Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Rhode Island Stage Ensemble’s current show is “Around the World in 80 Days” which is based on Jules Verne’s 1873 novel and this version is written by Mark Brown. In 1872, on a gentleman’s wager, Phileas Fogg and his French manservant, Passepartout attempt to traverse the globe in just eighty days. Fogg is an adventurer who bets he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days or less. The two of them encounter strange new countries, colorful and at times hostile characters, and even love.

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“GREASE”

Reviewed by Hen Zannini

The Smithfield High School Music Department’s current musical is “Grease.”

“Grease” opened off-Broadway in 1972 and moved to Broadway to run for another eight years. In 1978 it was made into a movie starring John Travolta and ‪Olivia Newton John and grossed nearly $400 million.

Aiden Travers opens the play singing “Grease,” the well know song from the movie, sung by Frankie Valli. Aiden’s energy and contagious smile sets the pace for what’s in store! We are welcomed to Rydell High School’s class of 1959 high school reunion and are greeted by the entire Company performing the “Alma Mata Parody.”

This musical is beautifully directed by Katherine Young, assisted by Cynthia Fontaine-Powers, Production Assistant, and Chloe Olean, Stage Manager. Katherine fully utilizes the stage and theatre to maximum potential. Her high-energy blocking of over fifty cast members is professional and highly entertaining. Band Director Kelly Chartier conducts the seven-piece student orchestra as they play the nearly two-hour score to perfection. It’s hard to believe the orchestra is comprised of high school students; their talent is top notch.

Kudos to the Set Design team–Patricia Bubis, Megan Anderson, Paul and Maria Duhamel, and Luana Towne-Stearns. Everything from the school exterior, lockers, bedroom, and malt shop complete with jukebox, to the “hunk of junk,” also known as “Greased Lightning,” were perfect and easily transported you to 1959. The transformation of the car is unbelievable. I’ve seen “Grease” close to a dozen times (and performed in it, as well!), and this is one of the best vehicles I’ve ever seen!

The hard work of choreographers Bethany Pierpaoli, Kerissa Roderick, Justina Mabray, and Carissa Charbonneau is evident and delightful to watch throughout the entire performance. The larger group numbers are so much fun—I didn’t want them to end! The costumes were true to the fifties, colorful, and beautifully made. To see them all together at one time in the ensemble numbers was like watching fireworks, only on the ground!

Bad boy Danny Zuko is well played by Alec Devine. He has lots of comic moments and lines, including his appearance in a “track suit” and being stranded at the drive-in. “No one walks out of the drive-in!” His delivery is spot on. He displays his voice and dancing in “Summer Nights,” “You’re the One That I Want,” and “Hand Jive.” Alec—I mean Danny—is every girl’s dreamboat!

Juliana Rivelli is good girl Sandy Dumbrowski. Good, that is, until she turns “bad” in Act 2. It’s a change that you have to see to believe! Juliana’s character runs the gamut of emotions, and you feel every one of them through her superb acting, be it happiness, anger, sadness, or frustration. Her beautiful voice simply soars in the poignant “Hopelessly Devoted,” which showcases her wide range and which left me with a lump in my throat. She also does a great job in her duets, “Summer Nights,” and “You’re the One That I Want.” Juliana totally captures the sweet essence of Sandy.

The Pink Ladies are a hoot, each with a distinctive personality. They wear the prettiest and pinkest Pink Lady jackets I’ve ever seen. Where can I get one?! Hope Sousa plays Pink Lady Betty Rizzo. Betty is hard hearted, but her true colors come through in her show-stopping solo, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” All I can say is “WOW.” I had tears in my eyes. This number won her thunderous applause. She also sings the comical, “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” which generates lots of well deserved laughter. Hope’s acting is excellent; you feel what she feels.

Sexy Pink Lady Marty is convincingly played by Nina Votolato. Her marvelous voice is heard in “Freddy My Love.” Jessica Lawton is Jan, whose primary focus is food! Jessica sings the hysterical “Mooning” with her boyfriend Roger, who is played by Michael Iannuccillo. They elicit lots of laughs and are just the most adorable couple! Frenchy is played by Emma McKay and is hilarious in this role. Poor Frenchy drops out of school to attend beauty school, only to flunk out. You truly feel for her. She is serenaded by Teen Angel, Benjamin Duhamel, in “Beauty School Dropout.” His falsetto is very much appreciated by the audience! Hailey Beaulieu plays Patty Simcox to the bubbly and bouncy hilt! She is a ball of energy with fabulous acting chops.

Bryce Moroni is suave and swaggering as Rizzo’s boyfriend Kenickie. He is awesome in his solo, “Greased Lightning,” where he sings and dances with the boys in one of my favorite numbers. How can you not love watching twelve guys in black leather jackets making love to their car?! Sonny Latierri is played by David O’Brien. Devin may be small in stature, but he is huge in character! He is fantastic playing the cad who is always in trouble. Andrey Kryschnuk, Doody, nails his naïve and nervous character. I found myself just wanting to hug him. I loved his guitar playing in “Those Magic Changes.”

“Born to Hand Jive” had me wanting to jump out of my seat and dance with the cast! Additional excellent musical numbers include “Shakin’ at the High School Hop,” It’s Raining on Prom Night” (beautiful harmony), and the energetic closing, “We Go Together.”

Rounding out this marvelous and talented high school cast are Renee Roy (Miss Lynch), Austin Sanderson (Eugene), Jonathan Twining (Vince Fontaine), Michael Russell (Johnny Casino), Adeline Schwartz (Cha-Cha DiGregorio), and Mary Edsall (Burger Palace Waitress), as well as the Cheerleaders, Angel Choir, and Ensemble. An additional shout-out to the Stage Crew and Sound and Lights Crew.

Don’t miss this lively and highly entertaining musical! There are just two performances remaining. I promise you will not be disappointed!

“GREASE”

‪Saturday, March 11 @ 7 pm‪ and Sunday, March 12 at 2 pm

Smithfield High School
‪90 Pleasant View Avenue‪
Smithfield, RI

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Dean College’s School for the Arts winter show of the year is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare. It was suggested by “A Knight’s Tale” from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” and was written between 1594 and 1596. It portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur performers. Moonlight, magic and midsummer madness infect the lovers, tradesmen and fairies in this tale.

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Newport Playhouse’s first show of their 34th season is “Romantic Comedy” by Bernard Slade. The show is centered on Jason Carmichael, an arrogant, self centered and sharp tongued successful co-author of romantic comedies. He is faced with two momentous events: he supposed to marry a society belle and his collaborator is retiring. Enter mousey Phoebe Craddock who quickly becomes his new collaborator. Fame and success flourish for ten years and then Jason goes into a tailspin when his world is changed. Phoebe gets married and moves to Paris with her new journalist husband. But will Phoebe return to New York to get back together with Jason? And if so will it be happily ever after. Director Anne Mulhall casts these six roles wonderfully and elicits strong performances from her hard working performers.

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

The latest show at 2nd Story Theatre is “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” by Sam Bobrick and Ron Clark. The show is a light fast pace suspense comedy about a love-triangle between a husband, Paul Miller, his wife, Arlene and their dentist, Mitchell Lovell, at the Howard Johnson’s Motor Inn. It is a three scene play which takes place at Christmas, July 4th and New Year’s Eve. Its many twists and turns during this mixed up mayhem keeps the audience in stitches all night long. Director Ed Shea keeps the show moving at a rapid fire pace and gives his comic performers a lot of sight gags and shtick to do, giving it the necessary ingredients for the hilarious night of comedy that occurs. The authentic set and lighting is by Max Ponticelli and the gorgeous 1978 costumes are by Ron Cesario.

Michael McAdam plays Paul, the car salesman that Arlene wants to divorce one minute then loves the next. He can’t believe what is happening and allows himself to be tied up in a chair. Then in another scene, he runs around outside on the ledge. Michael is hilarious when he climbs back into the room as if he is still outside on the ledge. Another comic moment is when he realizes he has bird poo on his forehead. Michael also brings KFC chicken for Arlene in this scene while hiding in a closet, waving a gun in the air and spouting lessons he learned in self actualization class. There is a surprise heart attack scare that doesn’t end the way you expect which wins many laughs. He steals many a scene with his wacky antics.

Lara Hakeem plays Arlene, who has her car salesman husband and dentist boyfriend chasing after her throughout the show. Arlene is a dim bulb who can’t chose who she wants to be with which leads her to thoughts of murder. Some of her funniest moments include dressing in a blonde wig while pretending to be a bimbo, pretending to make love on the bed, crawling under the bed and starting to make love with one of her lovers and kissing her lover behind her husband’s back. Lara delivers the goods as this kooky off balance woman and obtains many laughs along the way.

Wayne Kneeland plays the skirt chasing dentist, Mitchell. He is very funny while seducing Arlene and plotting against Paul while saying love conquers everything. Another comic bit is when he spills champagne on Paul’s crotch. Mitchell ties up Paul with Paul’s tie and his tie, makes a noose for the gallows and runs around on the ledge in shorts. He also gets a dose of Novocain in the butt which makes him limp around the room and also is a hoot when he does some disco moves. Another comic gem is when he puts on lipstick to kiss a scarf. So for a funny farce to brighten up these cold winter days, be sure to catch “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” at 2nd Story Theatre. I have fond memories of this show, having directed it in 1983 and 2014. It will help brighten up your mood with all the political shenanigans going on, too.

MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S (10 February to 12 March)

2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St, Warren, RI

1(401)847-4200 or www.2ndstorytheatre.com