Gloucester Stage ‘s Thought-Provoking ‘The Ding Dongs’ is a Theatrical Tour-de-Force

August 15, 2023December 26, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Erica Steinhagen, Karl Gregory, and Nael Nacer in Gloucester Stage Company’s ‘The Ding Dongs’

‘The Ding Dongs’ — Written by Brenda Withers. Directed by Rebecca Bradshaw. Costume Design by Camilla Dely; Lighting Design by M. Berry; Sound Design by Julian Crocamo. Presented by Gloucester Stage, 267 East Main St., Gloucester, through August 27.

By Shelley A. Sackett

We’ve all been there. That split second when we realize that all may not be as it seems, that we have misread a vital clue and that all is about to go south. The Ding Dongs, in production at Gloucester Stage through August 27, takes that moment and straps it to a steroid drip.

Don’t be put off by the title, as I almost was. (Is it a tribute to Hostess? To a bebop group? To the comedic wrestling duo?) The Ding Dongs will keep you on the edge of your seat for its entire 75 minutes from lights up to fade out and leave you dying to talk about it to anyone within earshot.

When is the last time theater had that kind of visceral effect?

Goodspeed’s ‘Summer Stock’ is a Feel-Good, ‘Get Happy’ Experience

August 3, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Corbin Bleu and the cast of Goodspeed’s ‘Summer Stock’. Photo by Diane Sobolewski

‘Summer Stock’ – Book & Additional Lyrics by Cheri Steinkellner. Direction and Choreography by Donna Feore. Music Supervision, Arrangements, Orchestrations by Doug Besterman. Music Direction by Adam Souza. Scenic Design by Wilson Chin. Costume Design by Tina McCartney. Lighting Design by Jeff Croiter. Sound Design by Jay Hilton. At Goodspeed Musicals, East Haddam, CT, through August 27

by Linda Chin

Post-pandemic, performing arts venues across the country are reporting difficulties maintaining their subscriber base or filling seats, but at Connecticut’s Goodspeed Musicals, this does not seem to be the case. Based on the classic 1950 MGM film featuring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland, Summer Stock was rewritten and updated by Cheri Steinkellner (Cheers, Sister Act) to tell a story that appeals to modern audiences, supports a diverse cast of characters, and includes many more songs than the nine in the film. With delightful direction and classy choreography by Donna Feore, jazz-inspired musical arrangements by Doug Besterman, and expert music direction by Adam Souza, eight musicians (including Souza on keyboards) and a cast of 20 triple-threats perform over 20 song and dance numbers. From start to finish, Goodspeed’s Summer Stock is a feel-good “Get Happy” experience.

Company Theatre’s “Born To Do This” Rocks

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Liza Giangrande and cast of “Born to Do This” at Company Theatre. Photos by Mike Scott

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Company Theatre is known for doing epic musicals, and their current summer show is “Born to Do This,” about Joan of Arc, an original Rock Opera. Zoe Bradford wrote the book and lyrics, and the music and additional lyrics were by Melissa Carubia. This massive show was directed and blocked by Zoe and Sally Ashton Forrest. The show examines the life of Joan and tells of her heroic story of a young girl who fought against oppression and women’s rights centuries ago. They decided to write this show as a sung-through musical. To quote Melissa, “Rock is the music of rebellion.” These 31 talented cast members with an incredible 14-piece orchestra bring this meaningful show to life. The music contains powerful anthems, pretty ballads, and a comic song or two. It is reminiscent of “Les Miserables” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” To quote Joan, “I am not afraid; I was born to do this,” as were Zoe and Melissa on this enormous task. Brava! They delve into her childhood with her parents and two brothers. They collaborated with Michael Hammond during their writing sessions and realized this 600-year-old story is still relevant. At the start of the show, we see Young Jeanne with St. Michael, who delivers an important message about how her life will unfold in the song “The Messenger,” and the harmonies in the chorus are perfect. Musical director Robert McDonough taught the talented cast all these numbers and conducts and plays lead keyboards with his splendid orchestra. Jeri Sykes did the orchestration for this show. This show is dedicated to The Company Theatre co-founder Jordie Saucerman, who always encouraged us to do what we were born to do.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Delivers a Thrilling “MacBeth” to the Boston Common

July 29, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of Macbeth on the Boston Common in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “Macbeth.”
(Nile Scott Studios)

“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare. Directed by Steven Maler. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. On the Boston Common, through August 6.

By Michele Markarian

As smoke ominously fills the stage set for Commonwealth Shakespeare’s rousing production of “Macbeth,” there’s a feeling of hushed anticipation over the significant crowd that’s gathered at the Common. Now in its 27^th year of bringing free Shakespeare to Boston audiences, Commonwealth Shakespeare’s productions are accessible and riveting to witness. This year is no exception. With the text running on a screen beside the stage, the drama is easy to follow, should you need it.

Dresses Galore in “Love, Loss and What I Wore”

July 25, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of *“Love, Loss and What I Wore”* at Club Cafe

By Michele Markarian

“Love, Loss and What I Wore” – Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron. Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman. Directed by Paula Plum. Presented by Hub Theatre Company of Boston, Club Café, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, through August 5.

“Love, Loss and What I Wore” opens with a woman (June Kfoury) cataloging her life by drawing dresses – dresses that she’d had and loved as a girl, dresses she remembers her mother, grandmother, and aunt wearing – as a means of recording her memories. She lost her mother early in life – a theme of a few of the show’s monologues – and is turned over to her grandmother and aunt, thus losing her father as well. Somehow, she takes comfort in remembering her loved ones through their outfits.

Gloucester Stage Serves Up More Than Good Food in ‘Stew’

July 19, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

‘STEW’ – Written by Zora Howard. Directed by Rosalind Bevan. Scenic Design by JennaMcFarland Lord. Costume Design by KJ Gilmer. Lighting Design by Kat C. Zhou. SoundDesign by Aubrey Dube. Presented by Gloucester Stage, 267 E Main St, Gloucester, MAthrough July 23.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Stew is any dish that is prepared by “stewing” — that is, submerging the ingredients with just enough liquid to cook them through on a low flame in a covered pot for a longtime. It is also a synonym for brooding. One who is in an extreme state of worry and agitation is said to be “stewing.”

At North Shore Music Theatre, ‘The Sound of Music’ Makes the World Go Round

July 17, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of ‘The Sound of Music at NSMT’. Photos by David Costa Photography

‘The Sound of Music’ – Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Directed by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Choreography by Briana Fallon. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jose Santiago. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Wig & Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA through July 23, 2023.

By Linda Chin

Let’s start at the very beginning. When crystal chandeliers in a circular formation descend from up high, Maestro Granger lifts his baton, the orchestra and nuns of Nonnberg Abbey open Act 1 with the hauntingly beautiful “Praeludium,” and the theatre comes alive with glorious sounds of music, all seems right with the world. But those familiar with The Sound of Music or European history (or who like me, learn about people and cultures from theater as well as textbooks) know that in 1938, in Nazi-occupied Austria at the cusp of World War 2, all is not harmonious.

It’s All in the Family in Huntington’s Spectacular ‘The Lehman Trilogy’

July 3, 2023July 4, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Joshua David Robinson, Firdous Bamji, and Steven Skybell in *‘The Lehman Trilogy’* at the Huntington. Photos by T. Charles Erickson

‘The Lehman Trilogy’ – Written by Stephano Massini and Adapted by Ben Power. Directed by Carey Perloff. Scenic Design by Sara Brown; Projection Design by Jeanette Oi Suk-Yew; Costume Design by Dede Ayite; Lighting Design by Robert Wierzel; Original Music by Mark Bennett; Co-Sound Design by Mark Bennett and Charles Does. Presented by the Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., through July 23.

By Shelley A. Sackett

A lone and mournful clarinetist (Joe LaRocca) wanders across the stage of the Huntington’s theatrically astonishing “The Lehman Trilogy,” inviting comparisons in tone and content to the spirited drama “Fiddler on the Roof.” Steeped in ritual and Judaism, both stories trace what happens to a family when political oppression forces it to leave home, leading most of its members to emigrate to America.

A Five Exclamation Points ‘Oklahoma!’ at Reagle Music Theatre!!!!!

June 27, 2023June 27, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘Oklahoma!’ Photos by Robert Pascucci

Oklahoma! – by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Direction and Choreography by Rachel Bertone. Music Direction by Dan Rodriguez. Scenic Consulting by Cameron McEachern. Lighting Design by Frank Meissner, Jr. Costume Design by Emerald City Theatrical. Sound Design by Sebastian Nixon. At Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, Waltham, through July 2.

by Linda Chin

With award-winning director and choreographer Rachel Bertone and music director Dan Rodriguez at the helm, Frank Meissner, Jr. (Lighting Design), Cameron McEachern (Scenic Consultant), Emerald City Theatrical (Costume Design) on the creative team, Reagle’s production of Oklahoma! was bound to be a feast for the senses. From the moment the overture begins, the 19-piece orchestra envelops you with lush sound. The bright yellow drop (adorned with figures of cowmen and farmers) that welcomed you to the theater rises to reveal a world of yesteryear – a farmhouse with a front porch, white picket fences, and a hand-painted backdrop of the open sky that is both realistic and dreamy – you can imagine the sweet breezes and smell of hay.

Ogunquit’s ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Makes Spectacular Splash

June 25, 2023June 28, 2023 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of *‘Singin’ in the Rain’* at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photo by Nile Hawver, Nile Scott Studios

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – Story by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Lyrics by Arthur Freed; Music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown; Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Directed by Jayme McDaniel; Musical Direction by Matt Smedal; Choreography by Kristyn Pope;
Scenic Design by Andy Walmsley; Costume Design by Dustin Cross; Lighting Design by Richard Latta; Sound Design by Germán Martinez. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME, through July 15

By Linda Chin

No show fits Ogunquit Playhouse’s description as a self-producer of “big splashy musicals and side-splitting comedies” that attracts “casts of stars on its historic stage” better than Singin’ in the Rain, the spectacular romantic musical comedy based on the legendary MGM film. First staged at OP in 2009, director Jayme McDaniel returns to helm this production, Kristin Pope choreographs, and Matthew Smedal music directs. Broadway’s Max Clayton (Music Man) as leading man Don Lockwood, Christian Probst as BFF Cosmo Brown, Chiara Trentalange as actress Kathy Selden, Kate Loprest as co-star Lina Lamont, Greg Jackson as director Roscoe Dexter, Lance Roberts as producer R.F. Simpson and 19 ensemble members show their acting and singing chops, and literally – dance up a storm.