Rod Ferguson Brings Music, Laughs with “Some Others I’ve Seen”

October 7, 2017October 20, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

Following a successful summer run in Provincetown, Rod Ferguson is bringing his unique cabaret style to Club Café in the South End for the next two Thursdays in October. His new show, “Some Others I’ve Seen: Stumbling Towards Love” combines musical selections from the 40’s (“You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To”, “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” “Where or When”) with a series of well-crafted (and very funny) personal anecdotes to create an evening of cabaret that allows you to check your mind at the door, sing along – and laugh like hell.

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.

A Bright Room Called Day – Flat Earth Theatre

October 6, 2017October 6, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By James Wilkinson

BOX INFO: Two and a half hour, two act, production of Tony Kushner’s 1985 play, appearing September 30-October 14, 2017; Thursday-Saturday 8pm; matinee Sunday at 2pm. The Black Box Theatre at The Mosesian Center for the Arts, 21 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. www.flatearththeatre.com

There’s a moment early in Flat Earth Theatre’s production of A Bright Room Called Day that, intentional or not, strikes me as oddly prescient. The character of Agnes is attempting to write a skit that will mobilize the Communist party. She speaks the lines, “The world is perched on the brink of…the brink of…” She searches for the right word then gives up and sighs, “Shit.” Sitting in the audience, I wanted to yell out, “You have no idea…”

Theater Mirror Interviews Rod Ferguson on his one-man show, “Some Others I’ve Seen”

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 michaelhoban2 Comments

by Michael Cox

We sat down with the “wickedly funny” cabaret comedian Rod Ferguson to talk about his one-man show, “Some Others I’ve Seen,” the third in a series he has presented at Club Café featuring “the songs you love to hear with the stories I loves to tell.” This time the music is inspired by the swing era show tunes of the 1940s. Accompanied by Club Café’s own Brian Patton on the piano, “Some Others I’ve Seen” runs October 12, 19 and 26 at 7 PM. Tickets are available at clubcafe.com.

CHICAGO (Footlights at the Grange, Swansea, MA)

October 4, 2017November 4, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the 1920’s with the current musical at Footlights at the Grange. Director/choreographer Brian Barry Pereira transports the audience to the prison atmosphere needed for this terrific blockbuster musical “Chicago.” Kander and Ebb’s 1975 vaudeville type show is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Watkins. The 1997 musical version won six Tony Awards and the 2003 movie version won the Academy Award.

THE GREAT GATSBY (Burbage Theatre Company, Pawtucket)

October 4, 2017December 4, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Burbage Theatre Company’s second show of their season is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is their first show in their new location in Pawtucket. This classic novel from 1925 has been adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, it remains the evocative story of the pursuit of wealth and romance in The Jazz Age of the roaring 1920’s. Enigmatic self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby pursues the married, moneyed Daisy Buchanan as his party guests drink and Charleston their frenzied way of life at his opulent Long Island mansion.

Halloween Family Fun with ‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’

October 3, 2017October 20, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth
A nod of the shroud to North Shore’s Stage 284 for its two-act, two-hour finger-snapping, fun production of musical comedy ”The Addams Family”. Based on Charles Addams’ cartoons, the spoofy, spooky, kooky family play resurrects the popular 1960‘s TV wacky, weird, family, and their creepy, abnormal, anti-societal demeanor.

Bill Hanney’s NSMT ‘EVITA’ Evokes Excitement and Tears

October 2, 2017October 2, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Under two-hour, two-act, multimedia musical production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1980 multi-Tony Award winner and others, appearing through October 8: Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 8 p.m.; matinees, Wednesday, Saturday Sunday, 2 p.m. Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly. $57-$82; kids 18-under, 50 percent discount. nsmt.org, 978-232-7200.

While dynamic, dying, populist First Lady Eva Peron sings to the masses,”Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” members of Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre audiences stifled tears, identifying with the grieving masses who deified the beautiful performer-turned-political leader.

Jesus Christ Superstar, Bristol Community College, Fall River

October 2, 2017October 20, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Jesus Christ Superstar, Bristol Community College, Fall River

Janice MacDonald’s Studio Theatre Company

October 19-21, 2017

By Sue Nedar

Going into the theatre last night, I was filled with hopeful anticipation. Jesus Christ Superstar, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s crown jewel piece, is this reviewer’s all-time favorite show. It holds a very special sentimental place in my heart – but that’s another story.

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

October 2, 2017October 23, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at MMAS is the 1999 revival version of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” which is based on Charles Schultz’s beloved “Peanuts” comic strip. The revival opened on February 5. 1999 and made a star out of Kristen Chenoweth, winning her the Tony Award for best featured actress as Sally Brown. The show takes us through an average day in the life of Charlie Brown. The audience catches a glimpse of their favorite characters and includes many moments from all the days of his life from Valentine’s Day to baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair. They include all his friends. both human and non-human and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening. Director/choreographer Adam Joy infuses the musical with high energy from start to finish with his talented cast while musical director Eli Bigelow not only conducts his five piece orchestra but plays keyboards and taught them this glorious music. They are rewarded with a resounding ovation at curtain call.