North Shore Music Theatre’s ‘Beautiful’ is Full of Feels

June 10, 2023June 10, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Elena Ricardo as Carole King in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” at North Shore Music Theatre thru June 18, 2023. Photo @ Paul Lyden

Beautiful: The Music of Carole King – Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. Directed and Choreographed by Marcos Santana. Music Direction by Camille Villalpando Rolla. Scenic and Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Costume Design by Travis M. Grant. Co-Sound Design by Alex Berg and Don Hanna. Hair and Wig Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, through June 18, 2023.

by Linda Chin

North Shore Music Theatre’s season opener, Beautiful: the Music of Carole King, is not a stop that is part of a national tour/Broadway in Beverly – but a regional production that has been created and cast de novo with a blend of professional and emerging theater-makers. NSMT Producer Bill Hanney and Producing Artistic Director Kevin Hill, in concert with show director/choreographer Marcos Santana (Jersey Boys, 2022), have imbued Beautiful with their signature stamp of artistic excellence. On a similar note, Elena Ricardo, who played the titular role in NSMT’s Peter Pan at NSMT and understudied the lead role in Broadway’s Beautiful, does not attempt to clone Ms. King (née Carol Klein) nor actor Jessie Mueller, who won the 2014 Tony for her portrayal, but makes the role her own. Other actors, such as Jean McCormick as Genie Klein, play down the stereotype of an overbearing Jewish mother.

North Shore’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Beautifully Blends Theatre of the Past, Present and Future

December 8, 2022 michaelhoban2 Comments

The cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at North Shore Music Theatre. Photos©David Costa Photography

‘A Christmas Carol.’ Adapted for the stage from the Charles Dickens novella by Jon Kimbell. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Original Scenic Design by Howard C. Jones. Costume Coordination/Additional Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Leon Rothenberg. Original Wig and Hair Design by Gerard Kelly. Additional Wig Design by Kat Shanahan. Projection Design by Nick Wass. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, through December 23.

by Linda Chin

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the heartwarming image of a young boy (Tiny Tim) holding a little cane above his head sitting on his father’s shoulder (Bob Cratchit) – joy on the pair’s faces undiminished by their well-worn winter clothing and the son’s disability – has been immortalized in 19^th century lithographs and 3-D porcelain (and plastic) figurines alike. With beautiful costumes, traditional songs, amazing acrobatics, special effects, and an outstanding cast and orchestra bringing the classic story and its iconic images to life, NSMT’s A Christmas Carol is the perfect show for people of all generations to continue – or begin – an annual holiday tradition. First presented in 1989, director and choreographer Kevin P. Hill keeps the show fresh by retaining the traditional elements and changing the staging/choreography, special effects, and cast members who outgrow their roles – like Tiny Tim. NSMT’s 2022 production of A Christmas Carol beautifully blends theatre of the past, present and what’s ‘yet to come.’

Just Wanna Have Fun? Say Yeah to ‘Kinky Boots’ at NSMT

October 30, 2022October 31, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The cast of KINKY BOOTS at North Shore Music Theatre thru Photo © Paul Lyden

Kinky Boots – Kevin P. Hill, director and choreographer, Dan Rodriguez, musical director, Kyle Dixon, scenic designer, Gregg Barnes, original costume design, Kelly Baker, costume coordinator/additional costume design, Jose Santiago, lighting designer, Adam Bates, sound designer, Josh Marquette, original wig design, Rachel Padua-Shufelt, additional hair and wig design. At North Shore Music Theatre, October 25 – November 6.

by Linda Chin

With pop icon Cyndi Lauper’s triumphant “Raise You Up/Just Be” as its grand finale, NSMT’s Kinky Boots ends on a high note – and not just because everyone on stage is singing and dancing in glittery 4 to 5-inch heels. Rather, the characters we have come to adore have stories with happy endings, and inspire the audience to celebrate themselves and make their own.

NSMT’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Turns Campy Cult Classic into Musical Comedy Gem

September 23, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Audrey II, Andrew Montgomery Coleman (as Seymour Krelborn) and Kim Sava (as Audrey) in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at North Shore Music Theatre thru October 2, 2022. Photos © Paul Lyden

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ – Book by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken; Based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Directed by Bob Richard; Choreography by Diane Laurenson; Music Direction, Dan Rodriguez. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA through October 2

by Mike Hoban

Little Shop of Horrors, now playing at the North Shore Music Theatre, is the rarest of modern musicals. Unlike the recent Broadway trend of taking a good (or at least popular) movie and turning it into a bad musical, Little Shop transforms a very bad movie – but supremely campy cult favorite – and turns it into a very good musical. Combining an early 60’s inspired rock ‘n roll score and an absurd but very funny plot, it’s the very definition of a musical comedy.

NSMT’s ‘Buddy’ an Entertaining Musical Journey

August 25, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Matt McClure (Buddy Holly) and the cast of BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY playing at North Shore Music Theatre thru August 28. Photos by © Paul Lyden

‘Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’ – Written by Alan James. Directed and choreographed by Marcos Santana. Music Direction by Milton Granger. At the North Shore Music Theatre through August 28.

by Linda Chin

In contrast to the multi-generational theatregoers who attended Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in July (including many young girls wearing princess dresses), the crowd at Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, skewed towards the older set – Baby Boomers who were eager for a fun night out reliving the rock and roll of their youth. So the audience for the third production in North Shore Music Theatre’s spectacular summer ‘22 lineup were likely familiar with the fact that Buddy’s story – his tragic death in a plane crash at age 22 – does not have a fairy tale ending.

A Round of Applause for Theatre in-the-Round: Cinderella at North Shore Music Theatre

July 18, 2022 michaelhoban1 Comment

*Meadow Nguy (Ella), Stephen Brower (Topher), and the cast of ‘Cinderella” at North Shore Music Theatre thru July 24. Photos by Paul Lyden.*

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella – Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; New Book by Douglas Carter Beane; Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II. Creative Team: Kevin P. Hill (Direction and Choreography), Milton Granger (Music Direction), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Travis M. Grant (Original Costume Design), Kelly Baker (Costume Coordinator), Corey Whittemore (Lighting Design), Don Hanna (Sound Design), Rachel Padula-Shufelt (Hair and Wig Design). Presented by NSMT through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA through July 24

by Linda Chin

After being shuttered in 2020, then bringing back two previously produced shows (Mamma Mia – Encore, A Christmas Carol – 30^th Anniversary) in 2021, NSMT’s return to a six-show season with an impressive lineup of Broadway hits is in itself cause for celebration. Part of my excitement when going to NSMT is seeing how they transform productions that are typically staged proscenium-style to arena-style – with no curtain, multiple entrances and exits (including sub-terranean) and no back (or fourth) wall. In addition to the rousing standing ovation to the cast and orchestra on opening night, a well-deserved round of applause to the Director/Choreographer Kevin Hill, Music Director Milton Granger and creative team for using theatre-in-the round to its full advantage in their 2022 production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

North Shore’s ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ Delivers the Hits of Lieber and Stoller

June 14, 2022June 15, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*The cast of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE at North Shore Music Theatre thru June 19. Photo Credits: Paul Lyden*

Smokey Joe’s Café – Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Frankel and Thomas Viertel; Direction and Choreography by Stephanie Pope Lofgren; Music Direction by Milton Granger; Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon; Costume Design by Kelly Baker; Lighting Design by Jack Mehler; Sound Design by Don Hann. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, 54 Dunham Road, Beverly through June 19th

by Mike Hoban

The first act of Smokey Joe’s Café, now playing at the North Shore Music Theatre, is a little baffling. Not only is the show not set in a café (or even a nightclub), more importantly – given the prolific body of work of the songwriting team of Lieber and Stoller on whose work the show is based, as well as the obvious skill of the singers – the songs and performances lack any real smoke.

NSMT’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Delivers a Hopeful Holiday Extravaganza

December 8, 2021 michaelhobanLeave a comment

David Coffee (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Alex Puette (Jacob Marley) in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at North Shore Music Theatre – Dec 2-23. Photos by Paul Lyden

By Mike Hoban

‘A Christmas Carol: A Musical Ghost Story’ – Adapted by Jon Kimbell. Based on the Novella by Charles Dickens; Director/Choreographer, Kevin P. Hill; Music Director, Milton Granger. Presented by the North Shore Music Theatre, Dunham Road, Beverly through December 23^rd

Following a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the North Shore Music Theatre returns with its own special spin on the Christmas Carol holiday classic with the 30^th anniversary presentation of A Christmas Carol: A Musical Ghost Story – and delivers the heartwarming tale of redemption with a terrific score along with a dose of pyrotechnics. The NSMT adaptation retains much of the dialogue and storyline of the original, as cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed into a loving and fully realized human being with the help of some friendly (and frightening) spirits showing him the way.

NSMT’s “A Christmas Carol” Delights

December 10, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

David Coffee (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Alex Puette (Jacob Marley) in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at North Shore Music Theatre – Dec 6-22. Photo©Paul Lyden

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre’s holiday show again this year is the 29th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol, A Musical Ghost Story which is an annual favorite. This version of this well-known holiday tale was written by former NSMT artistic director, Jon Kimball which he adapted back in 1989. As Jon explains “A Christmas Carol is a timeless story that still resonates with people of all ages and carries a message that is as genuine and poignant now as it was when it was first written back in 1843. This splendid musical version captures the true spirit and meaning of the holiday season for one and all. David Coffee returns in triumph for his 26th time of playing Scrooge. Audiences have been lucky once more this season by seeing David in “Freaky Friday” and as always are beyond thrilled that he is returning to this iconic role once again. This show marks David’s 60th production at NSMT. Current artistic director Kevin Hill directs this year’s presentation of its favorite holiday show once again and makes it fresh and new with new dances, clever new ad libs and more comic moments.

NSMT’s ‘The Bodyguard’, the Musical’ Will Thrill Audiences

October 24, 2019November 3, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Cheaza Figueroa (Rachel Marron) and the cast of THE BODYGUARD at North Shore Music Theatre thru November 10. Photo by Paul Lyden)

by Tony Annicone

Las Vegas glitz and glam comes to North Shore Music Theatre’s latest musical production, the Boston area premiere of “The Bodyguard, the Musical”, based on the 1992 movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The stage version debuted in London back in 2012. A superstar is threatened by a stalker, so her manager hires a former Secret Service Agent to protect her. Both of them have a stubborn streak a mile long and both want to be in charge of any situation that arises. The music from the movie won a Grammy Award and the album was # 1 for five months. There are 15 songs in this musical version and Nick Kenkel returns in triumph to direct and choreograph another hit musical at NSMT. His past NSMT hits were “Legally Blonde”, “Chicago”, “Dreamgirls” and “Evita.” He molds his 19 cast members marvelously with their dance steps and their motivation for their characters. He is aided in his task by musical director, Wendall L. Vaughn, who conducts the superb orchestra. The musical numbers sparkle and shine with the energetic cast wowing the crowd completely. The last number of the show encourages the audience to join in the singing and dancing of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, and the already standing audience happily obliged after their thunderous standing ovation before the song “I Will Always Love You” was finished.