At Boston’s Old North Chuch, “Revolution’s Edge” Time Travels to the Start of the American Revolution

July 20, 2024July 20, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“Revolution’s Edge.” Written by Patrick Gabridge. Directed by Alexandra Smith. Produced by Plays in Place. Commissioned by Old North Illuminated. Staged at The Old North Church, 193 Salem St, Boston through August 10.

By Shelley A. Sackett

“Revolution’s Edge,” a site-specific play by the award-winning playwright, producer, novelist, and screenwriter Patrick Gabridge, packs a lot into 45 minutes.

It is set on the evening of April 18, 1775, a turning point in both the history of the Old North Church (then Christ Church) and the history of America. The church played a pivotal role in the nation’s fight for independence. It was in its steeple, after all, where two lanterns were hung on that very night to signal that British soldiers were heading across the Charles River.

A Cavalcade of Timeless Tunes at Cape Playhouse’s ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Julia Knitel as Carole King in *‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’* at the Cape Playhouse

The Cape Playhouse Presents ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Directed by David Ruttura. Choreographed and Associate Directed by Joyce Chittick. Music Directed by Nick Williams. Scenic Design by Ryan Howell. Costume Design by Gail Baldoni. Lighting Design by Kirk Bookman. Sound Design by Emma Wilk. Wig Design by Bobbie Zlotnick. At The Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Massachusetts, through August 3, 2024.

By Linda Chin

If the buzz and camaraderie during intermission at last Saturday’s matinée of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was an indication, audience members were having “one fine day” at The Cape Playhouse. In the multi-generational audience, traditionalists and boomers (like my plus-one and me) were well-represented, and what we had individually and collectively just experienced in the first act was a stroll down memory lane. For me, being in the historic Playhouse (which was originally a 19th-century church; the seats are wooden pews with comfy cushions), hearing beloved songs from my younger days (recognizable and filling me with anticipation from the first three chords) – and being taken back in time to moments and memories from my teen/young adult years, was surreal, even other-worldly. And, to continue the metaphor, the actors’ pitch-perfect renditions of the iconic songs on the Playhouse’s small, intimate stage, with their glorious voices and the live orchestra’s music soaring to the rafters, was spiritually uplifting, even heavenly.

Can’t Help Falling In Love With Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘All Shook Up’

July 15, 2024July 15, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘All Shook Up’ at Reagle Music Theatre. Photos by Robert Pascucci.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents ALL SHOOK UP. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. Book by Joe DiPietro. Arthur Gomez, Director. Mindy Cimini, Music Director. Larry Sousa, Choreographer. Jay Pension, Producer. Janie Howland, Set Designer. Franklin Meissner, Jr., Lighting Design. Emerald City Theatrical, Costume Design. Sebastian Nixon, Sound Design. At Reagle Music Theatre, Waltham MA, through July 21, 2024.

By Linda Chin

‘All Shook Up’. Inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley; Book by Joe DiPietro. Directed by Arthur Gomez; Music Direction by Mindy Cimini; Choreography by Larry Sousa; Set Design by Janie Howland; Lighting Design by Franklin Meissner, Jr; Costume Design by Emerald City Theatrical; Sound Design by Sebastian Nixon. Presented by Reagle Music Theatre, 675 Lexington Ave Waltham, through Sunday, July 21

All Shook Up is a jukebox musical inspired by and featuring two dozen hit songs from the Elvis Presley songbook, including “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and the titular song. Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro’s (Memphis) book is inspired by the comedies of William Shakespeare, including Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream,and Much Ado About Nothing. The mix of rousing (and arousing) Elvis R&B songs and Shakespearean sonnets, with some Footloose, Hairspray, and Bye Bye Birdie influences, make for a delightful and refreshing rom-com combination.

An Enchanted Evening At Goodspeed With Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’

July 10, 2024July 27, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of Goodspeed’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’

Goodspeed Musicals Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton & Managing Director David B. Byrd present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC. Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Oscar Hammerstein II & Joshua Logan. Directed by Chay Yew. Choreographed by Parker Esse. Music Direction by Adam Souza. Scenic Design by Alexander Dodge. Costume Design by Juinghyun Georgia Lee. Lighting Design by Amith Chandrashaker. Sound Design by Jay Hilton. Wig & Hair Design by Tommy Kurzman. At The Goodspeed, East Haddam, CT through August 11, 2024.

by Linda Chin

When Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II’s South Pacific premiered on Broadway in 1949, it garnered massive critical and audience acclaim, sweeping the Tonys with ten awards, including Best Musical, Libretto, and Musical Score. It also was a box-office success, running for nearly two thousand performances until its final bow in 1954. Seventy years later, the show’s sensational score remains one of the most impressive in the American musical theater canon and enjoys mass appeal. Theatergoers attending Goodspeed Musicals’ production of South Pacific (through August 11, 2024) will be treated to an enchanting evening (or afternoon matinee) of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s magnificent music.

GBSC’s “Guys and Dolls” Is A Cool Glass of Summer Refreshment

June 22, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Jared Troilo, Lisa Kate Joyce in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’
Photos by Gillian Gordon

“Guys and Dolls.” Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling. Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Directed/Choreographed by Ceit Zweil. Musical Direction by Dan Rodriguez. Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through June 30.

By Shelley A. Sackett

When it comes to bubbly, breezy, musical fare, Greater Boston Stage Company is as reliable as it gets and “Guys and Dolls,” in production through June 30, is further proof.

Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘Crazy For You’ has Got Rhythm, Music, and Starlight

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

‘Crazy For You’ –Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Book by Ken Ludwig. Direction and Choreography by Angelique Ilo. Music Direction by Ken Clifton. Scenic Design by Adam Koch. Lighting Design by Richard Lara. Original Costume Design by William Ivey Long. Sound Design by Daniel Lundberg. Wig/Hair & Make-Up Design by Roxanne De Luna. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine, through July 13, 2024.

By Linda Chin

Written by sensational songwriters George and Ira Gershwin for their 1930 musical comedy Girl Crazy, the much-loved tune “I Got Rhythm” was introduced to the New York theatre world by a young singer with a sensational belt who was making her Broadway debut. Practically overnight, the catchy song became a hit, and before long, the newbie – whose stage name was Ethel Merman – became a star. The song’s brilliant chord progressions inspired new jazz variations by Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker; its inventive rhyme sequences and uplifting lyrics sparked recordings by Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and other notable artists; and tap dance greats Gene Kelly and Gregory Hines. “I Got Rhythm” was featured prominently in the Gershwin’s’ 1992 Tony Award-winning Crazy for You.

A.R.T.’s “Gatsby” Is This Summer’s Blockbuster

June 19, 2024June 19, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cory Jeacoma, Solea Pfeiffer, and the cast of A.R.T.’s ‘Gatsby.’
Photo Credits: Julieta Cervantes

“Gatsby.” Book by Martyna Majok based on the novel, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Directed by Rachel Chavkin. Music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett. Lyrics by Florence Welch. Choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Orchestration and Arrangements by Thomas Barlett. Scenic Design by Mimi Lien. Lighting Design by Alan C. Edwards. Presented by American Repertory Theater at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge, through August 3.

By Shelley A. Sackett

“Gatsby” is a tour-de-force chockful of bells and whistles. A.R.T. spares nothing for its world premiere of the musical adaptation of Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age chronicle. Two colossal heaps of metallic sculpture reminiscent of the infernal “Hadestown” underworld are a Jenga/“Where’s Waldo” of identifiable automobile parts and crumpled rubble (set by Mimi Lien). Draped in gleaming tinsel and expertly lighted by Alan C. Edwards, these gloomy twin towers are a continual reminder of the dangers of decadence and the debris it leaves in its wake.

Ellis Shines in Reagle’s ‘South Pacific’ Revival

June 18, 2024June 19, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific – Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan. Adapted from James A. Michener’s “Tales of the South Pacific” Direction And Choreography by Rachel Bertone; Music Direction by David Coleman; Set Design by Janie Howland; Lighting Design by Franklin Meissner Jr.; Costume Design by Emerald City Theatrical; Sound Design by Sebastian Nixon. Presented by Reagle Music Theatre, 617 Lexington St. in Waltham, MA, through June 23, 2024.

By Mike Hoban

It’s almost summertime, and that means it’s time to roll out the classics at Waltham’s Reagle Music Theater. Artistic director Rachel Bertone has chosen two American musical theater standards, opening the season with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific and closing with Sondheim’s An American in Paris in August, with the Elvis-themed jukebox musical “All Shook Up” sandwiched in between. American musical theater standards are what Reagle does best, and it’s tough to go wrong with a show that offers a score like South Pacific’s, especially with a cast that features Boston musical stalwarts Jennifer Ellis, Christopher Chew, and Lisa Yuen.

An Entertaining “Guys and Dolls” at Greater Boston Stage Company

June 17, 2024June 17, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of “Guys and Dolls” at Greater Boston Stage Company. Photos by Gillian Gordon

“Guys and Dolls”. Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling. Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser. Directed/Choreographed by Ceit Zweil. Musical Direction by Dan Rodriguez. Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through June 30.

By Michele Markarian

A question that often comes up in theatrical circles is, “What musicals make your top 10 list?” “Guys and Dolls,” with its catchy score by Frank Loesser and winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1951, typically makes the list. Ceit Zweil’s lively direction and choreography and Jon Savage’s pared-down, jazzy scenic design make this production a fun one to watch.

Alice Ripley Takes Us To Dizzying Heights

June 17, 2024June 17, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Linda Chin

It is a rare actor who, when telling a story through song, can take you to dizzying heights and dark depressing nights in under four minutes. With her riveting rendition of “I Miss the Mountains” (Next to Normal) at Boston Public Radio’s Live Music Friday series on June 14th, the astonishing Alice Ripley took me up, down, and back fifteen years to Broadway’s Booth Theatre, where I saw her pitch-perfect, Tony Award-winning portrayal of Diana Goodman, a suburban housewife and mother with bipolar disorder. Ripley also sang a sensational “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables (she played Fantine in the 1998 Broadway run). Theatre producer, composer, arranger, pianist, Grammy and Emmy winner, and force of nature John McDaniel is accompanist for both numbers.