NSMT’s ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Brings the Classic to Glorious Life

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Current artistic director Kevin Hill directs this year’s presentation of its favorite holiday show once again. He also directed “Mamma Mia”, the megahit at NSMT this past summer for four sold out weeks. “Christmas Carol” is the tale of curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Jacob Marley,Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come who hope to change his destiny and to save his soul. Audiences are taken on a strange and magical journey with Scrooge that helps him regain his exuberance for the true meaning of Christmas once more. Bill spares no expense in bringing this splendid heartwarming tale to audiences for his ninth year. Kevin and his cast and crew delivers the goods with audiences leaping to their feet at the curtain call. They are moved to laughter and tears at all the appropriate moments. Bravo once again on a job very well done!

You ‘Can’t Stop the Beat’ with NSMT’s HAIRSPRAY

November 1, 2018November 7, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Broadway show won 8 Tony Awards and is based on the 1988 John Waters film which starred Divine and Ricki Lake. The show is set in 1962 in Baltimore and is about teenager, Tracy Turnblad, a large girl with big dreams and even bigger hair who has an abundant joie de vivre and rhythm in every inch of her body. She will do whatever it takes to win a spot on the Corny Collins Show, a popular TV dance show, win the heart of Link Larkin, the show’s resident dreamboat and turn the town upside down in her efforts to racially integrate television.

NSMT’s JEKYLL & HYDE a Musical Masterpiece

September 28, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre’s latest show is the blockbuster musical “Jekyll and Hyde which is adapted from the 1886 novella “The Strange Case of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson. The original stage conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn with music by Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. The musical ran on Broadway for 1,543 performances from April 28, 1997 to January 7, 2001. It tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant young doctor who is distraught over his father’s mental illness. He tries to find a cure by using himself as a test subject but the experiment backfires and gives life to his evil alter ego, Edward Hyde, a vile murderer who brings a killing spree to the city of London in the late nineteenth century. This epic musical’s not done very often but NSMT brings the original star of the musical Robert Cuccioli in to direct this phenomenal production with a multitalented 22 member cast. This production also boosts expert musical direction by Milton Granger and stunning, energetic choreography by Kelli Barclay to induce the 1500 seat theatre to erupt into a spontaneous standing ovation at the curtain call. Their combined expertise makes “Jekyll and Hyde” the must see musical of this autumn season.

NSMT’s ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ A Perfect Prelude to Halloween

September 15, 2018December 27, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Two-act Broadway Gothic musical thriller, book by Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Bricusse, Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, appearing at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre62 Dunham Road, Beverly through Oct.7: Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday matinees, 2 pm. $59-$84. 978-232-7200, nsmt.org.

North Shore Music Theatre’s powerful production of the musical horror drama, “Jekyll and Hyde,” loosely based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 classic mystery-horror novella, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is far more moving, and sensational on stage than in print or movie adaptations. And this is the time for families to see and experience it- pre-Halloween – when witches, goblins, monsters and evil-doers roam the streets.

NSMT Delivers Fun-Filled Summer Show with “MAMMA MIA!”

August 9, 2018August 9, 2018 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s summer show is the blockbuster hit “Mamma Mia” and it’s the third show of their 63rd Season. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense with costumes and sets in bringing this musical to the historic theatre for his 9th season here.The much loved 1999 jukebox ABBA musical focuses on finding emotional moments of female bonding in this fun filled musical set in Greece. “Mamma Mia” is based on the songs of ABBA, a Swedish pop/dance group active from 1972 to 1982. The show opens with daughter, Sophie singing “I Have a Dream” which lets the audience know what she’s wishing for that she wants her father to walk her down the aisle but she doesn’t know who he is.

‘Peter Pan’ Delights at North Shore Music Theatre

July 12, 2018July 12, 2018 Theater Mirror1 Comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to Neverland at and their summer musical of “Peter Pan”, the boy who won’t grow up. As soon as you enter the theater you are transported to Neverland with the gorgeous and colorful sets of Kyle Dixon. The original play was by J.M. Barrie written in 1904 which was based on his novel “Peter and Wendy.” However this musical version has music mostly by Morris Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It was originally adapted and directed by Jerome Robbins. The original Broadway musical opened in 1954 and starred Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard as Peter Pan and Captain Hook. These roles won them both Tony Awards.

North Shore Music Theatre Delivers a Rousing, Touching ‘Mame’

June 7, 2018June 7, 2018 Theater Mirror1 Comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The opening musical of North Shore Music Theatre’s 63rd season is “Mame”, originally titled “My Best Girl”, it is based on the 1955 fictional novel Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis and a 1956 play starring Rosalind Russell. The musical version by Jerry Herman opened on Broadway on May 24, 1966, ran for 1,508 performances and starred Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur who both won Tony Awards for their roles as Mame and Vera.

NSMT’s Delivers Spirited ‘Christmas Carol’

December 10, 2017December 10, 2017 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre’s holiday show this year is the 27th Anniversary production of “A Christmas Carol, A Musical Ghost Story” which is an annual favorite. This version of this well known holiday tale was written by former NSMT artistic director, Jon Kimball which he adapted back in 1989. As Jon explains “A Christmas Carol” is a timeless story that still resonates with people of all ages and carries a message that is as genuine and poignant now as it was when it was first written back in 1843. This splendid musical version captures the true spirit and meaning of the holiday season for one and all.

NSMT’s “42ND STREET”

November 5, 2017 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome back to 1933 and the wonderful world of tapping feet in “42nd Street” at North Shore Music Theatre with a huge cast of 30 performers. It is loosely based on the 1933 movie musical with the same name which starred Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell. The stage musical version opened on August 25, 1980 and ran until January 8, 1989, won the Tony Award for Best Musical. It starred Jerry Orbach as Julian Marsh and Tammy Grimes as Dorothy Brock and I was fortunate enough to catch that musical back in 1980. “42nd Street” is the tale of up and coming chorus girl, Peggy Sawyer who arrives in New York seeking a career on Broadway.

Read more “NSMT’s “42ND STREET””

NSMT’s EVITA is Magnificent

September 30, 2017 Theater MirrorLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s fourth musical of their 62nd season is “Evita” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. This rock opera is about Eva Peron, bit actress, mistress and wife to Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. This show is a collage of Eva’s rise to power and her early death. It is a look at a woman loved by the poor, hated by the rich and powerful and who was not above taking matters into her capable hands, whether it be charity funds, colonels on the rise to political power or, finally, political power itself.

Read more “NSMT’s EVITA is Magnificent”