Ambassador Group Gives ‘Cinderella’ A Joyful Makeover

December 21, 2018December 26, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

By Mike Hoban

‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ – Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; New Book by Douglas Carter Beane; Original book by Oscar Hammerstein II; Directed by Gina Rattan; Choreography by Lee Wilkins; Scenic Design by Anna Louizos; Costume Design by William Ivey Long; Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner; Sound Design by Nevin Steinberg. Presented by Ambassador Theatre Group at Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston, through Dec. 30.

If you’re thinking of not taking your kids to see Cinderella because it sends the wrong message to girls (and boys) – think again. You obviously haven’t seen the new and improved Broadway touring version now playing at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, which takes the story and turns it on its head while still delivering the wonderful songs in their original form. Disney – and productions of fairy tales in general – have rightfully been taken to task in recent years for reinforcing the “princess culture” that disempowers girls by creating role models that reinforce the wrong-headed notion that girls are less capable than boys in a range of skill sets – especially leadership.

Moulin Rouge! a Gritty, Glamorous Spectacle

August 17, 2018September 10, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” – Book by John Logan, based on the 2001 movie written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Directed by Alex Timbers. Set Design by Derek McLane. Choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Costumes by Catherine Zuber. Lighting by Justin Townsend. Sound Design by Peter Hylenski. Produced by Global Creatures and presented by the Ambassador Theatre Group at the 106 Boylston St., Boston through Aug. 19.

by Susan Daniels

Glamorous and gritty, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” put the spectacular in this spectacle of a show that wows the very audible fans throughout this sensory adventure. At a reported $30 million budget, the Ambassador Theatre Group hit a cornucopia of visual, visceral, and aural stripes with their pre-Broadway production that also debuted in a gorgeously gilded, renovated, and re-opened Emerson Colonial Theatre . . . perhaps the principal star of the evening.

Emerson Colonial Roars Back to Life with High-Spirited “Moulin Rouge!”

August 8, 2018December 27, 2018 Theater Mirror1 Comment

by Mike Hoban

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” – Book by John Logan, based on the 2001 movie written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Directed by Alex Timbers. Set Design by Derek McLane. Choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Costumes by Catherine Zuber. Lighting by Justin Townsend. Sound Design by Peter Hylenski. Produced by Global Creatures and presented by the Ambassador Theatre Group at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston through Aug. 19.

The Emerson Colonial Theatre officially re-opened its doors in explosive fashion this past weekend with the pre-Broadway run of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, an experience that could best be likened to a heart attack patient being jolted back to life with defibrillator paddles. The Colonial’s new operator, Ambassador Theatre Group, has spared no expense in bringing this 2001 movie favorite to the stage, and the results are spectacular. Simply put, Moulin Rouge is an absolute blast. Featuring a set that would make Cecil B. DeMille blush, an extraordinary cast led by Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo, and an ingeniously clever score that mashes up everything from “L’amour Est Oiseau” (from Bizet’s 1875 opera Carmen) to Madonna’s “Material Girl”, Moulin Rouge is a visual and aural feast – particularly for fans of pop music.