“DEATHTRAP” The Players, Providence, RI

September 15, 2018October 17, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The opening show of The Players’ 110th season is “Deathtrap”, a thriller by Ira Levin. Alan Hawkridge directs this show with keen insight to guide his five member cast with all the clever twists and turns of this script that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. This show takes place in the Westport, Connecticut home of famous playwright, Sidney Bruhl who is having a dry spell with his writing and is trying to write his current script. Unfortunately he has had a string of failures and is suffering from a shortage of funds.

“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.

GHOSTS OF APPOMATTOX, MMAS, Mansfield

October 6, 2017October 6, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

MMAS’s latest show is an original script about the Civil War called “Ghosts of Appomattox” written by local residents and playwrights Tom Souza and Alex Salachi. A modern day college professor challenges her students to explore the relationships between key figures of the American Civil War and its aftermath. In doing so, the professor hopes that the students will be able to find connections between the lessons of the past and our present political environment. Alex was a classmate of mine at Assumption College in Worcester. Director Steve Dooner takes this well written script and brings these historical figures of U.S Grant and Robert E. Lee to life so we can look at history from a perspective and of that time period to learn that two attributes that stand out are of character and perseverance that are very sorely lacking from this current U.S. government.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS Roger Williams Summer Playhouse @ The Wilbury Theatre Group, Providence, RI

August 20, 2017August 20, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Roger Williams University’s Barn Summer Playhouse in association with Wilbury Theatre Group’s summer show is “Moonlight and Magnolias” by Ron Hutchinson which is the mostly true story of the creation of “Gone With The Wind” movie. This production is dedicated to the memory of Donald J. Farish, President of Roger Williams University. “Moonlight and Magnolias” was the original working title for this historic movie. It is a wild romp in the style of the 1930’s movie comedies.