Going to Great Lengths to Get the Girl: ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at The Company Theatre

March 22, 2024March 22, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The Company Theatre presents A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak. Co-Directed by Zoe Bradford and Sally Ashton Forrest. Musical Direction by Robert McDonough. Lighting Design by Dean Palmer Jr. Costume Design by Joe Michienzie. Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Specialty Costume Pieces designed by Kathryn Ridder. At the Company Theatre, Norwell, through March 30th, 2024

By Linda Chin

An anchor of theater in MA’s South Shore, The Company Theatre goes to great lengths to mount a great shows. Their recent production of Born to Do This, the original Joan of Arc musical (created by Zoe Bradford, Michael Hammond and Mel Carubia) was acknowledged – from a very crowded field of “post-COVID’ contenders – in “Theater Mirror’s Reviewers ‘Top 10’ Lists for 2023.” Company’s 2022 production of Sweeney Todd, starring Peter Adams and MaryAnn Zschau in the leading roles, was “Meaty Material Performed to Perfection.” Like Sweeney, Gentleman’s Guide is a story of love, murder, and revenge set in London of yore, but it is not a dark drama. Rather it is a British satire meant to be murderously funny, and that consistent with Company’s mission to entertain and educate, comments on classicism and racism by keeping you laughing, which we can all use these days. Like Sweeney, Gentleman’s Guide is a Tony Award-winning Best Musical (2014) – but the book and music aren’t Sondheim (nor Bradford, Hammond, Carubia for that matter).

Company Theatre’s “Born To Do This” Rocks

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Liza Giangrande and cast of “Born to Do This” at Company Theatre. Photos by Mike Scott

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Company Theatre is known for doing epic musicals, and their current summer show is “Born to Do This,” about Joan of Arc, an original Rock Opera. Zoe Bradford wrote the book and lyrics, and the music and additional lyrics were by Melissa Carubia. This massive show was directed and blocked by Zoe and Sally Ashton Forrest. The show examines the life of Joan and tells of her heroic story of a young girl who fought against oppression and women’s rights centuries ago. They decided to write this show as a sung-through musical. To quote Melissa, “Rock is the music of rebellion.” These 31 talented cast members with an incredible 14-piece orchestra bring this meaningful show to life. The music contains powerful anthems, pretty ballads, and a comic song or two. It is reminiscent of “Les Miserables” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” To quote Joan, “I am not afraid; I was born to do this,” as were Zoe and Melissa on this enormous task. Brava! They delve into her childhood with her parents and two brothers. They collaborated with Michael Hammond during their writing sessions and realized this 600-year-old story is still relevant. At the start of the show, we see Young Jeanne with St. Michael, who delivers an important message about how her life will unfold in the song “The Messenger,” and the harmonies in the chorus are perfect. Musical director Robert McDonough taught the talented cast all these numbers and conducts and plays lead keyboards with his splendid orchestra. Jeri Sykes did the orchestration for this show. This show is dedicated to The Company Theatre co-founder Jordie Saucerman, who always encouraged us to do what we were born to do.

Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ – Meaty Material Performed to Perfection at Company Theatre

October 19, 2022October 20, 2022 michaelhoban8 Comments

MaryAnn Zschau, Peter Adams in ‘Sweeney Todd” at Company Theatre

Sweeney Todd – Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Sally Ashton Forrest. Musical Direction by Steve Bass. Lighting Design by Dean Palmer Jr. Costume Design by Bri Plummer. Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Presented by Company Theatre, Norwell, through October 23.

by Linda Chin

Legendary lyricist-composer Stephen Sondheim, who became a “giant in the sky” in November 2021 at the age of 91, is arguably the most important figure in musical theater history, and Sweeney Todd is arguably his masterpiece. Yet it is produced less frequently by regional and community theaters than Company, Gypsy, or Into the Woods. Set in London during the Industrial Revolution, the story of a villainous duo who make meat pies filled with human remains is brilliant, but more macabre than Sondheim’s other works, and most musicals in general. Its dark presentation of lust, murder, obsession and revenge, societal and mental health decline, may not appeal to audiences looking for light-hearted entertainment in these depressing times. Even in the best of times, it is a colossal undertaking that asks for customized set pieces and scenic elements, and actors and musicians who can play the complicated characters and handle Sondheim’s challenging score.

The Company Theatre’s ‘HAIR’ a High Note of the Summer

August 5, 2022 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘Hair’ at Company Theatre Norwell

Book and Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, Music by Galt MacDermot. Directed by Zoe Bradford, Musical Direction by Robert McDonough, Choreography by Sally Ashton Forrest, Costume Design by Hannah Schuurman, Lighting Design by Dean Palmer Jr., Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Presented by The Company Theatre, Norwell through August 21

by Linda Chin

After the house lights dim, signaling the audience to put conversations and concerns aside and settle in their seats, the stage lights come down and the words “when the moon…is in the seventh house” of the stirring anthem “Aquarius” emerge from the darkness (soloist Sarah Burke, as Ronny, makes their debut). When the stage is re-illuminated, revealing a full-size car covered with flower power decals (set design by Ryan Barrow, lighting design by Dean Palmer, Jr.) and a vibrantly-colored, bell-bottomed, bare-bellied Tribe (costume design by Hannah Schuurman), the audience – transported to New York City, circa 1968 – becomes electrified. The Company Theatre’s production of HAIR opens on a high note and sustains the momentum and kinetic energy for two hours.

Feeling All the Feels Again – Rock of Ages at Company Theatre

August 16, 2021 michaelhoban1 Comment

Cast of ‘Rock of Ages’ Rocks at Company Theatre in Norwell

Directed by Zoe Bradford, Musical Direction by Steve Bass, Choreography by Sally Ashton Forrest, Costume Design by Alison Gordon, Lighting Design by Dean Palmer Jr., Set Design by Ryan Barrow.

by Linda Chin

Welcome to the 80s, or as the show’s narrator (Brad Reinking) delightfully describes, “the Reagan era…a time before most of the people on this stage were born.” Like many musicals, Rock of Ages is thin on plot, a classic girl-meets-boy story of small-town girl and aspiring actress Sherri (Emily Lambert) and city boy and rock star wannabe Drew (Braden Misiaszek) searching for fulfillment in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Their field of dreams – the Bourbon Room – is being targeted by a greedy developer Hertz (Kevin Groppe), and club owner Denise’s (Janis Hudson) attempts to save her business from the wrecking ball, including hiring an egomaniacal rock star Stacee Jaxx (Trey Lundquist/Shane Hennessey) add additional twists to the storyline.

Company Theatre’s ‘American Idiot’ Soars

February 14, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(‘American Idiot’ – Photos by Zoe Bradford)

by Linda Chin

‘American Idiot’- Book and Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, with additional book by Michael Mayer; Music and Lyrics by Green Day; Directed and Choreographed by Corinne M. Mason; Music Direction by Steve Bass. Presented by Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Dr., Norwell, MA through February 17

In opening 2019 with Green Day’s American Idiot, Company Theatre continues its 40-year track record of presenting productions with high artistic quality and audience appeal, and of bringing beloved Tony-award winning shows to South Shore audiences. Last year’s fabulous production of Ragtime was a well-executed revival of the Broadway hit musical (including an exact replica Model T Ford on stage, set pieces from the original Broadway national tour, and Boston Equity actor Peter Adams reprising his role as Father from the national tour as a headliner).

Company Theater’s Oliver! a Homegrown Joy

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

BrittanyRolfs (Nancy), Matthew O’Connor (Oliver) and Aliyah Harris (Bet).

By Linda Chin

Oliver! Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jodie Saucerman .Presented by The Company Theatre at the Center for Performing Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell through December 16

Seeing shows, particularly musicals at Company Theater usually puts me in a good mood (and for me, are worth the long drive to Norwell), and the current production of Oliver! (running through December 16) is no exception. It is a theater company whose productions and casts seem to be selected with the audience and community in mind, and feelings of family and pride for local talent permeate the experience once you walk through the door.

Company Theatre Celebrates 40 Years with Epic Staging of “RAGTIME”

July 29, 2018December 28, 2018 michaelhoban1 Comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Company Theatre celebrates the start of their 40th Anniversary season with the 1998 hit musical “Ragtime” which is based on E. L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel. The epic sweep of this musical is captured in its opening prologue, a nine minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical ones. At the dawn of the twentieth century, everything is changing and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting part of turn of the century, New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together, that of a stifled upper class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician. They are all united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America. This epic musical is excellently directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman. They capture the flavor and the essence of early 1900 New York. This is definitely one show not to be missed. The talented cast is rewarded with a resounding standing ovation.This is the first show I reviewed for them back in 2003, making this my 15th year of reviewing shows at Company Theatre. Back then the show was viewed as “Wow, what progress we’ve made in this new century”, but 15 years later, it is, “Yikes this is the stuff that is still happening in America now!”

Company Theatre’s ‘La Cage’ Entertains, Enlightens

March 21, 2018April 2, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Evan McKenna

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman; Book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play “La Cage aux Folles” by Jean Poiret. Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman. Musical Direction by Steve Bass. Choreography by Sally Ashton Forest. Costume Design by Cameron McEachern. Lighting Design by Adam Clark. Set Design by Ryan Barrow. Wigs & Hairstylist, James A. Valentin. Presented by Company Theatre: 30 Accord Park Dr, Norwell through Sunday, April 8th.

Just last month the Senate of Georgia voted on a law to give adoption agencies—both private and taxpayer funded—the right to reject service to LGBTQ couples. This, among other forms of both legal and de facto discrimination happening during the Trump-Pence administration, shows how many Americans today do not support LGBTQ couples as moral, adequate, or legitimate parents of children, making “La Cage aux Folles” not only a relevant work to see this year, but an important one. At its heart, the story testifies to the criticism and conflict that queer couples with children must face in their social and political environment. On the surface, however, the musical does not seem politically overt or necessarily tragic, and that is because of the sitcom-esque humor and drag queen performances, both of which the cast of the Company Theatre’s production executed wonderfully at the premiere last Friday, giving—much like “Cabaret”—laughter and fun to an otherwise dark underlying story.

Company Theatre’s LA CAGE AUX FOLLES’ is a Joyous Musical Extravaganza

March 17, 2018March 20, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the French Riviera in the 1980’s and the most glittering and notorious nightclub there is “La Cage Aux Folles” which is the Company Theatre’s first show of their 40th season and tackle this 1983 hit Jerry Herman musical. It won six Tony Awards for the original Broadway show and is the only musical to win the Tony Award for best revival twice. It is a flamboyant musical comedy about life, love and family values in a decidedly unconventional family. Georges runs this glittering drag queen nightclub, starring Albin, also known as ZaZa who is Georges longtime lover. They have a happy but stormy life together. However, when Georges’ son announces his engagement to the daughter of a narrow minded bigoted politician, their efforts to “play it straight” for a meeting with the in-laws results in high insanity blended with some poignant moments along the way.