Gamm Theatre’s “Twelfth Night” a Laugh Riot

March 1, 2024March 25, 2024 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Jeff Church, Kelby Akin, and Nora Eschenheimer in Gamm Theatre’s “Twelfth Night”.
Photos: Cat Laine

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to Illyria, the setting of and the fourth show of Gamm Theatre’s 39th Season. The audience members are invited guests to a Shakespearean celebration. First, we come upon a shipwreck where twins Viola and Sebastian are separated and forced to survive on their own in a strange land. The first, Viola, falls in love with Count Orsino, who, in turn, falls in love with Olivia. However, Olivia falls for Viola, who is disguised as Cesario. Still, Olivia is also pursued by her pompous steward, Malvolio, who is viewed as such because he condemns drunken revelry by her uncle Toby Belch and Sir Andrew, another one of her suitors. Later on, Sebastian appears on the scene, throwing the situation into further disarray because he is the spitting image of his twin sister. Mistaken identities, gender-bending antics, revelries, and wild mayhem abound in this madcap Shakespearean tale written in 1601 or 1602. Directors Tony Estrella and Rachel Walshe take their talented performers and mold them into the characters of yesteryear, winning them the accolades they richly deserve.

‘HANGMEN’ at the GAMM

October 15, 2023December 26, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The cast of Gamm Theatre’s production of “The Hangmen.” Photo by Cat Laine

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The second show of Gamm Theatre’s 39th season is the New England Premiere of “Hangmen” by Martin McDonagh. This show is a fictional story set in 1965 when the death penalty had just been abolished in the UK. In a small town in Northern England, everyone wants to know what the second-best hangman in the country, Harry Wade, whose profession has just been made illegal, has to say about it. When the news breaks, Harry’s pub is overrun with a gang of misfits and a cub reporter eager to garner a quote from Harry himself. Harry’s guilt-ridden former assistant, Syd, is also in attendance. However, when a constantly smiling, inscrutable visitor, Mooney, appears, everyone becomes inquisitive about this stranger’s mysterious motives. Even though serious topics are discussed, McDonagh keeps the comedy flowing even in the most dire circumstances. Director Tony Estrella casts these 11 roles wonderfully and elicits both comic and dramatic performances from one and all. He is aided in his task by Jessica Hill Kidd, who designed a prison area on the top of a lovely British bar that looks so realistic you’d go up there and order a pint for yourself. The terrific fight choreography is by Normand Beauregard with lighting design by James Horban, terrific sound design by Hunter Spoede with realistic thunder and rain, and the 1960s costumes by Katie Hand. Stage manager Robin Grady keeps things running smoothly all night long.

Don’t Let the Play’s Title Keep You From Seeing Gamm’s Compelling ‘Bad Jews’

March 8, 2023March 9, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The cast of ‘Bad Jews’ now playing at the Gamm Theatre. Photos by Cat Laine

‘Bad Jews’ – Written by Josh Harmon; Directed by Tony Estrella; Set Design by Patrick Lynch; Costume Design by Jessie Darrell Jarbadan; Lighting Design byDavid Roy; Sound Design by Peter Sasha Hurowitz, Presented by The Gamm Theatre at 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI through March 26.

by Mike Hoban

At a time when anti-Semitism and violence against Jews are disturbingly on the rise, attending a play with the name Bad Jews may not seem like such a great way to spend an evening. A dozen or so protesters connected with the RI Coalition for Israel thought so, picketing the show outside the theater on the day of the press performance – not based on the content of the play (which one imagines they have not seen), but the title. Once inside, Gamm artistic director Tony Estrella assured the audience that the company respects the right to free speech, “both on the sidewalk and in the theater.” Having seen the play, let me assure you that the title is in no way a condemnation of the Jewish religion or culture. Instead, it’s a self-reference by one of the play’s Jewish characters on how poorly he practices his faith, much like Catholics who only show up for church on Christmas and Easter would describe themselves as a “bad Catholics.”

“King Elizabeth” at the Gamm (Pawtucket, RI)

May 7, 2017May 10, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Richard Pacheco

The Gamm is doing a new version of Frederich Schiller’s “Mary Stewart” adapted and directed by Gamm Artistic Director Tony Estrella. While there are some slow moments in it, the acting is excellent and vibrant.