30th anniversary

REVIEW:  Boston Pops capped of their Spring Pops season with a glorious celebration on Gospel Night’s 30th anniversary

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Celebrating 30 years, Boston Pops Gospel Night has stood the test of time as a glorious and revered annual tradition.  Boasting an illuminated brass backdrop layered with firework shaped gold lighting as well as multi-colored imagery, Boston Symphony Hall welcomed a large crowd for this highly-anticipated, 30th anniversary event for one night only on Saturday, June 8 live and in person in Boston, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and more on upcoming Boston Pops events including Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular featuring The Mavericks, Kelli O’Hara, and much more.

Each year, Gospel Night features a special blend of acclaimed musical guests, a variety of beloved songs delivered by the Boston Pops Gospel Choir as well as an array of memorable performances. 

Renowned Conductor Charles Floyd Photo by Mike Mejia

Warmly greeting the crowd and the orchestra was accomplished conductor, pianist, and composer Charles Floyd, who has been conducting Gospel Night for the past 28 years.  Click here for a closer look at Charles Floyd and his career. 

Distinguished looking in a white tuxedo with black pants and a bow tie, Charles Floyd gave an appreciative wave before opening this joyous concert with George W. Chadwick’s spirited Jubilee which boasts a rush of excitement and anticipation as well as a mix of beautiful yearning and striking rhythms.  Duke Ellington’s Caravan was an incredibly robust and exhilarating experience delivering drum-infused, head bobbing rhythms featuring Edmar Colón, David Rosado, Jeriel Sanjurjo and Gabriel Santiago on percussion and featuring Balla Kouyaté with an incredible sound on Balafon.

Balla Kouyaté on Balafon Photo by Mike Mejia

Ten-time Grammy Award-winning a capella gospel group Take 6 highlighted the event as they returned to Gospel Night for an uplifting set of impressive performances.  Made up of a half a dozen captivating members which includes Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea, and Khristian Dentley in suits and tailored shirts, Take 6 took the audience on a wide and inspirational journey to provide encouragement and share their joy including the catchy harmonies in Feels Good, an upbeat, yet moving rendition of the Charlie Chaplin’s cover Smile, a fiddle-infused Lullaby and a nostalgic rendition of Ambrosia’s Biggest Part of Me.  As cloud shaped lighting hovered above the orchestra, Take 6 also shared a divine rendition of David Bloom’s You deserve it steeped in echoing and acapella harmonies.

The return of A cappella gospel group ‘Take 6’ Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea, and Khristian Dentley Photo by Mike Mejia

The second half of Gospel Night is a rousing celebration encouraging everyone to let loose and dance with the energizing Boston Pops Gospel Choir.  In a beautiful black dress and pearls, Katani Sumner encouraged the crowd to get on their feet for Smith’s All Praise which was further emphasized by Ray Martin in an uplifting rendition of Hallelujah You’re Worthy.  Ida Kamrara elevated the celebration with Lord You’re Great and Brittany Wells and Loraine Adeymi joined together for a horn infused, expressive and high-powered duet of Wonderful is Your Name/I’m So Thankful as the energy escalated onstage culminating in Zion Rejoice with Sherylynn Sealy.

Photo by Mike Mejia

However, after the encore is the after party. 

Led with incredible enthusiasm and sharing a few dance steps, The Boston Pops Gospel Choir Artistic Director and Brother Dennis L. Slaughter gears up each year for a grand, spirit-fueled finale after the finale.  It is a toe tapping after party that usually could go all night long, if only they could.  Whether it is due to the current state of the world, remnants of pandemic numbers, people buried in discouragement or a combination of all three, the audience’s response was not as enthusiastic has it has been in past years.  The finale usually has everyone on their feet and Gospel Night was not as full as it has been in past years.

The Boston Pops Gospel Choir Photo by Mike Mejia

Earlier on during their set, Take 6 delivered an earnest and eloquent message of persistence and resilience before launching into a smooth and touching rendition of Over the Hill is Home.  It spoke volumes about overcoming the heartache of life’s challenges and having faith to pull ourselves over that hill to a day that ‘shines so bright.’  We can all use encouragement in these dark times and Gospel Night uniquely brings home that exuberant and electrifying resolve each and every year if we let it sink in.

REVIEW:  Joy and grief co-exist in Anthony Rapp’s moving ‘Without You’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Author Nancy Berns once reflected, ‘There is freedom in knowing you can carry joy and grief together.’

Joy and grief coexist in Without You, a one man production performed by award-winning actor and singer Anthony Rapp.  Known for his performance in the Pulitzer prize-winning musical Rent, Rapp weaves together a deeply personal portrait of the story behind the hit musical, his experiences as an actor, and the love and losses in his life.  Featuring a mix of original music and beloved songs from Rent and based on Rapp’s 2006 memoir Without You:  A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical Rent, Without You is a moving production for those who have seen Rent, but it is not necessary to see Rent in order to appreciate this production.  It might encourage you to see it for the first time or revisit it after the production is over.

Seasons of Love

Directed conscientiously by Stephen Maler with insightful Music Direction by Daniel A. Weiss, ATG Colonial presents Anthony Rapp’s one man musical show Without You live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 14 and is also touring.  This production is 90 without an intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets and here for the production’s tour schedule.

Anthony Rapp’s ‘Without You’ Photo by Russ Rowland

Rapp is contemplative of what he has been through privately and professionally with a variety of personal nuances to make it his own.  With authentic scrapbook style flair by light and scene designer Eric Southern, a projected brick wall boasts a variety of Rapp’s taped newspaper clippings, vintage playbills, and weathered New York City landmark photographs, Rapp’s apartment, and even an touching handwritten note.  The resplendent multicolor lighting and ambiance seem inspired by Rent itself.  The production has a casual 90’s vibe with Rapp in a flannel shirt and sneakers by Angela Vesco and Rapp sets his own props during the production.

Anthony Rapp’s ‘Without You’ Photo by Russ Rowland

Having had phenomenal success as an acclaimed hit musical in the 90s that became one of the longest running shows on Broadway and gone one to be performed around the world as well as a film adaptation of the same name that also starred Anthony Rapp in 2005, it is amazing to think that Rent is closing in on its 30th anniversary since Rapp’s first Rent audition.  Rent is a daring, joyous, raw, and poignant musical about a group of 20-somethings living in New York City.  It explores love, loss, hardships, dreams and realizations all while this group struggles to make the rent.

Anthony Rapp’s ‘Without You’ Photo by Russ Rowland

Anthony Rapp is speaking from personal experience as a struggling actor in New York City who worked at Starbucks to make ends meet as he embarked on auditions.  Rapp’s mother encouraged his singing more than his acting recalling Rapp’s childhood roles as Snoopy and Oliver.   With an innovative onstage band, Rapp tells an engaging and inspiring account recalling the invaluable friendships he made along the way including a beautiful event called the Peasant Feast.  Rapp sings Seasons of Love wistfully, talks of his affinity for La Vie Bohème, hopeful Another Day, and a sweet rendition of Without You as well as the endearing original Carry Me Home, and the darkly quirky Wild Bill.

Having lost my father recently, Without You genuinely captures the sting and elusive solace of grief while Rapp immerses himself in mimicking the voice and mannerisms of each significant character in his heartfelt story including his mother, Rent creator Jonathan Larson and music director Michael Greif.  Rapp’s warm, humorous, and spirited inflections were especially memorable in a stunning moment with Cy coaxing Rapp that the only way out is through.    

Anthony Rapp’s ‘Without You’ Photo by Russ Rowland

Directed conscientiously by Stephen Maler with insightful Music Direction by Daniel A. Weiss, ATG Colonial presents Anthony Rapp’s one man musical show Without You live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 14 and is also touring.  This production is 90 without an intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets and here for the production’s tour schedule.

REVIEW: New Ohio Theatre’s ICE Factory’s ‘Here I Fall Up’ and ‘How I Disappeared’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

A girl is starting to wonder if she is fall apart or is she just falling up?

Gianna Milici, Sophia Drapeau, and Lauren-Quigley in ‘Here I Fall Up’ Photo credit to Natalie Powers

Featuring chiming melodies, a girl is somehow tethered to her family’s seaside home in a way that makes her question her own sanity.  Surrounded by her sisters who narrate the story, Here I Fall Up is thoughtfully directed and composed by Beth Golison and directed creatively by Annabel Heacock and Maiya Pascouche and is just under an hour.  It was featured at New Ohio Theatre’s ICE Factory in NYC and was streaming through August 12.  Click here for more information.

The girl, portrayed sympathetically and realistically by Sophia Drapeau, ventures into dark places that keeps the audience guessing whether the girl is actually experiencing something outside this world or is it all happening inside the girl’s head?  Drapeau’s suffering throughout this production makes a real case for either and watching the girl attempt to cope with anxiety and a severe degree of agoraphobia is heartfelt, earnest, and a bit distressing to witness. The bluish and haunting shadows by Chris Voegels combined with the simple, multifunctional set by Jessie Baldinger are as imaginative as it is symbolic of a girl longing to make a connection outside the girl’s fears and vulnerabilities.

Rose Tablizo and Sophia Drapeau in ‘Here I Fall Up’ Photo credit to Natalie Powers

Here I Fall Up’s inviting, folksy, and intermittently catchy acapella harmonies from sisters and narrators Samantha Medina Chachra, Lauren Rose Quigley, and Gianna Millici combined with Rose Tablizo’s mysterious presence keeps the production a bit lighter while tackling some darker issues. 

Here I Fall Up is thoughtfully directed and composed by Beth Golison and directed creatively by Annabel Heacock and Maiya Pascouche and is just under an hour.  It was featured at New Ohio Theatre’s ICE Factory and was streaming through August 12.  Click here for more information.

Courtesy of CHUANG Stage

Does it matter where I put my roots down?

Identity should be not what one is, but who one is.  Not the labels, but the person.  That is not such an easy journey living in NYC.

Told from the perspective of six immigrant Asian individuals living in NYC, How I Disappeared is a bilingual production about grasping for acceptance in the world without assumptions or grief, but with understanding.  Directed by Tianding He and produced by CHUANG Stage, it is done creatively, though not always clearly in this abstract and Avant Garde production.

Courtesy of CHUANG Stage

How I Disappeared is just under an hour and was featured at New Ohio Theatre’s ICE Factory and was streaming through August 12.  Click here for more information.

From an individual covered in overwhelming and all encompassing remnants of NYC including a liberty hat, Broadway sign, wearing a mask and carrying a suitcase subway map to the desolate and metaphorical marine characters on the NYC subway, How I Disappeared emphasizes the intimidating, overwhelming, noisy, and isolating city atmosphere.

The glassy reflections particularly stand out in this part projection by Brian Shin-Hua Ellis and part animated puppetry by Wilden Weihn production.  From a Puffer fish to a whale wandering on a subway, each distinctive marine creature delivers a combination of bittersweet and relatable humor as the narrator describes each creature’s authentic capabilities and defenses.  Steeped in soothing blue aquatic lighting by Will DeJianne, it seems absurd witnessing them on the subway, and yet it becomes a snapshot of humanity as the show progresses.

Courtesy of CHUANG Stage

The production does have lighter moments of dancing including catchy and original live music by John Tsung and Siyi Chen as well as its fair share of silliness with underlying messages of perseverance in the face of fears, doubt, and judgment.  Staying true to oneself and anything is possible.

How I Disappeared is just under an hour and was featured at New Ohio Theatre’s ICE Factory and was streaming through August 12.  Click here for more information.

REVIEW: Led by powerhouse vocals, SpeakEasy Stage Company’s engaging ‘Songs for a New World’ a memorable musical experience

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

We are all hearing soon.  Soon we will be back together in the theatre for a wonderful live theatrical experience.  How it has been missed! 

However convenient it is sitting in front of a computer for a virtual show, there is nothing quite like the anticipation of live theatre in person with an audience in a shared experience.  SpeakEasy Stage Company’s remarkable concert musical benefit show, Songs for a New World, accomplishes quite a bit in its hour and a half runtime.  Through clever cinematography that still adheres to Covid guidelines, SpeakEasy Stage Company recreates the thrill of seeing actors together onstage and it is easy to see each cast member’s excitement through their own extraordinary performances.  We’re not quite there yet, but this is getting ever closer.

‘A New World’ featuring the entire company Video courtesy of SpeakEasy Stage Company

Directed by Paul Daigneault and musically-directed by Jose Delgado, SpeakEasy Stage Company continues their 30th anniversary season with John Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World streaming through June 8.  The show was filmed onstage at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and tickets.  Discount tickets are also available.  Click here for more information on SpeakEasy Stage Company’s recently announced 2021-22 season.

It is difficult to describe the anticipation of seeing SpeakEasy Stage Company’s concert musical benefit, Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World.   The last Jason Robert Brown musical I witnessed was a film adaptation of The Last Five Years.  It was a glorious, resonating tear jerker featuring reliable talents Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick. 

Songs for a New World explores a variety of characters that are faced with the ultimate, sometimes humorous and other times harrowing life-changing decisions and deciding what to do next.  With simple staging and an onstage band conducted by Jose Delgado, Songs for a New World has humor and heartache enhanced by some of Boston’s most recognizable vocal powerhouses.

Rashed Al Nuaimi sings ‘She Cries” Video courtesy of SpeakEasy Stage Company

From the inspiring, tremendous, and relatable opening number, A New World featuring powerful, upbeat harmonies between Dwayne P. Mitchell, Davron S Monroe, Mikayla Myers, Rebekah Rae Robles, Alexander Tan, Victor Carillo Tracey, Laura Marie Duncan and Rached Al Nuaimi, this production proves to be something to behold.  A New World/Time to Fly gives the audience a glimpse into the shared experience of what each character is feeling and the hope their decisions will turn out right.

Songs for a New World is full of powerful performances and each song is as strong as the last, but here are a few highlights.  One standout performance is a tender and stirring rendition of On the Deck of a Spanish Ship, 1492 as Monroe exclaims, “Have Mercy Lord” while the cast embarks on a harrowing, life-changing journey.  Dressed in a long fur coat, Laura Marie Duncan is wildly entertaining as a scorned woman in an extreme situation in Just One Step.  Duncan’s expressive personality and her sheer energy drive this amazing performance. 

‘I’d Give it All for You’ Jennifer Ellis and Dwayne P Mitchell Video courtesy of SpeakEasy Stage Company

Jennifer Ellis performs some vocal gymnastics as Mrs. Claus for Sweabaya Santa, reimagining Santa as an absent, judgmental husband whose love is as fleeting as his sleigh.  Dwayne P Mitchell literally rises from the ashes of his childhood in this boastful, self-assured rendition of The Steam Train.  Ellis and Mitchell have sweet chemistry in a beautiful duet about the complexity of love in I’d Give it All for You.

Rached Al Nuaimi demonstrates zany, emotional turmoil and building frustration in She Cries and Jennifer Ellis delivers a bold and anguished performance in The Flagmaster, 1776.

SpeakEasy Stage Company’s Songs for a New World also boasts an incredible finale not to be missed with Hear My Song.  Glad to add John Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World as another memorable musical experience. 

SpeakEasy Stage Company continues streaming Songs for a New World through June 8. Click here for more information, tickets, and how to support the SpeakEasy Stage Company.