“A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED” – Renaissance City Theatre Co., Westerly, RI

September 9, 2017September 9, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

The Renaissance City Theatre Co., the producing entity of the Granite Theatre’s current show is “A Murder is Announced” by Agatha Christie adapted by Leslie Darbon for the stage. In this show an advertisement appears in the personal column in the local newspaper, announcing a murder will take place at the home of Miss Blacklock’s who is one of Miss Marple’s acquaintances. It turns out to not be a prank, and when two murders take place, Miss Marple and a detective have to work their way through a house full of suspects. Director John Cillino casts these roles beautifully, garnering splendid and well nuanced performances from them. He gives them many comic moments to liven things up as well as cliff hanger music to enhance the melodramatic endings to murderous moments.

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.

A COMEDY OF TENORS (Renaissance City Theatre, Westerly, RI)

June 30, 2017June 30, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Renaissance City Theatre, the producing entity of the Granite Theatre’s current show is “A Comedy of Tenors” by Ken Ludwig. The characters that he has in this one are a trio of temperamental tenors, one wife, one lover and a few significant others have been assembled to cause mayhem. This show takes place two years after the events in “Lend Me a Tenor.” The events in this show concern the frustrations that beset world class tenor, Tito Merelli as he arrives in Paris once again with his tempestuous wife, Maria to sing at a gala concert. He is contracted to sing with two other tenors, Max and Carlo for what has been billed as the biggest concert in the history of Paris by high-anxiety producer, Saunders. Unknown to Tito is that his daughter, Mimi is having an affair with Carlo of whom Tito not only disapproves but mistakenly believes is having an affair with Maria. Add a singing hotel porter, Beppo who is the spitting image of Tito and a sexy Russian soprano, who unbeknownst to Maria, once had a torrid affair with Tito. Max who was Saunders assistant is now his son-in-law who is waiting for his wife to give birth to their baby. Director Lee Rush guides her talented cast to steal many scenes along the way in this naughty and bawdy farce.

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.

DIAL M FOR MURDER (Renaissance Theatre Company Inc, Granite Theatre, Westerly, RI

March 26, 2017March 26, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Renaissance Theatre Company Inc, the producing entity for the Granite Theatre’s opening show of their 18th season is an intense and gripping “Dial M For Murder” by Frederick Knott. Originally written for the stage, this gripping, edge of your seat drama was later made famous by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, who turned it into a cinematic masterpiece. The plot revolves around former tennis player Tony Wendice, who married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder. He blackmails a scoundrel he used to know, into killing her for a fee and arranges the perfect alibi for himself. Unfortunately the murderer gets murdered and the victim survives. But this doesn’t stop the husband who sees his hireling’s death as an opportunity to have his wife convicted for the murder of the man who tried to murder her. With a killer dead and a victim in jail, will the police inspector discover the truth? Will the husband be found out? This murder thriller will keep you spellbound with suspense. Director Brian Olsen casts this psychological thriller excellently, keeping the audience enthralled all night long.