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REVIEW:  Behind the love of music in ‘Stereophonic’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

As it is with making anything significant, creating begs a steep price.  No pain.  No gain.

Inside this expansive 70s music recording studio, upcoming rock band Here takes a crash course in this hard earned lesson.

Sleekly directed by Daniel Aukin with Justin Craig’s intricate music direction and Will Butler’s dynamic original songs, David Adjmi’s Stereophonic took the stage live and in person for a limited run from Tuesday, March 10 through Sunday, March 15 at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts and is currently on a national tour.  The music-inspired production contains mature dialogue, performed in four acts and runs 3 hours and 10 minutes including an intermission.  Click here for more information on their Boston run here for details on their national tour.

Jack Barrett as ‘Grover’ in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Prior to attending Stereophonic, I was visiting Thinking Cup on Tremont Street in Boston and one of the employees happened to be streaming Fleetwood Mac’s acclaimed 1977 Rumours album. I asked about it and he revealed he was a big fan of their music and felt like playing it, not knowing that just across the street Stereophonic would be loosely paying tribute to not only Fleetwood Mac, but the many artists who indulged in the power and art of painstaking music creation during that era without an auto tune in sight.

It’s no secret that Fleetwood Mac has stood the test of time as one of the world’s greatest bands, but hearing Dreams in that popular café was the perfect opening act for this show.

However, you do not have to be Fleetwood Mac fan to enjoy this production.  I was also a fan of Amazon’s Prime’s Daisy and the Six which is also loosely based on the story of Fleetwood Mac. Built for any music lover, Stereophonic concentrates much more on the tricky and collective process of creating an album and could represent the story of any band.

Company of STEREOPHONIC. Credit Julieta Cervantes.

Stereophonic follows rock band Here entirely from an elaborate recording studio in Sausalito, California from 1976 to 1977.  David Zinn’s finely-tuned and functional glass-dual level recording studio set allows you to simultaneously see what is happening on both floors as plenty of drama takes place inside the recording booth as well as behind the scenes.  Adjmi’s energetic dialogue kicks off the opening scene already in progress taking place the day after a big rehearsal night in overlapping and at times frenzied-under-high-pressure tones.  With Jiyoun Chang’s urgent lighting measuring the progression of time, the audience is a fly on the wall and an omniscient presence privy to the secrets these musicians are keeping from one another as they contemplate their next song.   

Having worked inside radio stations for many years, Zinn’s set resonated with me.  The life of a radio talent and a musician share some similarities exemplified in a scene involving Jack Barrett as Grover and Steven Lee Johnson as Charlie who talk their way into a gig as a pair of rookie sound engineers.  It’s all about the music and living that rock and roll dream.

Radio stations and studios can be open 24 hours a day and a musician or a radio personality can be working exhausting hours anywhere within that 24 hour period into the wee hours of the morning. With fluffy pillows and blankets, a radio station or a recording studio couch is not just convenient for studio visitors, but a place to crash if you are recording overnight.

(From L) Jack Barrett as ‘Grover’ and Steven Lee Johnson as ‘Charlie’ in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Stereophonic hones in on the music process and what a meticulous undertaking it is, especially surrounded by musicians who can barely agree on what to do next, never mind tempo and rhythms.  They riff, debate, share outlandish ideas, philosophize, joke and reflect like family at their best and at their worst.

The production features quite a bit of nostalgia through a wealth of 70s pop culture references, especially from Fleetwood Mac and other famous 70s rock bands such as The Eagles or the Doobie Brothers. Enver Chakartash’s colorful costumes speak to the hippie/disco era in bell bottoms, suspenders, and button down shirts as well as vividly patterned and flowing dresses.

Claire DeJean, Emilie Kouatchou, and Denver Milord in STEREOPHONIC. Credit Julieta Cervantes.

 The cast exhibits strong vocals even as harmony and discord unleash onstage.  From song snippets to a full song run through, you can’t help but long to hear more music and how the entire album turns out.

Swinging a tambourine, Claire Dejean brings to life naïve and insecure yet creatively gifted Diana who shares both harmony and discord with Denver MiLord as frustrated perfectionist Peter.  They are a couple who perpetually challenge each other to a boiling point.  Dejean’s Diana bonds with Emilie Kouatchou as best friend and band mate Holly who also has her own relationship troubles.

Claire DeJean and Denver Milord in STEREOPHONIC. Credit Julieta Cervantes.

Though the production would be just as impactful in a briefer timeframe, Stereophonic delivers a mix of somber, tense and humorous moments with Christopher Mowod standing out through a mix of humor and seriousness as unfiltered British musician Reg.  Stephen Lee Johnson as Charlie and Jack Barrett as Grover share great chemistry and lend some lightheartedness to the show while Cornelius McMoyler brings an intensity to firm, level headed yet overwhelmed manager Simon.  McMoyler’s Simon wise and stoic exchange with MiLord’s Peter is one of the show’s most intense highlights.

The First National Tour Cast of Stereophonic. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Pursuing your passion often requires more than you bargained for and Stereophonic takes a deep dive into inevitable impact of long hours, partying, what smells like real smoking, and drug use.  It also depicts the resourcefulness, perfectionism, and the drama behind the scenes as a band spends every hour together pouring their lives into creating what they hope is an album masterpiece while their personal lives hang in the balance.

Such is the art of rock and roll.

Stereophonic is currently on a national tour.  Click here for further details and tickets.

REVIEW: Sparks fly as love takes center stage in Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s refreshing ‘Emma’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

“Love has its own agenda after all.”

This may not be a direct quote from Jane Austen, but Emma’s remark certainly encapsulates the essence of love and timing as Actors’ Shakespeare Project presents Kate Hamill’s delightfully interactive romantic comedy Emma based on Jane Austen’s classic novel live and in person at the elegant Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts through December 15.  Directed insightfully by Regine Vital, Emma runs approximately two hours and twenty-five minutes including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Alex Bowden and Josephine Moshiri Elwood in Actors’ Shakepeare Project’s ‘Emma’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Love is not just in the air in this inviting Emma, but this immersive experience includes the cast often addressing the audience and presents a sweet purpose for the noisemakers that are distributed to the audience with tea offered at intermission in case you are not already charmed by Austen’s style.

The sophisticated Multicultural Arts Center which includes a marvelous wrap around balcony, marble floors and finely-detailed staircase is an ideal location for the garden parties, tea and affluence taking place in the English countryside prevalent in this production and enhances Saskia Martinez’s lovely set design which includes multicolor sashes, mini models of mansions and sparkling brass chandeliers.   Whether it is in the vine climbing wrought-iron stadium seating or at the decorated tables on the floor, the show does not offer a bad seat in the house.  However, the more fortunate attendees are at the decorated tables on the floor immersed in the play front and center of the action.

Costume designer Nia Safarr Banks infuses colorful attire from the Regency era blending vintage and contemporary costumes ranging from watercolor to floral empire waist gowns with bows, Spencer jackets, corduroy coats, pearls, lace, crinoline and top hats as well as baseball caps and glittering denim.  Anna Drummond’s intriguing sound design also mixes classical with contemporary music featuring uplifting club songs between scenes and subtle instrumental versions of love songs from pop artists such as Taylor Swift and Cyndi Lauper.

Liza Giangrande and Josephine Moshiri Elwood in Actors Shakespeare Project’s ‘Emma’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Jane Austen’s Emma has been restaged, restyled and recalibrated many times over the years for television, theatre and film.  It became an age of Austen in the mid 90s after Sense and Sensibility hit the big screen in 1995 followed by Clueless, considered a modern retelling of Emma starring Alicia Silverstone, which hit the big screen in 1996 while a traditional Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow also premiered that same year.  More recently, a streaming adaptation of Emma premiered on Amazon Prime starring Anya Taylor-Joy to some critical acclaim in 2020.

Dev Luthra as Mr. Weston and Mara Sidmore as Mrs. Weston in Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s ‘Emma’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

In most adaptations, beautiful Emma leads a spoiled and privileged life and mostly gets whatever she wants, but she was also seemingly well meaning in her confidence that she knows what is best for everyone in her life.  In Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s Emma, having matched Mr. and Mrs. Weston by way of introduction, Josephine Moshiri Elwood as Emma is more self assured than ever that she knows what is best and intends to work her magic on her newest project Harriet, portrayed with wide eyed naiveté, excitability and awkward charm by Liza Giangrande, who she thinks has been misled in the ways of love and status.

Josephine Moshiri Elwood and Liza Giangrande in Actors Shakespeare Project’s ‘Emma’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Elwood’s Emma is pricklier, sharper, more outspoken, snobby, and dramatic, making no apologies as she exclaims “onward and upward.”  With a conspiratorial laugh, she is tempestuous and controlling and much more antihero than heroine.  This Emma needs to be better understood than needs to change which is a fun part to play and Elwood revels in it.  She boasts fiery chemistry with Alex Bowden as George who is also a man of means and seems a bit more reasonable, but they match each other in stubbornness.  Elwood also shares some fascinating scenes with Lorraine Victoria Kanyike who shines as refined and humble Jane as does Bowden who shares a comic rivalry with Fady Damian as enigmatic Frank Churchill. 

Josephine Moshiri Elwood and Mara Sidmore in Actors’ Shakepeare Project’s ‘Emma’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Most of this talented cast depicts dual roles and the entire cast display a great deal of compelling physical and self aware humor, especially between Elwood and Giangrande as well as Kanyike and Damian. Romantic, endearing, spicy and wonderfully entertaining, Hamill leaves room for more than one transformation in this production and it is refreshing to see how she infuses some contemporary ideas about society into each of these classic characters while still maintaining this classic tale of the Austen you know and love.

Matchmaking, mixed signals, love triangles and more than a few surprises take center stage as Actors’ Shakespeare Project presents Kate Hamill’s delightfully interactive romantic comedy Emma based on Jane Austen’s classic novel live and in person at the elegant Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts through December 15.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Available on Amazon Prime Video, Unlikely friendships and big dreams fuel indie dramedy METHOD

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The pandemic put life on pause for awhile and for some, it has an interesting way of putting life into perspective and mull over what really matters.  Perhaps it is to cherish time with family and friends or to realize that the future is now.  It might have prompted regrets and an eagerness to fix the future in any way possible. 

Rebecca Lachmansingh as Amy Photo by Andrew Quach/Method

College students Lydia and Amy are at a pivotal point in their lives.  Both are ambitious with big dreams, but approach their goals in different ways.  Amy decides to shake up her world while Lydia pursues her interests with her feet planted firmly on the ground.  Their peculiar and abrupt chance meeting and awkward dialogue takes a moment to latch onto as if these two distinct young women speak different languages.  Their observances and approaches to life are in such stark contrast, it is a wonder how they get along. 

METHOD, an indie dramedy directed and co-written by Darya Amirshahi with Matthew Choi, is available now on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services. The film is just under 90 minutes.  Click here for more information.

First time director Darya Amirshahi captures the essence of the pandemic with this small cast spending much of their time in solitude and hints at the restlessness of this time.  This quiet life has Amy crawling out of her skin while Lydia dares not to dream.

Jacqueline Yushkov as Lydia Photo by Andrew Quach

The title suggests multiple meanings in this film, but what first comes to mind is Amy’s dream to become an actress, a career she pursues impulsively and with some reckless abandon.  Serious and steadfast, Jacqueline Yushkov as hardworking Lydia does not seem to indulge in anything other than sensibility and gawks at Lydia’s impulsiveness.  Gradually, Lydia tempers Amy’s lofty goals. 

Sharon Juhasz amiably depicts Amy’s worried mother and voices her concerns, but Amy is resolute.  Rebecca Lachmansingh as controlling and occasionally harsh Amy makes some questionable decisions in the film, but Lachmansingh also brings naïve and idealism that garners some sympathy for her character.

Rebecca Lachmansingh as Amy Photo by Andrew Quach/Method

Two unlikely friends discover with a little faith, less reckless abandon, and a few hard lessons, there is hope.  The dialogue is farfetched at times and can benefit from having a bit more subtlety, but Yushkov and Lachmansingh work out its believability through their quirky chemistry and gradual understanding of each other.

METHOD, an indie dramedy directed and co-written by Darya Amirshahi with Matthew Choi, is available now on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services.  Click here for more information