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REVIEW: Vivo Performing Arts presents ‘What Makes it Great?’ with Rob Kapilow highlights the brilliance of Broadway’s Lerner and Loewe

Posted on January 25 by The Sleepless Critic

What elements contribute to a great song?

On a grand piano alongside a trio of talented singers at center stage, NPR’s popular composer, conductor, and master music analyst Rob Kapilow continues his 27^th year captivating audiences with his vast musical knowledge, sense of humor, and careful analysis of what makes the best songs tick. Every note, lyric, and rhythm is meticulously constructed to bring out the excitement and enrich the scope of the piece and Rob Kapilow shows you just how they do it. Though music styles and genres inevitably change, Rob Kapilow may make you see your favorite songs in a whole new light.

Rob Kapilow as Vivo Performing Arts presents ‘What Makes It Great’ Credit Robert Torres

Vivo Performing Arts, formally Celebrity Series of Boston, presented What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow live and in person at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts for one night only Saturday, January 17 at 8PM. This semi-interactive performance ran 90 minutes and included a short question and answer session. Click here for more information on the performance and here for a closer look at Vivo Performing Arts’ upcoming events. Click here to learn about all of Rob Kapilow’s works including his next stop in his What Makes it Great series.

Whether you are music virtuosos or a casual music listener, Kapilow consistently offers something new that in some way will change the way you hear music for the better. Though often speaking to a large audience, Rob Kapilow is so personal, relaxed and friendly during his talks, it often feels like a one-on-one session on a baby grand piano. He is so popular with the Vivo Performing Arts crowd, he offers at least two appearances a season tackling everything from swing to dance to classical to Broadway music revealing each song’s inherent brilliance.

Rob Kapilow, Emily Albrink and Ben Jones in Vivo Performing Arts Presents ‘What Makes it Great’ Credit Robert Torres

Featuring a few of American lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and Austrian composer Frederick Loewe’s classic Broadway songs from Camelot, My Fair Lady and Brigadoon, Kapilow uses a mix of sophistication, humor and an easy to follow delivery to explore each song’s appeal and emotional undertones through its carefully selected musical notes.

Delving into the Golden Age of Broadway as well as Lerner and Loewe’s dynamic history, Kapilow chose a selection of lighthearted and dreamy songs as well as pivotal numbers from musicals that leads to a character’s imminent transformation. With humor and grace, Kapilow also reveals what each song might have sounded like without its individuality and as he peels back each layer, What Makes It Great? becomes an eye-opening experience.

Calling on a couple of Broadway love songs, Kapilow was accompanied by soprano Emily Albrink and stirring singer, actor, and musician Ben Jones. Jones and Albrink share gorgeous harmony and lighthearted chemistry for duets Brigadoon’s Almost Like Being in Love and playful Heather on the Hill.

Rob Kapilow, Ben Jones, and Emily Albrink as Vivo Performing Arts

Touching upon Rex Harrison’s complex casting in My Fair Lady, Kapilow ties in music and lyrics which waltz together teetering on so many emotions for I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face in which Jones articulates in an animated and humorous rendition.

Rob Kapilow, Emily Albrink and Hayden Lockhart as Vivio Performing Arts presents ‘What Makes it Great’ Credit Robert Torres

In an elegant flowing dress, Albrink brimmed with excitement evident is her full and rich vibrato as she delivered an exuberant rendition of My Fair Lady’s I Could Have Danced All Night. In a jacket, tie, and bathed in rose lighting, Jones croons, mastering the complex and emotional weight of Camelot’s stirring ballad If Ever I Should Leave You, before concluding with a bold finish.

Rob Kapilow, Emily Albrink, and Ben Jones as Vivo Performing Arts presents ‘What Makes it Great’ Credit Robert Torres

From classic songs and American Standards such as It’s Almost like Being in Love from Brigadoon to the high-spirited I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady to a humorous and not to be missed I Remember it Well from Gigi, Rob shows how compulsive American lyricist Lerner of the famed retail stores and poverty-raised and frugal Austrian composer Loewe poured themselves and their imaginations into their music to create some real Broadway magic.

Vivo Performing Arts, formally Celebrity Series of Boston, presented What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow live and in person at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts for one night only Saturday, January 17 at 8PM. Click here for more information on the performance and here for a closer look at Vivo Performing Arts’ upcoming events. Click here to learn about all of Rob Kapilow’s works including his next stop in his What Makes it Great series.

REVIEW: Apollinaire Theatre Company’s ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ counts its blessings

Posted on January 5, 2025 by The Sleepless Critic

As famous author Kurt Vonnegut once remarked, ‘Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.’

Bringing to light life’s simple pleasures, Every Brilliant Thing emphasizes that no matter what, there is always something to be grateful for, even when it seems impossible to find.

Amusing, heartfelt, poignant and immersive, Every Brilliant Thing is an interactive piece of experimental theater storytelling that hinges on involvement and its success depends on the combination of a charismatic and efficient storyteller and a game audience.

Cristhian Mancinas-García and Parker Jennings in Apollinaire Theatre Company’s ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ Photo credit to Danielle Fauteux Jacques

Directed insightfully by Danielle Fauteux Jacques and an excellent choice for the New Year, Apollinaire Theatre Company continues Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing or Cada Cosa Maravillosa live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts through January 19. Alternately starring Parker Jennings and Cristhian Mancinas-García, this refreshing and informative production is presented in both English and Spanish and runs approximately 70 minutes long with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Set in 1988 and beyond, the small but mighty little things in life are easier to find through the eyes of this seven year old storyteller, even when facing traumatic times. The prospect of dressing up as a Mexican wrestler, roller coasters, and wearing a cape are just a few of the brilliant things that make life worth living. Why would anyone want to throw it all away?

Cristhian Mancinas-García in Apollinaire Theatre Company’s ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ Photo credit to Danielle Fauteux Jacques

Transforming this Chelsea theater space into a cozy, multi-level room with vintage flair, scenic and sound designer Joseph Lark-Riley invites the audience to feel right at home featuring scattered living room chairs, flowers, plush couches, a dining room, and rugs spread out on the floor. Danielle Fouteux Jacques as lighting designer adds vintage flair with a variety of eclectic lamps and Lark-Riley’s upbeat selection of American Standards from the swing era and beyond. Music and exacting sound effects also play a significant and symbolic role in this production which leaves lots of room for originality and imagination with makeshift props and much more.

It takes a special ability to solely make an audience comfortable while bringing them into your confidence. Cristhian Mancinas-García rises to the occasion with unassuming sincerity and playfulness that adds levity to the production’s somber moments. Sharing his journey with earnestness and ingenuity, he warmly brings this zany and game audience cheerfully into elements of the production.

Every Brilliant Thing is ideal for people who wish to play along and participate in minor ways, but if you are performance shy, maybe sit in the back. It has some flexibility and a way of bringing the audience uniquely together while leaving you at the edge of your seat for what is next.

Fast paced and improvisational, Every Brilliant Thing infuses a life affirming journey into a shared experience while spontaneously drawing connections into its articulate and occasionally arbitrary script. Mancinas-García tackles a challenging piece and it is amazing how well he draws each connection into the story as each little joy is revealed in its amusing and ardent beauty that one can only long to reflect on them a bit longer.

Parker Jennings and Cristhian Mancinas-García in Apollinaire Theatre Company’s ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ Photo credit to Danielle Fauteux Jacques

For some, the New Year can bring great hope and immense reflection. Every Brilliant Thing has a way of delivering both in love, loss, grief, and trauma with moments of humor and joy. It is short enough that it never wears thin and long enough to tell a complete, meaningful and relevant tale that will be sure to carry weight for many and a solid reminder of the joy in the smallest of things and a restored appreciation of everything.

Apollinaire Theatre Company continues Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing or Cada Cosa Maravillosa live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts through January 19. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Love takes a spectacular turn in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s picturesque ‘An American in Paris’

Posted on August 15, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Beneath the elegant puddle iron rivets of Paris’s Eiffel Tower on the River Seine, lies a romantic tale among an array of artists at the end of World War II where tension still resides as recalled by narrator and composer Adam in a multi-layered performance by Jared Troilo. An American in Paris is an eloquent and classic tale, but its true emotional core in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s adaptation lies in Gershwin’s rich lyrics and Rachel Bertone’s sweeping choreography.

With book and lyrics by legendary composers George and Ira Gershwin with Rachel Bertone’s multi-faceted direction and choreography, Reagle Music Theatre saved the best for last in its 55^th summer season with An American in Paris continuing through Sunday, August 18 live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts. This gorgeous production is approximately two hours 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Adam Hochberg (Jared Troilo) and Lise (Samantha Barnes) and Ensemble in Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘An American in Paris’ Photo Credit Robert Pascucci

By the end of An American in Paris’s opening musical montage as people reunite with their loved ones while war tension is still in the air during the stirring number Concerto in F, Bertone’s powerful choreography has unexpectedly brought me to tears. Ranging from delicate to lively to showy to humorous, each superb dance montage expands into a stunning progression of the production while connecting a timeless statement about our world. Dancers utilize brightly-colored parasols, hats and scarves while Bertone’s choreography flows effortlessly and lightheartedly with each scene.

A love story as well as a ballet within a musical, An American in Paris is a treasure trove of some of Gershwin’s classic tunes including They Can’t Take That Away from Me, But Not for Me, I Got Rhythm, S’Wonderful and Shall We Dance. In the past, I have been disappointed in the context of how some classic numbers actually apply to a particular musical, but each one of these classic tunes are lively, joyous, stirring and absolutely memorable. Without giving much away, a particular highlight is watching the cast make some makeshift music during I Got Rhythm. It’s simple and yet absolutely extraordinary.

Cameron McEachern’s watercolor-inspired sets are portraits in motion highlighted by a scene where detailed gold frames become props and also get swept up in a dance. Franklin Meissner’s soft yet vibrant multi-colored lighting not only enhances each beautiful skyline but depicts silhouettes, illuminates street lights, and keep the sparkling Seine visibly flowing in the background. Floral enhancements, Parisian furniture and an integral piano are elegantly swept on and off stage in the fanciful style of the Golden Age of Musicals. From flowing dresses to glittering gowns to various looks that come right out of the film of the same name, Emerald City Theatricals once again enlivens each landscape with personality and zeal.

Pictured Henri Baurel (Christopher Lewis) and Ensemble in Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘An American in Paris’ Photo credit Robert Pascucci

It was a brand new experience watching Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s An American in Paris having not seen a stage production or the astronomically lauded, 1951 Academy Award-winning film featuring dance dynamos Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. However, anyone who knows of Gene Kelly or Leslie Caron’s work is aware that those are big shoes to fill. Without hesitation though, Jack Mullen as former GI turned artist Jerry Mulligan and Samantha Barnes as promising dancer Lise Dassin are a wonderful pair and fill those shoes with grace, brilliant charm and proficiency.

Pictured Lise Dassin (Samantha Barnes) and Jerry Mulligan (Jack Mullen) in Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘An American in Paris’ Photo credit Robert Pascucci

Jack Mullen as Jerry possesses a bit of Tom Holland charm, glowing charisma and an easy going demeanor which eases the pressures and aspirations that Barnes as Lise often feels to become as skilled a dancer as her lauded ballet dancer mother. They have endearing and playful chemistry right from Mullen’s teasing number I’ve Got Beginner’s Luck. Mullen rises to the challenge of the sheer stamina of this role, highlighted by a mischievous jazz-inspired number called Fidgety Feet in an enchanting and rollicking chair dance.

Jared Troilo, a fabulous dancer in his own right, takes on the part of narrator and composer Adam who has a disability and is often observing and composing the beauty in other people’s lives. It is a meaty role and Troilo’s humble and self-effacing delivery is never more moving than in the sympathetic number, But Not For Me.

Pictured l to r Milo Davenport (Rebekah Rae Robles) and Jerry Mulligan (Jack Mullen) in Reagle Music Theatre’s ‘An American in Paris’ Credit Robert Pascucci

With an amazing belt and unshakable self confidence, Rebekah Rae Robles shines as Milo Davenport, a woman ahead of her time especially for the potent number Shall We Dance. Carolyn Saxon as Madame Baurel and Jean-Alfred Chavier once again make a sweet pair reuniting as Henri’s parents in this production having portrayed a pair of love interests in Reagle’s All Shook Up. It took a minute to recognize him, but Christopher Lewis as secretive, anxious yet sophisticated Frenchman Henri also starred in Reagle’s All Shook Up as the Elvis figure Chad. Lewis again proves his wonderful comic timing and soaring vocals sharing some boisterous camaraderie with Troilo and Mullen for S Wonderful as a trio of inseparable friends, performs a grand and splashy version of (I’ll Build a) Stairway to Paradise, and a lovely rendition of The Man I Love with Barnes.

Pictured_ l to r- Jerry Mulligan (Jack Mullen), Adam Hochberg (Jared Troilo), and Henri Baurel (Christopher Lewis) in Reagle Music Theatre ‘An American in Paris’ Photo credit Robert Pascucci

Boasting an amazingly talented cast, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s An American in Paris is elegant, meaningful, and an absolute delight! Get swept up in this beautiful musical as soon as you can.

With book and lyrics by legendary composers George and Ira Gershwin and Rachel Bertone’s multi-faceted direction and choreography, Reagle Music Theatre saved the best for last in its 55^th summer season with An American in Paris continuing through Sunday, August 18 live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts. This gorgeous production is approximately two hours 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston looks at love and sacrifice in a breezy ‘South Pacific’

Posted on June 22, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Long ago and far away on the islands of the South Pacific, the turbulence of World War II leaves the South Pacific in peril. The challenges that face this particular group of people may be the only thing that turns the tide.

Directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone and adapted from James A. Michener’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel, Tales of the South Pacific, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston kicked off its 55^th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Golden Age musical classic, South Pacific live and in person at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts through Sunday, June 23. This family-friendly production is approximately two hours and 30 min with a 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Penelope Rhoads and Lola Rhoads in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s ‘South Pacific’ Photo by Bob Pascucci

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific focuses on love, sacrifice, and survival during a turning point in World War II, but also features many lighthearted and humorous moments under Rachel Bertone’s direction and mix of delicate and energetic choreography from the endearing Dites-Moi featuring graceful Penelope Rhoads as Nguana and Lola Rhoads as Jerome to the high-spirited There is Nothing Like a Dame to the carefree comedy of Honey Bun featuring charismatic, wisecracking but well-meaning Luther depicted impressively by Brendan McGrady with a smirk and thick New York accent. With strong and engaging vocals navigated by Music Director David Coleman, South Pacific boasts a long list of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s revered American Standard classic tunes.

Janie E. Howland’s breezy, tropical, and wicker-infused set includes painted tropical flowers, towering palm trees, and signs of significant locations as well as a surprising special effect with a helicopter. Blended with Frank Meissner Jr’s radiant lighting, South Pacific illuminates compelling landscapes from dawn to daybreak as well as a gleaming aqua coastline. Emerald City Theatrical’s terrifically retro costumes range from vintage cheerfully colored casual wear to authentic looking uniforms.

Jennifer Ellis and Christopher Chew in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s ‘South Pacific’ Photo by Bob Pascucci

Jennifer Ellis blends effervescence and effortless charm as Nellie Forbush, a GI nurse from Arkansas who quickly falls for Christopher Chew as Emile de Becque, an older, worldly and mysterious Frenchman who resides on an island plantation. Both are incredibly curious about the other and consider each other way out of their league. Chew and Ellis share romantic tension-fueled chemistry, making it sweet to witness their awkward conversions. There is warmth between these two and Chew’s marvelous vocals deliver a beautiful rendition of Some Enchanted Evening after Ellis shares her lighthearted nature in an enchanting rendition of Cockeyed Optimist.

Emile and Nellie seem to have a mature love that is often tested as the production progresses. This show is less about love triangles, but more about love at first sight and the challenges that each one of them face as war hangs in the balance.

Lisa Yuen in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s ‘South Pacific’ Photo by Bob Pascucci

Another captivating yet fiery presence is Lisa Yuen as determined, practical and shrewd businesswoman Bloody Mary. Yuen’s candid, direct and persistent demeanor as a Tonkinese woman attempting to find success is excellent, especially as she outsmarts some GIs she encounters for a deal. She has a wonderful rapport and chumminess with the GIs, especially during the number Bloody Mary through Bertone’s lively choreography. Yuen shares a funny first encounter with Blake DuBois as cool, collected and enigmatic Lieutenant Joseph Cable who delivers a memorable rendition of Younger than Springtime. Yuen’s Bloody Mary just might be the most earnest and levelheaded individual in the production, her haunting vocals on full display in Bali Ha’i and heartfelt alongside Calico Valasco as Liat in Happy Talk.

Lisa Yuen and Calico Valasco in Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s ‘South Pacific’ Photo by Bob Pascucci

Some aspects of South Pacific still seem dated and a little cloying and with much respect to Rodgers and Hammerstein, South Pacific is not as emotionally charged as their other works and often found myself questioning the motivation of some of these characters. For example, Ellis as Nellie seems impulsive and indecisive just as quickly as she seems so certain. Perhaps it was just a different time. Otherwise, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s South Pacific is a memorable, family-friendly day at the theatre with a strong and timeless inherent message.

Jennifer Ellis as Nellie and the cast of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s ‘South Pacific’ Photo by Bob Pascucci

REVIEW: Hosted by Jordan Rich, renowned Broadcast Hall of Fame recipient, author, veteran, and Boston radio legend Ron Della Chiesa celebrated his 85th birthday with a marvelous bash

Posted on March 1, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Ron Della Chiesa still spends his life doing the very thing that he loves best. When he is not sharing his extensive music knowledge on the air on Strictly Sinatra and Music America Sundays on Easy 99.1 FM or announcing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra or for Tanglewood under a warm summer sun, one of his biggest loves is opera. A frequent visitor to the MET, Ron’s father was an opera singer and Ron could passionately talk about opera from Giacomo Puccini to Marcello Giordani, two opera dynamos who are also the names of Ron and his wife Joyce’s beloved cats. Ron knows so much about opera that during the night of his 85^th birthday, he shared a little known fact about a famous opera singer and how the Phantom of the Opera musical really got its roots.

Raffaels in Hingham, MA Photo by Louise Lori Patricia

To the swinging sounds of Rico Barr and his Jump and Jive Band and hosted by Jordan Rich, Ron Della Chiesa’s 85^th birthday took place to a full house at Raffaels in Hingham, Massachusetts on Friday, February 17, the night before his real birthday.

Host Jordan Rich and Ron Della Chiesa Photo by Louise Lori Patricia

It seemed not so long ago that Ron was turning 70 and didn’t feel a bit like it. Still happily working in Broadcasting at 85, he still makes guest appearances to talk about Broadcast history, his popular book with bestselling author Erica Ferencik called Radio My Way and will be quick to tell anyone what still makes him fond of radio after all these years. Always good natured and positive, the theme of his birthday bash was ‘The Best is Yet to Come,’ not only named after a Sinatra song but the personal slogan of his amazing life.

Surprise appearance by Cha-Chi Loprete Photo by Jeanne Denizard

Tenor Matthew D i Battista sang the National Anthem to open this special evening. With guests invited to dress in red, people took to the dance floor to swing to an extensive list of American Standards performed by Rico’s band. The elegant evening even included a couple of songs Ron sang from Sinatra’s classic tunes.

Tenor Matthew DiBattista sings the National Anthem From L to R Ron Della Chisa Matthew DiBattista and Jordan-Rich Photo credit to Louise Lori Patricia

Music Director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons, renowned Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, and popular jazz musicians Bo and Bill Winiker were among the special guests that sent their birthday wishes via phone. Popular DJ and close friend Cha-Chi Loprete surprised Ron with his presence. Born in Quincy, MA, Quincy Mayor Koch proclaimed February 18 as Ron Della Chiesa Day among many of Ron’s generous gifts. The evening also included birthday cake, cocktails, table seating, and countless guests reminiscing with Ron about his blessed life. Ron called it a magical evening he won’t soon forget!

Birthday slideshow produced by Christopher Desprez

Visit Strictly Sinatra and Music-America’s Facebook fan page for more photos of this celebrated evening. Ron’s Della Chiesa’s Strictly Sinatra and Music America offer occasional dance parties at Raffaels in Hingham, Massachusetts. The next event will be Ron Della Chiesa Strictly Sinatra Tribute Dance on November 3. Email musicnotnoise@aol.com, visit musicnotnoise.com or call Executive Producer Paul Schlosberg at 617-633-5100. To learn more about Ron, click here and listen to him on Easy 99.1 FM on Sunday night on Music America and Strictly Sinatra. Be sure to check out his memoir Radio My Way by Ron Della Chiesa and Erica Ferencik.

REVIEW: Celebrity Series of Boston presents ‘What Makes it Great?’ with Rob Kapilow and the brilliance of Broadway’s Lerner and Loewe

Posted on January 26, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

What elements contribute to a great song?

At just beyond his 25^th year, NPR’s popular composer, conductor, and music commentator, Rob Kapilow continues to captivate audiences with his vast musical knowledge, sense of humor, and careful analysis of what makes the best songs tick. Though music styles and genres inevitably change, these classic tunes may make you see your favorite songs in a whole new light.

From the GBH’s Fraser Performance Studio in Boston, Massachusetts and directed by Bob Comisky, Celebrity Series of Boston presents What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow streaming through January 27. Featuring an array of classic Broadway songs by American lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and Austrian composer Frederick Loewe, Kapilow delves into each song’s appeal and emotional undertones through its carefully selected musical notes.

NPR’s Rob Kapilow and his piano Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston

Part teacher, humorist, and historian, Kapilow proves once again just how fascinating a song can be through a mix of sophistication and an easy to follow delivery. Click here for more information and how to get access to this virtual production and follow along by downloading the show’s program. The virtual performance includes a short question and answer session. Click here for more on NPR’s What Makes it Great?

Though often speaking to a large audience, Rob Kapilow possesses such a personal, relaxed and friendly quality during his talks, it often feels like a one-on-one session on a baby grand piano. He is so popular with the Celebrity Series crowd that he usually makes a couple of Celebrity Series of Boston appearances per season tackling everything from swing to dance to classical to Broadway music revealing each song’s inherent brilliance.

Calling on a couple of Broadway love songs, Kapilow was accompanied by soprano Emily Albrink and stirring singer, actor, and musician Ben Jones. In a flowing floral dress, Albrink brims with excitement evident is her soaring vocals as she delivers a charming rendition of My Fair Lady’s I Could Have Danced All Night. In a black jacket and tie, Jones masters the complex and emotional weight of Camelot’s If Ever I Should Leave You with a bold finish. Together, Jones and Albrink depict the playful and lighthearted chemistry for Brigadoon’s Almost Like Being in Love and Heather on the Hill where at one point, Jones takes Albrink’s hand.

From classic songs and American Standards such as It’s Almost like Being in Love from Brigadoon to the high-spirited I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady to a humorous and not to be missed I Remember it Well from Gigi, Rob shows how compulsive American lyricist Lerner of the famed retail stores and poverty-raised and frugal Austrian composer Loewe poured themselves and their imagination into their music to create some real Broadway magic.

What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow streams through January 27. Click here for more information and how to access the show. Click here to see what is next during Celebrity Series of Boston’s digital and in person season.

REVIEW: Celebrity Series of Boston presented John Pizzarelli Trio and Veronica Swift for Nat King Cole tribute and more on Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 22, 2020 by The Sleepless Critic

Since Jazz and love doesn’t follow a set of rules, they came together for Valentine’s Day.

Love lit up Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Valentine’s Day as Celebrity Series of Boston presented ‘For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole’ on Friday, February 14 at 8 p.m. Whether longing for love, falling in love, or losing in love, Veronica Swift and the John Pizzarelli Trio brought a jazz-infused twist to classic love songs and American Standards from Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Cole Porter, and especially Nat King Cole for one night only.

Veronica Swift and pianist Julius Rodriguez Photo credit: Robert Torres

John Pizzarelli Trio with John Pizzarelli, bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah Thompson Photo credit: Robert Torres

Veronica Swift and John Pizzarelli are currently on tour. Click here for Swift’s upcoming shows and here for John’s future tour dates. Click here for more on Celebrity Series of Boston and their upcoming events.

Festive purple curtains embellished Sanders Theatre’s beautiful, softly-lit stage. Dressed in an effervescent pink jumpsuit that changed shades in different lighting, jazz vocalist Veronica Swift kicked off the evening with a drum-infused rendition of Cole Porter’s breezy classic, Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love). Each musician had an opportunity to show off their stellar talent which included pianist Julius Rodriguez, bassist Phillip Norris, and drummer Aaron Kimmel.

Swift offered a casual, low key presence as she shared childhood stories of growing up touring with her jazz singer mother, Stephanie Nakasian and her father, bebop pianist Hod O’Brien. Swift’s versatile set had its share of joyous and stirring moments which included a poignant version of Ella Fitzgerald’s Everytime We Say Goodbye dedicated to her father as her voice swelled in quiet emotion. She skimmed the scales in an electrifying version of Billie Holiday’s Come Rain or Come Shine and an anguished Prisoner of Love.

Veronica Swift and pianist Julius Rodriguez Photo credit: Robert Torres

At just 25 years old, she is a spirited and contemplative performer. Jazz aficionados would appreciate her natural ability for scatting showcased in a fast paced, ebullient rendition of Billie Holiday’s I Can’t Believe that You’re in Love with Me. Though I am not a big jazz fan, it is easy to appreciate the liberties jazz takes to transform these classics into a refreshing, eclectic new sound.

With a great deal of humor, a relaxed atmosphere, and in a sharp gray suit, avid storyteller John Pizzarelli delved into the history of Nat King’s Cole music while sharing some of his own history along the way. He revitalized a few of Nat King Cole’s hits and shared a few anecdotes in tribute to Nat King Cole’s centennial. American Jazz singer-songwriter and musician Nat King Cole was one of the most successful artists on Capital Records’ roster and his music has inspired generations.

Pizzarelli is currently on tour for John Pizzarelli Trio’s most recent album For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole. The title seems a subtle play on Nat King Cole’s I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons) which Pizzarelli performs tenderly later in the show. Aside from Pizzarelli who can no less shred on guitar, Pizzarelli was joined by spectacular musicians Isaiah Thompson on piano and Mike Karn on bass. The John Pizzarelli Trio’s collective sound had the rhythm of a moving train. Each piece came alive as the instruments seem to “chat” with each other especially during Hit That Jive, Jack and a lively rendition of Honeysuckle Rose.

Celebrity Series of Boston presented the John Pizzarelli Trio and Veronica Swift at Sanders Theatre.

Bassist Mike Karn, John Pizzarelli, and pianist Isaiah Thompson Photo credit: Robert Torres

The trio explored Lorraine as Pizzarelli shared a legendary story about how the song turned Nat King Cole from a pianist into a singer, though it is a rumored tale. Nat King Cole was part of the Nat King Cole Trio and it was nice to see Pizzarelli reflecting that with his own John Pizzarelli Trio, each member getting their own chance to shine.

Pizzarelli’s delivered an uplifting set which included a few love songs. His guitar hummed during a cheerful rendition of Nat King Cole’s Make Believe as lightning fast pianist Isaiah Thompson commanded the keys. Pizzarelli showed off his side winding guitar style in his own song titled Nat King Cool and his scatting skills during Nat King Cole’s Frim Fram Sauce. The evening’s lighthearted vibe continued with the humorous Save the Bones for Henry Jones, the vibrant I Would Do Anything for You, and one of Nat King Cole’s most popular singles, Straight Up and Fly Right.

John Pizzarelli, bassist Mike Karn, and pianist Isaish Thompson Photo credit: Robert Torres

Swift returned to the stage for a few Gershwin classics that included a wistful Someone to Watch Over Me. She and Pizzarelli delivered a wonderful rendition of They Can’t Take That Away from Me, I Got Rhythm, and their lauded encore Route 66.

As a big Nat King Cole fan, I would have liked to have heard Nat King Cole’s Stardust and his mega-hit Unforgettable, but it simply didn’t fit into an evening consisting of mostly the brighter side of love and its boundless possibilities.

Celebrity Series of Boston is just getting 2020 started with a number of performing arts musicians that includes Bobby McFerrin, Milos, the Jason Palmer Quartet, Lyon Opera Ballet, and the return of Alvin Ailey. Click here for the full list of upcoming events.

REVIEW: Poignant yet hopeful, Renee Zellweger’s star rises as ‘Judy’

Posted on October 10, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

Renee Zellweger has some experience as the underdog. Before she portrayed Bridget Jones, the iconic character from the beloved Helen Fielding book, Bridget Jones’s Diary, readers didn’t think she was the right fit for the film. Renee isn’t British and she’s more glamorous than people imagined Bridget to be in the books. Kate Winslet, Minnie Driver, and Rachel Weisz were among the British actresses considered for the role.

However, Renee Zellweger embodied Bridget Jones and although she ultimately won an Oscar for Ruby in the indie film Cold Mountain, Bridget became her most recognized role and she continues her role as Bridget in two film sequels.

I hadn’t established an opinion over whether she could portray Bridget Jones, having not read the books until after seeing the film. However, I was among the doubters she could pull off Judy Garland in Judy, now playing in theatres. Click here for more information and show times.

After seeing Judy Davis portray Judy Garland in the 2001 television mini-series, Life of Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows in which Judy Davis handily won an Emmy, it was difficult to imagine anyone else doing Judy that much justice. However, Renee takes on Judy with surprising depth as a fading superstar who needs the prowess to gain back her former success.

Directed by Rupert Goold, Judy is a snapshot into the latter part of Judy Garland’s life. She’s a woman hitting rock bottom as her dwindling finances make it difficult to support her children with an ex-husband weary of her less than stable lifestyle. She is also an incomparable talent reaching for her former glory, despite the demons that have haunted her since childhood.

Judy Garland is also a bit of an underdog. Legendary MGM studio producer Louis B. Mayer told Judy that there are prettier girls, thinner girls, and more glamorous girls, but Judy’s distinctive vocals set her apart from everyone else.

Renee is not unrecognizable as Judy as certain inflections still hint of Renee. It is not a Judy Garland impression, though the makeup artists do a wonderful job of pouring Renee into Judy’s distinctive look. Renee delivers a powerful, multi-faceted performance, singing every song in the film without lip syncing, especially in a lighter performance of Come Rain or Come Shine. Her vocals may not be as extraordinary as Judy Garland’s, but she does capture her voice is a different way. Renee depicts her prideful desperation with cynical humor, charm, and the loneliness Judy must have felt during this tumultuous time.

The film can be a little slow at times, but Renee is the reason for seeing this film. Judy also has its poignant, tragic moments, but it is a loving tribute to a woman and her eternal search for happiness, despite the odds.

Kristin Chenoweth, making her Celebrity Series of Boston debut on April 30, talks favorite roles, latest album, and more

Posted on April 28, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

From a church choir soloist to an Emmy and Tony award-winning actress and singer, Kristin Chenoweth has been dazzling audiences on film, television, and on stage with her dynamic range and powerful vocals for over 20 years. Currently promoting her sixth album, The Art of Elegance, she will be making her Celebrity Series of Boston debut for ‘An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth’ at Symphony Hall on Sunday, April 30 at 7 p.m. The evening will include a selection of her most popular songs, pop, American standards, and Broadway tunes. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Kristin Chenoweth talks about some of her favorite and most challenging roles, the inspiration behind her Grammy-nominated album, and a few surprises she has encountered along the way. Click here for more on her upcoming projects.

Celebrity Series 1739-Kristin-Chenoweth-Credit-Bryan-Kasm

The Art of Elegance with Kristin Chenoweth Photo courtesy of Bryan Kasm

Sleepless Critic: You’re an actress, singer, Broadway performer, and voiceover artist. You sang in church at an early age. Was singing your first love?

Kristin Chenoweth: My first love was ballet. I wanted to be a ballerina, but I didn’t have the flexibility in my feet. I was so glad I had that training at a young age because I began to hear classical music and then I wanted to take piano. I think I was about eight years old when I had my first solo in church and that’s kind of when things shifted for me.

SC: You will be exploring a number of genres during your upcoming concert. Pop, songbook classics, Broadway, a bit of everything you’re known for. What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

KC: I love all kinds of music and I shift in and out and change a lot. Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Linda Ronstadt. I get on these kicks and I’ll just listen to something over and over and it shifts all the time. There are so many artists I admire, but that’s what I am doing right now.

SC: Have you ever had a role that you had certain expectations of and you ended up totally surprised by on Broadway or otherwise?

KC: Absolutely, I think playing the female lead in Promises, Promises. I knew it would be a challenge for me to play her, but it was really surprising how much I fell in love with her and came to really understand her. There’s a big part of me who really knew who this person was. It might not have been what fans wanted necessarily, but it is important as an artist to not always do what is expected. The part scared me and that is how I knew I needed to do it.

SC: You won a Tony as Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. What has been your favorite role so far?

KC: On Broadway, it is definitely Lily Garland in On the 20^th Century. It was a role that required a lot of my own skill set and it is an operetta with tons of movement and high brow comedy. I probably never worked harder, but it was extremely gratifying.

SC: You have such a great vocal range. Was there a note that you discovered you could hit that took you by surprise?

KC: I remember being in a voice lesson while at Oklahoma City University. My teacher was vocalizing with me. I didn’t study voice growing up. I just sang in choir and was in drama in high school. That was my training, so I never had a voice lesson. When I went to OCU, she vocalized with me up to a high F sharp above high C. I knew that was high, but I couldn’t believe it.

For many years, I sang arias that required a high F and I noticed it’s maybe not there like it used to be. I would say I am living in more of the D or E flat area, but that was a crazy high note.

SC: When a song is particularly challenging, how do you overcome it?

KC: It’s so funny, we were just talking about one of the songs from Promises, Promises the other day with Michael Orland, my music director on this tour. The song is called, Knowing When to Leave by Hal David and Burt Bacharach. I just told him that it hammered away at my voice eight times a week because it is very repetitive in an area of my voice that is what we call passaggio. That song scared me.

Finally in rehearsals, I thought less about being note perfect and more about the character. I find that when you let go, you really think about what you are singing and mean what you are singing. It hasn’t always gone that way and I don’t always make the right decisions, but that is when you let go, you can get there. That song was a big challenge for me and to this day, I think it’s hard, but I worked on it, wrote it down, lived it, and warmed up to it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll pull it out again.

SC: The Art of Elegance is your latest album. What was the inspiration behind it and why did you choose American songbook classics this time around?

KC: Basically, I made a list of a bunch of songs and it kept pointing to this era. I love the lyrics. I love the melody of its time and they are some of the greatest songs ever written by composers such as Gershwin and Cole Porter. I didn’t know The Very Thought of You very well. I think I heard it a couple of times and then I really started to investigate the song. That happened a lot on this album and now, of course, I just feel like I want to do a part two.

Click here for more information and for tickets to Celebrity Series of Boston presents ‘An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth’ at Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave. in Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, April 30 at 7 p.m. Celebrity Series of Boston just announced their 2017-18 season. Subscriptions, gift cards, group, and student discounts available. Click here for more on their upcoming season.

Celebrity Series of Boston thrives on support from the community. Click here for a variety of ways to support Celebrity Series of Boston.

Celebrity Series of Boston’s 78th season boasts big shows and return of Stave Sessions concert series

Posted on February 3, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

Having kicked off another sensational season with the return of Pianos in Boston, Celebrity Series of Boston’s 78^th season has been offering a broad spectrum of captivating performances in their 41 show lineup including the debut of the Vertigo Dance Company, the Berliner Philharmoniker led by conductor Sam Rattle, as well as Argentine cello star, Sol Gabetta with French pianist Bertrand Chamayou. Celebrity Series of Boston is taking audiences through the winter and spring with mesmerizing performances by Yo-Yo Ma, The Art of Elegance with Kristin Chenoweth, KODO’s 35^th anniversary, and the return of the concert series, Stave Sessions. Click here for more information and the full calendar.

Presented on the Berklee College of Music campus and sponsored by Susan and Michael Sonis, Margaret Eagle, and Eli Rapoport, Celebrity Series of Boston offers five consecutive nights of dynamic, live music in jazz, classical, indie, Moroccan, and contemporary flavors. Each night has its own unique feel and takes place from Tuesday, March 21 through Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 p.m.

Stave Sessions with YMusic on Tuesday, March 21 Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston

Stave Sessions – Melissa Aldana on Wednesday, March 22 Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston

Stave Sessions – Tigue on Thursday, March 23 Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston

Stave Sessions – InnovaGwana also on Wednesday, March 23 Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston

Stave Sessions – Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society on Thursday, March 24

Stave Sessions – Blonde Redhead featuring Acme on Saturday, March 25 Photo courtesy of Julien Bourgeois

On Tuesday, March 21, the music festival kicks off with YMusic, a group that combines pop and classical styles followed by award-winning tenor sax player Melissa Aldana on Wednesday, March 22. Electrifying, 18-piece big band orchestra Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society takes the stage by storm on Thursday, March 23 and Tigue and Innov Gnawa combine Moroccan gnawa music with a contemporary percussion trio on Friday, March 24. The final night features indie music group, Blond Redhead featuring Acme on Saturday, March 25. A festival pass gains access to all five shows.

Click here for the full list of performances and for tickets. Subscriptions and gift cards are also available. Celebrity Series of Boston thrives on support from the community. Click here for a variety of ways to support Celebrity Series of Boston.