Let The Countdown begin!
10. A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(Salem Trolley & The Griffen Theatre)
(Salem Trolley & The Griffen Theatre)
What a fun and festive, creative and clever way to bring this Charles Dickens classic to life! Each stave of the story is a stop along the streets of Salem MA as Scrooge and spectators meet the specters and stories in this imaginative and interactive treat!
9. A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
(Broadway Across America)
(Broadway Across America)
A hilarious and witty romp well-deserving of the Best Tony it has received. One actor plays all the victims while another actor does them in one-by-one as he attempts to gain what he believes is his rightful place in the family!
8. THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB
(The Pittsfield Players)
Stevie Nicks sings "Lightning strikes; maybe once, maybe twice," and lighting has struck again! The majority of the original cast reunites - not unlike the charming, delightful characters they play. Swim team friends since high school, these women meet at the same cottage by the ocean to discuss their lives and how they have changed. The friends go from toasting their fellow Speedo-clad male swimmers to honoring their beloved coach, making this one piece of theatre that deserves several relays.
7. WEST SIDE STORY
(North Shore Music Theatre)
The creative team of Bob Richard and Diane Laurenson transport their critically-acclaimed Theatre By The Sea production for an in-the-round experience that is as electrifying as it is relevant (unfortunately). The direction does not hide the hatred shared by the rival gangs, and the jaw-dropping choreography propels the gritty story and deep-rooted heartbreak they also share.
6. MURDER FOR TWO
(The Lyric Stage Company)
Jared Troilo is making a name for himself in the Boston scene, and here he shines as Marcus Moscowicz dealing with a murder investigation. But this isn't your average crime scene. All of the suspects are being played brilliantly by Kirsten Salpini. Originally performed by two male actors, the male/female combo creates another level of sex appeal in this hilarious whodunnit that fortunately does not rely on becoming a one-joke wonder; it has a legitimate book and clever score, creating an evening of non-stop laughter. Which reminds me --
5. SILENCE! THE MUSICAL
(Arts After Hours)
I am as pleasantly surprised as you! I say this because on paper this does not look like my thing, but on stage it is one of the most uproarious, laughter-generating shows I've enjoyed in a long, long time. A smart and witty parody of the film Silence Of The Lambs, the naughty and so-wrong-they're right lyrics are matched by Lisa McDonough's spot-on Jodi impersonation, which just gets funnier as the evening progresses. The lucky audiences are anything but silent!
4. SPEECH AND DEBATE
(Bad Habit Productions)
Before Stephen Karam won his Tony for The Humans, he was already expressing his thoughts about people and relationships and the dark places they go with this earlier work. The polished, professional staging by director Rebecca Bradshaw features some of Boston's finest talents with the likes of Katie Elinoff, Ross Magnant, and Evan Vihlen portraying teenagers finding their places in the world and with each other. Veronica Anastasia Wiseman rounds out the stellar cast as both teacher and reporter. This is my first production with this theatre, but certainly not my last.
3. ART
(Arts After Hours)
Yasmina Reza's sharp-tongued Tony Winner gets an incredible re-staging here thanks to Fran Weinberg's thoughtful, intelligent direction. Anchored by powerful performances by Thomas Grenon, Anthony Mullin, and Jason Myatt, their tumultuous relationship plays out like a chess game with each "friend" vying to be king of the conversation. All this over an expensive piece of art. Who knew a blank canvas could say so much?
2. THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
(SpeakEasy Stage Company)
SpeakEasy is hardly a stranger to my countdown, and there is a reason for that. They do not know how to do bad productions.
Such is the case here. Director Paul Daigneault tackles this subject matter and makes it entertaining while at the same time does not shy away from the horrific truths. There is much discomfort in watching a beautiful tap number but realizing it's about the electric chair. This is the harsh irony that cements brilliant composers John Kander & Fred Ebb into Broadway History. I wish I could say that the attitudes expressed in this piece are dated, but at least this production honors these fine Scottsboro Gentlemen, and it's "never too late."
1. THE LARAMIE PROJECT
(Theatre Company of Saugus)
Every so often there is a production that is more of an experience than anything else.
Jason Hair-Wynn's mature, sensitive direction brings forward the horrific details surrounding the incident of Matthew Shepard. Told through monologues and vignettes by this unbelievably talented cast, the audience witnesses everything - the good, the bad, and everything in between. It is not an easy show to witness but necessary. The set design made of broken fences and various shoes speaks volumes.
One could argue that we have made some progress,
but we are constantly reminded of the long road ahead.
But we can walk.
Together.
Thank you, Matthew.
(The Pittsfield Players)
Stevie Nicks sings "Lightning strikes; maybe once, maybe twice," and lighting has struck again! The majority of the original cast reunites - not unlike the charming, delightful characters they play. Swim team friends since high school, these women meet at the same cottage by the ocean to discuss their lives and how they have changed. The friends go from toasting their fellow Speedo-clad male swimmers to honoring their beloved coach, making this one piece of theatre that deserves several relays.
7. WEST SIDE STORY
(North Shore Music Theatre)
The creative team of Bob Richard and Diane Laurenson transport their critically-acclaimed Theatre By The Sea production for an in-the-round experience that is as electrifying as it is relevant (unfortunately). The direction does not hide the hatred shared by the rival gangs, and the jaw-dropping choreography propels the gritty story and deep-rooted heartbreak they also share.
6. MURDER FOR TWO
(The Lyric Stage Company)
Jared Troilo is making a name for himself in the Boston scene, and here he shines as Marcus Moscowicz dealing with a murder investigation. But this isn't your average crime scene. All of the suspects are being played brilliantly by Kirsten Salpini. Originally performed by two male actors, the male/female combo creates another level of sex appeal in this hilarious whodunnit that fortunately does not rely on becoming a one-joke wonder; it has a legitimate book and clever score, creating an evening of non-stop laughter. Which reminds me --
5. SILENCE! THE MUSICAL
(Arts After Hours)
I am as pleasantly surprised as you! I say this because on paper this does not look like my thing, but on stage it is one of the most uproarious, laughter-generating shows I've enjoyed in a long, long time. A smart and witty parody of the film Silence Of The Lambs, the naughty and so-wrong-they're right lyrics are matched by Lisa McDonough's spot-on Jodi impersonation, which just gets funnier as the evening progresses. The lucky audiences are anything but silent!
4. SPEECH AND DEBATE
(Bad Habit Productions)
Before Stephen Karam won his Tony for The Humans, he was already expressing his thoughts about people and relationships and the dark places they go with this earlier work. The polished, professional staging by director Rebecca Bradshaw features some of Boston's finest talents with the likes of Katie Elinoff, Ross Magnant, and Evan Vihlen portraying teenagers finding their places in the world and with each other. Veronica Anastasia Wiseman rounds out the stellar cast as both teacher and reporter. This is my first production with this theatre, but certainly not my last.
3. ART
(Arts After Hours)
Yasmina Reza's sharp-tongued Tony Winner gets an incredible re-staging here thanks to Fran Weinberg's thoughtful, intelligent direction. Anchored by powerful performances by Thomas Grenon, Anthony Mullin, and Jason Myatt, their tumultuous relationship plays out like a chess game with each "friend" vying to be king of the conversation. All this over an expensive piece of art. Who knew a blank canvas could say so much?
2. THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS
(SpeakEasy Stage Company)
SpeakEasy is hardly a stranger to my countdown, and there is a reason for that. They do not know how to do bad productions.
Such is the case here. Director Paul Daigneault tackles this subject matter and makes it entertaining while at the same time does not shy away from the horrific truths. There is much discomfort in watching a beautiful tap number but realizing it's about the electric chair. This is the harsh irony that cements brilliant composers John Kander & Fred Ebb into Broadway History. I wish I could say that the attitudes expressed in this piece are dated, but at least this production honors these fine Scottsboro Gentlemen, and it's "never too late."
1. THE LARAMIE PROJECT
(Theatre Company of Saugus)
Every so often there is a production that is more of an experience than anything else.
Jason Hair-Wynn's mature, sensitive direction brings forward the horrific details surrounding the incident of Matthew Shepard. Told through monologues and vignettes by this unbelievably talented cast, the audience witnesses everything - the good, the bad, and everything in between. It is not an easy show to witness but necessary. The set design made of broken fences and various shoes speaks volumes.
One could argue that we have made some progress,
but we are constantly reminded of the long road ahead.
But we can walk.
Together.
Thank you, Matthew.
No comments:
Post a Comment