Company Theatre’s ‘La Cage’ Entertains, Enlightens

March 21, 2018April 2, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Evan McKenna

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman; Book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play “La Cage aux Folles” by Jean Poiret. Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman. Musical Direction by Steve Bass. Choreography by Sally Ashton Forest. Costume Design by Cameron McEachern. Lighting Design by Adam Clark. Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Wigs & Hairstylist, James A. Valentin. Presented by Company Theatre: 30 Accord Park Dr, Norwell through Sunday, April 8th.

Just last month the Senate of Georgia voted on a law to give adoption agencies—both private and taxpayer funded—the right to reject service to LGBTQ couples. This, among other forms of both legal and de facto discrimination happening during the Trump-Pence administration, shows how many Americans today do not support LGBTQ couples as moral, adequate, or legitimate parents of children, making “La Cage aux Folles” not only a relevant work to see this year, but an important one. At its heart, the story testifies to the criticism and conflict that queer couples with children must face in their social and political environment. On the surface, however, the musical does not seem politically overt or necessarily tragic, and that is because of the sitcom-esque humor and drag queen performances, both of which the cast of the Company Theatre’s production executed wonderfully at the premiere last Friday, giving—much like “Cabaret”—laughter and fun to an otherwise dark underlying story.

Company Theatre’s LA CAGE AUX FOLLES’ is a Joyous Musical Extravaganza

March 17, 2018March 20, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the French Riviera in the 1980’s and the most glittering and notorious nightclub there is “La Cage Aux Folles” which is the Company Theatre’s first show of their 40th season and tackle this 1983 hit Jerry Herman musical. It won six Tony Awards for the original Broadway show and is the only musical to win the Tony Award for best revival twice. It is a flamboyant musical comedy about life, love and family values in a decidedly unconventional family. Georges runs this glittering drag queen nightclub, starring Albin, also known as ZaZa who is Georges longtime lover. They have a happy but stormy life together. However, when Georges’ son announces his engagement to the daughter of a narrow minded bigoted politician, their efforts to “play it straight” for a meeting with the in-laws results in high insanity blended with some poignant moments along the way.

A Winning and Entertaining Beauty and the Beast at Wheelock

February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Music by Alan Mencken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton. Directed by Jane Staab. Choreography by Laurel Conrad;
Musical Direction by Steven Bergman. Presented by Wheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston, MA, through March 4.

Belle (the appealing Justine “Icy” Moral) is the daughter of an eccentric inventor, Maurice (Robert Saoud). Both father and daughter are considered weird in their provincial town, he for his odd creations and she for her love of books. The one thing Belle gets kudos for is her great beauty, so much so that the handsomest man in town, Gaston (Mark Linehan) is hell-bent on marrying her (Gaston is so handsome that I considered pulling Belle aside and saying, “Look, kid, you can always get divorced”). Belle, a deep girl, recognizes that although Gaston is gorgeous, he is not a nice man underneath, and refuses his proposal.

A CHORUS LINE – Stadium Theatre (Woonsocket, RI)

February 3, 2018March 3, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

A CHORUS LINE

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at the Stadium Theatre is “A Chorus Line”, the 1976 winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Book and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It is a musical based on the lives and experiences of Broadway dancers. Original director/choreographer Michael Bennett wanted to do a show with the spotlight on the class of performers known as the gypsies. The action takes place on a bare stage, where the casting for a new musical is almost complete. For 17 dancers, it is a chance of a lifetime. It is the one opportunity to do what they always dreamed of, not only to be a star, but a chance to get a job and have the chance to dance. Through a series of interviews from funny to heartbreaking, it ushers the audience into the lives of these dancers until the final eight are chosen. The original Broadway show opened on April 15, 1975 and ran 6,137 performances, closing on April 28, 1990. Director William Deschenes, musical director Alex Tirrell and choreographer Jennifer Webb create a stunning, high energy and fabulous version of this musical at the historic Stadium Theatre.

Lyric’s ‘Roadshow’ Showcases Lesser Known Sondheim Work

January 22, 2018January 22, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by John Weidman; Co-Directed by Spiro Veloudos and Ilyse Robbins; Music Direction by Jonathan Goldberg; Choreography by Ilyse Robbins; Scenic Design by Cristina Todesco; Lighting Design by John R. Malinowski; Sound Design by Elizabeth Cahill; Costume Design by Amanda Mujica. Presented by The Lyric stage Company of Boston, 40 Clarendon St., Boston through February 11

Watching Steven Sondheim’s Roadshow is a lot like listening to Magical Mystery Tour or Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. You know it’s not in the same league as say, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Abbey Road, but there’s certainly enough good material there to warrant a listen. Such is the case with Roadshow, now being presented by the Lyric Stage Company. It’s no Into the Woods or A Little Night Music, but much like the lesser Beatles works, there are the flashes of brilliance that one would expect from any Sondheim musical.

CABARET @ The Hanover Theatre

December 29, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The National Tour of “Cabaret” is the latest musical to grace the stage at the historic Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. This Kander and Ebb Tony Award winning musical is set in the tumultuous city of Berlin right before Hitler’s rise to power. “Cabaret” won it’s first Tony for best show in 1967, the second Tony for best revival in 1998 and is based on Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories” and John Van Druten’s “I Am a Camera.” This version was inspired by the 1993 production at the Donmar Warehouse in London. The action takes place in the Kit Kat Klub where the show begins with the jazz number “Wilkommen” as well as in Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house and Herr Schultz’s fruit shop. Cliff Bradshaw, a young American novelist arrives on the train to Berlin where Ernst, a German businessman, places his briefcase among Cliff’s luggage at the German border and uses it as an opportunity to make Cliff’s acquaintance.

A Timeless “CHRISTMAS CAROL” at Hanover Theatre

December 16, 2017December 21, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Hanover Theatre’s holiday show this year is the 10th Anniversary production of “A Christmas Carol” which is an annual favorite. This musical version of this well known holiday tale was adapted and directed by Troy Siebels. “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 everyone.

Old World Music, Comedy from Renaissance Era Lights Up Christmas Revels – A Venetian Celebration

December 13, 2017December 13, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Mike Hoban

Christmas Revels – A Venetian Celebration of the Winter Solstice. Directed by Patrick Swanson; Musical Direction by Megan Henderson; Set Design by Jeremy Barnett; Sound Engineer, Bill Winn; Costume Design by Heidi A. Hermiller; Choreography by Kelli Edwards. Presented by Revels at The Sanders Theater at Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, through December 27th.

It seemed appropriate that snow was still lightly falling last Saturday evening, just in time for opening night of the Christmas Revels – A Venetian Celebration at the Sanders Theater in Harvard Square. Not that it snows much in Venice, Italy – the setting for the 47^th Christmas Revels – nor do the performances of the Revels necessarily bear any resemblance to any traditional New England Christmas celebration. But there is something (okay, the old world music and comedy that are trademarks of any Revels show) about this Cambridge Yuletide tradition that bring that same warm feeling as any of the traditional holiday shows, and the gentle snowfall just completed the experience.

NSMT’s Delivers Spirited ‘Christmas Carol’

December 10, 2017December 10, 2017 michaelhobanLeave 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.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Bishop Hendricken Theatre, Warwick, RI

December 7, 2017December 7, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Bishop Hendricken Theatre’s current musical extravaganza is “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, a new musical which debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in California in October, 2014. Then in March, 2015 it played at Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey. Both theatres have had shows transferred to Broadway. Unfortunately this musical did not make it and why is a complete mystery to me. This version is based on the Victor Hugo 1831 novel which was transformed by Disney into an animated film in 1996. This version has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell. However this is not the usual happy musical from Disney where everyone lives happily ever after. The songs from the Disney film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” are powerful and potent and the tale dark and Gothic but still it is an entrancing and enticing musical to see and savor. Director Richie Sylvia who is also musical director picks the best performers for these roles and infuse them with high energy all night long. Richie plays lead keyboards and Sean Donnelly conducts a fabulous 13 piece orchestra and obtains awesome harmonies from the cast. Choreographer Teresa Pearson supplies some upbeat dances to lighten up the show in some of the gypsy sequences. Their expertise wins a very well deserved spontaneous standing ovation at the close of the performance.