Wait No More To See "Waiting For Waiting For Godot" - Three Performances Remain

Wait! Do you mean to tell me that there are only three more chances to see the Hub Theatre production of "Waiting For Waiting For Godot"? Precisely! Tonight, Friday, and Saturday at Club Cafe. So, don't wait to get your tickets!

Hub Theatre Website


Last week I saw "Waiting For Waiting For Godot." I have not laughed that long and that loud in a long while. It is brilliantly written, directed and acted. It is a pastiche of parody, physical comedy, an existential take on existentialism, an absurd commentary of Theater of the Absurd. It is a loving poke in the eye to the pretentiousness of some actors and acting methods. Playwright Dave Hanson has taken the iconic Theater of the Absurd "Waiting For Godot" by Samuel Beckett and used it as a platform to comment upon many things. It is a wonderfully clever piece that follows the shenanigans and preening of two understudies backstage waiting to possibly go on as Estragon and Vladimir. They are awaiting a visit from the Director, who, of course, never arrives. Director Paula Plum has Gabriel Graetz as Val and Robert Orzalli as Ester operating as two clowns whose comic timing and physical comedy are perfect. Lauren Elias is Laura, the Assistant Stage Manager who tries to ground them in reality and realism. Good luck!

Robert Orzalli as Ester
Gabriel Graetz as Val
"Waiting For Waiting For Godot"
Hub Theatre Company of Boston
Club Cafe
Through July 29

In one of the most amusing segments of this play, Ester convinces Val that he is not a very good actor, and could benefit from acting coaching from Ester himself. He describes and demonstrates his "Miserly Technique," a clear send-up of the popular Meisner Technique. For those who do not know the original Beckett play that has inspired this homage and parody, "Waiting For Waiting For Godot" will be entertaining. For those who are steeped in the original, this creative and outrageous send-up will be an absolute delight. Playwright Hanson will be  the house on Friday for a talkback following the performance. As is always the case with a Hub Theatre production, each performance is a "Pay What You Can" offering. I cannot think of a better way to spend an evening this Thursday, Friday, or Saturday than laughing at the hijinks of this talented troupe of clowns.

Set and Prop Design is by Megan Kinneen, Lighting by Mike Wonson, Costumes by Chelsea Keri, Sound by Kyle Lampe.

Enjoy!

Al

"Beauty and the Beast" Enchants Audiences at North Shore Music Theatre - Through July 30th

If you want a break from beastly New England summer weather, make tracks to Beverly and Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre for their delightful production of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." The beloved Disney cartoon has been wonderfully adapted to the in-the-round stage at NSMT, and audiences are loving it.

Director Michael Heitzman has assembled a wonderful cast to tell the story set to music by Alan Menken, with Lyrics by Tim Rice, based on a book by Linda Wolverton and original Direction by Robert Jess Roth. Music Direction is by Rick Fox, Choreography by Lisa Shriver, Scenic Design by Stephen Dobay, Original Costume Design by Ryan J. Moller, Additional Costume Design by Sandra Pelletier, Lighting by John Burkland, Sound by Don Hanna, Makeup by Dena Olivieri, Wigs by Gerard Kelly.

• The pivotal role of Belle is played by Rose Hemingway. She is lovely, delightful, and charming, winning the hearts of the Beast and of the audience. She shines in the opening number, as well as in "Home" and "A Change In Me." There were a handful of times when she was singing in her upper register that I would have appreciated more support in her voice, but that is a technical quibble, for overall she is a very engaging Beauty.
• Stephen Cerf is a formidable Beast. He makes a triumphant return to the Boston area, having studied at Boston Conservatory before embarking on a career that has taken him to Broadway and on several national tours. His two shining moments vocally occur near the end of Act 1 with "How Long Must This Go On?" and "If I Can't Love Her," which gave me chills. The writing in this song is Menken and Rice at their best. I trust that the sound department has resolved the Opening Night problems with his microphone. He persevered through those technical struggles, and portrayed a believable and sympathetic Beast who showed a range of emotions from petulant to vulnerable.

Stephen Cerf as Beast
Rose Hemingway as Belle
Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"
North Shore Music Theatre
Through July 30th
Photo by  Paul Lyden

• NSMT favorite son David Coffee returns to this stage to portray Belle's beleaguered father, Maurice. He is his usual impressive and engaging self in this paternal role!

David Coffee as Maurice

Rose Hemingway as Belle

Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"

North Shore Music Theatre

Through July 30th

Photo by  Paul Lyden

• In the role of Gaston, Taylor Crousore is wonderfully and appropriately cartoonish as the narcissistic oaf who is a paragon of entitlement and macho cluelessness. His moment in the spotlight is the self-title number "Gaston." He is, indeed, specially good at expectorating.

Taylor Crousore as Gaston

Andrew Kruep as Lefou

Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"

North Shore Music Theatre

Through July 30th

Photo by  Paul Lyden

• As Gaston's longsuffering sidekick, Lefou, Andrew Kruep is a revelation. He combines physical comedic timing with self-deprecating humor to create a wonderful foil for the boisterous and boastful Gaston. 
• The enchanted staff members of the castle are wonderfully cast. Christiane Noll as Mrs. Potts is as warm and refreshing as the tea she brews. Her rendition of the title song is a highlight of this production. As her son, Chip, Ben Choi-Harris is an absolute delight. Benjamin Howes illuminates the stage as Lumiere. Ryah Nixon is the bubbly and buxom Babette, Phillip Taratula is amusingly arch as Cogsworth. Joy Hermalyn is the operatic Madame de la Grande Bouche. Her lyric soprano voice soars on several occasions. They are joined by the Ensemble in the rollicking anthem "Be Our Guest," which is elegantly staged and choreographed as a highlight of the show.
• Heather Klobukowski helps to kick off the action of the play as the Enchantress, cursing the Young Prince (Cam Perrin). Mark DiConzo is the Bookseller who gives Belle the volumes that she treasures.
• David Wright as Carpet does handsprings and cartwheels across the stage throughout the show. He is joined by Mr. DiConzo as Salt and Ben Cullen as Pepper.
• The three Silly Girls who swoon over Gaston as Sydney Mei Ruf-Wong, Caitlin Wilayto, and Daisy Wright.
• Additional Ensemble members are Katie Anderson, Briana Fallon, Joshua Gillespie, Justin Ronald Mock, Tyler Roberts, and David Visini.

"Beauty and the Beast" will run through July 30th. Make a day of it on the North Shore - picnic, trip to the beach, and a memorable evening of theater. Bill Hanney and his team say to you: "Be our guest"!

North Shore Music Theater Website

Enjoy!

Al

Captain Andy's Cotton Blossom "Show Boat" Ties Up At The Reagle Music Theatre Dock - Through July 16

Jerome's Kern's iconic score for the musical "Show Boat" is timeless. During Saturday's performance by the Reagle Music Theatre cast, I let the familiar tunes and riffs wash over me like a gently lapping wave made by the wake of a Mississippi riverboat. This current production is a well conceived and beautifully executed interpretation of the classic tale of struggle against the tide of racism and oppression up and down the Mississippi in the closing decades of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Some might argue that the stereotypical portrayals of blacks in this musical are not politically correct, but my opinion is that they are an accurate reflection of the ethos and attitudes that existed during the era in which the story is set.

From the opening moment, I knew that we were in good hands under the skillful direction of Rachel Bertone. As a director, she also thinks like a choreographer, and that was apparent in the first tableau - river hands struggling in slow motion to haul in a line along the river dock. That moment reflected both the poetry and beauty of the setting, and the arduous life lived by the characters in the play. It wonderfully set the tone for this entire production. A solid cast enhanced the telling of this story, using Kern's music and Oscar Hammerstein II's book and lyrics, based on the novel by Edna Ferber.

Ciaran Sheehan as Gaylord Ravenal
Sarah Oakes Muirhead as Magnolia Hawks
"Show Boat"
Reagle Music Theatre
Through July 16
Courtesy Reagle Music Theatre/©Herb Philpott

Ciaran Sheehan returns to Reagle after last summer's triumph as Billy Bigelow in "Carousel." He is perfectly cast as Gaylord Ravenal, the charming river gambler who sweeps Magnolia (Sarah Oakes Muirhead) off of her feet. The two of them shine in their first duet, "Only Make Believe." As Captain Andy, Rick Sherburne sets just the right tone, and is matched by Susan Scannell Gilbert as his harridan of a wife, Parthy. Julie LaVerne (Dani Wrenn) is the star attraction aboard the Cotton Blossom, but she and her husband, Steve Baker (Chris Scott) are charged with miscegenation because Julie has Negro blood, and they are forced to leave the boat and the area, settling in Chicago.
An early musical highlight of the show is the scene in which Julie is joined by Magnolia and Queenie (Yewande O. Odetoyinbo) in singing the rousing "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man."

Michel Bell as Joe

Yewande O. Odetoyinbo as Queenie

"Show Boat"

Reagle Music Theatre
Through July 16
Courtesy Reagle Music Theatre/©Herb Philpott

Perhaps the most beloved and well known song from this show is "Ol' Man River," sung by Joe, portrayed here by the incomparable Michel Bell. He has played this role on Broadway, resulting in a Tony nomination. His vocal range is stunning, with a basso profundo that reverates like the 32 foot Diapason stop on a Wurlitzer Theater organ. His initial solo portion of this song is impressive in its own right, but was raised to another level of artistry when he was joined by the trio of stevedores, Kelton Washington, Taavon Gamble, and Davron S. Monroe. The contrast between Joe's deep bass notes and the trio's more lilting harmonies gave me chills. It was the highlight of the show for me.

Davron S. Monroe, Kelton Washington
Michel Bell as Joe
Taavon Gamble
"Show Boat"
Reagle Music Theatre
Through July 16
Courtesy Reagle Music Theatre/©Herb Philpott

Adding comedic texture to the story are Joy Clark as Ellie May Chipley and Kevin Patrick Martin as her partner, Frank Schultz. Their moment to shine is in the duet, "Goodbye My Lady Love." Ms. Clark also stands out in the number "Life Upon The Wicked Stage." Todd Yard is excellent as Sheriff Ike and as Jim Greene. Other members of this fine ensemble cast are: Anthony L. Gervais, Brad Walters, Bernie Baldassaro, Louis Brogna, Georgia Buendia, Tracey O'Farrell, Noura Deane, Anna Chensny, Victoria Newhuis, Leo Galletto, JAsmine Robinson, and Monica Rosenblatt.

Musical Direction is by Dan Rodriguez, Scenic Design by Michael A. Micucci, Costumes by Amy Clark and Florence Klotz for Goodspeed Musicals, Lighting by David Wilson.

The play runs through July 16th, so there are four remaining opportunities to see this show before it pulls up anchor: Thursday at 2:00, Friday and Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 2:00.

Reagle Music Theatre Website

Enjoy!

Al

A Star Is Born At Feinstein's 54 Below - Billy Recce Rocks The House

Let me try to put into perspective the significance of what occurred Friday evening at Feinstein's 54 Below. This is my favorite cabaret venue in NYC. I usually go there to see and to hear well-established Broadway stars perform. In recent months I have enjoyed the song stylings of Jeremy Jordan, Corey Cott, Laura Osnes, the cast of "Newsies" - you get the picture. Friday night's 9:30 show featured "The Perks of Being A Snowflake: Songs by Billy Recce." Mr. Recce is a 19 year-old undergraduate at Fordham University. To call him a prodigy and a wunderkind would be to understate the case. He is the youngest ever composer to have shows produced by the New York Musical Festival -  "Balloon Boy: The Musical" and "Rachel Unraveled."

To highlight the poignancy and irony of his barely legal status headlining in the upscale boite that is 54 Below, Billy recounted his experience in approaching the bar to cash in the drink coupon that they give to performers. He was handed a Capri Sun, which he gleefully slurped from the bench of the baby grand.

It is difficult to encapsulate Mr. Recce's writing style, since it covers so many genres and nuanced flavors. The most obvious comparison is with Tom Lehrer, who wrote and sang political and social parodies in the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, there are elements in his writing that remind me of Jonathan Larson, as well as Duncan Sheik, composer of "Spring Awakening." It is hard to conceive of how someone of such tender years has been able to develop a worldview that allows him to write songs that are so sweetly sardonic, such as "My Roommate (Is A Neo-Nazi)" and "Go Into Finance" - performed with great aplomb by Rachel Ravel. While purporting to eschew tackling issues of politics, the songwriter invited to the stage Alexa Joseph to sing the "Betsy Devos' Song" in which our beleaguered and verbally-challenged Secretary of Education croons about saving all of the Caucasian children - not just those wearing jeans.

Other highlights of the evening included Lindsay Nicole Chambers kvetching over the ubiquitous Gwyneth Paltrow in the hilarious "Pain (Gwyneth Paltrow)." In several of the numbers, Mr. Recce was supported vocally by a talented cohort of his friends and classmates that included Laura Laureano, Victoria Duffy, Alexa Joseph, Sarah Rachael Lazarus, Rachel Ravel, Lynn Craig, Patrick Swailes Caldwell, and Roger Dawley. The band consisted of Rocco Recce on Trumpet, Adam Mastrocola on Drums, Vinny Carlino on Bass, Jimmy Ble on Guitar, and David Moses on Violin.

"Filter It! - All" reminded me a bit of "Turn It Off" from "Book of Mormon." And the gorgeous "Morning Is Coming Soon (Wally Weasel's G.O.P. Jamboree!) has elements reminiscent of the finale from "Spring Awakening" - "Song of the Purple Summer."

Mr. Recce has a strong following on his YouTube channel. Check out some of his clips here, and subscribe.

Billy Recce YouTube Channel

Remember this name.  Billy Recce shows strong promise of being his generation's answer to Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Jonathan Larson, or Lin Manuel Miranda. I can't wait to see and hear what he will produce next. This is one Caucasian manchild I hope that Betsy Devos will find a way to save!

Enjoy!

Al

The Winnipesaukee Playhouse Presents Cole Porter's "High Society"

It is always a treat to discover a theater venue I had not previously visited. This week marked my first visit to the lovely Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire. I can report that Summer Stock is alive and well on the shores of picturesque Lake Winnipesaukee. This modern 200-seat theater has the feel of an old barn, but with very comfortable seats and modern conveniences. The property even boasts its own covered bridge. New England charm at it finest!

The theater makes its mission clear in the blurb printed on the front of the Playbill: "Favorites from the big and small screen - gloriously brought to life on stage." The current production is Cole Porter's "High Society," based on the film starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Grace Kelly. This movie musical was inspired by the play, "The Philadelphia Story," starring Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Katherine Hepburn. This production, directed by Clayton Phillips, features several well know Cole Porter tunes, including "Let's Misbehave," "Just One of Those Things," "It's All Right With Me." A highlight was the Finale of Act One, was the lovely "True Love," made popular by Frank Sinatra. In this production, the duet is song beautifully by Tracy Lord (Haley Jones) and Dexter C.K. Haven (Jay Wilkinson). Other highlights included Mike Connor (TJ Lamando) singing "You're Sensational," and Liz Imbrie (Rebecca Tucker) singing "He's A Right Guy."

Other cast members include Sophie Pankhurst, Sebastian Ryder, Richard Brundage, Mark Stephen Woods, Wayne Shuker, John-Michael Breen, Thomas Doelger, Chris Hendricks, Sandia Ahlers, Kelley Davies, and Candice Shedd-Thompson. Musical Direction is by Clayton Phillips, Choreography by Bryan Knowlton, Set by Melissa Shakun, Costumes by Lori McGinley, Lighting by Matthew Guminski, and Sound by Thom Beaulieu.

"High Society" will run through July 15. Next up at the Playhouse will be a stage adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mystery "The Hound of the Baskervilles," running from July 19-29.

Winnipesaukee Playhouse Website

Enjoy!

Al