The Music Man @ North Shore Music Theatre!

Director Bob Richard knows how to keep Meredith Willson's The Music Man fresh and contemporary by suggesting a bit of an edge with his approach, and it works wonderfully! The text of this classic American musical seems quite tame by today's standards, but Richard and his cast keep it contemporary and relevant.

Adding to the fun is the exuberant and time-appropriate choreography by Diane Laurenson. The energetic dancers are unstoppable!

The beautiful Siri Howard plays a staunch and serious Marian Paroo with a gorgeous soprano. Her realizations and transformations are gradual and credible.

Of course, the show belongs to NSMT favorite Matt Loehr (2006's Singin' in the Rain and 2012's Hello Dolly) He is as handsome as he is charming, and he uses both of these qualities to his advantage to create the swindling and smarmy Harold Hill. He starts off strong in "Trouble" and gets better as the show progresses. Loehr is more fun than obnoxious in "Seventy-Six Trombones" and is as sly as fox as he maneuvers his way through the library in "Marian the Librarian." His self-realization moments are natural and believable as well.

The entire cast is a joy to watch as everyone has developed authentic, credible characters, notably Ellen Peterson as a grounded Mrs. Paroo, Joshua Gillespie as a shy and empathetic Winthrop, Cheryl McMahon as a hilarious Mrs. Shinn, and Brad Bellamy as a gruff and funny Mayor Shinn. Also, there are Brian Padgett as a whimsical Marcellus, Liesl Jaye as a brooding Zaneeta, and Davis Wayne offers authenticity as Tommy, a part that is normally not provided much attention.

With beautiful costumes by Paula Peasley-Ninestein and spot-on music direction by Milton Granger, this Wells Fargo Wagon has certainly delivered the goods!

www.nsmt.org

Random Thought 109

You can't keep treating people like garbage and expect them to stay in the barrel.

Random Thought 108

You don't have true prosperity until you achieve humbleness. -- Trinny Tran 

next to normal at arts after hours

One of the joys of attending local theatre is to see the creative interpretations of established shows.

One of the other joys is to see the off-the-chart talents of cast and crew.

Such is the case for next to normal, currently being performed at arts after hours in Lynn, MA.

Not to give too much away, but Kayla Cantrall's set design is nothing shy of brilliant. The stage is literally broken up in several parts and takes place in a three-quarter thrust, establishing the claustrophobic tug-of-war that is Diana's mind.

Katie Pickett as Diana and the rest of her cast have created some bold, daring choices that work perfectly. Pickett introduces her character as calm and content in "Another Day" until an event triggers her into a frenzy of facial tics and haunting eye movements that are literally in our faces.

Corey Jackson's Dan displays the proper balance of frustration and support for his long-suffering wife. His pitch perfect tenor beautifully expresses his own long-suffering attempt at finding patience and understanding.

Alex Grover has successfully created two separate characters in Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden. His doctors show how they too struggle with maintaining balance between professional distance and creating personal space.

Matthew Corr's Henry fortunately comes across as less goofy and more stable, providing a calming force for his love interest Natalie.

Siobhan Carroll accomplishes the challenge of maintaining a staid, neutral Natalie as suggested by the song "Super Boy and the Invisible Girl." As she attempts to remain under the radar, you just can't take your eyes off her.

Nicolas Fernandez's Gabe is wonderfully less cocky and more sympathetic, preventing the complex character as coming across too confrontational.

The production comes alive under the sensitive direction of Adrienne Boris, complemented by the outstanding lighting design by Keithlyn Parkman. Musical Director Bethany Aiken finds the perfect harmonies and knows when to punctuate specific moments.

This is this pundit's sixth viewing of next to normal in as many theatre companies, and the show does not become any easier. It should be breathlessly devastating, and this production will leave you devastatingly breathless.  

artsafterhours.com

Grade = A