“She Did All That” a Glowing Tribute to Betty Ford

June 30, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Michele Markarian

“She Did All That”, a documentary play by Lisa Rafferty. Directed by Lisa Rafferty. Presented by Birch Tree Productions at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Avenue, through July 8.

Watching a play about the Ford Administration, which took place a mere forty-odd years ago, is like watching a future – only it’s in the past – where politicians had integrity and progress was the goal. Ford, who had to take over the Presidency in the wake of Nixon’s resignation, addressed the country with the following: “My fellow Americans, our long, national nightmare is over” (reader, there was an audible snort from the audience after he said it). He must be turning over in his grave at what his party has become. But that’s not the point of the piece, which is a loving tribute to a very remarkable First Lady, Betty Ford. Not exactly a play, “She Did All That” arranges actual letters, speeches, and quotes to form a portrait of a very positive, free-thinking, ground-breaking First Lady.

A Spirited OKLAHOMA! Kicks up its Heels in Ogunquit

June 29, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Ogunquit Playhouse presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved, timeless musical through July 7, directed by Fred Hanson, music directed by Jeffrey Campos on main keyboard; choreography by Susan Stroman, adapted by Ginger Thatcher. 10 Main St., Route 1N, Ogunquit, Maine: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 p.m., matinees Wednesday, Thursday, Sundays, 2:30 p.m. also the last Saturday.Tickets start at $52. ogunquitplayhouse.org, 207-646-5511.

At last Thursday’s matinee, the chaos and drama behind the curtain was more dramatic and intense than the powerful, all-time great musical, “Oklahoma!” itself. That morning turned out to be a not-so beautiful one, as the post-overture, opening song heralds, because Equity male star Stephen Mark Lukas, (who portrays confident cowhand, Curly) became too sick to perform, sending the company scrambling for a last-minute replacement.

‘Born For This’ Lifts Us Up with Music, Comedy

June 27, 2018July 8, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Left to right: Donald Webber Jr. as BeBe Winans, Liisi LaFontaine as Whitney Houston, and Loren Lott as CeCe Winans in BORN FOR THIS. Photo ©Joan Marcus 2018)

By Mike Hoban

Born for This – Music and Lyrics by BeBe Winans. Book by Charles Randolph-Wright, BeBe Winans, and Lisa D’Amour. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright; Scenic Design by Neil Patel; Lighting Design by Jason Lyons; Sound Design by Jon Weston; Choreography by Warren Adams. Presented by ArtsEmerson. At Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston, through July 15.

You’re not likely to find a more consistently entertaining musical on Boston stages this year than Born for This, gospel and pop star Bebe Winan’s autobiographical work now in its latest incarnation at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre. A powerhouse score delivered by an extraordinary cast combined with a very funny script are sure to make this show an overwhelming crowd-pleaser (if the opening night crowd is any indication), even if the book won’t make anyone forget Les Miserables or Ragtime anytime soon.

OperaHub’s “DIVAS” An Exquisite Storytelling, Aural Experience

June 26, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

Divas – Written by Laura Neill; Directed by Adrienne Boris; Music Direction by Patricia Au; Set Design by Jeffrey Petersen; Lighting Design by Emily Bearce; Sound Design by Zach Cadman; Costume Design by Drew Myers-Regulinski; Presented by OperaHub in collaboration with the Diva Museum at the The Plaza Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston through June 30

Whether intentionally or otherwise, it would appear that the Boston Opera community has made a concerted effort in 2018 to broaden the appeal of the genre to the theater-going audience. Beginning with Boston Lyric Opera’s intriguing offerings (Threepenny Opera and Trouble in Tahiti) this spring and continuing with OperaHub’s captivating production of Laura Neill’s world premiere of DIVAS, a play with opera music, the ploy appears to be working – at least for this reviewer. Part Twilight Zone episode, part historical drama, DIVAS also offers a Whitman Sampler of brilliantly performed opera selections that should serve to entice theater-going folk into exploring future opera productions.

Theatre by the Sea’s ‘MAMMA MIA’ Great Summer Fun

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Rhode Island regional premiere of “Mamma Mia” celebrates Theatre by the Sea’s second show of their 85th Season. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense with costumes and sets in bringing this musical to the historic theatre.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.

NEWSIES – Academy Players of RI

June 23, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Academy Players of RI’s 63rd season starts off with a bang with the Rhode Island premiere of “Newsies” by Walt Disney. Disney’s “Newsies” is based on the 1992 Disney film and is inspired by the real-life “Newsboy Strike of 1899,” when Newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and run away newsies on a two- week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and made its Broadway debut on March 29, 2012 where it ran for over 1005 performances closing August 24, 2014 before touring the country from then until October 2, 2016. The choreography in the musical by Julia Gillis is phenomenal, astounding, entertaining and energetic from start to finish. Director Rita Maron with music director Matthew Cunningham leading a splendid 7 piece orchestra wins these 54 performers a standing ovation.

NEWSIES

June 21, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Weston Drama Workshop’s 56th season starts off with a bang with “Newsies” by Walt Disney. This group is a Youth Repertory Theater and the 56th season is dedicated to Andrew Ramsey who was a member of this group and sadly passed away last July 25. Disney’s “Newsies” is based on the 1992 Disney film and is inspired by the real-life “Newsboy Strike of 1899,” when Newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and run away newsies on a two- week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and made its Broadway debut on March 29, 2012 where it ran for over 1005 performances closing August 24, 2014 before touring the country from then until October 2, 2016. The choreography in the musical is astounding, entertaining and energetic from start to finish. Director Chris Brindley, the choreographer Emily Craver with music director Bethany Aiken leading a splendid 9 piece orchestra with their combined expertise wins these 51 young performers a standing ovation.

A Dark and Humorous Noir Hamlet

June 20, 2018June 21, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian

Noir Hamlet. Written by John Minigan. Directed by Joe Antoun. Presented by Centastage, Plaza Black Box Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, through June 30.

“There’s nothing wrong with Hamlet that a drink and a gun won’t fix”, reads the tagline on the program for Noir Hamlet. I am not sure if the line refers to the play or the actually character of Hamlet, but I’d like to think that it refers to the Shakespearean play, which, in this incarnation, contains many guns and many drinks as well as a healthy dose of humor.

NO TELL MOTEL (Newport Playhouse)

June 15, 2018July 15, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at Newport Playhouse is “No Tell Motel” by Michael Wilmot which was originally called “Love Shack” when it premiered back in 2010. Brandon and Sarah plan a quick, sexy rendezvous at Bird of Paradise Motel and discover getting what you want isn’t always what you want. A meddling motel manager with issues and the fall out from a Bible salesman with ulterior motives get in the way. Also a roll-away cot, guilt, misunderstandings and an inconvenient husband somehow combine for a happy ending. The show is about sexual fantasies and full of good natured humor. Director Daniel Lee White casts these four comic roles beautifully and gives them each their moment to shine and some clever shtick to perform to keep the audience laughing all night long.

Flat Earth’s “The Nether” Explores a Virtual World Without Consequences

June 15, 2018June 18, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

The Nether – Written by Jennifer Haley; Directed by Sarah Gazdowicz. Creative Team: Rebecca Lehrhoff (Set Design), Coriana Hunt Swartz (Costume Design); Connor Van Ness (Lighting Design); Kyle Lampe; (Sound Design). Presented by Flat Earth Theatre at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through June 23.

As I was walking into the Mosesian Theater to see Flat Earth’s compelling and disturbing production of Jennifer Haley’s The Nether, I casually asked a fellow reviewer if they had read anything about the play that we were about to see. They responded no, that they usually prefer to not to know anything about a play before seeing it. “Probably a good idea,” I remarked, not knowing that this production would perhaps be the single best case one could make for that practice. Suffice to say that while knowing the subject matter beforehand could deter some folks from attending, I can say without reservation that it would be a shame to miss this remarkable and thought-provoking piece.