What the World Needs Now is Ogunquit’s ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’

Cast of Ogunquit’s ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Photos by Nile Scott Studios

‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’ – Based on the TriStar Pictures Film. Book by Ron Bass and Jonathan Harvey. Music & Lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Music Direction by Andrew David Sotomayor. Scenic & Costume Design by Colin Richmond. Lighting Design by Rich Latta. Sound Design by Kevin Heard. Wig/Hair & Makeup Design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit ME through October 27th.

By Linda Chin

Don’t know what to do with yourself on Wednesdays through Sundays in October? After you wake up, put on your makeup, and say a little prayer, grab a good friend, bestie, or if you have a gay best friend – and head up the great big freeway (I-95) to the Ogunquit Playhouse to see the world premiere of the new rom-com musical My Best Friend’s Wedding.

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Ogunquit’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Melds Dark Comedy with a Rockin’ Score

Talia Suskauer, Etai Benson, and Adam Heller in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Ogunquit Playhouse

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ – Book by Howard Ashman; Music by Alan Menken; Based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Directed by Hunter Foster. Choreography by Mara Newbery Greer. Music Direction by Dan Pardo. Scenic Design by Scott Pask and Nate Bertone. Lighting Design by Richard Latta. Costume Design by Dustin Cross and Bryce Turgeon. Sound Design by Kevin Heard. Wig/Hair & Make-Up Design by Roxanne De Luna. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine, through September 21.

By Mike Hoban

With so many good or great movies turned into mediocre or outright awful stage musicals, Little Shop of Horrors stands out as a brilliant exception – turning a dreadful but campy 1950s sci-fi movie into one of the best of the rock ‘n’ roll-scored musicals. Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Little Shop is a rollicking blast; from its opening 60s girl group title number to its whacked-out sci-fi conclusion, it delivers musically and comedically.

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A Blissful Production of ‘A Little Night Music’ at Ogunquit Playhouse

A Little Night Music. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Hugh Wheeler. Direction by Hunter Foster. Choreography by Shannon Lewis. Music Direction by Jeffrey Campos. Scenic Design by Riw Rakkulchon. Lighting Design by Richard Latta. Costume Design by Hunter Kaczorowski. Sound design by Daniel Lindbergh. Wig Design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit ME, through August 17, 2024.

by Linda Chin

It’s time to send in the summer crowds to the little seaside village of Ogunquit, Maine, and its legendary regional theater. The Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of musical theatre’s “Giant in the Sky” Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, which runs through August 17th, is spectacular. Hugh Wheeler’s book, inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, tells the story of three generations of  Armfeldts: the aging, wealthy, and wise former courtesan Madame Armfeldt (Kathleen Turner, elegant as usual), her also aging daughter, the renowned actress Desirée (Julia Murney), an aging actress and single mother to Fredrika (Lily Philbrook) and their many permutations of romantic partners. A Little Night Music is part operetta, part social commentary, and part bedroom farce. With the masterful score and brilliant lyrics that are Sondheim’s trademark, paired with the Ogunquit Playhouse’s usual outstanding orchestra, cast, and creative teams, audiences are in for a visual and vocal treat featuring both melancholic and laugh-out-loud moments. 

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Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘Crazy For You’ has Got Rhythm, Music, and Starlight

‘Crazy For You’Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Book by Ken Ludwig. Direction and Choreography by Angelique Ilo. Music Direction by Ken Clifton. Scenic Design by Adam Koch. Lighting Design by Richard Lara. Original Costume Design by William Ivey Long. Sound Design by Daniel Lundberg. Wig/Hair & Make-Up Design by Roxanne De Luna. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine, through July 13, 2024. 

By Linda Chin

Written by sensational songwriters George and Ira Gershwin for their 1930 musical comedy Girl Crazy, the much-loved tune “I Got Rhythm” was introduced to the New York theatre world by a young singer with a sensational belt who was making her Broadway debut. Practically overnight, the catchy song became a hit, and before long, the newbie – whose stage name was Ethel Merman – became a star. The song’s brilliant chord progressions inspired new jazz variations by Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker; its inventive rhyme sequences and uplifting lyrics sparked recordings by Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and other notable artists; and tap dance greats Gene Kelly and Gregory Hines. “I Got Rhythm” was featured prominently in the Gershwin’s’ 1992 Tony Award-winning Crazy for You

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Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘Waitress’ is Love At First Taste

Cast of ‘Waitress’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photos: Nile Scott Studios

‘Waitress’ – Book by Jessie Nelson. Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. Based on the motion picture by Adrienne Shelly. Direction by Abbey O’Brien. Choreography by Cost n’ Mayor. Music supervision by Ryan Cantwell. Music directed by Leigh Delano. Original scenic design by Scott Pask. Lighting design by Richard Latta. Original costume design by Suttirat Anne Larlarb. Sound design by Kevin Heard. Wig design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main Street, Ogunquit, Maine, through June 8, 2024.

By Linda Chin

                                                                                                                                              

Whether you’ve seen the original movie version starring Keri Russell, the musical’s world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Broadway transfer, and/or national tour – or aren’t yet familiar with this story – Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Waitress, deftly directed by Abbey O’Brien and choreographed by Cost n’ Mayor, is a smart choice from the current menu of New England theater offerings.

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Ogunquit’s ‘Sound Of Music’ Brings Joy (and a Cautionary Tale) to Portsmouth

Emilie Kouatchou and the cast of ‘The Sound Of Music’ at the Portsmouth Music Hall.
Photos by Gary Ng.

‘The Sound Of Music’ – Music By Richard Rodgers; Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein; Book By Howard Lindsay And Russel Crouse; Suggested By “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp; Directed & Choreographed by Anthony C. Daniel. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse at the The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, NH, through December 17

by Mike Hoban

Ogunquit Playhouse closes out its 2023 season with one of musical theater’s most iconic musicals, The Sound of Music, presented in downtown Portsmouth’s historic Music Hall. The stage musical, which opened on Broadway in 1959, won five Tony Awards and was adapted into the much beloved Academy-Award-winning film in 1964, but underneath its heartwarming story of how love and music can heal a soul, its dark undercurrent resonates even more loudly in today’s increasingly grim political climate.

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Ogunquit’s  ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Makes Spectacular Splash

Cast of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photo by Nile Hawver, Nile Scott Studios

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – Story by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Lyrics by Arthur Freed; Music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown; Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Directed by Jayme McDaniel; Musical Direction by Matt Smedal; Choreography by Kristyn Pope;
Scenic Design by Andy Walmsley; Costume Design by Dustin Cross; Lighting Design by Richard Latta; Sound Design by Germán Martinez. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME, through July 15

By Linda Chin

No show fits Ogunquit Playhouse’s description as a self-producer of “big splashy musicals and side-splitting comedies” that attracts “casts of stars on its historic stage” better than Singin’ in the Rain, the spectacular romantic musical comedy based on the legendary MGM film. First staged at OP in 2009, director Jayme McDaniel returns to helm this production, Kristin Pope choreographs, and Matthew Smedal music directs. Broadway’s Max Clayton (Music Man) as leading man Don Lockwood, Christian Probst as BFF Cosmo Brown, Chiara Trentalange as actress Kathy Selden, Kate Loprest as co-star Lina Lamont, Greg Jackson as director Roscoe Dexter, Lance Roberts as producer R.F. Simpson and 19 ensemble members show their acting and singing chops, and literally – dance up a storm.

Max Clayton
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Ogunquit’s ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Will Give Audiences a “Glorious Feeling”

Max Clayton in Singin’ in the Rain’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photo by Nile Hawver, Nile Scott Studios

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – Story by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; Lyrics by Arthur Freed; Music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown; Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc. Directed by Jayme McDaniel; Musical Direction by Matt Smedal; Choreography by Kristyn Pope; Scenic Design by Andy Walmsley; Costume Design by Dustin Cross; Lighting Design by Richard Latta; Sound Design by Germán Martinez. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, ME, through July 15

by Mike Hoban

It’s always a challenge when an iconic movie musical – particularly one as beloved as ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ – is brought to the stage. Comparisons to legendary performers are inevitable, and when you include complex dance routines that are also among the most recognizable of all time (Gene Kelly’s title song and dance number and Donald O’Connor’s “Make ‘Em Laugh”), the stakes are sky-high. Luckily for the audiences of Ogunquit’s excellent staging of the classic, the cast and production team serve up a winner that ups the comedy quotient while still delivering first-rate performances of the musical’s song and dance routines.

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‘Beautiful’ Continues its Reign as King of Jukebox Musicals at Ogunquit Playhouse

Matthew Amira, Sarak Bockel in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at Ogunquit Playhouse

‘Beautiful’ – Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and Music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. David Ruttura, Director. Joyce Chittick, Choreographer/Associate Director. Nick Williams, Music Director. Derek McLane, Scenic Design. Alejo Vieti, Costume Design. Richard Latta, Lighting Design. Kevin Heard, Sound Design. Roxanne De Luna, Wig Design. At Ogunquit Playhouse through June 10

by Mike Hoban

One of the good things about the plethora of jukebox musicals that have dominated the theater scene in recent years (as well as tribute bands in music venues) is that if you’re a fan of the artist, you can pretty much bank on having a reasonably good time. But if it’s the Ogunquit Playhouse’s spectacular production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, then you can count on having a GREAT time. Ogunquit has brought back the show barely six months after its run last fall (which I also saw), and if anything, the show feels even more energized in this restaging.

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Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘Beautiful’ Cast Gives Its Love ‘So Sweetly and Completely’

Sarah Bockel as Carole King and cast in ‘Beautiful’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photos by Gary Ng

‘Beautiful’ – Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. David Ruttura, Director. Joyce Chittick, Choreographer/Associate Director. Nick Williams, Music Director. Derek McLane, Scenic Design. Alejo Vieti, Costume Design. Richard Latta, Lighting Design. Kevin Heard, Sound Design. Roxanne De Luna, Wig Design. At Ogunquit Playhouse through October 30

by Linda Chin

Back in the pre-music streaming, pre-CD teenage days, I stayed in bed all morning on many a Saturday listening to (and singing along with) Carole King’s Tapestry over and over, getting up only to advance the needle on the record player. I studied the album cover – her fuzzy sweater and jeans atop bare feet, tangle of frizzy hair, furry cat and confident but relaxed gaze so different from my own self-portrait; I absorbed her songs “It’s Too Late” (about the breakup of a loving relationship), “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” (about the aftermath of a one-night stand) as gospel, so foreign were these concepts from my own experience. Especially on those days when I didn’t get up with a smile on my face, King was the enthusiastic cheerleader, understanding therapist, reliable friend who’d come running if needed.

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