New Rep’s ‘Hair’ Takes Us on an Electric Musical Trip

February 11, 2020March 2, 2020 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Mike Hoban

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical – Book & Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado; Music by Galt MacDermot. Rachel Bertone, Director/Choreographer; Dan Rodriguez, Music Director; Janie E. Howland, Scenic Designer; Marian Bertone Costume Designer; Franklin Meissner, Jr., Lighting Designer; Kevin Alexander, Sound Designer. Presented by New Repertory Theatre, Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through February 23

When the original production of Hair first hit the Broadway stage in April of 1968, it was a mind-blowing experience in every sense of the phrase. The profanity, overtly political anti-war stance, perceived lack of respect for the flag, interracial coupling (yes kids, that was actually controversial in 1968), and shattering of sexual boundaries – including a cross-dressing Margaret Mead, polyamorous characters and (gasp) full frontal nudity – shocked the establishment. And while none of those things would likely to raise an eyebrow for most theatergoers today, the production was truly groundbreaking in its time. It ran for four years and 1,750 performances and made the leap from theater to popular culture, with cover versions from its rock score producing multiple top 40 hits, including four Top 5 songs – the Cowsills’ version of “Hair”, Oliver’s “Good Morning Starshine,” Three Dog Night’s “Easy to Be Hard” and the 5th Dimension’s medley of “Aquarius” and “Let the Sunshine In” – which hit #1 for five weeks.

New Rep’s ‘Oliver!’ Offers Hope on the Horizon

December 3, 2019December 5, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Ben Choi-Harris, cast in New Rep’s “Oliver!” – Photos by Andrew Brilliant/ Brilliantpictures Inc.)

by Linda Chin

‘Oliver!’ – Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart. Michael J. Bobbitt, Director; Sariva Goetz, Music Director; Luciana Stecconi, Scenic Designer; Rachel Padula-Shufelt, Costume Designer; Frank Meissner, Lighting Designer; Kevin Alexander, Sound Designer. Presented by New Repertory Theatre at Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through December 29

Oliver! at the Mosesian Center for the Arts powerfully demonstrates that the arts can build community and that live theater can bring people – of different ages, backgrounds, classes and cultures, denominations, educational levels and generations – together in a shared human experience. Michael J, Bobbitt does triple duty as not only the New Rep’s new artistic director, but the production’s director and choreographer, and leads a diverse and talented cast. Broadway, film and TV veteran Austin Pendleton plays Fagin and 11-year old Ben Choi-Harris (whose resume includes a national tour, a string of regional professional credits and two IRNE Award nominations) plays the title role. The cast of 11 adult and five child actors is first-rate, with Pendleton’s “Reviewing the Situation”, Choi-Harris’ “Where is Love”, and Daisy Layman’s (Nancy) “As Long As He Needs Me”, wonderful renditions of classics and beautiful examples of storytelling through song. The production numbers were nicely staged and energetically executed, with special shout outs to Jackson Jirard (Noah Claypole), Sydney Johnston (Artful Dodger), and Youth Ensemble members Ian Freedson Falck, Jane Jakubowski, and Mark Johnson.

You Don’t Have to be Jewish to Love New Rep’s ‘Trayf’

October 24, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Zalmy (Ben Swimmer) and Shmuel (David Picariello) in New Rep’s ‘Trayf’

by Linda Chin

“Trayf”. Written by Lindsay Joelle. Directed by Celine Rosenthal. Scenic Design: Grace Laubacher. Lighting Design: Marcella Barbeau. Costume Design: Becca Jewett. Sound Design: Aubrey Dube. Stage Manager: Jenna Worden. Produced by New Repertory Theatre in partnership with Jewish Arts Collaborative, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown through November 3.

Lindsay Joelle’s positively terrific play, Trayf, is the story of Shmuel (David Picariello) and Zalmy (Ben Swimmer), two BFFs who’ve lived in Crown Heights NYC’s Hasidic community since childhood. Now 19, they spend their days cruising the streets of NYC in an RV converted into a Mitzvah Tank, seeking people to converse with about their Jewish faith. Shmuel was gifted the vehicle from his dad, so he’s the duo’s designated driver, and Zalmy’s in charge of navigating and the cassette deck. Zalmy lovingly prepares mixtapes with non-secular, non-trayf music they can listen to. At one point he reveals that he’s listened to Elton John, to which Shmuel asks – with curiosity, protectiveness, and concern – “Is he Jewish?”

Trayf is in Eye of the Beholder in New Rep’s ‘Trayf’

October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*Jonathan (Nile Scott Hawver), Zalmy (Ben Swimmer) and Shmuel (David Picariello) in New Rep’s ‘Trayf’*

By Shelley A. Sackett

Hasidic teenagers Zalmy and Shmuel, the main characters of the New Repertory Theatre’s “Trayf,” are, at face value, typical 1990s adolescents. They love cruising around New York City in their brand-new van, blasting their favorite music and singing along at the top of their lungs. Their good-natured banter, conversational short cuts and puppy-like rapport reveal a chemistry borne of lifelong friendship. They talk about everything, from music to families to the riddle of sex. Any mother would be proud to claim them as her budding mensches.

Through the Looking Glass in “Nixon’s Nixon” at New Rep

September 22, 2019September 23, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Jeremiah Kissel, Joel Colodner in ‘Nixon’s Nixon’ at the New Rep)

by Shelley A. Sackett

‘Nixon’s Nixon –Written by Russell Lees; Directed by Elaine Vaan Hogue; Scenic Design by Afsoon Pajoufar; Costume Design by Zoe Sundra; Lighting Design by Aja Jackson; Sound Design by Elizabeth Cahill, Stage Manager- Heather Radovich. Presented by New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, through October 6.

Like many baby boomers, I called in sick on August 8, 1974. My friends and I gathered in a sweltering un-air conditioned apartment outside steamy Philadelphia in front of a small black and white television. Arranged on a mattress on the floor, beverage and accoutrements in hand, we waited for the fulfillment of our hopes, the culmination of our dreams come true. The gongs sounded on from the FM radio softly playing in the background. At last, soon-to-be ex-President Nixon appeared strolling towards the helicopter that would whisk him off into political oblivion. An entire generation breathed a collective sigh of relief.

What we didn’t know was the historical backstory of what happened the night before.

The Indomitable Life Force of “Becoming Dr. Ruth”

May 2, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Anne O’Sullivan as Dr. Ruth in New Rep’s ‘Becoming Dr. Ruth’)

By Michele Markarian

“Becoming Dr. Ruth”, by Mark St. Germain. Directed by Stephen Nachamie. Jeffrey Petersen, Scenic Designer; Aja Jackson, Lighting Designer. Presented by New Rep Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through May 19.

“All my life I have loved to go to the theater. Tonight, the theater comes to me!” beams Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer (Anne O’ Sullivan), as she holds her arms out to us, the audience. This transparency allows Dr. Ruth to address the audience directly, and gives her a reason to tell her surprising, sometimes sad, and often fateful story.

Born Karola Ruth Siegel, an only child to a Jewish couple in Frankfurt, Ruth had a happy life. Her grandmother Siegel, who lived with them, told her early on, “Always smile and be cheerful. You are loved.” This advice the young Ruth took to heart. Throughout her travails, Ruth somehow managed to keep up her spirits and keep moving forward, under circumstances that would fell weaker, more melancholic personalities.

Tension and Healing in “Cardboard Piano”

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*(Rachel Cognata, Marge Dunn, Michael Ofori and Marc Pierre in New Rep’s ‘Cardboard Piano’ – Photos by Andrew Brilliant, Brilliant Photography)*

by Michele Markarian

‘Cardboard Piano’ – Written by Hansol Jung. Directed by Benny Sato-Ambush. Presented by New Repertory Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through April 14.

Adiel (Rachel Cognata) and Chris (Marge Dunn) are young lovers – Chris is sixteen – who have planned a makeshift wedding ceremony for themselves on New Year’s Day, 2000, in the church in Uganda where Chris’s missionary dad is pastor. The young woman are very different – Adiel is comfortable with her sexuality, Chris is not (“Fuck around in my house of worship and I’ll throw a bolt at your head,” Chris says in God’s voice, when thunder and lightning abound outside). Chris’s parents have found out about her and Adiel and are very upset, to the point where Chris has drugged them and stolen their car keys so that she and Adiel can escape. After saying their vows into a tape recorder, Chris and Adiel are interrupted by a young man of thirteen, Pika (Marc Pierre), who brandishes a gun and threatens to kill Chris. Pika is wounded, and Adiel insists on taking care of him before they leave. After dressing Pika’s wound, Adiel goes to her aunt’s house to say goodbye and grab a suitcase. Pika, an abducted child soldier, tells Chris that he has committed sins too atrocious for even God to forgive (“I’m a terrible soul and so He has forgotten about me”). Chris insists that God will forgive, and on the same tape recorder used to record her “marriage”, creates a healing for Pika that absolves him of his sin. But Pika is wanted, and a young soldier (Michael Ofori) comes to the Church looking for him. Instead he finds Adiel, returning with a suitcase. A scuffle ensues, Pika commits one more atrocity, and then, when he discovers the true nature of Adiel’s and Chris’s relationship, commits another.

Shalom, Salaam, Peace: Three Sisters in Faith Share Their Stories

February 22, 2019February 24, 2019 michaelhoban1 Comment

*(Rohina Malik, Susan Stone, Kim Schultz)*

By Deanna Dement Myers

‘Keeping Faith: Sisters of Story’ – Written and performed by Rohina Malik, Kim Schultz, and Susan Stone. Music and vocals by Lucia Thomas. Presented at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham on February 22-24; New Repertory Theater in Watertown on February 25-26.

“The greatest thing in the world is to do somebody a favor.”

Three women grace the stage and tell moving stories of compassion, hope and understanding. These exceptional storytellers from different branches of the Abrahamic faith traditions, are joined by a wonderful musical artist, to weave a series of stories that celebrate their separate beliefs while cultivating the commonalities we all share.

Rohina Malik, a Muslim woman, collaborated with Kim Schultz, a Christian woman, and Susan Stone, a Jewish woman, to create an artistic response to the hate and intolerance currently plaguing our society. Lucia Thomas, a gifted and versatile musician, uses violin, oud, guitar, and a newly acquired banjo, to compliment the storytellers with songs that underscore the themes and emotions in the tales. The performance is enhanced by the layering of singing, instruments and storytelling. The effect is intimate and serves to draw the listeners in.

The four strong voices blend together messages of tolerance and wisdom. Each storyteller approached personal struggles by reaching deep into their individual religions to find strength, insight, and solace. While these religions are traditionally patriarchal, we follow the footsteps of important women in the separate faiths, and learn more about the singularity of the Divine Source central to them all.

The audience is invited to stay for a question and answer session after the performance. It is a chance to process the powerful messages crafted by these talented women, and a brief chance to add our own piece towards healing the world.

‘Keeping Faith’ tickets can be purchased at www.greaterbostonstage.org

or www.newrep.org/events/keeping-faith

New Rep’s ‘Still Standing’ is Meaningful Theater

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Nicholas Whittaker

‘Still Standing: A Musical Survival Guide for Life’s Catastrophes,’ written and directed by Anita Hollander. Scenic Design: Afsoon Pajoufar. Stage Manager: Renee E. Yancey. Master Electrician: Katie Hoolsema. Props Manager: Zack Stern. Technical Director: Nathan Lee. Sound Engineer: Lee Schuna. Presented by New Rep Theater in residence at the Mosesian Center of the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown.

“Cripples ain’t supposed to be happy,” Anita Hollander sneers halfway through New Rep’s Still Standing. The sentiment, out of context, may sound surprising from Hollander’s lips. Hollander is the sole writer and performer of Still Standing, an intensely personal musical detailing Hollander’s own experience as a cancer survivor who lost her leg due to complications with her illness. The callous sentiment expressed above is thus not Hollander’s own, but one she admits she frequently comes across. Still Standing is Hollander’s attempt to prove it wrong. Disability, for Hollander, is neither a burden to bear nor an obstacle to overcome, but a complex, emotional, and ultimately integral part of her life and identity. In this, the show is a success. Hollander is able to reclaim the personhood of which disabled performers and characters are often deprived, asserting herself as the center and driving force of her narrative. This is, Hollander’s show argues, is what it truly means to survive.

Silence and Omission in the ‘Heartland’ – at New Rep

January 17, 2019January 20, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Deanna Dement Myers

“The space between the words is where the ache lies.”

A charming young refugee, Nazrullah, brilliantly played by Shawn K. Jain, shows up at the home of retired University of Nebraska professor, Harold Banks (Ken Batlin). We soon learn that Nazrullah was a teacher at the same school in Afghanistan as Bank’s adopted daughter, Getee. At first, Harold mistrusts this young man, mistaking him for a repairman. It becomes clear they share a bond through their complicated relationships with Getee, played by Caitlin Nasema Cassidy, in her first role at the New Rep. Across language barriers, this cast of three weaves time and location to tell a fast-paced story of deep love, strong beliefs and unsettling betrayal. We jump from the present where both Harold and Naz learn to navigate their own relationship without the help of Getee, to the past where we learn the reasons why she felt compelled to visit the land of her birth.