Moulin Rouge! a Gritty, Glamorous Spectacle

August 17, 2018September 10, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” – Book by John Logan, based on the 2001 movie written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Directed by Alex Timbers. Set Design by Derek McLane. Choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Costumes by Catherine Zuber. Lighting by Justin Townsend. Sound Design by Peter Hylenski. Produced by Global Creatures and presented by the Ambassador Theatre Group at the 106 Boylston St., Boston through Aug. 19.

by Susan Daniels

Glamorous and gritty, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” put the spectacular in this spectacle of a show that wows the very audible fans throughout this sensory adventure. At a reported $30 million budget, the Ambassador Theatre Group hit a cornucopia of visual, visceral, and aural stripes with their pre-Broadway production that also debuted in a gorgeously gilded, renovated, and re-opened Emerson Colonial Theatre . . . perhaps the principal star of the evening.

NSMT Delivers Fun-Filled Summer Show with “MAMMA MIA!”

August 9, 2018August 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s summer show is the blockbuster hit “Mamma Mia” and it’s the third show of their 63rd Season. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense with costumes and sets in bringing this musical to the historic theatre for his 9th season here.The much loved 1999 jukebox ABBA musical focuses on finding emotional moments of female bonding in this fun filled musical set in Greece. “Mamma Mia” is based on the songs of ABBA, a Swedish pop/dance group active from 1972 to 1982. The show opens with daughter, Sophie singing “I Have a Dream” which lets the audience know what she’s wishing for that she wants her father to walk her down the aisle but she doesn’t know who he is.

Emerson Colonial Roars Back to Life with High-Spirited “Moulin Rouge!”

August 8, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhoban1 Comment

by Mike Hoban

“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” – Book by John Logan, based on the 2001 movie written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce. Directed by Alex Timbers. Set Design by Derek McLane. Choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Costumes by Catherine Zuber. Lighting by Justin Townsend. Sound Design by Peter Hylenski. Produced by Global Creatures and presented by the Ambassador Theatre Group at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston through Aug. 19.

The Emerson Colonial Theatre officially re-opened its doors in explosive fashion this past weekend with the pre-Broadway run of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, an experience that could best be likened to a heart attack patient being jolted back to life with defibrillator paddles. The Colonial’s new operator, Ambassador Theatre Group, has spared no expense in bringing this 2001 movie favorite to the stage, and the results are spectacular. Simply put, Moulin Rouge is an absolute blast. Featuring a set that would make Cecil B. DeMille blush, an extraordinary cast led by Tony Award-winner Karen Olivo, and an ingeniously clever score that mashes up everything from “L’amour Est Oiseau” (from Bizet’s 1875 opera Carmen) to Madonna’s “Material Girl”, Moulin Rouge is a visual and aural feast – particularly for fans of pop music.

Reagle Delivers Exuberant “MUSIC MAN”

August 4, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Anthony Annicone

Reagle Music Theatre’s third show of their 50th season is “The Music Man” by Meredith Willson. This musical first opened on Broadway on December 19, 1957 and ran for 1375 performances. Robert Preston played the leading role of Harold Hill both onstage and in the 1962 film version. The show is set in Iowa in 1912 and is the story of the fast talking Harold Hill who cons the good citizens of River City into buying musical instruments and band uniforms by promising to create a boy’s band in the town. Not knowing a trumpet from a trombone, Hill expects to skip town with cash in hand, only to be caught up in the arms of the beautiful Marian Paroo, the librarian who transforms him into a reformed rogue and a respectable citizen by show’s end. Director/choreographer Susan Chebookjian returns in triumph to choreograph this show once again at Reagle Music Theatre. She last choreographed it in 2010 with actor Scott Wahle as Harold Hill and Sarah Pfisterer as Marian. She recreates Onna White’s original choreography from the Broadway and movie versions. Susan and musical director Dan Rodriguez obtain stellar performances from the 57 multitalented cast members. They capture your hearts with their high spirited, energetic and exuberant version which wins them a standing ovation at the close of this heartwarming family friendly musical masterpiece.

Theatre by the Sea’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

July 30, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome back to many centuries ago for Theatre by the Sea’s third show of their historic 85th Season. This show is set in the 1960’s and is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” which is the biblical story of Jacob and his 12 sons. It is a spectacular production starring Marie Eife as the Narrator and Luke Steinhauer as Joseph. It was written in 1968 by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as a 15 minute cantata and now is a two hour high energy show that has a 22 member cast under the brilliant direction of Richard Sabellico who is also the choreographer plus marvelous musical direction by Ryan Edward Wise. Their combined expertise make this a must see show this summer.

Company Theatre Celebrates 40 Years with Epic Staging of “RAGTIME”

July 29, 2018December 28, 2018 michaelhoban1 Comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Company Theatre celebrates the start of their 40th Anniversary season with the 1998 hit musical “Ragtime” which is based on E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel. The epic sweep of this musical is captured in its opening prologue, a nine minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical ones. At the dawn of the twentieth century, everything is changing and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting part of turn of the century, New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together, that of a stifled upper class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician. They are all united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America. This epic musical is excellently directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman. They capture the flavor and the essence of early 1900 New York. This is definitely one show not to be missed. The talented cast is rewarded with a resounding standing ovation.This is the first show I reviewed for them back in 2003, making this my 15th year of reviewing shows at Company Theatre. Back then the show was viewed as “Wow, what progress we’ve made in this new century”, but 15 years later, it is, “Yikes this is the stuff that is still happening in America now!”

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE – Burbage Theatre Company, Pawtucket, RI

July 26, 2018August 26, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Burbage Theatre Company’s first show of their season is the adaptation of the 1998 Academy Award winning romantic comedy “Shakespeare in Love.” It comes to the stage, complete with sword fights, secret trysts, and backstage drama. Young playwright Will Shakespeare is short on inspiration until he encounters the beguiling Viola, and their star crossed love inspires a masterpiece. Will has writer’s block with his current play he’s working on “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter” which is a half ass mess. “Shall I compare to thee to a something, something, is the problem Will is facing. His patrons want comedy but Will wants more but can’t figure what that could be. Then he meets Viola, a smart beauty who loves his work and lights his creative flame. But Viola has a secret, and “Romeo” is turning out be anything but a laugh fest. Filled with action packed adventure, fiery romance, and wit, get ready to fall head over heels in love with this lush, lavish and lusty production that celebrates the power of live theatre. Jeff Church directs this Lee Hall adaptation of the Academy Award winning screenplay and comes up a winner with his huge 19 member cast.

WEST SIDE STORY – New Bedford Festival Theatre

July 22, 2018July 23, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

New Bedford Festival Theatre’s summer musical at the Zeiterion Theatre is “West Side Story”, the classic 1957 musical hit. It is based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and the story is as fresh and meaningful to contemporary audiences as it was for audiences in 1591 for the original play as it was in 1957 for the musical version. Hatred and violence don’t solve problems, they create new ones. Love and understanding are the solutions to these problems, not only in these shows but in real life, too. The well known story of star crossed lovers Tony and Maria takes place in New York City. The outside forces of enemies, friends, gang members and adults keep them from fulfilling their dream of everlasting happiness due to hatred and bigotry. The twenty member cast under the insightful direction of Michael Susko, delivers the goods in a powerful and poignant presentation which propels the audience to their feet at the curtain call.

Hub Theatre Goes Red, White and Blue with “The Taming”

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

‘The Taming’ – Written by Lauren Gunderson. Directed by Juliet Bowler. Presented by Hub Theatre Company. Assistant Director/Dramaturg: Jess Viator. Set Designer: Ben Lieberson. Scenic Artist: Megan Kinneen. Lighting Designer: Mike Wonson. Costume Designer: Erica Desautels. Sound Designer: Kyle Lampe. Props Designer: Cesara Walters. Pageant Consultant: Jamie-Shannon Ferguson. At the Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave., Boston through July 28

Politics.

…Yep. Simply stating the word will probably cause about half of the readers of this review to put their back up. In our contemporary twenty-four hour news cycle culture it’s become a dirty, even ugly word, conjuring up a host of unpleasant connotations including family arguments, fake news and an avalanche of think pieces detailing what new thing you should be outraged about this week and why. It’s exhausting and frustrating experience trying to be an informed American citizen these days, especially as both ends of the political spectrum circle their wagons and create their own echo chambers. Isn’t art, then, supposed to be the one place we can go to escape all of that noise? The one refuge we have from the suffocating media landscape?

Americana Theatre Company Dreams Impossible Dream with “Man of La Mancha”

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 michaelhoban1 Comment

By Evan McKenna

Man of La Mancha – Written by Dale Wasserman, Lyrics by Joe Darion; Music by Mitch Leigh. Directed by Dr. Michael Kirkland; Choreographed by Derek G. Martin; Set Design by David Friday; Costumes by Brian Kenerson; Lighting by Heather M. Crocker. Presented by The Americana Theatre Company at The Spire Center for the Performing Arts, 25 Court St, Plymouth MA through July 29

“There goes the maddest wise man, or the wisest mad man…”

Prior to “Man of La Mancha” at Spire Center for the Performing Arts this past Friday, president of Americana Theatre Company, Peter G. Martin, emphasized to the audience that their theatre aims to provide “stories that entertain and stories that matter,” citing “Man of La Mancha” as a prime example. Using the original Don Quixote narrative to portray a deeper point about realism and idealism explored by author Miguel de Cervantes, “Man of La Mancha” portrays much more than a general story about madness and reality than its comical flare may make it seem. Among the many themes of this narrative lays the sheer, “quixotic,” boldness of a madman, imagining himself a gallant knight and romantic defender, clinging to who he believes he is and what he stands for. While he may be foolish on the surface, the story questions the value that dreaming and idealizing still have—which may be just the thing that our modern society needs.