Huntington’s “A Guide for the Homesick” Artfully Mixes Global Politics, Personal Pain

October 22, 2017October 28, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

A Guide for the Homesick – Written by Ken Urban. Directed by Colman Domingo. Scenic Design by William Boles; Original Music and Sound Design by Lindsay Jones; Costume Design by Kara Harmon; Lighting Design by Russell H. Champa. Presented by Huntington Theatre Company at the Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, through Nov. 4.

About a third of the way through A Guide for the Homesick, the outstanding new drama being presented by the Huntington Theatre Company, it becomes apparent that this is not going to be your typical “boy-meets-boy, boy-is-closeted, boy-gets-boy” story. Instead, what we get is an utterly engrossing new work that weaves religiopolitical and mental health issues into a tale of two men (who just met) sharing their guilt and remorse over their potentially life-destroying screw-ups in a place far from home. The play, written by Huntington Playwriting Fellow Ken Urban, features two Boston-born protagonists, and is fittingly receiving its premiere at the Boston Center for the Arts’ Calderwood Pavilion.

“Oleanna” Stirs a Disturbing Debate

October 21, 2017October 29, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

‘Oleanna’ – Written by David Mamet. Directed by Elaine Vaan Hogue. Presented by New Repertory Theatre, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA through November 5

I feel like I need to start this review off by saying that I am – absolutely – a feminist. Keep reading, and you’ll see why.

“Oleanna” takes place in the office of John (Johnny Lee Davenport), a professor at a college whose impending tenure has just been announced. The subsequent raise in pay is allowing him to purchase a new home. A series of phone calls negotiating the details of this real estate transaction is interrupted by the arrival of Carol (Obehi Janice), a student who claims to be having difficulty with his class and in particular, his textbook. The textbook, one that he has authored himself, refers to higher education as “systematic hazing”. As someone who has worked hard to get herself to college, Carol is deeply offended by this. As she despairs at being too “stupid” to understand what is going on in his classroom, John offers to give her an A, if she agrees to meet with him for tutoring sessions. This decision will ultimately be John’s downfall.

Trinity Rep’s “DEATH OF A SALESMAN” is a Masterpiece

October 21, 2017October 29, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The opening show of Trinity Repertory Company’s 54th season is “Death of a Salesman”, a 1949 play by Arthur Miller. It was the 1949 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. The play premiered on Broadway in February, 1949 and ran for 742 performances, and has been revived on Broadway four times, winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century. It explodes with poignancy and relevance. In 1947 Brooklyn, Willy Loman desperately craves success for himself and his two sons, but stark reality cannot live up to his dreams.The wall of delusions that he has constructed quietly crumbles around him while a devastated and demoralized man searches in vain for a hidden path to greatness. Director Brian McEleney takes this masterpiece of a show and makes it relevant to contemporary audiences so they can see each person’s struggle to achieve their ambitions and dreams is universal and not confined to the 1940’s. They can apply lessons learned from the past into their own lives during these uncertain and turbulent times. Beware of the past for if you don’t learn from it, it will come back and bite you on the butt. Brian not only blocks the show brilliantly but with his keen eye and insight into these characters brings out the best in his very talented cast, too. This show is electrifying and is the must see show of this season.

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

October 20, 2017October 20, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Salve Regina University’s fall show this year at the historic Casino Theatre in Newport is “Brighton Beach Memoirs” by Neil Simon. It is an autobiographical play about Simon’s family relationships both good and bad including sibling rivalries both past and present, parent and child authority issues and the hilarious escapades of a 15 year old boy’s entry into puberty. The play isn’t only beautifully written but has some strong acting in it, too. Director Patricia Hawkridge infuses her college cast with the dramatic and comic moments the script calls for creating a crowd pleasing show that the audience can savor and enjoy thoroughly. Their brilliant performance is rewarded with a spontaneous standing ovation. It was like watching a professional theatre company perform this show.

Gloucester Stage’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” Brilliantly Evokes the Bad Old Days

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

Some things never change.

We say they do. Over the years, we claim, there have been sweeping, amazing, changes.
But people don’t change. Sadly, there’s a stagnancy in human nature and conditions. Such is the case with Christopher Sergel’s striking stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic 1960 novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” with Gloucester Stage’s blended cast of outstanding professional and local actors, skillfully directed by award-winning Boston director-Boston University educator, Judy Braha.

Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘FROM HERE TO ETERNITY a Powerful, Dramatic Musical

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

Okay- straight out – Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of new musical “From Here to Eternity” is so overwhelming, realistic, and gut-wrenching, it’s the hardest-hitting musical I’ve seen in a while. Some of you remember the dramatic movie that won Frank Sinatra an Academy Award and took several other Oscars. The movie was superlative, and this new musical seems slated for success.

MARY POPPINS (Uncommon Theatre, Foxboro)

October 19, 2017November 19, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

MARY POPPINS
Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the wonderful world of Walt Disney with “Mary Poppins” and the opening musical of Uncommon Theatre’s 38th season. This musical opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006, closed on March 3, 2013 and ran for 2619 performances. It is now a full Broadway musical with 44 major awards worldwide. The story of Mary Poppins, the magical nanny who flies into the troubled lives of the Banks children will dazzle and delight audiences of all ages. Bert, the chimney sweep welcomes the audience into the world of “Mary Poppins” with “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” We then follow Mary’s exploits throughout all of London where she charms each person she comes in contact with. The talent of this cast captures the hearts of all members of the audience by propelling them to their feet at curtain call. Director Meg Dussault, music director Linda Barbieri, orchestra director Esther Zabinski and choreographer, Anna Pietal definitely out do themselves with this spectacular musical.

LEGALLY BLONDE – (Dean College)

October 18, 2017November 18, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

LEGALLY BLONDE
Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The School of Arts at Dean College’s fall musical is “Legally Blonde, the Musical” which is based on the Amanda Brown novel and the 2001 movie which starred Reese Witherspoon. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl from Delta Nu who is the college sweetheart and home coming queen who doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner dumps her for someone more “serious”, she puts down the books, heads to Harvard Law School to win him back. Along the way Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. She also discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others and defends fitness guru, Brooke Windham from murder charges. Director Ali Angelone creates a high energy contemporary musical with her keen insight into these comic characters while musical director taught them all these musical numbers does so while playing lead keyboards and conducting a seven piece orchestra. Ali who is also the choreographer, supplies the dance numbers that stop the show with their power and execution. Their combined expertise wins the cast a standing ovation at the curtain call.

A Daughter Forsaken in “Alligator Road”

October 16, 2017October 16, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Michele Markarian

“Alligator Road” – Written by Camille Kimball. Directed by Weylin Symes. Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through October 29.

Recently widowed Kathy (Brianne Beatrice) is stuck with a hardware store she doesn’t want to run. Her feminist daughter, the angry Candace (Sarah Bendell) has just learned that her mother is literally giving away the store to Lavinia (Victoria George), a black woman Kathy perceives to be homeless. This is in order to make what she feels are “reparations”, despite never having slave owners in her family tree. Candace wants the store, Lavinia and her husband Scott (Avery Bargar) want the store, and Kathy just wants to be free from a life and a marriage she was long bored with. The stakes are high all around, which makes for interesting drama.

“BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE” (Granite Theatre, Westerly, RI)

October 14, 2017October 14, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at The Renaissance City Theatre; the producing entity of the Granite Theatre, is “Bell, Book and Candle” by John Van Druten. Gillian is a modern day witch, capable of conjuring and performing feats of black magic. When she casts a spell over bachelor neighbor in an effort to keep him away from her rival, he instead falls for the bewitching Gillian. Unfortunately for her, when a sorceress succumbs to the power of love, she loses her power of magic. And our lovesick necromancer is compelled to make a choice of her lifetime. This leads to a number of difficulties for both of them.The title of this play is a reference to excommunication which is performed by the bell, book and candle. It is opened with “Ring the bell, open the book and light the candle.” and closed with “Ring the bell, close the book, quench the candle.” Director Anna Convery picks a talented 5 member cast to play these madcap roles.