katz; Sound Design by Peter Hylenski. Produced by Bill Damaschke, Seaview, and Kristen Chenoweth, through her production banner Diva Worldwide Entertainment. Presented by Emerson Colonial Theatre at 106 Boylston St., Boston through August 25.

By Shelley A. Sackett

There is no more perfect setting for a play about Versailles and consumerism gone awry than Boston’s own Colonial Theatre, with its gold, glitz, and Rococo splendor. On opening night last Thursday, the festive crowd for “The Queen of Versailles,” the Broadway-bound musical extravaganza, was dressed as if auditioning as contemporary cast extras with bling, boas, and bottles of champagne.

But that was nothing compared to Dane Lafrey’s lavish Louis XIV worthy set, thankfully on pre-curtain-rise display to accommodate selfies and elicit oohs and aahs.

A Blissful Production of ‘A Little Night Music’ at Ogunquit Playhouse

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024 Theater Mirror2 Comments

A Little Night Music. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Hugh Wheeler. Direction by Hunter Foster. Choreography by Shannon Lewis. Music Direction by Jeffrey Campos. Scenic Design by Riw Rakkulchon. Lighting Design by Richard Latta. Costume Design by Hunter Kaczorowski. Sound design by Daniel Lindbergh. Wig Design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit ME, through August 17, 2024.

by Linda Chin

It’s time to send in the summer crowds to the little seaside village of Ogunquit, Maine, and its legendary regional theater. The Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of musical theatre’s “Giant in the Sky” Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, which runs through August 17th, is spectacular. Hugh Wheeler’s book, inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, tells the story of three generations of Armfeldts: the aging, wealthy, and wise former courtesan Madame Armfeldt (Kathleen Turner, elegant as usual), her also aging daughter, the renowned actress Desirée (Julia Murney), an aging actress and single mother to Fredrika (Lily Philbrook) and their many permutations of romantic partners. A Little Night Music is part operetta, part social commentary, and part bedroom farce. With the masterful score and brilliant lyrics that are Sondheim’s trademark, paired with the Ogunquit Playhouse’s usual outstanding orchestra, cast, and creative teams, audiences are in for a visual and vocal treat featuring both melancholic and laugh-out-loud moments.

“Tootsie” at the North Shore Music Theatre

August 1, 2024August 18, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

The cast of TOOTSIE at North Shore Music Theatre. Photos by David Costa Photography

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s fourth show of their 69th Season is “Tootsie,” a regional debut of this musical. “Tootsie”, the musical, is based on the 1982 comedy movie of the same name written by Larry Gelbart, Barry Levinson, Elaine May, and Murray Schisgal from the story by Gelbart and Don McGuire. The musical opened on Broadway on March 29, 2019. Like the film, the musical tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but volatile actor whose reputation for being difficult forces him to adopt a new identity as a woman in order to obtain a job. The original movie revolved around a daytime soap opera, while this show involved a Broadway musical. The musical has music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Robert Horn. Director Richard J. Hinds cast these roles splendidly and elicited strong performances. He also choreographs some phenomenal dance numbers to keep the audience enthralled all night long. His associate director and choreographer, Elyn Collier aids Richard in his task. Musical director Sam Groisser not only conducts a terrific ten-piece orchestra but plays lead keyboards. Sam taught the cast all the melodious songs with soaring harmonies and brought out the best in the cast and orchestra. Together Richard and Sam bring a new original musical to North Shore Music Theatre for audiences to enjoy and savor. The talented cast is rewarded with a thunderous standing ovation at the close of the show.

“An American In Paris” at Reagle Music Theatre

August 1, 2024December 28, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The 2024 Olympics this year are being held in Paris, and since everyone can’t be there, Reagle Music Theatre’s third show of their 55th season this summer brings Paris to the audience with their fantastic production of “An American in Paris,” the musical. This show is based on the 1951 movie of the same name, which starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. I will give a synopsis since current-day audiences might be unfamiliar with this musical.

Cirque de Soleil Dives into the Insect World in the Colorful “OVO”

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

“OVO” – Guide and Founder – Guy Laliberté. Artistic Guide – Gilles Ste-Croix. Writer, Director and Choreographer – Deborah Colker. Costume Design by Liz Vandal. Set Design by Designer Gringo Cardia. Musical Composition and Direction by Berna Ceppas. Lighting Design by Éric Champoux. Presented by Cirque de Soleil at Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. Run has ended.

By Shelley A. Sackett

“How did they do that?” exclaimed my companion with all the amazement and awe of a seven-year-old as a cluster of red-clad creatures slid down poles horizontally and screeched to a halt inches above the floor.

Whether seven or seventy-seven, the artistic magic and athletic showmanship of a Cirque de Soleil performance never gets stale.

Hub Theater’s ‘46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ a Darkly Comic History Lesson

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of the Hub Theater Company’s “46 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” Photo: Andrew Keefe

‘46 Plays for America’s First Ladies‘ – Written by Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sharon Greene, Chloe Johnston, Bilal Dardai, and Andy Bayiates; Directed by Ilyse Robbins; Set Design by Justin Lahue; Lighting Design by Emily Bearce;Sound Design by Gage Baker; and Costumes by E. Rosser. Presented by Hub Theatre Company at Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA.

By Mike Hoban

If you’re going to Hub Theater’s 46 Plays for America’s First Ladies expecting a fawning third-grade history treatment of the women who “stood behind their men,” you’re in for a surprise. That premise is obliterated in the opening vignette when Martha Washington tells the audience, “I loved slavery” and describes her time as First Lady as akin to being a “state prisoner” – which is an actual quote from the wife of the “Father of Our Country.” Wow.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Co.’s “The Winter’s Tale” Sizzles on Boston Common

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of Commonwealth Shakespeare Co.’s “The Winter’s Tale”. Photo Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

“The Winter’s Tale.” Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Bryn Boice. Scenic Design by James L. Fenton; Costume and Wig Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Lighting Design by Maximo Grano De Oro; Sound Design by David Remedios; Original Music by Mackenzie Adamick. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company for Free Shakespeare on the Common, Parkman Bandstand, 139 Tremont St., Boston, through August 4.

By Shelley A. Sackett

The drizzly chill overhead did nothing to dampen Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s sizzling (and free!) production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. From James J. Fenton’s spectacular set to director Bryn Boice’s nuanced yet spunky direction to the exceptional cast, the evening was an example of Boston’s cutting-edge theater scene at its most exciting.

A Dark, Redemptive “ Winter’s Tale” on the Common

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Nael Nacer, Omar Robinson and cast in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “The Winter’s Tale”. Photo Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

“The Winter’s Tale”. By William Shakespeare. Directed by Bryn Boice. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at the Boston Common through August 4.

By Michele Markarian

For many of us hankering for outdoor theater, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s annual summer production is something to look forward to. This year, despite the difficult theme of “The Winter’s Tale,” one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” Commonwealth does not disappoint.

Weston Drama Workshop’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ The Stuff of Dreams

July 25, 2024July 27, 2024 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of Weston Drama Workshop’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Photos by George Lucozzi

‘Phantom Of The Opera’ – Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Charles Hart. Book by Richard Stilton & Andrew Lloyd Webber; Directed by Chris Brindley. Musical Direction by Chris Holownia, SJ. Choreography by Emily Craver. Scenic Design by Kyle Stamm and Chris Fournier. Lighting Design by Kyle Stamm. Sound Design by Elliot Dupcak. Costume Design by Cat Lawrence. Make-Up & Hair Design by Grace Graham. Presented by Weston Drama Workshop at Regis College, Weston, MA, through July 27, 2024.

By Linda Chin

Set on the stage of the Paris Opera in 1905, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a devious masked figure who lives in the Opera House and falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, who he wants for his own. Phantom took its final bow in April 2023 – after 35 years, nearly 14,000 performances, and audiences of over 20 million, creating the opportunity for community, professional, and regional theater companies to apply for the rights. (Prior to the Broadway close, licensing was available only to affiliated high schools). Typically, WDW’s blockbuster seasons include newly available titles, e.g. Something Rotten (WDW 2022), Mean Girls (WDW 2023), and Six and Phantom this season.