Hub Theatre Company Serves Up Hearty Comic Fare with ‘Slow Food’

July 26, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*Jyoti Daniere, Victor Shopov and Steve Auger in Hub Theatre Company’s ‘Slow Food’*

by Mike Hoban

Slow Food – Written by Wendy MacLeod; Directed by Daniel Bourque. Presented by Hub Theatre Company of Boston at Club Café, 209 Columbus Ave. in Boston through July 30.

As anyone who has had to endure what seems like an interminably long time for wait staff to bring food and drink knows, that feeling of utter helplessness can be truly maddening – especially if you’re already famished. That’s the basic setup for Slow Food, the first live offering from The Hub Theatre Company since the pandemic, but playwright Wendy MacLeod puts the all-too-familiar scenario on steroids to great comic effect. Fittingly presented in the air-conditioned comfort of the cabaret space at Club Café in Boston (complete with dining tables and food service), the play serves up a banquet of laughs out of the identifiable situation.

Hanover Theatre’s ‘The Band’s Visit’ is a Charmer

June 17, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

‘The Band’s Visit’ – Based on the screenplay by Eran Kolirin; Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek; Book by Itimar Moses; Directed by David Comer. Presented at the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory at 2 Southbridge St, Worcester through June 19^th.

by Mike Hoban

It’s often said that music has the power to heal, and as we see in the The Band’s Visit, the Broadway touring production now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, apparently so do the musicians who play it. Set in the “basically bleak and beige and blah, blah, blah…” town of Bet Hatikvah in Israel, this quirky and charming musical weaves a number of compelling storylines about troubled relationships and the path to healing, set to a gorgeous score that combines classic Broadway song structures with Middle Eastern-flavored music.

Company One’s “Hype Man” Exceeds the Hype

November 11, 2019November 12, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Kadahj Bennett, Michael Knowlton, and Rachel Cognata in Company One’s ‘Hype Man’ – Photo by Paul Fox)

by Mike Hoban

“HYPE MAN: A Break Beat Play” – Written by Idris Goodwin; Directed by Shawn LaCount; Music Direction by Kadahj Bennett; Sound Design by Lee Schuna; Lighting Design by Jen Rock; Costume Design by Cassandra Cacoq. Originally resented by Company One at the Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont Street, South End, Boston through February 24, 2018. Limited Return Engagement at Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge November 14-16, 2019 https://companyone.org/production/hype-man-limited-return-engagement/

You don’t have to be a fan of hip-hop to appreciate Company One’s illuminating production of Idris Goodwin’s HYPE MAN: A Break Beat Play, now receiving its world premiere at the Boston Center for Arts. Not only is it one of the best new plays in years, it’s one of the best plays of the 2017-2018 season, period. HYPE MAN takes the age-old dilemma that many artists face, namely, where to draw the line between maintaining artistic integrity and personal beliefs versus chasing fame and fortune, and further juices the story by injecting one of the most politically charged issues facing America today – the shooting of unarmed people of color by police officers.

Speakeasy’s ‘Fun Home’ a Creepily Entertaining Coming of Age Story

June 13, 2019June 14, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Marissa Simeqi, Amy Jo Jackson, & Ellie van Amerongen in Speakeasy’s ‘Fun Home’/Photo Nile Scott Studios)

by Mike Hoban

‘Fun Home’ Music by Jeanine Tesori; Book & Lyrics by Lisa Kron; Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel; Directed By Paul Daigneault; Music Direction by Matthew Stern; Choreography by Sarah Crane; Scenic Design by Cristina Todesco; Costume Design by Charles Schoonmaker; Lighting Design by Karen Perlow; Sound Design by Andrew Duncan Will. Presented by the SpeakEasy Stage Company at the Roberts Studio Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St. Boston through June 30

Fun Home is not your typical musical. In fact, it, based on its tragicomic nature and lack of any show-stopping musical numbers, it might more accurately be called a play with music. But this Tony Award-winning coming out/coming of age adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s 2006 graphic novel memoir is still a pretty gratifying work, due to its compelling storyline and effective performances by the cast.

Morgan Maslow on ‘Vietgone,’ “You Don’t Have to go Crazy”

May 19, 2019May 19, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Morgan Maslow discusses “Vietgone” in this video review.

On Instagram @theatermirror YouTube: Theater Mirror

Full review embedded in the YouTube link below.

“Vietgone” – Written by Qui Nguyen. Michelle Aguillon, Director. Presented by Company One at the BCA Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St., Boston through May 25.

Audience member, Morgan Maslow discusses “Vietgone” in this video review, stating that the actors and producers are “trying really hard to make it good” and “it’s hard to put yourself out there.”

While recognizing that this romantic comedy about two people who meet in a refugee camp is “a very personal story,” Maslow feels that the rap songs don’t “give you too much insight into what the characters are feeling.”

“There’s not a plethora of Asian stories,” Maslow elucidates. “You don’t have to go crazy. You don’t have to put rap in it. You don’t have to have this narrative device where it goes back and forth through time. You can tell a simple story. And because it’s personal and it’s unique, it’s going to stand out and it’s going to be important.”

“Deep Themes;” Asha-Le Davis on ‘School Girls’

May 19, 2019May 19, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Asha-Le Davis on “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play”

On Instagram @theatermirror YouTube: Theater Mirror

“School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play” – Written by Jocelyn Bioh. Summer L. Williams, Director. Presented by SpeakEasy Stage Company at the BCA Roberts Studio Theater, 539 Tremont St., Boston through May 25.

In this video review, Asha-Le Davis assesses “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play” as “extremely well put together” and full of “important” and “deep themes.”

“It touches on thing I know that I have dealt with,” says Davis, “even here in America.” She goes on to say, “To bring that to the stage is very bold and very needed.” In her opinion, the play addresses “what is a huge problem in our society, while also adding really awesome comedic elements throughout to keep it light and keep you interested.”

GBSC’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” Plays the Hits

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

“It’s a Wonderful Life” – Adapted from Frank Capra’s original screenplay by Weylin Symes. Directed by Tonasia Jones and Tyler Rosati; Scenic Design by Sarah Rozene; Costume Design by Chelsea Kerl; Lighting Design by Kayleigha Zawacki. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through Dec. 23.

Greater Boston Stage Company’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life is a lot like seeing a tribute band do songs from one of your favorite artists – just hearing the familiar tunes can bring a smile to your face or, in this case, the re-creations of scenes will certainly bring a tear to your eye. There are few holiday films that have the emotional impact that this classic does, rivaling the granddaddy of them all, A Christmas Carol. And for those of us who have made a viewing of the movie a Christmas season ritual, it’s almost impossible to not choke up when you know what’s coming – whether it’s Clarence getting his wings or George saving Mr. Gower from giving a lethal prescription to a child after he finds out his own son has died.

New Rep’s ‘1776’ Brings Diverse Take to Birth of Nation

December 6, 2018December 6, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Deanna Dement Myers

‘1776’ – Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards; Book by Peter Stone. Co-directed by Austin Pendleton and Kelli Edwards. Production Team: Cristina Todesco, Scenic Designer; Rachel Padula-Shufelt, Costume Designer; Alberto Seggara, Lighting Designer; Lee Schuna, Sound Engineer; Todd C. Gordon; Music Director; Kevin Schlagle, Stage Manager; and Brian M. Robillard, Assistant Stage Manager. Presented by New Repertory Theatre at 321 Arsenal St, Watertown through December 30

“This is a revolution, dammit, we’re going to have to offend somebody!”

Before Hamilton, there was 1776. Debuting on Broadway in 1969, this musical by Sherman Edwards based on the book by David McCullough, about the impassioned debate preceding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, has relevance to the political climate of our time. The New Repertory theater in Watertown presents a racially and gender diverse cast which provides wry commentary and insight into the difficult discussions during the early days of our country.

LYRIC STAGE & FRONT PORCH COLLECTIVE’S ‘BREATH AND IMAGINATION’ TAKES YOU TO CHURCH

December 6, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Nicholas Whittaker

‘Breath and Imagination’ – Written by Daniel Beaty; Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent; Music Director, Asher Denburg; Additonal Music Direction, Doug Gerber; Scenic Design, Baron E. Pugh; Costume Design, Elisabetta Polito; Lighting Design, Aja M. Jackson; Sound Design, David Wilson. Presented by the Front Porch Collective and Lyric Stage Company at 140 Clarendon St. Boston through December 23

In the early movements of Breath and Imagination: The Story of Roland Hayes, a memory by Daniel Beaty, the eponymous character’s mother Angel Mo’ instructs her young son on a sung phrase. Together, they pore over the short phrase, focusing not on the precise notes, but on the spirit of the song, the intricacies of vocal flows and riffs and tone and emotion that characterize the tradition of Black gospel and church music. Together, they transform the phrasing from a mere collection of notes to a song, a deeply felt religious moment of love, joy, and community.

At Merrimack Rep, Christmas and Jane Austen Intersect

December 5, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley’ Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. Directed by Bridget Kathleen O’Leary. Scenic Design: James J. Fenton. Costume Design: Linda Ross. Lighting Design: Brian J. Lilienthal. Sound Design: David Remedios. Wig Design: Rachel Padula-Shufelt. Produced by Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E Merrimack St, Lowell through December 23rd.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m going to admit that I walked into Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s production of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley with a certain amount of trepidation. The play by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon is a (sort of) sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, taking place around Christmas sometime after the events of the original novel. I don’t have any particular antipathy to Christmas shows, (I’ve seen versions of A Christmas Carol that have left me weeping in my seat). Nor do I have any ill will toward Jane Austen. Actually, my trepidation comes from opposite feelings. I have an unabashed and enthusiastic love of Austen’s work. I have ever since first encountering Pride and Prejudice in high school and since then have read and reread all of her novels. I’ve seen most of the film and television adaptations of her work and I’m in a long running argument with a close friend about the merits of the 2005 Keira Knightley movie of Pride and Prejudice (she’s con, I’m pro and I’m not giving up that fight anytime soon…). So when I come to Miss Bennet, I come from a place of love. What’s going to happen to these characters that I’ve lived with for so long?