‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ – Written by Peter Rothstein with vocal arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. Directed by Arthur Gomez. Music Direction by Lea Peterson. Original direction and choreography by Ilyse Robbins. Scenic Design by Erik Diaz. Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg. Costume Design by Bethany Mullins. Sound Design by David Remedios. Properties Design by Sarajane Mullins. At  GBSC, 395 Main Street, Stoneham, through December 23, 2023.

When GBSC announced their 2023-24 season earlier this year, with All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 – winner of the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Musical – returning to fill the holiday slot, I had mixed emotions. Having absolutely adored last year’s Little Women the Musical, which was also directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins (and which garnered Norton nominations for Liza Giangrande as Jo March, and Amy Barker as Marmee, for Outstanding Leading and Featured Performances in a Musical, respectively), I was hoping the Company would be mounting another new musical that was familiar, family-friendly, and full of big feels. Yet being all-too-aware of the economics of producing musical theater (high ticket prices/attendance/revenue that exceeds high costs), a risky business that has become even more risky in these highly uncertain ‘post’-pandemic times – I was relieved they were making a sensible choice. And having missed seeing the highly-touted production two years ago, I was especially excited for the chance to see it.

Read more “‘All is Calm’ and Ten Stars Shine Bright at Greater Boston Stage Company”

by Shelley A. Sackett

‘All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ – Written by Peter Rothstein; Vocal Arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach; Directed by Ilyse Robbins; Music Direction by Matthew Stern; Set Design by Erik D. Diaz; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Sound Design by Dewey Dellay; Costume Design by Bethany Mullins. Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main St., Stoneham through December 23, 2021.

From the first note of the first song in the remarkably affecting ‘All Is Calm,’ the choreography chops of its director, Ilyse Robbins, are indisputably evident. Two lines of uniformed men, distinguishable by their country’s military dress, slowly march to the front of the stage as they sing the Scottish folk song, “Will Ye Go to Flanders?” They briefly merge, forming a united single line, before those in the back row return to their original and separate positions. This powerful prologue literally sets the stage and tone for the next intermission-less 70 minutes. We have entered a holy place of unity where a folksong can become a hymnal and where men have the power and ability to come together as one, even if it is merely for a fleeting moment.

Read more “Greater Boston Stage’s ‘All Is Calm’ Strikes the Perfect Chord”