At NSMT, Elvis Lives!

November 3, 2023November 4, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of “Elvis” at the North Shore Music Theatre. Photo © David Costa Photography

Elvis: A Musical Revolution at North Shore Music Theatre. Book by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti. Based on a concept by Floyd Mutrux. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Co-Music Direction by Milton Granger and Robert L. Ruckinski. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Costume Design by Travis M. Grant. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Wig and Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At the North Shore Music Theatre through November 12

by Linda Chin

Whether, like me, you’ve seen Elvis Presley perform his hip-gyrating hits on archival footage, or like my plus one, saw him perform ‘live’ on the Ed Sullivan Show on black and white TV in 1956, you’re in for a fun time at NSMT. Their current production of Elvis: A Musical Revolution features over 40 of his songs, a terrific 9-piece orchestra, a 29-member company of triple-threats, and a breakout performance by Dan Berry as the King. And unlike watching Elvis on the screen, in this theater-in-the-round – where you’re never more than 15 rows from the stage – you’ll see the actors in full form, live and up close – and not just visible from the waist up.

“A Christmas Carol” Returns to Trinity Rep

November 1, 2023November 17, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of “A Christmas Carol” at Trinity Rep. Photos by Mark Turek.

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Trinity Repertory Company ushers the holiday season in with their presentation of their 47th production of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming. This is Trinity’s third show of its 60th season. This show’s underlying themes of charity, forbearance, and benevolence are universal. They are equally relevant to people of all religions and backgrounds, especially now with the upcoming 2024 election being upended by the former, four times indicted and arrested, as well as twice impeached ex-president. Also, because of his impending and ongoing trials about the Insurrection of the Capital on January 6th, of the stolen top-secret documents and being found guilty of assault and defamation as well as being found guilty of fraud and the still contentious climate of this country and disorder in the congress about the debt ceiling limit. “A Christmas Carol” is about the curmudgeonly miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Marley, Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come who hope to change his destiny and save his soul to ultimately discover the true meaning of Christmas.

MRT’s Psychological Thriller ‘Gaslight’ a Portrait of Courage in the Face of Evil

November 1, 2023November 1, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Jim Hopkins, Kristin Yancy, and Karen MacDonald in MRT’s ‘Gaslight’

‘Gaslight’ – Based on the play by Patrick Hamilton. Adapted for the stage by Steven Dietz. Directed by Courtney Sale; Scenic Design by Samantha Reno; Lighting Design by Laura Glover; Costume Design by Rainy Edwards; Sound Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel. Produced by Merrimack Repertory Theater in partnership with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall, 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell, through November 5.

By Mike Hoban

There could hardly be a more fitting time for a play entitled Gaslight, given that we are now living in a world that asks us to bend reality to suit our own cultural and political beliefs rather than to believe what we see and hear with our own eyes and ears. This engaging production is also a reminder of the courage it takes to fight back against the forces of evil, whether it’s on a personal or global scale, and that fight is vital to our very survival.