Ripley, Stellar Cast Deliver Blockbuster Treatment of ‘Sunset Boulevard’

September 26, 2019September 27, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Alice Ripley as Norma Desmond in NSMT’s ‘Sunset Boulevard’ – Photos: Paul Lyden)

Review by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s blockbuster musical of the fall season “Sunset Boulevard” is based on the Academy Award winning 1950 Billy Wilder, black and white movie which starred Gloria Swanson and William Holden. The musical version has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. The story is about a faded film star, Norma Desmond who was a popular actress back in the silent films of the 1920’s. The show is told in flashbacks by Joe Gillis who is an up and coming film writer who is being chased by two car repo men while trying to evade them, ending up at Norma’s run down mansion on Sunset Boulevard. Once inside, Norma convinces Joe to help her with her script of “Salome” to present to Cecil B. DeMille with her playing the teenage heroine. Joe, desperate for a job, takes her up on her offer which leads to romance and ultimately tragic circumstances unfold as this relationship continues.

‘Jersey Boys’ Rocks NSMT

August 16, 2019 michaelhoban1 Comment

(Luke Hamilton (Bob Gaudio) and Jonathan Mousset Alonso in JERSEY BOYS, playing at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 1. Photo by Paul Lyden)

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The latest blockbuster musical at Bill Hanney’s NSMT is the 2006 Tony Award winning musical “Jersey Boys”, about the lives and career of the pop group, The Four Seasons. The Broadway show opened on November 6, 2005 and ran until January 15, 2017 after 4,642 performances. The show is set in the 1950’s to a dozen classic rock tunes by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe. Authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice wrote a book from the real life stories of the original Four Seasons, Frankie Valli (Castelluchio), Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio. They started out as four thugs, but could also sing fabulously. They seemed to get along for many years but then hidden secrets emerge including gambling debts to loan sharks that had to be paid off or else. It became a totally different story because through all the adversities they became one of the greatest successes in pop music history.

North Shore Music Theatre’s ‘Oklahoma’ Is a Rollicking Kick Off to its 64th Season

June 8, 2019June 14, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Shelley A. Sackett

‘Oklahoma!’ –Music by Richard Rodgers; Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Directed by Charles Repole; Choreography by Mara Newbery Greer; Music Direction by Mark Hartman. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, through June 16.

Just when the cold, wet slog of spring 2019 was about to wear down all hope that summer would ever arrive, NSMT comes to the rescue with a first-rate production of the 1943 classic, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ Perfect for theatre-in-the-round staging, this Broadway masterpiece has everything: a snappy, foot-stomping score, impressive choreography and a captivating story that is more complex and bleak than many may remember.

NSMT’s ‘Oklahoma’ – A True Classic

June 7, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

“Oklahoma” is the classic Broadway musical that launched Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration back in 1943. So to celebrate North Shore Music Theatre’s 64th season, owner and producer Bill Hanney brings it in as his opening musical of his 10th season at this historic theatre. The story is about Curly, the cowboy, and Laurey, the farmer, who pretend they dislike each other until another unsavory suitor, handyman Jud, makes a play for her. Curly then becomes the hero who must step up to save the damsel in distress. Laurey is guided by her strong willed Aunt Eller. She also is supported by her flirty friend, Ado Annie, who likes to keep many beaus on a string, including handsome, dancing Will Parker who has seen the big city lights and the womanizing peddler, Ali Hakim. Throw in Annie’s strong willed father, Andrew and a singing and dancing chorus that will knock your socks off and you have the ingredients for this sensational high energy musical extravaganza.

NSMT’s ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Brings the Classic to Glorious Life

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Current artistic director Kevin Hill directs this year’s presentation of its favorite holiday show once again. He also directed “Mamma Mia”, the megahit at NSMT this past summer for four sold out weeks. “Christmas Carol” is the tale of curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Jacob Marley,Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come who hope to change his destiny and to save his soul. Audiences are taken on a strange and magical journey with Scrooge that helps him regain his exuberance for the true meaning of Christmas once more. Bill spares no expense in bringing this splendid heartwarming tale to audiences for his ninth year. Kevin and his cast and crew delivers the goods with audiences leaping to their feet at the curtain call. They are moved to laughter and tears at all the appropriate moments. Bravo once again on a job very well done!

You ‘Can’t Stop the Beat’ with NSMT’s HAIRSPRAY

November 1, 2018November 7, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Broadway show won 8 Tony Awards and is based on the 1988 John Waters film which starred Divine and Ricki Lake. The show is set in 1962 in Baltimore and is about teenager, Tracy Turnblad, a large girl with big dreams and even bigger hair who has an abundant joie de vivre and rhythm in every inch of her body. She will do whatever it takes to win a spot on the Corny Collins Show, a popular TV dance show, win the heart of Link Larkin, the show’s resident dreamboat and turn the town upside down in her efforts to racially integrate television.

NSMT’s JEKYLL & HYDE a Musical Masterpiece

September 28, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre’s latest show is the blockbuster musical “Jekyll and Hyde which is adapted from the 1886 novella “The Strange Case of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson. The original stage conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn with music by Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. The musical ran on Broadway for 1,543 performances from April 28, 1997 to January 7, 2001. It tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant young doctor who is distraught over his father’s mental illness. He tries to find a cure by using himself as a test subject but the experiment backfires and gives life to his evil alter ego, Edward Hyde, a vile murderer who brings a killing spree to the city of London in the late nineteenth century. This epic musical’s not done very often but NSMT brings the original star of the musical Robert Cuccioli in to direct this phenomenal production with a multitalented 22 member cast. This production also boosts expert musical direction by Milton Granger and stunning, energetic choreography by Kelli Barclay to induce the 1500 seat theatre to erupt into a spontaneous standing ovation at the curtain call. Their combined expertise makes “Jekyll and Hyde” the must see musical of this autumn season.

NSMT’s ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ A Perfect Prelude to Halloween

September 15, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Two-act Broadway Gothic musical thriller, book by Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Bricusse, Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, appearing at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre62 Dunham Road, Beverly through Oct.7: Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday matinees, 2 pm. $59-$84. 978-232-7200, nsmt.org.

North Shore Music Theatre’s powerful production of the musical horror drama, “Jekyll and Hyde,” loosely based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 classic mystery-horror novella, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is far more moving, and sensational on stage than in print or movie adaptations. And this is the time for families to see and experience it- pre-Halloween – when witches, goblins, monsters and evil-doers roam the streets.

NSMT Delivers Fun-Filled Summer Show with “MAMMA MIA!”

August 9, 2018August 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s summer show is the blockbuster hit “Mamma Mia” and it’s the third show of their 63rd Season. Owner and producer Bill Hanney spares no expense with costumes and sets in bringing this musical to the historic theatre for his 9th season here.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. The show opens with daughter, Sophie singing “I Have a Dream” which lets the audience know what she’s wishing for that she wants her father to walk her down the aisle but she doesn’t know who he is.

‘Peter Pan’ Delights at North Shore Music Theatre

July 12, 2018July 12, 2018 michaelhoban1 Comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to Neverland at and their summer musical of “Peter Pan”, the boy who won’t grow up. As soon as you enter the theater you are transported to Neverland with the gorgeous and colorful sets of Kyle Dixon. The original play was by J.M. Barrie written in 1904 which was based on his novel “Peter and Wendy.” However this musical version has music mostly by Morris Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It was originally adapted and directed by Jerome Robbins. The original Broadway musical opened in 1954 and starred Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard as Peter Pan and Captain Hook. These roles won them both Tony Awards.