‘The Hollow’ at Granite Theater

September 1, 2019September 7, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

So whether you know whodunnit or not just be sure to catch the latest Agatha Christie show, The Hollow by the Renaissance City Theater Company, the producing entity at the Granite Theatre in Westerly, RI. Director John Cillino takes you on a harrowing ride with this mystery in “The Hollow” which is another one of Agatha Christie’s thrillers. It follows an unhappy game of romantic intrigue with one man toying with the hearts and affections of three different women which results in a murder.

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO

April 2, 2019April 27, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The year is 1939 and the audience is transported back to Atlanta and the biggest thing at that time in United States was the premiere of “Gone With the Wind” but not to some of the folks there. The most important thing was the top social event for elitist German Jews called Ballyhoo which surpassed the startling news of Hitler’s invasion of Poland that sparked World War II. This is the basic premise for “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” which is the second show of Renaissance City Theatre Inc.’s 19th season at the Granite Theatre. It also points out how people should accept their shared heritage and not hold wealth or social position above everything else. Director David Jepson casts this show with 7 strong performers who display the acting prowess necessary to carry off this well written roles.

‘THE GAME’S AFOOT’ at Renaissance City Theatre

March 1, 2019March 31, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome back to the 1930’s in Renaissance City Theatre Inc.’s opening show of their 19th season, “The Game’s Afoot” by Ken Ludwig. Ludwig sets this show at Christmas time in December 1936. The Broadway star William Gillette is playing Sherlock Holmes and is shot at during a performance. A couple of weeks later he invites his longtime friend, Felix, his wife Madge, newlyweds Simon and Aggie as well as his mother, Martha and an unwelcome guest gossip columnist, Daria. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the merriment begins when Gillette tries to find out who did the crime. Who did it? Are there more then one suspects? When an inspector shows up in Act 2, everyone soon becomes a suspect in the crimes. Vincent Lupino directs this whodunnit comic romp wonderfully with its clever twists and turns in this well written script. He obtains hilarious performances from one and all.

ANNIE (Renaissance City Theatre)

November 1, 2018November 26, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The current show at Renaissance City Theatre the producing entity of Granite Theatre is “Annie”, the 1977 hit musical. Based on Harold Gray’s comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances. This high energy show is a hit again with this audience. This heart warming musical is the rags-to-riches story of plucky young Annie’s journey from a hard knock orphanage to the luxurious home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks. It has insightful direction by David Jepson, topnotch musical direction by Stephan Decesare and wonderful choreography by Chris Mahn. This show is what is needed in today’s society, a brighter future and the optimism of the title character.

THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE (Renaissance City Theatre, Westerly, RI)

August 5, 2017August 5, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Renaissance City Theatre the producing entity at the Granite Theatre’s current show is “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” by Neil Simon. This dark comedy tells the story of Mel, a New York-based advertising executive, whose life takes a dramatic turn when he loses his job. As he attempts to cope with his new unemployment status, he becomes particularly depressed over the fact he must now depend on the income of his wife, Edna, who, out of necessity, has now taken on a job. When his apartment is burglarized and his psychiatrist dies with $23,000 of his money, Mel has a nervous breakdown. As the couple recovers together, the audience witnesses their resilience, and determination to survive. A Jewish family meeting with his brother, Harry and sisters, Pauline, Pearl and Jessie add lightness to the show. Although having a nervous break down is a serious matter, Neil Simon reminds us even in the face of desperation and despair, there can be laughter. Director Jude Pescatello chooses the best cast for this show and blocks it splendidly on the beautiful set built and designed by David Jepson. He keeps the pace of the show in constant motion.

PROOF (Renaissance City Theatre, Westerly, RI)

April 29, 2017April 29, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

PROOF

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The second show of the 18th season for Renaissance City Theatre Inc., the producing entity for the Granite Theatre is the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning “Proof” by David Auburn. The show opened on Broadway on October 24, 2000 and ran for 917 performances. The movie version starring Anthony Hopkins and Gwenyth Paltrow opened in September, 2005. “Proof” can be described as a mystery, a romantic comedy and an exploration of mental illness. The play centers around an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, on the eve of her 25th birthday. She has been overshadowed by her brilliant mathematician father, Robert, who has been mentally ill for years, and of whom she has cared for. After his sudden death, Catherine must come to terms with following in her father’s footsteps, and with the fear that she might have inherited his illness.