Showing posts with label HCT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HCT. Show all posts

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Clue at HCT

Yesterday afternoon I went to see a matinee of Clue on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage at HCT. At this point I have seen several productions of this play based on a movie based on a board game and, while I did enjoy some of the elements, this is probably my least favorite (the best one I've seen was at the Utah Shakespeare Festival). Six guests, including Colonel Mustard (Sanford Porter), Mrs. Peacock (Jayne Luke), Professor Plum (Taylor Seth Hall), Mrs. White (Stephanie Breinholt), Mr. Green (Jeffrey Whitlock), and Miss Scarlet (Kristi Curtis), are invited by Mr. Boddy (Jacob Thomason) to his manor under unusual circumstances on a dark and stormy evening. Mr. Boddy has been blackmailing each of them and, after providing them with weapons, he tells them that he will return the evidence he has against them if they kill his butler Wadsworth (Bryan Dayley). Murder and mayhem ensue! This show is one of the funniest that I have ever seen but this production felt really flat to me and I rarely heard the audience laughing. Dayley, who is one of my favorite comedic actors at HCT, gives an incredibly physical performance (which I loved) as Wadsworth that is completely over the top and at a fever pitch but all of the other actors play it straight as if they are appearing in a traditional murder mystery and I thought this sometimes caused some pacing issues (this performance featured a mix of actors from both the MWF and THS casts who are not used to performing together so that may have added to the low energy). In one particular scene, for example, Dayley reenacts every murder in great detail (so much so that he is completely out of breath at the end of it) while the rest of the cast stands inert around him (there are quite a few scenes where the cast just stands in a straight line). In most productions that I have seen, the guests use elaborate, and often hilarious, choreography to move from room to room but in this show Dayley is the only one who does this while the others just follow him around. Mr. Green is usually one of my favorite characters because he is so flamboyant but in this production Whitlock plays him as more of a nerd (so his final line really falls flat). Speaking of dialogue, it is incredibly witty and is usually performed at a rapid-fire speed. The delivery from this cast was almost sluggish (it involved a lot of empty silences) and many of the jokes didn't seem to land. I am not sure if these choices were made consciously by the production team to distinguish it from other versions but I found it a bit disappointing in comparison. I did not, however, find the elaborate two-story set to be disappointing! There are two doors on either side of the stage used by the actors to travel from room to room and a turntable that rotates to reveal the entry hall, the lounge, the study, the kitchen, and the billiards room at various times with set pieces for the library coming down from above and projections for the conservatory (located on the upper level). I also really enjoyed the dramatic lighting, especially the spotlight on each guest as he or she arrives at the manor, and the costumes which feature just a bit of each character's signature color are a lot of fun. Finally, an organist (Kevin Self) located on the upper level plays melodramatic music throughout the proceedings and this really adds to the murder-mystery atmosphere. Maybe I am being too hard on this production (or maybe I have seen this show too many times) but the tickets are really expensive so I can't in good conscience recommend this simply because the production design is good. Go see Fiddler on the Roof instead!  It is fantastic and runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through March 30 (go here for tickets).

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Fiddler on the Roof at HCT

I have seen Fiddler on the Roof dozens of times (it is one of my very favorite musicals) but HCT's new production, which I had the chance to see last night, is something very special. I loved everything about it! Tevye (Daniel Hess) is a poor Jewish dairyman living in the small Russian village of Anatevka at the turn of the century. He clings to his traditions as a protection from the harsh realities of life but his three oldest daughters, Tzeitel (Lauren Pope), Hodel (Haley Mendez Wawro), and Chava (Erica Schoebinger), push against them when it comes time to find a match. Every song is instantly recognizable, including "Tradition," "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Far From the Home I Love," and "Anatevka" (I had to try very hard not to sing along to every one of them), and all of the performances from the talented cast are outstanding! I was especially impressed with Hess because his version of "If I Were a Rich Man" is really fun and lighthearted but he just about broke my heart with his affecting performance of "Chavaleh." His characterization of Tevye is different from the ones I have seen before and I particularly enjoyed his dialogues with God and his interactions with Golde (Dianna Graham). Other standouts for me were Alex DeBirk, as Motel, because he made me laugh out loud with his physicality in "Miracle of Miracles" and Wawro because she brought me to tears with her heartfelt rendition of "Far From the Home I Love." I was really impressed by the choreography in "Tradition," "To Life," and "Wedding Dance" because it includes very familiar sequences, especially the Russian dance and the bottle dance, but it is also new and dynamic enough that it is exciting to watch. I absolutely loved the staging of "Sabbath Prayer" because Tevye's family is located center stage and then other families come up from the pit to join them, "The Dream" because Grandma Tzeitel (Amanda Baugh) and Fruma Sarah (Malia Morris) fly in from the rafters while Golde and Tevye's bed levitates (this put a huge smile on my face because I once played Fruma Sarah), and the "Chava Sequence" because Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Motel, Perchik (Kelton Davis) and Fyedka (Scott Hendrickson) dance inside of a scrim that comes down from the rafters which makes it very ethereal and dreamlike. The set, always a highlight at HCT, is very minimal but effective. Most of the props, set pieces, and other miscellaneous household items are located along the perimeter of the stage which makes it easy for them to be moved on and off during scene changes but it also creates an incredibly powerful conclusion because, as the villagers leave Anatevka, they take these items with them off stage. A large and dramatic outline of a rooftop, upon which the fiddler (Aaron Ashton) sits when he plays his solos, comes down from the rafters which emphasizes the precariousness of life in Anatevka. The bare trees located throughout the theater, the barren landscapes projected on the LED screens, and the monochromatic costumes also evoke the harsh conditions found in Russia and really set the tone. Finally, what sets this show apart from any other version that I have seen is the authenticity that is evident in every aspect of the production. Great care has been taken to ensure that the costumes, make up, wigs, sets, choreography, and performances actually represent the Jewish people who lived in Russia at the turn of the century and their culture. Watching this show was a moving experience for me and I highly recommend seeing it for yourself! It runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through March 30 (go here for tickets).

Saturday, December 16, 2023

A Christmas Carol at HCT 2023

Last night I attended my fourth and final performance of A Christmas Carol this season at HCT. I have seen this production dozens of times (I always joke that I have seen it so many times I could probably stand in for any role if needed) but it is a sentimental favorite and it just wouldn't be Christmas without it. The portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge's redemption after visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in this show is so familiar to me by now but it is this familiarity that makes me love it so much! I eagerly anticipate all of my favorite scenes, especially when Marley's Ghost appears to Scrooge rattling his many chains, when the Ghost of Christmas Past appears to Scrooge from behind a scrim, when the guests dance during Mr. Fezziwig's party and Fred's party, when the Ghost of Christmas Future dramatically reveals Scrooge's name on the tombstone, when an ebullient Scrooge catches Bob Cratchit coming in late the day after Christmas, and when Tiny Tim exclaims, "God bless us, every one!" Many actors return year after year in the same roles (such as Stephen Kerr as Scrooge, Chase Peterson as Fred, Matt Kohler as Marley's Ghost, and Kaden Caldwell as young Ebeneezer) and I look forward to seeing them again. However, this year there were a few new actors (at least new to me because the show is double cast) and I really enjoyed seeing them make these familiar roles their own with a new interpretation, particularly Anthony LeRoy Lovato as Bob Cratchit, Taylor J. Smith as Christmas Present, and Koryn Sobel as Belle. Another element of this particular production that I especially love is the inclusion of Christmas carols in the narrative by an octet (Melinda DeBirk, Jennifer Riley, Keri Vance, April Kerr, Doug Wadley, Maxx Teuscher, Nathanael Abbott, and Alex DeBirk) and a violinist (Suzanne Chapman). My favorites are "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella," "Silent Night" (the entire scene with the poor wife singing this song is incredibly affecting), "Wassail, Wassail," "What Child is This?," and "Sussex Carol." I also really love the sets (this production has the most elaborate sets of any I've seen) because the attention to detail with Scrooge's Counting House, Scrooge's Bed Chamber, Fezziwig's Factory, Bob Cratchit's House (two stories!), Fred's House (the giant Christmas tree!), the Rag and Bottle Shop, and the Graveyard is amazing! I loved it last night just as much as I did the first time I saw it and I'm sure it will always be one of my Christmas traditions. It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewell Box Stage through December 27 (go here for tickets) but act quickly because most shows are sold out (the best availability is for matinee performances).

Note:  In light of the fact that I have now seen four different versions, some friends have asked me which was my favorite.  I can honestly say that I liked all four of them for very different reasons.  Parker Theatre's version is incredibly dramatic, Terrace Plaza Playhouse's version is fun and lighthearted, HCTO's version is the most authentic, and HCT's version is comforting and familiar.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Elf The Musical at HCT

Last night I saw HCT's production of Elf The Musical and I got a big dose of Christmas cheer! Santa Claus (Josh Richardson) tells the story of Buddy (David Paul Smith), a human who mistakenly believes that he is an elf because he crawled into his bag as a baby and was raised at the North Pole. After discovering who he really is, Buddy decides to find his dad, Walter Hobbs (Douglas Irey), and ends up bringing Christmas cheer to his new family, his girlfriend Jovie (Kelly Coombs), and everyone in New York City. The staging of the musical numbers is so much fun with exciting choreography and energetic performances. I especially loved the use of tricycles ridden by the elves in "Happy All the Time," the taxi cabs and police cars in "World's Greatest Dad," the tinsel used as jump ropes in "Sparklejollytwinklejingly," the confetti made of shredded paper in "Just Like Him," the real ice skates and a spectacular ice rink (with some cool technology that allows the actors to actually skate on it) in "A Christmas Song," the bags of toys in "Nobody Cares About Santa," and, of course, Santa's flying sleigh in the reprise of "A Christmas Song." The dazzling set pieces rise from the pit, descend from the rafters, and come in from the wings and my favorites were the snow globes used to designate the Empire State Building, Macy's Department Store, Rockefeller Plaza, and Central Park. I also loved the giant snowflakes with disco balls inside them hanging throughout the theatre. The costumes for Santa, Buddy, the elves at the North Pole, and the employees at Macy's are colorful and whimsical and I even liked the contemporary costumes worn by the employees at Greenway Publishing because they coordinated in shades of blue, gray, and green. Smith, who has appeared in many shows at HCT and is one of my favorites, is perfect as Buddy because his physicality and facial expressions are hilarious and his interactions with Coombs, as Jovie, are really sweet (they appeared together in HCT's production of Daddy Long Legs). I also really enjoyed Michelle Blake as Emily Hobbs and Cole Young as Michael Hobbs because their voices blend very well in the songs "I'll Belive In You" and "There Is a Santa Claus." However, Joanna Johnson, as Deb, steals every scene she is in because she is a hoot! I had a smile on my face from beginning to end and you would have to be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins to miss this show! I highly recommend it, especially to families during the holiday season (the little boy sitting near me was absolutely enthralled). It runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through January 6 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Around the World in 80 Days at HCT

If there is one thing that sets Hale Centre Theatre apart from all of the other local theatre companies it is their ability to create dazzling and awe-inspiring spectacles on their million dollar state of the art stage and that is exactly what they have done with their latest production, Around the World in 80 Days. I had the chance to see it last night and I loved it because it is so much fun! The story, based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne, is simple and centers on a wager that a wealthy and eccentric Victorian gentleman named Phileas Fogg (Will Ingram) makes with the members of his club. He bets half of his fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days and he and his hapless valet Passepartout (Ryan Simmons) set off that very night! Soon Inspector Fix (BJ Whimpey), who believes that Fogg robbed the Bank of England, and Mrs. Aouda (Niki Rahimi), a woman they rescue from a funeral pyre in India, join them to visit various exotic ports around the world as they race the clock to return to London in time. This adaptation by Laura Eason is highly theatrical and every port of call, including Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, Chicago, and Liverpool, features wildly imaginative sequences with beautiful costumes (I loved all of Mrs. Aouda's elaborate dresses), dynamic projections (I loved the routes shown on various maps as they travel), clever sets (I loved the use of steamer trunks on all of the different modes of transportation), and energetic choreography with aerialists (Dave Hollerbach, Lance Nielsen, Mandi Johnson, Jessica Kehl, Alyssa Larson, and Samantha Nielsen) performing on various apparatuses (I loved the silks). My favorite sequences are an elephant ride in India, an encounter in an opium den in Hong Kong, a circus in Yokohama, a Wild West train robbery, and a storm at sea. This is not a musical per se but there is a stirring soundtrack that complements the action very well (I particularly loved the use of an aria from the opera I Pagliacci). The whole show is staged as a Victorian melodrama with red velvet curtains around the theater, vaudeville style footlights surrounding the stage, and chandeliers hanging from the rafters. Queen Victoria (Julie Silvestro) even watches the show from the audience! The actors also mimic vaudeville performers and I was especially impressed with Simmons because his physicality is brilliant and his facial expressions are hilarious and completely over the top. The aerialists are simply amazing (I do not know how they do what they do and I couldn't take my eyes off them) and the ensemble (who all play multiple roles and move set pieces seamlessly on and off stage) is also outstanding. This is a show that is not to be missed and I cannot recommend it enough! It runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through October 21 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Catch Me If You Can at HCT

It is always really refreshing when I have the chance to see a play or musical with which I am not familiar (all of the theaters around me tend to cycle through the same popular shows) so I was excited for Catch Me If You Can at HCT last night. This is not the musical adaptation of the movie starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio but a cat and mouse mystery that kept me guessing until the very end! An advertising executive named Daniel Corban (Dallin Bradford) is honeymooning in the Catskills Mountains at a cabin owned by his boss. When his new wife Elizabeth goes missing after an argument, he coerces the bumbling local detective Inspector Levine (Jason Hackney), who is also investigating the theft of an expensive bracelet at a nearby hotel, into looking for her. Eventually the local priest, Father Kelleher (David Weekes), brings Elizabeth (Meg Flinders) back to the cabin but this woman is not his wife and this sets off a series of mysterious events, including murder, after Daniel is unable to convince Levine that she is an impostor. I really enjoyed this because it is filled with lots of twists and turns and red herrings but, when the mystery is finally solved, you realize that all of the clues have been there all along. It is so clever! Bradford gives an incredibly compelling performance because Daniel becomes more and more confused as the play goes on and you never really know if he is losing his mind or not and this provides a lot of tension. Hackney provides a bit of comic relief as a wise-cracking inspector who pits Daniel and Elizabeth against each other. Flinders also gives a brilliant performance because her portrayal of such an unlikable character is highly exaggerated and I loved the hostile interactions between her and Bradford as they attempt to outwit each other. The set, featuring a multi-level luxury cabin in the mountains, is really impressive with lots of 1960s period verisimilitude and I especially loved the wall of windows upstage through which projections of the woods are shown, the working fire pit, and the curved sofa. It was also fun to see the attention to detail with all of the props (so many ashtrays) and costumes. This is a well-crafted and entertaining murder mystery that might surprise you as much as it did me and I definitely recommend it (go here for tickets). It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through November 11.

Note:  Do not miss the fantastic production of Newsies on the Young Living Stage through August 26 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Newsies at HCT

There was a time when Newsies was at the top of the list of shows that I wanted to see. I was so eager to see it that I went to Los Angeles because it was playing at the Pantages Theatre and then the Broadway touring production came to SLC the following year so I got to see it again! I have since seen it multiple times (it is very popular in Utah) but I really love it and was so excited to see HCT's version last night! It is a fun production and I thoroughly enjoyed it! A group of newspaper delivery boys (and girls in this production) led by Jack Kelly (Matthew Sanguine) decide to go on strike when Joseph Pulitzer (Douglas Irey) raises the price of newspapers. With a little help from a fledgling reporter named Katherine Plumber (Rachel Martorana), the so-called newsies get the attention of Governor Theodore Roosevelt (Ryland Despain) and score a victory for all of the working children in New York. I love all of the music in this show but my favorite song has always been "The World Will Know." Sanguine and the ensemble performed it with so much passion that I had goosebumps! I also really enjoyed Martorana's rendition of "Watch What Happens" because she infuses it with both vulnerability and determination to succeed and Gunnar Russell (as Crutchie) gave the best performance I’ve seen of "Letter from the Refuge" because it is incredibly poignant! The highlight of this show has always been its high-energy choreography and HCT did not disappoint! Everyone in the ensemble is an amazing performer and the big production numbers "Carrying the Banner," "The World Will Know," "Seize the Day," "King of New York," and "Once and for All" are outstanding. The choreography features a few of the iconic leaps and spins from the original Broadway production but it is also innovative enough to keep it fresh and exciting. At first I felt that Sanguine was too old for the role of Jack (who is supposed to be a teenager) but he eventually won me over and I enjoyed his charisma and bravado. The other standouts in the cast for me were Hyrum Smith as Davey and Flynn Mitchell (who steals every scene he is in) as Les because they play off of Sanguine so well. The set also maintains the spirit of the original Broadway production but, because it is Hale, it is even more dramatic with one large multi-level metal tower in the middle of the stage which splits apart and is reconfigured multiple times. It is quite thrilling to see the actors climbing and swinging on all of the different levels and configurations. I did find the use of an actual chalkboard for the newspaper headlines, while clever, to be a bit underwhelming and it was hard to see Jack's drawings. The previous production of Newsies at HCT utilized the LED screens that surround the theatre for the headlines and drawings and I think that was more effective. Other than that minor complaint, I had a great time with this show and I highly recommend seeing it with your kids (the children and teens in my audience absolutely loved it).  It runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through August 26 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Hans Christian Andersen in New York at HCT

Last night I went to the world premiere of the musical Hans Christian Andersen in New York at Hale Theatre. It is a reimagining of the 1952 movie musical Hans Christian Andersen and includes all of the songs by Frank Loesser but features a more contemporary story about the famous Danish storyteller's fictional ancestor who lives in New York City in 1962. Hans Christian Andersen (Alex King), a former dancer on Broadway, has inherited the lease of a bookstore from his aunt but she was behind on the payments so he faces eviction.  He lets his best friend Bunny Bailey (Erin Royall Carlson) use the back of the store as a dance studio where she teaches her young students, including Tiffany (Lucy White), Rosalie (Elsa Parry), Carol (Hailey Burnham), Ashley (Libby Despain), and Darlene (Sophia Quinn), to make some extra money.  She suggests putting on a show with her students to save the bookstore and, while he is initially against the idea, his great uncle Hans (Mark Pulham) appears periodically to encourage him.  Add Bobbie Tone (Selena Quayle Proctor), a Broadway friend roped into the job of director and choreographer, a possible romance with Nancy Offenbach (Amy Shreeve Keeler), the mother of two children, Natalie and Ian (Olivia Dietlein and Mason Burnham, respectively), who try out for the show, and Harry Porter (Ben Henersen), a bumbling but helpful community theatre actor from Omaha who offers to play Santa Claus, and merriment ensues!  This has the thinnest of plots (most of the scenes exist to set up the songs rather than tell a story) and it is not very compelling but, having said that, all of the musical numbers are fantastic!  I especially enjoyed "I Hear Music," "Hoop-Dee-Doo," "Thumbelina," "Tallahassee," and "The King's New Clothes" because they feature really fun choreography with the children who are unbelievably talented and charismatic! Unfortunately, I didn’t care for King in the title role because every movement, gesture, and facial expression is very mechanical so I didn't really buy his performance. The rest of the cast is fine but I loved Proctor's turn as an over-the-top diva, particularly when she instructs the girls on how to bow, and Mason Burnham steals the show every time he is on stage (he received the loudest applause and cheers during the bows).  There is an amazing live band, composed of Derek Crane, Reed Le Cheminant, Craig Moore, Alex Marshall, Eric Noyes, Emily Maddison, and Cris Stiles, and they sit in the windows of the buildings that surround the NYC set.  Speaking of which, it is pretty spectacular with a two-storey bookstore on one side of the turntable and a dance studio on the other.  The Christmas decorations at the store and the backdrops used for the show are a lot of fun and so are the 1960s era costumes. This show is a throw-back to the golden age of musicals and the big song and dance numbers are sure to put a smile on your face. It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through July 15 (go here for tickets).

Note:  Don't miss the delightful production of Hello, Dolly! now playing on the Young Living Centre Stage through June 10 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Hello, Dolly! at HCT

Last night I saw the most charming and delightful production of Hello, Dolly! that I have ever seen! I loved everything about this show at HCT and I had a giant smile on my face from beginning to end! At the turn of the century, the irascible Horace Vandergelder (Brian Neal Clark) wants to get married again so that he will have someone to do all of the chores at his Hay & Feed store in Yonkers, New York. His niece Ermengarde (Rachel Bigler) wants to marry an artist named Ambrose Kemper (Dale Hoopes) but her uncle objects because he doesn't have a steady income. His clerk Cornelius Hackl (Landon Horton) is longing for an adventure in New York City so he convinces his fellow clerk Barnaby Tucker (Justin Gibbs) to come along with him and they vow not to return to Yonkers until they have both kissed a girl. They soon meet Irene Molloy (Shae Robins), who owns a millinery shop in NYC but wants a rich husband to take her away because she hates hats, and her assistant Minnie Fay (Amanda Baugh). A recently widowed matchmaker named Dolly Levi (Mack) is hired to find a wife for Vandergelder but she decides that she wants to marry himself. She just needs to convince him! She eventually arranges for all of the couples to meet for a memorable evening at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in NYC and merriment ensues! The choreography in this show is incredible and the big song and dance numbers, including "I Put My Hand In," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," "Dancing," "Before the Parade Passes By," "Waiters' Gallop," and "Hello, Dolly," are exuberant and dynamic and feature a large and incredibly talented ensemble. I really enjoyed the staging of these numbers, particularly "I Put My Hand In," because Dolly appears in the audience handing out her matchmaking cards to audience members (a cute girl sitting next to me got one of the cards and she held it tightly in her hands during the whole show), and "Elegance," because Cornelius, Barnaby, Irene, and Minnie travel all through the audience to get to the Harmonia Gardens because they boys can't afford to hire a cab. Mack oozes charm and charisma as Dolly and, while she has a wonderful voice, I loved all of her interactions with Clark because it is so much fun to watch all of her hilarious facial expressions as she bamboozles him! The rest of the main cast is also fantastic with Horton (I loved his voice) and Gibbs (he is an amazing dancer) as standouts. I was impressed by the set before I even reached my seat because the stage is stenciled with a pink, red, and black pattern with pink and white miniature Victorian houses with working lights around the perimeter of the stage to represent Yonkers and larger pink and white buildings in the wings, which are moved around the stage during the show, to represent NYC. The wings are also decorated with thousands of pink, white, and red flowers with bouquets of flowers and chandeliers hanging from the rafters. Elaborate set pieces, such Vandergelder's Hay & Feed, the millinery shop, and Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, come up from the pit, down from the rafters, and in from the wings, but I loved the train and cutouts of a marching band that cross the stage during "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" and "Before the Parade Passes By," respectively. Finally, the period costumes are gorgeous! Every dress features textured, embellished, embroidered, or bedazzled fabrics and every suit features patterned waistcoats, cravats, and hats. This show is so much fun (I found pink, red, and white confetti in my car when I got home) and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) before the parade passes you by!

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Titanic The Musical at HCT

Other than Strictly Ballroom, I don't think I have ever been as excited for a show at HCT as I was for Titanic The Musical last night (I even drove through a major snowstorm to get to the theatre). It certainly didn't disappoint because it is amazing and rivals anything I have seen on Broadway! Just before the RMS Titanic sets sail on her maiden voyage, the designer Thomas Andrews (Kelton Davis), the owner J. Bruce Ismay (Justin Bills), and the captain E.J. Smith (Josh Richardson) marvel at the ship in the song "The Largest Moving Object" while a stoker named Fred Barrett (Brock Dalgleish), the lookout Frederick Fleet (R. George Banner), and the telegraph operator Harold Bride (Dallin Bradford) are in awe of it in the song "Ship of Dreams."  The third class passengers, represented by Kate McGowan (Adrien Swenson), Kate Murphy (Kenzie Davis Kremin), Kate Mullins (Erica Schoebinger), and Jim Farrell (Landon Horton), are excited to be going to America for a better life in the song "Lady's Maid," the second class passengers, especially Alice Beane (Ali Bennett), are excited to mingle with the wealthy passengers aboard the ship in the song "The Latest Rag," and the first class passengers, including John Jacob Astor (Paul Hamilton Murphy) and his wife Madeline (Kennedy Bradford), Benjamin Guggenheim (Davis Underwood) and his mistress Mme. Aubert (Casey Wawro), Isidor Straus (David Weekes) and his wife Ida (Sharon Lynn Kenison), John B. Thayer (Ricky Parkinson) and his wife Marian (Melody L. Baugh), George Widener (Tony Akin) and his wife Eleanor (Larissa Villers), Charlotte Drake Cardoza (Shawnda Moss), and a Major (Carson Davies), congratulate themselves on their success in the song "What a Remarkable Age This Is!" Ismay wants the ship to go faster to reach New York Harbor a day sooner for the publicity but that is dangerous and Titanic eventually strikes an iceberg in "No Moon." When it becomes clear that the ship will sink without enough lifeboats for all of the passengers, Andrews, Ismay, and Smith accuse each other in "Blame." Only women and children are allowed on the lifeboats and the men must say goodbye to their loved ones in "We'll Meet Tomorrow." Andrews laments the errors in his design as the ship goes down in "Mr. Andrews' Vision" while the survivors on the Carpathia express hope that they will be reunited with their loved ones in the song "Godspeed Titanic/ Finale." The large ensemble cast, which includes quite a few of my favorite regulars at HCT, is truly outstanding and everyone gets a moment to shine but I was particularly impressed by Richardson's commanding presence (pun intended) as the captain, especially when he takes responsibility in "The Blame." The music is beautiful and I loved it all but I was incredibly moved by the pathos in "The Proposal/ The Night Was Alive" when Barrett sends a telegram to his sweetheart, "The Staircase" when the third class passengers realize that they are trapped, "We'll Meet Tomorrow," as the men try to reassure their loved ones in the lifeboats that all will be well, and "Still" as Ida decides that she will stay on the ship with Isidor (I pretty much had tears in my eyes in all of these songs). The set is absolutely spectacular (one of the best I've seen at HCT and that is saying something!). A large multi-level structure rises from the pit to reveal the boat decks, the first class deck and smoking room, the second class deck, the third class deck and dining room, the boiler room, corridors, and the staircases to each level. The first class dining room, the bridge, the crow's nest (my favorite), and the radio room come down from the rafters. The costumes are fantastic, especially the elaborate turn-of-the-century gowns worn by the female first class passengers and the uniforms worn by the crew.  Finally, the opening montage when the crew and passengers first see the ship is very clever with blueprints and images projected on scrims and the sinking of the ship is incredibly dramatic (it even mimics when the ship breaks apart). I cannot say enough about this beautiful and moving production and, if you think you might want to see it (you should!), I recommend getting tickets as soon as possible because almost every show is sold out (go here).

Note:  Everyone is given the ticket of a real-life passenger with a QR code to scan to learn their fate. My passenger went down with the ship.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

See How They Run at HCT

HCT likes to begin the new season with a comedy and this year they picked a great one! I love the play See How They Run because I played Miss Skillon in high school and I had a blast watching HCT's version last night! This hilarious British farce takes place in the vicarage of a village called Merton-Cum-Middlewick during World War II. Lance Corporal Clive Winton (Clayton Barney) comes to visit his old friend Penelope (Morgan Fenner) who is now married to the Rev. Lionel Toop (Ben Parkes). Ida (Elise Pearce), her love-struck cockney maid, is flustered by his arrival but Miss Skillon (Lori Rees), a meddling spinster who has come to the vicarage to complain to Rev. Toop, is convinced that Penelope is having an affair with him and imbibes too much cooking sherry. Penelope persuades Clive to wear Rev. Toop's second best suit and clerical collar so they can dodge army regulations and see the play they once performed together. When Penelope's sedate uncle the Bishop of Lax (Zac Zumbrunnen), a mild-mannered visiting clergyman named Rev. Arthur Humphrey (Sanford Porter), and an escaped German POW (Jason Hackney) all end up at the vicarage, you get mayhem, mistaken identity, and everyone chasing each other in clerical garb! The action is incredibly fast-paced with a lot of physical comedy and there were hoots of laughter at all of the preposterous goings-on, especially when Clive, Toop, the Bishop, and the German prisoner jump over the prostrate Miss Skillon as they chase each other through the drawing room (this was one of my favorite scenes in my high school production even though I always worried that they wouldn't jump in time). It is even funnier when they continue jumping even when she isn't there anymore! Another hilarious scene involves several characters, including Miss Skillon, hiding in the cupboard (in my production the Rev. Toop and I would always try to come up with funny poses to get the others to break character when they opened the door). The entire cast is outstanding but my favorites were Parkes, because he becomes more and more hysterical, Zumbrunnen, because he becomes more and more outraged, and Porter, because he becomes more and more flustered (all of their facial expressions are so much fun to watch) in response to the chaos. Of course I absolutely loved Rees as Skillon (she is such a fun character) because she gives an absolutely brilliant physical performance, especially when she is intoxicated and trying to stand up or walk! The set features an explosion of floral prints on the wall, on the furniture, and on the many throw pillow featured in the drawing room of the vicarage. I also really liked the timbered rafters, the glass doors leading out to the garden, and the aforementioned cupboard. The costumes are very flamboyant, especially the Bishop's purple and scarlet vestments and robe and Miss Skillon's mismatched plaid ensemble. This show is more fun than should be allowed on a Tuesday and I loved it! I highly suggest that you get a ticket (go here) before all of the shows sell out. It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through April 22.

Thursday, December 8, 2022

A Christmas Carol at HCT 2022

I got to see my second version of A Christmas Carol last night at Hale Centre Theatre. I love this production so much (I have seen it so many times that I could stand in for any role should the need arise) and it just wouldn't be Christmas without it! It also tells the well-known story by Charles Dickens of the reclamation of Ebeneezer Scrooge (David Weeks) by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Parker Burnham), Present (Benjamin Oldroyd), and Future (Kaden Caldwell) but what makes this production so special is the use of music (Have I mentioned that I love Christmas music?) in between scenes by an octet (Zack Grob, James Duncan, Nathanael Abbott, Ryan Withers, Rachel Worthen Grob, Jordyn Aspyn Durfey, Janessa Gillette Zech, and Keri Vance) and in certain scenes by the characters.  My favorites are "Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella" by Fezziwig's party guests, "Greensleeves" by Belle, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" by Fred's party guests, and "What Child is This?" by Cratchit and the octet. Another aspect of this show that I really enjoy is seeing the same actor return to the same role year after year and I was happy to see Weeks as Scrooge and Oldroyd as Christmas Present once again. This year, however, there were quite a few new faces in the cast such as Chase Petersen as Fred/ Charles Dickens, Josh Egbert as Bob Cratchit, Matt Kohler as Marley's Ghost, Dan Hess as Mr. Fezziwig, and Kaden Caldwell as the young Ebeneezer. I was particularly impressed with Petersen, because his accent when he is the narrator Charles Dickens is the most consistent in the show, with Egbert, because his interactions with Weeks in the final scene are so poignant that I had a tear in my eye, and with Kohler, because his Marley is incredibly menacing. I also really loved Mason Burnham as Tiny Tim because he is absolutely adorable. I look forward with great anticipation to every scene because the sets are incredibly elaborate and detailed. I love Scrooge's Counting House (the storefront windows are amazing), Scrooge's Bed Chamber, Mr. Fezziwig's Warehouse, Bob Cratchit's House (there are two storeys), Fred's House (the Christmas tree is huge), the Rag and Bottle Shop, and the Graveyard. I also love the opulent Victorian costumes, especially the jewel-toned dresses worn by the female party guests. The special effects, most notably the appearance of Marley's ghost in Scrooge's fireplace and when the Ghost of Christmas Past reveals Scrooge's name on the tombstone, are a lot of fun and the projections are so immersive that you feel like you are in Victorian London. No matter how many times I see this show I always leave the theater vowing to keep the spirit of Christmas all year! I highly recommend getting a ticket but, as always, act quickly because many shows are sold out (HCT has been known to add shows so keep checking here).

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

The Little Mermaid at HCT

I went to see Hale Theatre's production of The Little Mermaid last night and it is one of the most immersive and magical shows I've ever seen! I loved everything about it! This musical tells the well-known story of a mermaid named Ariel who just wants to be where the people are so she defies her father and trades her voice for a pair of legs to make a prince fall in love with her. What I loved most about this show is that you actually feel like you are under the sea during the first act because all of the characters, especially Ariel and her sisters, fly through the air with lots of really cool water effects. I also really loved the amazing costumes and puppets for all of the sea creatures because they are absolutely incredible! Ursula wears an elaborate gown of black sequins with dancers who manipulate her eight tentacles while Flotsam and Jetsam are in silver lamé with segmented puppets that twist and turn around each other!  The song "Under the Sea" features neon colored fish carried by dancers with headdresses that look like coral reefs, stingrays that flutter above the audience, giant whales and groups of turtles that come in from the wings, and aerialists who spin around on globes that look like bubbles! It is quite the spectacle! Sebastian is covered from claw to claw in red sequins while Scuttle is covered in white features. Ariel and her sisters each have their own color with jewel encrusted gowns and mermaid tails made of organza and King Triton has regal robes of gold and turquoise. Also, I was impressed by the sheer number of sets and my favorites were Prince Eric's ship, Ariel's grotto filled with her collection, and the lagoon where Eric takes Ariel on a boat ride (the hanging vines and all of the lanterns are so beautiful). I also loved all of the clear glass bulbs, which resemble bubbles, around the perimeter of the stage and up in the rafters. The staging of several of the numbers is absolutely magical, especially when Ariel saves Eric after he falls overboard because they seem to float and the aforementioned "Under the Sea!" Finally, the cast is phenomenal!  Sophia Marie Guerrero is the perfect Ariel because not only does she have a beautiful voice but she also has a look of wide-eyed wonder that makes the songs "Part of Your World" and "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" so much fun to watch! Eric was played by the understudy Scott Hendrickson last night and, honestly, I thought he was fantastic! He has great chemistry with Guerrero and is incredibly endearing in "Kiss the Girl." Luseane "Lucy" Pasa, as Ursula, just about blows the roof off HCT with her gospel rendition of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" with Jason Buonforte (Flotsam) and Gunnar (Jetsam) as her back up choir! The same could be said for Alec Powell, as Sebastian, because his rendition of "Kiss the Girl" also had a gospel feel that I really liked. I had so much fun at this show (it is definitely the best production of The Little Mermaid that I have ever seen) and the children sitting around me were mesmerized! You definitely do not want to miss this wonderful show which runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through January 28 (go here for tickets) but act quickly because many shows are sold out!

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Lucky Stiff at HCT

Last night I saw the hilarious musical farce Lucky Stiff at Hale Theatre and I had so much fun!  Harry Witherspoon (Preston Taylor) is a mild mannered shoe salesman living in a dreary rented room when he unexpectedly receives a telegram informing him that an unknown uncle named Anthony Hendon (Zac Zumbrunnen) has died and bequeathed him six million dollars. However, to receive his inheritance he must take the corpse of his uncle on a final vacation to Monte Carlo and complete a number of activities detailed on a cassette tape around his neck. If he fails to complete any of these tasks, the six million dollars will go to Anthony's favorite charity, the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. Once he gets to Monte Carlo with the embalmed body in a wheelchair, Harry meets Anthony's legally blind mistress Rita La Porta (Claire Kenny) who believes that he embezzled the money from her husband and wants to get it back, Rita's optometrist brother Vinnie Di Ruzzio (Kelly DeHaan) who has been blamed for the theft and has a contract out on his life, a representative from the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn named Annabel Glick (Bre Welch) who wants to stop Harry from completing the list so that the dogs will receive the money, and Luigi Gaudi (David Marsden) a mysterious and flashy Italian who seems to be following him. Chaos ensues! What makes this show so funny is not only the situation, which becomes more and more absurd as it goes on, but also the brilliant cast! In addition to the main cast, Bryan Dayley (one of my favorite comedic actors at HCT), Cameron Garner, Ali Bennett, and Beatriz Melo portray a variety of different characters, and every performance is completely over the top with perfect comedic timing. Their physicality and facial expressions had me laughing out loud through the whole show! I especially enjoyed the scene where Harry and Annabel lose the body and run in and out of the various hallways of the hotel looking for it (lots of slamming doors)! All of the musical numbers are a lot of fun but my favorite is "Speaking French" by the nightclub singer Dominique (Beatriz Melo) as she attempts to seduce Harry. The show is set in the 1970s which means that the costumes are absolutely fabulous with bright colors, bold patterns, and lots of polyester! The stage, which reminded me of a game show with all of the flashing lights and multiple levels, includes a rotating panel that turns to reveal various locations with projections and elaborate set pieces. This is the perfect show to see for a fun night out and it runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through November 19 (go here for tickets).

Note:  Don't forget the new adaptation of The Unsinkable Molly Brown on the Young Living Main Stage through October 18 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

The Unsinkable Molly Brown at HCT

Many years ago I had the opportunity to see the Broadway touring production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown with Debbie Reynolds in the title role. I don't really remember much about the show except for the fact that I was incredibly star-struck by Reynolds! Last night I saw a brand-new production at HCT that is more historically accurate than the original version and I enjoyed it even though it has a few issues.  This musical tells the story of Margaret "Molly" Tobin Brown (Kelly Coombs) and her life in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado, her marriage to the miner JJ Brown (Kaden Caldwell), her life in Denver after striking it rich with the discovery of gold in her husband's mine, her work as a social reformer, a champion of women's rights, and a labor organizer, and her ill-fated voyage on the Titanic. Brown's story is compelling and Coombs gives an energetic performance but I found the character to be incredibly static because she is the same irrepressible figure from the moment we meet her testifying before a Senate committee on the Titanic disaster to the final scene where she advocates for immigration reform after several Titanic survivors are refused entry into the United States. Her first big song and dance number is "I Ain't Down Yet" and absolutely nothing gets her down, even when Denver society rejects her and when her husband is unfaithful to her, for the entire duration of the show and I found it to be very one-note and exhausting to watch. The revised book by Dick Scanlan places all of the action during Act I in Leadville as Brown interacts with characters drawn from real life and I think it gets really bogged down (my mind sometimes wandered in between musical numbers). Conversely, I think events in Act II are rushed and I would have liked to see more about her time in Europe. Having said that, every aspect of the production itself is outstanding. As previously mentioned, Coombs is delightful and so is Caldwell, especially when he gets exasperated with Molly. My favorite songs are "I Ain't Down Yet," "Belly Up to the Bar, Boys," "Beautiful People of Denver," and "Share the Luck." The choreography in these songs is so much fun and the large ensemble execute it well. I was very impressed with how the sinking of the Titanic is staged because it features dramatic sound and light design. The costumes are wonderful, particularly all of Molly's highly embellished dresses in Act II. As is often the case with HCT, the set is amazing with elaborate pieces coming in from the wings, up from the pit, and down from the rafters. I especially enjoyed the mine and cabins in Leadville, the garden in Denver, the Brown mansion, and the lifeboat. Finally, the projections featuring historical photos and documents are fascinating and very well done. Having a postcard of the Titanic move from one LED screen to another to show the progress of the ship and then rip in half when it sinks is so clever! HCT does a great job with this show and, even though it has a few minor character development and pacing issues, I would definitely recommend it.  Go here for tickets but act quickly because many shows are already sold out.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Silent Sky at HCT

Last night I went to see HCT's beautiful production of Silent Sky and I loved this incredibly moving play so much! It tells the true story of Henrietta Leavitt (Becca Ingram) who begins working at Harvard University in 1900 as a human computer in the astronomy department along with a "harem" of women, including Annie Cannon (Tamari Dunbar) and Williamina Fleming (Samantha Beyer). She is very eager to use the university's refracting telescope to find answers to all of her questions about the universe but she is not allowed to because she is a woman. She may only use the images on photographic plates taken from the telescope to map the stars and she must keep her analysis to herself. Despite these obstacles she is able to make an important discovery that allows future astronomers to calculate the distance between galaxies but her dedication to her work puts her at odds with her sister Margaret (Madeline McBeth) over family obligations and with her supervisor Peter Shaw (Dallin Bradshaw) over their romantic relationship. One of the things I really loved about this play is the juxtaposition between the two sisters because Margaret believes in home, family, and religion while Henrietta believes in hard work, exploration, and science but they both find the light they seek. The story is simple but incredibly compelling and that is due in large part to the lovely performance by Ingram. She portrays many different emotions very convincingly such as exasperation at her lack of opportunity in the department, singleminded determination to succeed, giddiness at the possibility of love, and wonder at the infinite nature of the universe. Her final monologue about her legacy is delivered so powerfully I had a tear in my eye. The rest of the cast is equally strong and I particularly enjoyed Beyer's sassy Scottish brogue and Bradshaw's awkwardness as he tries to get Henrietta's attention. As usual, the set for this production is amazing. The stage features a map of the constellations upon which sits a large wooden box (it reminded me of a large old-fashioned card catalog) with cupboards and drawers that open to reveal desks, chairs, and other items found in an academic office. The box rotates several times for Margaret's home in Wisconsin or Henrietta's apartment in Cambridge during different scenes. Many characters stand on top of the box, accessed by drawers which are converted into stairs, when communicating with Henrietta through letters. Above the box is the outline of a large lens of a telescope and during a poignant moment in the show it is lowered to display projections from space and this gave me goosebumps. There are also projections of stars throughout the theater and I found myself looking up with wonder multiple times! I honestly had no idea what to expect when I walked into the theater last night but I ended up loving this beautiful play and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here).  It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through August 27.

Note:  Don't miss out on seeing the delightful production of Singin' in the Rain on the Young Living Main Stage through August 13 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Singin' in the Rain at HCT

I have been looking forward to HCT's production of Singin' in the Rain ever since the 2022 season was announced because I just knew it would be amazing. I had the chance to see it last night and it certainly lived up to all of my expectations because I had a smile on my face from beginning to end! Don Lockwood (David Paul Smith) is a silent film star in the 1920s along with his bubble-headed partner Lina Lamont (Erin Carlson). When the studio decides to transition to "talkies," Lina's obnoxious voice and terrible acting threatens to ruin the picture. Don decides to dub Lina's voice with that of Kathy Seldon (Debra Weed Hahn), an aspiring actress with whom he has fallen in love, and chaos ensues when Lina finds out! This production is very much informed by the wonderful 1952 movie of the same name and all of the big song and dance numbers are just as spectacular. I really enjoyed the choreography in "Fit as a Fiddle," "Make 'Em Laugh," "Moses Supposes," "Good Mornin'," and "Broadway Melody" because they feature fantastic tapping (which always impresses me) and the use of set pieces and props which are integrated into the dancing. However, I was especially enchanted by "You Were Meant for Me" because it takes place on an empty soundstage with a lot of different lighting effects and other special effects. I think I gasped out loud at an effect featuring Kathy and a backdrop of shooting stars. It is simply magical! The highlight of the show is definitely the iconic number "Singin' in the Rain" because Don dances around the lamppost as rain actually falls around him! It was absolutely thrilling to watch this sequence, especially since I was sitting on the first row in the splash zone! The young girl sitting next to me squealed with excitement every time we were splashed and I think this caused Smith to be a bit more exuberant whenever he was kicking puddles in our section! The set is quite simple with elements brought in from the wings and coming down from the rafters but I was impressed by the attention to detail. The marquees above each entrance to the theater feature the logo for Monumental Pictures, the stage is outlined with plexiglass in the shape of a filmstrip, and the LED screens look like the red velvet curtains you would find in Art Deco movie theaters. Large screens come down from the rafters to show the movie Don and Lina are filming and I loved it whenever we would see Lina's version and then the version dubbed with Kathy's voice because the sound design is quite impressive in these scenes. The 1920s costumes are dazzling with flapper dresses and headdresses that feature more sequins than you can count! Hahn and Smith are great singers and dancers and have a lot of chemistry, especially when they are fighting, and Carlson (who is one of my favorite actresses at HCT) is an absolute hoot, but Alex King, as Don's sidekick Cosmo Brown, steals the show with his comedic timing and physicality! I loved everything about this show and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here) but you need to act quickly because many shows are already sold out (with good reason).

Note:  Even the bows are entertaining because the entire cast returns to the stage wearing rain coats, hats, and boots while the rain falls once again!

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The Light in the Piazza at HCT

When HCT announced the 2022 season this time last year, the show I was most excited for was The Light in the Piazza. I had the opportunity to see it last night and I was not disappointed because it is one of the most beautiful productions I've seen! In 1953 Margaret Johnson (Michelle Blake) and her daughter Clara (Rachel Tregeagle) are touring Italy for the summer. When a strong wind blows Clara's hat across the Piazza Della Signoria in Florence, a young man named  Fabrizio Naccarelli (Matthew Sanguine) retrieves it for her and the two of them fall instantly in love. Margaret immediately separates them and continues to do so as Fabrizio pursues them to the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo. Margaret finally gives in and agrees to a meeting with Fabrizio's family, including his father (Danny Inkley), mother (Mandi Barrus), brother Guiseppe (Landon Horton), and sister-in-law Franca (Cecily Bills), during which they are all enchanted by Clara. When it becomes clear that Fabrizio and Clara want to get married, Margaret takes her to Rome to get her away from him. It turns out that Clara is intellectually and emotionally delayed as the result of a tragic accident in her childhood and Margaret has always felt the need to protect her. However, she soon comes to realize that Fabrizio is the light in Clara's darkness. This is a very sweet and old-fashioned story where true love overcomes all obstacles and I found it to be charming. Every one in the cast is outstanding but I was particularly impressed by the three leads because they have beautiful voices.  Blake is formidable as a mother protecting her child but also shows a lot of vulnerability when she realizes that her own darkness might be influencing her decisions, Tregeagle is very effective at portraying wide-eyed wonder at everything Clara is experiencing, and Sanguine is incredibly charismatic as a smitten young man searching for the right words to express his love. I also really enjoyed Horton as Fabrizio's philandering brother because he can dance and his facial expressions are hilarious. The best part of this show is the music and I loved seeing the musicians (Sebastian Neugebauer on piano, Julie Beistline on violin, Hannah Brown on cello, and Alyssa Holman on harp) performing live on stage. My favorite songs are "Statues and Stories" because it describes the excitement Margaret feels as she discovers all of the history found in Florence (I felt the same way when I was in Florence), "Say It Somehow" because it is swoon-worthy as Clara and Fabrizio find a way to express their love without words, and "The Light in the Piazza" because it shows that, even with all of the beauty surrounding her in Italy, all Clara can see is Fabrizio's love. I had goosebumps through most of the songs because they are so beautiful. The set, designed by Jenn Taylor, features Roman columns that rotate on a turntable with various pieces that are brought in to create different scenes (my favorite was the Uffizi Gallery with paintings coming down from the rafters).  The attention to detail is incredible and I especially loved a cut-glass lamp used in Margaret's hotel room. Projections can be hit or miss with me but in this production they are literally works of art because they feature amazing impressionistic paintings of locations in Florence created by Madeline Ashton. Finally, the costumes, designed by Joy Zhu, are gorgeous! Every dress features textured, embellished, or embroidered fabrics and every outfit includes shoes, a hat, gloves, a purse, and jewelry (the brooches!). Everything about this show, which runs on the Sorensen Jewel Box Stage through June 18, is absolutely delightful and I highly recommend it (go here for tickets).

Note:  Don't miss out on seeing some insanely talented kids rock out in School of Rock now playing on the Young Living Main Stage through May 28 (go here for tickets).

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

School of Rock at HCT

Several years ago I went on a theatre trip to New York with Hale Centre Theatre. On one of our free nights a group of HCT staff went to see the new musical School of Rock. The next morning they were all buzzing about it because it seemed like a good fit for HCT if they could find enough kids who played instruments. When HCT announced the 2022 season, one of the shows was left as TBA and, remembering those conversations, I suspected that it would be School of Rock and I was right! I had the chance to see the show last night and I loved it even more than the Broadway touring production I saw a few years ago! Dewey (Bryan Hague) is kicked out of his band No Vacancy right before the Battle of the Bands and his best friend Ned (Will Ingram), with whom he has been living for several years, is under pressure from his girlfriend Patty (Riley Squire) to get him to pay rent. Desperate to earn some money, Dewey takes a substitute teaching job at Horace Green Prep School that is meant for Ned. The students in his class are being crushed under the pressure put on them by their parents who don't understand them. After hearing them during their music class, Dewey decides to form a band with Zack (Cameron Dietlein) on lead guitar, Katie (Sydney Madsen) on bass, Lawrence (Miles Jeppson) on keyboard, Freddy (Nat Paxman) on drums, and Shonelle (Afton Grace Higbee) and Marcy (Alice Alcorn) on backing vocals. He recruits Billy (Amauree Mack) to be the band's stylist, James (Cade Hixon) as security, Mason (Nolan Reinbold) on tech, and Summer (Katherine Clark), the class know-it-all, as the band's manager. Tomika (Taryn Davis), a shy and insecure transfer student, eventually becomes the band's secondary lead singer. Being in the band gives the students more confidence so Dewey decides to enter them in the Battle of the Bands. He just needs to convince the uptight principal Ms. Mullins (Bailee Morris) to let him take the students on a field trip (in a hilarious scene involving the song "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks). The parents eventually catch on to Dewey's deception but the kids win them over with their performance at the Battle of the Bands. This kids in this show are insanely talented and play their instruments live on stage in the songs "You're In The Band," "Stick It To The Man," "Time To Play," and "School Of Rock."  Dewey's band No Vacancy, with Doug (James Densley) on drums, Theo (Memphis Hennesy) on guitar, Gary (Mark Maxson) on guitar, Snake (Brady Bills) on guitar, Kevin (Eric Noyes) on keyboard, Kyle (Kelly DeHaan) on keyboard, and Bob (Davin Tayler) on bass, perform "I'm Too Hot For You" during the Battle of the Bands and serve as the house band on stage for all of the other songs. They are also fantastic! Hague is incredibly charismatic as Dewey (he does a great job of differentiating his performance from Jack Black's in the movie) and he has a great rapport with the kids. Davis is my favorite young actor in the show because she portrays Tomika's vulnerability very well (after a poignant moment when Tomika proves that she deserves to be the lead singer, Davis broke character for a minute to smile at all of the applause and that was really endearing). The set is a lot of fun, particularly the halls and classrooms at the Horace Green Prep School and all of the speakers and flashing lights that come down from the rafters for the Olympic Powerhouse Club. I also liked the school uniforms worn by the kids (there are Horace Green Prep School patches on their blazers and school bags), especially when they are embellished for their performance. I had so much fun at this show (it will definitely be one of my favorites this year) and I highly recommend it but act quickly because tickets are going fast (go here).  School of Rock runs on the Young Living Main Stage through May 28.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Treasure Island at HCT

Last night I saw Treasure Island, a thrilling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of swashbuckling pirates and buried treasure, at Hale Theatre. I had heard that it was pretty spectacular, which made me very eager to see it, but I have to admit that all of the rumored special effects gave me pause because Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the last show I saw on the Young Living Stage, had so many technical issues that it was stopped twice for long periods of time and I feared the same thing would happen last night. I needn't have worried because this show is, indeed, spectacular. Billy Bones (Rob Fernandez) suddenly appears at the Admiral Benbow Inn and meets the proprietor's son Jim Hawkins (Matthew Sanguine). He confesses to Jim that he has a map that once belonged to the pirate Flint (Bradley Moss), which leads to buried treasure, but that Flint's crew will soon be coming after it. Jim takes the map, eludes the pirates, enlists the help of Dr. Livesey (Roger Dunbar) and Squire Trelawney (Bradley Moss), and hires the Hispaniola to travel the sea in search of the treasure. Jim meets Long John Silver (BJ Whimpey), who befriends him and offers to find a crew for the Hispaniola, much to the displeasure of Captain Smollett (Mark Knowles). However, Jim learns that the crew is made up of pirates and that Long John Silver has more sinister plans just as the Hispaniola anchors off the coast of Skeleton Island. He is helped by Ben Gunn (Ben Parkes), a half-crazed man marooned on the island, to once again elude the pirates, find the treasure, and save the ship and his companions. Director Dave Tinney added a score by J Bateman (with musicians on stage, including Nathan Kremin on guitar, Caleb Hafen on drums, and Julie Beistline on fiddle) and several songs with vocal arrangements by Rob Moffat and this is very effective in enhancing the atmosphere of adventure. The sets by Kacey Udey are some of the best I have ever seen at HCT (and the bar is set really high), especially the set for the Hispaniola and the gallons of water (39,000 to be precise) that surround it and the island. As I previously mentioned, this is an incredibly complicated show, with large set pieces coming down from the rafters, characters being thrown overboard into the water, and special effects such as fog, rain, and fire! Everything was executed flawlessly! The fight choreography is epic, particularly the duel high up in the crow's nest of the ship during a rain storm, and I loved it when characters would climb the ropes on the ship. I was absolutely dazzled by everything that was happening on stage and I don't think I have ever seen a show that was so immersive (I was even splashed by water when a character was thrown overboard). The entire cast is fantastic but I especially enjoyed Sanguine's earnestness as Hawkins and Moss nearly steals the show as Trelawney (he is hilarious). This production is so much fun and I had a huge smile on my face from beginning to end. In my opinion, it is the must-see show of the season but you should definitely get tickets soon (go here) because they are going fast (with good reason). It runs on the Young Living Stage through March 19.

Note:  Don't forget about the hilarious show, One for the Pot, now playing on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through April 2.  Go here for tickets.

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