Hub Theater’s ‘46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ a Darkly Comic History Lesson

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of the Hub Theater Company’s “46 Plays for America’s First Ladies.” Photo: Andrew Keefe

‘46 Plays for America’s First Ladies‘ – Written by Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sharon Greene, Chloe Johnston, Bilal Dardai, and Andy Bayiates; Directed by Ilyse Robbins; Set Design by Justin Lahue; Lighting Design by Emily Bearce;Sound Design by Gage Baker; and Costumes by E. Rosser. Presented by Hub Theatre Company at Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA.

By Mike Hoban

If you’re going to Hub Theater’s 46 Plays for America’s First Ladies expecting a fawning third-grade history treatment of the women who “stood behind their men,” you’re in for a surprise. That premise is obliterated in the opening vignette when Martha Washington tells the audience, “I loved slavery” and describes her time as First Lady as akin to being a “state prisoner” – which is an actual quote from the wife of the “Father of Our Country.” Wow.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Co.’s “The Winter’s Tale” Sizzles on Boston Common

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of Commonwealth Shakespeare Co.’s “The Winter’s Tale”. Photo Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

“The Winter’s Tale.” Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Bryn Boice. Scenic Design by James L. Fenton; Costume and Wig Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Lighting Design by Maximo Grano De Oro; Sound Design by David Remedios; Original Music by Mackenzie Adamick. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company for Free Shakespeare on the Common, Parkman Bandstand, 139 Tremont St., Boston, through August 4.

By Shelley A. Sackett

The drizzly chill overhead did nothing to dampen Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s sizzling (and free!) production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. From James J. Fenton’s spectacular set to director Bryn Boice’s nuanced yet spunky direction to the exceptional cast, the evening was an example of Boston’s cutting-edge theater scene at its most exciting.

A Dark, Redemptive “ Winter’s Tale” on the Common

July 29, 2024July 29, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Nael Nacer, Omar Robinson and cast in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “The Winter’s Tale”. Photo Credit: Nile Scott Studios.

“The Winter’s Tale”. By William Shakespeare. Directed by Bryn Boice. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at the Boston Common through August 4.

By Michele Markarian

For many of us hankering for outdoor theater, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s annual summer production is something to look forward to. This year, despite the difficult theme of “The Winter’s Tale,” one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” Commonwealth does not disappoint.

Weston Drama Workshop’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ The Stuff of Dreams

July 25, 2024July 27, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of Weston Drama Workshop’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Photos by George Lucozzi

‘Phantom Of The Opera’ – Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Charles Hart. Book by Richard Stilton & Andrew Lloyd Webber; Directed by Chris Brindley. Musical Direction by Chris Holownia, SJ. Choreography by Emily Craver. Scenic Design by Kyle Stamm and Chris Fournier. Lighting Design by Kyle Stamm. Sound Design by Elliot Dupcak. Costume Design by Cat Lawrence. Make-Up & Hair Design by Grace Graham. Presented by Weston Drama Workshop at Regis College, Weston, MA, through July 27, 2024.

By Linda Chin

Set on the stage of the Paris Opera in 1905, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a devious masked figure who lives in the Opera House and falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, who he wants for his own. Phantom took its final bow in April 2023 – after 35 years, nearly 14,000 performances, and audiences of over 20 million, creating the opportunity for community, professional, and regional theater companies to apply for the rights. (Prior to the Broadway close, licensing was available only to affiliated high schools). Typically, WDW’s blockbuster seasons include newly available titles, e.g. Something Rotten (WDW 2022), Mean Girls (WDW 2023), and Six and Phantom this season.

At Boston’s Old North Chuch, “Revolution’s Edge” Time Travels to the Start of the American Revolution

July 20, 2024July 20, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

“Revolution’s Edge.” Written by Patrick Gabridge. Directed by Alexandra Smith. Produced by Plays in Place. Commissioned by Old North Illuminated. Staged at The Old North Church, 193 Salem St, Boston through August 10.

By Shelley A. Sackett

“Revolution’s Edge,” a site-specific play by the award-winning playwright, producer, novelist, and screenwriter Patrick Gabridge, packs a lot into 45 minutes.

It is set on the evening of April 18, 1775, a turning point in both the history of the Old North Church (then Christ Church) and the history of America. The church played a pivotal role in the nation’s fight for independence. It was in its steeple, after all, where two lanterns were hung on that very night to signal that British soldiers were heading across the Charles River.

A Cavalcade of Timeless Tunes at Cape Playhouse’s ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Julia Knitel as Carole King in *‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’* at the Cape Playhouse

The Cape Playhouse Presents ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Directed by David Ruttura. Choreographed and Associate Directed by Joyce Chittick. Music Directed by Nick Williams. Scenic Design by Ryan Howell. Costume Design by Gail Baldoni. Lighting Design by Kirk Bookman. Sound Design by Emma Wilk. Wig Design by Bobbie Zlotnick. At The Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Massachusetts, through August 3, 2024.

By Linda Chin

If the buzz and camaraderie during intermission at last Saturday’s matinée of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was an indication, audience members were having “one fine day” at The Cape Playhouse. In the multi-generational audience, traditionalists and boomers (like my plus-one and me) were well-represented, and what we had individually and collectively just experienced in the first act was a stroll down memory lane. For me, being in the historic Playhouse (which was originally a 19th-century church; the seats are wooden pews with comfy cushions), hearing beloved songs from my younger days (recognizable and filling me with anticipation from the first three chords) – and being taken back in time to moments and memories from my teen/young adult years, was surreal, even other-worldly. And, to continue the metaphor, the actors’ pitch-perfect renditions of the iconic songs on the Playhouse’s small, intimate stage, with their glorious voices and the live orchestra’s music soaring to the rafters, was spiritually uplifting, even heavenly.

Can’t Help Falling In Love With Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘All Shook Up’

July 15, 2024July 15, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘All Shook Up’ at Reagle Music Theatre. Photos by Robert Pascucci.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents ALL SHOOK UP. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. Book by Joe DiPietro. Arthur Gomez, Director. Mindy Cimini, Music Director. Larry Sousa, Choreographer. Jay Pension, Producer. Janie Howland, Set Designer. Franklin Meissner, Jr., Lighting Design. Emerald City Theatrical, Costume Design. Sebastian Nixon, Sound Design. At Reagle Music Theatre, Waltham MA, through July 21, 2024.

By Linda Chin

‘All Shook Up’. Inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley; Book by Joe DiPietro. Directed by Arthur Gomez; Music Direction by Mindy Cimini; Choreography by Larry Sousa; Set Design by Janie Howland; Lighting Design by Franklin Meissner, Jr; Costume Design by Emerald City Theatrical; Sound Design by Sebastian Nixon. Presented by Reagle Music Theatre, 675 Lexington Ave Waltham, through Sunday, July 21

All Shook Up is a jukebox musical inspired by and featuring two dozen hit songs from the Elvis Presley songbook, including “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and the titular song. Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro’s (Memphis) book is inspired by the comedies of William Shakespeare, including Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream,and Much Ado About Nothing. The mix of rousing (and arousing) Elvis R&B songs and Shakespearean sonnets, with some Footloose, Hairspray, and Bye Bye Birdie influences, make for a delightful and refreshing rom-com combination.

An Enchanted Evening At Goodspeed With Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’

July 10, 2024July 27, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of Goodspeed’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’

Goodspeed Musicals Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton & Managing Director David B. Byrd present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC. Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Oscar Hammerstein II & Joshua Logan. Directed by Chay Yew. Choreographed by Parker Esse. Music Direction by Adam Souza. Scenic Design by Alexander Dodge. Costume Design by Juinghyun Georgia Lee. Lighting Design by Amith Chandrashaker. Sound Design by Jay Hilton. Wig & Hair Design by Tommy Kurzman. At The Goodspeed, East Haddam, CT through August 11, 2024.

by Linda Chin

When Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II’s South Pacific premiered on Broadway in 1949, it garnered massive critical and audience acclaim, sweeping the Tonys with ten awards, including Best Musical, Libretto, and Musical Score. It also was a box-office success, running for nearly two thousand performances until its final bow in 1954. Seventy years later, the show’s sensational score remains one of the most impressive in the American musical theater canon and enjoys mass appeal. Theatergoers attending Goodspeed Musicals’ production of South Pacific (through August 11, 2024) will be treated to an enchanting evening (or afternoon matinee) of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s magnificent music.