ART Delivers a Spectacular “Life of Pi”

December 17, 2022December 18, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Adi Dixit (“Pi”), Rowan Magee, Celia Mei Rubin, and Nikki Calonge (“Richard Parker”) in Life of Pi at the A.R.T. Photos: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

by Michele Markarian

“Life of Pi.” Based on the novel by Yann Martel. Adapted by Lolita Chakrabati. Directed by Max Webster. Presented by American Repertory Theater, Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, through January 29.

In 2003, Yann Martel’s newly published “Life of Pi” was one of those must-reads that had to be gotten through in order to hold one’s own in literary discussions. I can’t honestly say I enjoyed the book. While it had an interesting beginning and a thoughtful ending, the middle was tedious – Pi alone at sea with diminishing zoo animals. Or at least that’s how I remember it. Luckily, Lolita Chakrabati’s stage adaptation cuts its way through that boring middle, interspersing scenes of Pi’s (Adi Dixit) interrogation with the ship’s insurer, Mr. Okamoto (Daisuke Tsuji) and Lulu Chen (Kirstin Louie) with his solo journey, lost at sea. Even with that structure, the brilliant stagecraft and artistry of this production eclipses any story line.

Theatergoers Looking for Love Will Find It in ‘Torch Song’

December 13, 2022December 13, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Peter Mill in Moonbox Production’s ‘Torch Song’. Photos by Nikolai Alexander

Torch Song – Written by Harvey Fierstein. Presented by Moonbox Productions. Producer, Sharman Altshuler; Director, Allison Olivia-Choat; Set Designer, Cameron McEachern; Lighting Designer, Finn Bamber; Costume Designer, Joe Michienzie, Sound Designer, Aubrey Dube; Props Designer, Addie Pates. At Calderwood Pavilion, Roberts Studio Theater, Boston, through December 23^rd.

by Linda Chin

Legendary storyteller Harvey Firestein’s semi-autobiographical Torch Song Trilogy, a trio of one-acts chronicling the life of gay, Jewish protagonist Arnold Beckoff, a drag queen in 1970s New York City, made their Broadway debut in 1982 and earned two Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor. The 1983 ceremony hinted at the closeted culture of the time, when homosexuality was a taboo topic for public discussion. Presenter Diahann Carroll’s scripted note cards described nominee Torch Song Trilogy as a “devastating comic play…about the merciless mayhem that love wreaks,” and when producer John Glines wrapped up his acceptance speech by acknowledging the support of his male partner and lover, the broadcast moved swiftly to a music/commercial break (Had the internet existed “back then” it surely would have broken).

North Shore’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Beautifully Blends Theatre of the Past, Present and Future

December 8, 2022 Theater Mirror2 Comments

The cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at North Shore Music Theatre. Photos©David Costa Photography

‘A Christmas Carol.’ Adapted for the stage from the Charles Dickens novella by Jon Kimbell. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Original Scenic Design by Howard C. Jones. Costume Coordination/Additional Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Leon Rothenberg. Original Wig and Hair Design by Gerard Kelly. Additional Wig Design by Kat Shanahan. Projection Design by Nick Wass. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, through December 23.

by Linda Chin

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the heartwarming image of a young boy (Tiny Tim) holding a little cane above his head sitting on his father’s shoulder (Bob Cratchit) – joy on the pair’s faces undiminished by their well-worn winter clothing and the son’s disability – has been immortalized in 19^th century lithographs and 3-D porcelain (and plastic) figurines alike. With beautiful costumes, traditional songs, amazing acrobatics, special effects, and an outstanding cast and orchestra bringing the classic story and its iconic images to life, NSMT’s A Christmas Carol is the perfect show for people of all generations to continue – or begin – an annual holiday tradition. First presented in 1989, director and choreographer Kevin P. Hill keeps the show fresh by retaining the traditional elements and changing the staging/choreography, special effects, and cast members who outgrow their roles – like Tiny Tim. NSMT’s 2022 production of A Christmas Carol beautifully blends theatre of the past, present and what’s ‘yet to come.’

‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical’ Is Another Home Run for Greater Boston Stage

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Little Women’ at Greater Boston Stage Company – L to R Sarah Coombs, Liza Giangrande, Amy Barker, Abriel Coleman, Katie Shults

‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical’ – Book by Allan Knee based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and Music by Jason Howland. Directed and Choreographed by Ilyse Robbins. Music Directed by Matthew Stern. Scenic Design by Shelley Barish. Lighting Design by Katie Whittemore. Costume Design by Gail Astrid Buckley. Sound Design by John Stone. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company, Stoneham through December 23.

by Shelley A. Sackett

Greater Boston Stage Company has a knack for picking the perfect material and director for its holiday offering. Last year, the musical, ‘All Is Calm,’ also directed and choreographed by the talented Ilyse Robbins, was a crowd pleaser that raised the bar and spoke to audience members of all faiths with a message that transcended the usual Christmas pablum. This year, with its flawless production of Little Women: The Broadway Musical, that bar got even higher. At 150 minutes (including intermission), the play didn’t seem too long, a feat in and of itself.

Cirque de Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…’ Is True Family Holiday Fare

December 3, 2022 Theater Mirror2 Comments

Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before…’ at the Boch Center

‘‘Twas the Night Before…’ – Conceived and Directed by James Hadley. Production by Cirque de Soleil at Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston through December 11.

by Shelley A. Sackett

‘Twas the Night Before…, Cirque de Soleil’s first Christmas show, delivered a sunny holiday respite from the blinding rain last Wednesday night. But the 85-minute intermission-less show was more than just shelter from the storm — it was a family-friendly retelling of the familiar Christmas classic with all the thrill, glitz, and mind-boggling contortions that have become Cirque de Soleil trademarks.

The lighting, set design and costumes were nothing to sneeze at, either.

GAMM Theatre’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Brings Back Magic of Radio

December 1, 2022December 13, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Cast of GAMM Theatre’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

by Tony Annicone

GAMM Theatre’s holiday production this year is “It’s a Wonderful Life:A Live A Radio Play” adapted by Joe Landry. GAMM’s fourth presentation of this show features seven performers plus a sound effects man to deliver all the lines of all the characters from the film version. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live radio broadcast right here in Warwick, RI. The audience is transported back in time as a radio audience watching an ensemble of performers bringing dozens of characters to life onstage. The “broadcast” is interspersed with live commercials about Greenwood Credit Union and GAMM Theatre. Before the show there is a sing-a-long with cast members belting out “Jingle Bells” and “12 Days of Christmas” and the Foley Artist doing sound effects for each of the days. Relive the story of the idealistic George Bailey as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. This is a fully realized version of the story originally brought to life by Frank Capra in the movie that starred Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Directed previously by Damon Kiely and remounted this year by Tony Estrella, who molds these eight talented performers into the iconic characters from the movie perfectly, obtains incredible performances from them and blends the comedy and pathos together to deliver many laughs and tears on their journey. Tony played George in the past three versions of this show. A spontaneous standing ovation is their well-deserved reward at the end of the performance.

‘Little Women’, Big Feels at Greater Boston Stage

December 1, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Once again this holiday season, Greater Boston Stage Company director and choreographer Ilyse Robbins and music director Matt Stern bring families – on stage and in the audience – together with the shared experience of musical theater. While presenting a special holiday production has been a decades-long GBSC tradition, its offerings are not always “traditional” holiday shows.

‘The Chinese Lady’ Educates, Entertains

November 17, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Jae Woo as Atung, Sophori Ngin as Afong Moy in ‘The Chinese Lady’ at Central Square Theater. Photos: Nile Scott Studios.

Written by Lloyd Suh. Directed by Sarah Shin. Set Design by Qingan Zhang. Lighting Design by Kat C. Zhou. Costume Design by Sandra Zhihan Jia. Sound Design by Kai Bohlman. Presented in partnership with CHUANG Stage at Central Square Theater, Cambridge through December 11, 2022.

by Linda Chin

In November 1834, fresh off the boat from Guangdong, China, fourteen-year-old Afong Moy made her New York City debut. Brought to the U.S. by New England merchants Nathaniel and Frederick Carne, Moy was featured in an exhibit the Carnes created to promote their trade goods from the exotic East. In a full-size diorama filled with Chinese paintings, lanterns, vases, and other (inanimate) decorative objects, a Chinese Lady (Moy) in full theatrical makeup, elaborately embroidered silk clothing and seated in an ornamental chair was also on display. She demonstrated how one skillfully eats with chopsticks, properly pours and drinks tea, and walks gracefully in lotus shoes adorning her four-inch feet. A brief audience Q&A facilitated by interpreter Atung followed the performance. Confined in a box for eight hours a day, Moy diligently carried out her role of cultural ambassador, repeating her act over and over again for the “education and entertainment” of an estimated 2000 audience members/week.

Lyric’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ Gets Its Comedy Right

November 16, 2022November 17, 2022 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Kelby T. Atkin, Dan Whelton, Michael Liebhauser, Marc Pierre, Mitch Kiliulis in Lyric’s *The Play That Goes Wrong*. Photos by Mark S. Howard

The Play That Goes Wrong – Conceived and written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. Directed by Fred Sullivan, Jr.; Scenic Design by Peter Colao; Costume Design by Gail Buckley; Lighting Design by John Malinowski; and Sound Design by Dewey Dellay. Presented by The Lyric Stage Company of Boston, 140 Clarendon St., Boston through December 18.

by Mike Hoban

Fans of farce and physical comedy are in for a treat with The Play That Goes Wrong, now being presented by Lyric Stage. Pratfalls, spit takes, corpses that won’t lie still and even a fart joke are delivered rat-a-tat by a solid cast, and although the genre may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s hard to imagine that there won’t be at least a few belly laughs for even the most discerning playgoers. And for anyone who’s ever been involved in community or fringe theater productions, you can safely revisit your fears of impending doom from the safety of your seat.

Umbrella Stage Company Delivers Energetic ‘RENT’

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 Theater Mirror2 Comments

Cast of RENT at The Umbrella Arts Center. Photos by Gillian Mariner Gordon.

“RENT” By Jonathan Larson; Directed by Julia Deter; Musical Direction by Jeff Kimball; Choreography by Hannah Shihdanian; Presented by The Umbrella Stage Company at The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St. Concord, MA. Performances through Dec. 4^th (no show, 11/24).

by Tom Boudrot

If, like me, you’re one of the few people in the world who’ve never seen the multiple award-winning show RENT, the Umbrella stage in Concord offers a wonderful opportunity to see it in an intimate setting. Or if you’ve seen it previously and it’s been a while, this local production is worth another look. Despite noticeable audio problems that did not get resolved by the end of the performance on press night, the talented players sang, danced and acted with the kind of energy theater professionals can reach down deep and pull out, night after night. Further upping the energy level, the theater was packed with a loud, eclectic mix of appreciative fans for this performance, which was doubly refreshing in this post-pandemic era.