By Tom Boudrot

‘Tuck Everlasting’– Book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle. Music by Chris Miller; Lyrics by Nathan Tysen; Based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt, Nancy Curran Willis, Director; Matthew Stern, Music Director; Lara Finn Banister, Choreography; Janie Howland, Scenic Designer; Brian Simons, Costume Designer; SeifAllah Sallotto-Cristobal, Lighting Designer; Elizabeth Havenor, Sound Designer. Presented by The Umbrella Stage Company, 40 Stow Street, Concord through

December 22

The 1975 classic children’s story, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt is the story of Winnie Foster and her search for adventure in Tree Gap, New Hampshire in the year 1893. It has won the hearts of many a child as well as literary awards that include the Janusz Korczak Medal and the Christopher Award as best book for young people. The book has twice been adapted to film, and as a Broadway musical. The second film, by Disney (2002) is the best-known adaptation, featuring ‘Gilmore Girls’ star Alexis Bledel as Winnie.

Read more “Tuck Everlasting – Family Entertainment for the Holidays”

by Linda Chin

42nd Street – Music by Harry Warren; Lyrics by Al Dubin; Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble; Directed by Brian Boruta; Music Direction by James Murphy; Musical Restaging and New Choreography by Lara Finn Banister; Scenic Design by Benjamin D. Rush; Lighting Design by Seifallah Sailotto-Cristobal; Sound Design by Elizabeth Havenor; Costume Design by Brian Simons, Properties Design by Sarajane Morse Mullins; Stage Managed by Michael Lacey. Presented by Umbrella Stage Company, 40 Stow St, Concord, MA through Oct 20th

With its stereotyped characters, dated dialogue, and thin plot, 42nd Street may not be representative of the bold, daring, innovative programming thatConcord’s Umbrella Stage Company promises to deliver (and has successfully shared with audiences for years). What is definitely daring, though, isproducing artistic director Brian Boruta’s decision to produce a show of this scale and complexity in a new facility that’s still unfamiliar and where the paint is  barely dry. Bravo to Boruta (also the show’s director) and company for making this bold move, as the 21-member cast (yup, that’s 42 dancing feet) succeeds in proving that 42nd Street is a fitting opener for the Umbrella Stage Company’s inaugural season. 

Read more “21 Pairs of Dancing Feet Dazzle in Umbrella Stage Company’s 42nd Street”