BCA Plaza Theatre

REVIEW: An amusing battle of wits at Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

It can be a strange form of intellectual entertainment. 

The contestants range from excitable to anxious to charismatic while braving through the pressure to succeed.  With spell check just a click away, knowing how to spell complex words such as Xanthosis, Autochthonous, or Logorrhea almost seems like an archaic practice.  However, Scripps National Spelling Bees are seen all over the world and like any competition, plenty of drama is happening behind the scenes. 

Smoothly directed and choreographed by Margaret McFadden with John Eldridge’s witty music direction, The Hive Theatre Company dives into an interesting match of wits with the award-winning musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continuing live and in person through Sunday, February 1 at BCA Plaza Theatre at Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.  This semi-interactive production runs 1 hour and 45 minutes with one intermission and contains some adult humor.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

The cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Based on a book by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn and featuring playful and insightful songs from its Grammy award-nominated album such as I’m Not That Smart, Pandemonium, and I Speak Six Languages, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee explores the lives of quirky and feverishly ambitious Putnam Valley Middle School students who are not only striving to win the bee, but to find their place in the world.

Alex Kennedy and the cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Featuring a live four piece band in the background, the BCA Plaza Theatre offers a fitting scholastic vibe for a spelling bee.  Kevin Deane Parker’s modestly staged set features a blue school door, colorful metal chairs and auditorium seating.  No spelling bee should be without a sponsor and Putnam Optometrists have stepped in with a humorous slogan across the judge’s table.  Samantha Wolfrum’s wild and eccentrically charming costumes illustrate each character’s distinctive qualities.

Before addressing each one of the improvisational wizards that compete in Hive Theatre Company’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, it is important to note that the audience plays their own part in the bee.  This small cast makes a big impression, and this zany musical comedy tests the audience’s knowledge as four lucky guest volunteer spellers have the honor of taking the stage to compete with the cast.  It is an amazing experience to be a guest speller as the cast keeps them on their toes all in good fun. 

Amanda Wade and Cameron Nye in cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

If offered this opportunity, do not let fear and the unknown override a wonderful chance to join in the excitement of the bee along with the outside possibility of getting serenaded by some real talent.  The interactive antics are just part of what makes this improvisational musical comedy unique and doused in a bit of the “reality show” flavor.  Each performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee leaves its own individual and lasting impression.

From caricature voices to bizarre antics, this spelling bee cast leans into and emphasizes character quirks much more than endearing qualities than other version I have seen while relishing in their own various idiosyncrasies.  To these students, spelling can be ruthless and punishing and are certainly feeling the pressure.  Full of anxiety and neurotic awkwardness, each adolescent has their own humorous ways of coping to achieve a win paired with the difficulties of growing up.  Learning each speller’s story and why they are participating in the Putnam County Spelling Bee (and needs a win) can be insightful, comical, and moving.

Salvatore Guillermo Garcia, Amanda Wade and Maya Gopalswamy in The Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Running the Bee is Amanda Wade as Rona Lisa Peretti, former winner of Putnam’s Spelling Bee.  Peppy, orderly, and with polished vocals, Wade doles out fun facts about the contestants with palpable enthusiasm especially during the excitable number, Rona Moment #1.  She and Josh Telepman as Vice Principal Douglas Panch are responsible for quite a few clever one liners during the show, feeding off each other’s varied personalities. 

Anna Wright and Salvatore Guillermo Garcia in cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Salvatore Guillermo Garcia is impressive as intense, firm, but sensitive Mitch Mahoney who hands out cure-all juice boxes to eliminated contestants as he supervises the competition.

Maya Golalswamy and Kaden Mays in Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Outlandish and peculiar, the remarkable spellers play well off each other and boast particular chemistry and harmony during the numbers, Pandemonium, My Friend, the Dictionary, and Magic Foot which fittingly features a kick line.  Maya Gapalswamy as Olive and Kayden Mays as William display some awkwardly cute chemistry.  Gapalswamy as hesitant and sweet Olive Ostrovsky is also sympathetic in a stirring rendition of The I Love You Song with Amanda Wade and Salvatore Guillermo Garcia.  Anna Wright as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, an anxiously outspoken bright-eyed girl in braids with a lisp forlornly laments Whoa is Me and Alex Kennedy is memorable as Leaf Coneybear, an intense, wildly dressed savant in a cape and bow tie while Cameron Nye has more than spelling on his mind as shy and daydreaming Chip Tolentino.  Ashley Ha is ironically charismatic as socially awkward and rigid perfectionist Marcy Park especially for the athletic number, I Speak Six Languages.

Kaden Mays (center) and the cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

In a tricky environment where so much rides on improvisation, the cast navigates their characters while gliding through any challenging circumstances.  The show inserts a few interesting pop references and contemporary issues into this timeless musical comedy.  Some elevate the comedy while others seem out of place.  Overall, The Hive Theatre Company’s musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a clever and original musical production that may just leave the audience feeling a little smarter.

The cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

The Hive Theatre Company continues musical comedy, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continuing live and in person through Sunday, February 1 at BCA Plaza Theatre at Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Superstition, Marilyn Monroe, dancing and an inevitable bond in Theater Uncorked’s unconventional musical ‘Blood Brothers’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

For Mrs. Johnstone, life went awry  as soon as the dancing stopped.

With ominous direction by Audrey Seraphin, sharply choreographed by Audrey Johnson with Gina Naggar’s musical direction, Theater Uncorked presents the Willy Russell musical, Blood Brothers live and in person through Sunday, November 23 at the BCA Plaza Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.  This poignant production is two hours and 50 minutes including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Sehnaz Dirik Lauren Casey and Kate Funderburk and cast in ‘Blood Brothers’ Photo by Gary NG

Two households sit side by side.  One adorned in floral stained glass and expensive trim while the other door stands weathered and chipped with a dated floral arrangement hung from the door by Leonard Chasse.  However, these two households will connect through an inescapable bond that neither household can possibly shake.

Sehnaz Dirik in Theater Uncorked’s ‘Blood Brothers’ Photo by Gary NG

Twins separated at birth is a story that has been told before, but this particular tale is introduced as the stuff of legend.  Taking place in Liverpool, England from the 50s through the 80s,  Blood Brothers is a musical about two households separated by social class.  Sehnaz Dirik portrays fanciful and pregnant Mrs. Johnstone whose husband leaves her and their children.  Now, a single mother trying to make ends meet, Mrs. Johnstone works for the wealthy Lyons family as their house keeper while Mrs. Lyons struggles to have children.  When Janet Pohli as petty and unhappy Mrs. Lyons finds out Mrs. Johnstone is expecting twins, a manipulative plan slowly starts to take shape.

Blood Brothers doesn’t seem to fit squarely as a musical and would work just as well as a play.  The show’s unconventional elements deliver a folk pop flair and the story is shared like a cautionary tale as characters sing at odd moments.  Blood Brothers is a well cast production that depicts individuals of all ages with Janet Pohli as a particular standout in a commanding performance behind a meek smile as Mrs. Lyons, a woman who is not to be underestimated.

Janet Pohli and Zach Fuller in Theatre Uncorked ‘Blood Brothers’ Photo by Gary NG

James Honaker interestingly portrays her preoccupied workaholic husband Mr. Lyons who always seems half here and halfway back to work.  It’s fascinating to watch them circle one another, interested in everything around them but each other.

Chris Edwards seamlessly steps into a number of roles which include some nefarious characters that haunt the production, but his main role is that of the mysterious narrator.  Edwards pops up and lurks out of the shadows, especially when the production is about to take a dark turn.  Edwards steps into each of these roles with ease infusing foreboding vocals and haunting reprises.

Dirik also aptly depicts tormented Mrs. Johnstone who is forced to make an impossible choice for the sake of her family and performs the lion’s share of the vocals aside from Edwards.  Dirik expresses vulnerability and melancholy in her resonating vibrato without the malice she has exhibited in previous roles.   

As for these legendary twins, Michael Mazzone as mischievous Mickey and Zack Fuller as shy and straight laced Eddie connect as carefree kids in a tale that spans decades.  Seeming opposites, but share an instant connection like a missing link in impressionable Eddie’s life.  The wide eyed gall in Mickey and his charming family seem to fill a void for this lonely and studious child.  

Bold and fun loving, Lauren Casey shines as lovestruck Linda for Mickey.  Casey’s gleaming smile and gentle  demeanor with a bit of a tough streak is charismatic and charming.  She also shows a great rapport with the rest of the cast and they run around the neighborhood on adventures.

Zach Fuller Michael Mazzone and Lauren Casey in Theater Uncorked’s ‘Blood Brothers’ Photo by Gary NG

Blood Brothers covers a great deal of topics including social class inequality, recession, family, and heartbreak while tackling the sins that could come back to haunt you.  The show spans decades and it at times seems long, but has its share of bright and moving moments of two families tied together by fate.

Michael Mazzone and cast in Theater Uncorked ‘Blood Brothers’ Photo credit Gary NG

Theater Uncorked presents the Willy Russell musical, Blood Brothers live and in person through Sunday, November 23 at the BCA Plaza Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  The secret is in the sting in Theater Uncorked’s ‘As Bees in Honey Drown’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The future looks bright for Evan Wyler.  Fame couldn’t be this easy…could it? 

Theater Uncorked’s unconventional satire As Bees in Honey Drown examines art, materialism, sensationalism and celebrity as debut writer Evan Wyler, depicted with wide eyed credulity by Michael Mazzone, dives into an alluring deal that promises fame and fortune, but the price of this ticket could be more than he bargained for.

Effectively directed by David Miller, Theater Uncorked presented Douglas Carter Beane’s As Bees in Honey Drown for one weekend only at BCA Plaza Box Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 18.  This darkly satirical production contained adult themes and ran approximately 2 hours with an intermission.  Click here for more information and what is next in store for Theater Uncorked.

Sehnaz Dirik and Michael Mazzone in Theater Uncorked’s ‘As Bees in Honey Drown’ Photos credit: Gary NG

Douglas Carter Beane creates a hard and fast world full of movers and shakers from Wyler’s perspective as he is suddenly thrust into the fame game and uncomfortably participates in an awkward magazine photo shoot with a disdainful London photographer, played to perfection by Benedict Dawn-Cross, alongside Isabel Ginsberg as his humorously apathetic assistant, Amber.  However, this preamble is just making room for Sehnaz Dirik as fast talking and polished celebrity agent Alexa Vere de Vere who is about to up the ante on Wyler’s celebrity status.

The cast of Theater Uncorked’s ‘As Bees in Honey Drown’ Photos credit: Gary NG

Director David Miller and Leonard Chasse’s rolling set design alludes to the art of observation as cameras and studio lights accompany a raised platform with a crowd backdrop.  Some of the furnishings evoke an Andy Warhol and 90s flair which include white sculpted chairs and colorful furnishings.  However, what is most prominent is the eye catching orange and white beehive images on the wall.  Tim Rose’s awesome sound design combines fitting hits of the 70s and 80s while occasionally alluding to the hum and buzz of the bees. 

Michael Mazzone and Sehnaz Dirik in Theater Uncorked’s ‘As Bees in Honey Drown’ Photos credit: Gary NG

As Honey in Bees Drown is not just a metaphor and is referenced forebodingly a number of times during this production.  It lures Wyler in with talk of grandeur and achievement, but be aware of the sting.  Dirik’s notable delivery somewhat resembles the comic genius of Absolutely Fabulous as Alexa Vere de Vere, a grandiose PR enigma with a glamorous British accent in sparkling black speaking as if money is no object.  Impressionable and hungry for success, Wyler shares some unforeseen moments with Alexa who navigates from hardnosed agent to slick charmer to vulnerable victim in quick succession. Recalling comical quips, quotes and candid monologues about her personal history, Dirik offers quite the layered performance in a wide array of stylish costumes by Anna Silva from furs and pearls to sleek business suits.  Manipulative, clever, and often shooting from the hip, Dirik’s Alexa’s rapid fire musings can spin a tale without restraint and it is no accident that Alexa occasionally refers to Wyler as ‘lamb.’  Mazzone also makes no bones about being molded while Dirik takes the reins.  

Bradley Belanger and Sehnaz Dirik in Theater Uncorked’s ‘As Bees in Honey Drown’ Photos credit: Gary NG

With the exception of Mazzone and Dirik, the cast portrays a number of enhanced stereotypes that offer some comic relief.   Isabela Ginsberg infuses likability and humor into an array of sarcastic, self important and airy characters inconvenienced by the work that they are doing.  Lauren Elias juggles a self absorbed actress, partygoer and socialite breezily.

Bradley Belanger is in his element portraying your best friend and your worst enemy.  What makes Belanger’s delivery so intriguing is a shared crazed expression that works for both characters with separate motivations.

Bradley Belanger and Michael Mazzone in Theatre Uncorked’s ‘As Bees in Honey Drown’ Photos credit: Gary NG

As Bees in Honey Drown presents an interesting concept and an engaging comedy, but the real kicker lies in its sting.  As soon as you think this show is heading in one direction, the production turns the narration on its head.  Part character study and part morality play, As Bees in Honey Drown is an actor’s showcase for Dirik luring everyone into her world and begs the question of what constitutes real success and authentic art.  Is it creating for the sake of creating or does everything go for the highest bidder? 

Theater Uncorked presented Douglas Carter Beane’s As Bees in Honey Drown for one weekend only at BCA Plaza Box Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 18.  Click here for more information and what is next in store for Theater Uncorked.

REVIEW: Theater Uncorked’s ‘The Lion in Winter’ a resonating roar in deceit and dysfunction

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

Here lies the marrow when royalty, family, power and possibly love collide in The Lion in Winter, a historical drama that may itself be fictional, but a number of conflicts in the production within this real life monarchy are based on historic events.  This famous quote from Scottish poet Sir Walter Scott may be cautionary in nature and The Lion in Winter seems like a cautionary tale in some familial aspects, but these wildly tangled webs are far beyond fixing and are need of a reckoning.

With scrupulous direction by Allison Olivia Choat, Theater Uncorked presents James Goldman’s rarely performed drama The Lion in Winter live and in person at Boston Center for the Arts at the BCA Plaza Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, December 15.  The production contains adult themes and is approximately two hours with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Sehnaz Dirik center Thain Emrys Bertin James Honaker and Finian Ross in Theater Uncorked’s ‘The Lion in Winter’ Photo Credit: Gary Ng

The Lion In Winter has been adapted into an Academy Award-winning 1968 film starring Peter O’Toole as King Henry II and Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine.  Though both actors were nominated for Academy Awards, Katherine Hepburn won for Best Actress.  The Lion in Winter was also later adapted into a lesser known TV movie in 2003 starring Sir Patrick Stewart as King Henry II and Glenn Close as Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Set designer Leonard Chasse delivers medieval festive hauling out the holly for Christmas adorning gold and red velvet tables, a regal coat of arms on the wall and a pair of keenly lit crosses while candlelight by lighting director Erik Fox not only casts ambient light, but adds a foreboding quality to much of the production.

Finian Ross and Sehnaz Dirik in Theater Uncorked’s ‘The Lion in Winter’ Photo credit: Gary Ng

Theatre Uncorked does dysfunction well.  They certainly made a case for the Eliot Norton award-winning Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf last year diving into extreme marital dysfunction and this year, a royal battle as three sons vie to become the next King of England as Christmas approaches in 1183.  Anthony Mullin as Henry II has high hopes for one son, but Sehnaz Dirik as recently imprisoned Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine has other plans.  It shares some similarities with Shakespeare’s King Lear and the play is even mentioned during the production.  However, nothing is as it seems and the crown and succession feels like a smaller detail in the grand scheme of this family’s maladies.

Like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Lion in Winter visits some of the darkest places of the human condition, and not only reflects the frustration in a toxic marriage but explores neglect, betrayal, grief, mortality, oppression, war and an unscrupulous hunger for power.  It also has its share of satirical humor in its veiled slights, quips, and deadpan style of manipulation.  Each member of the family is playing a long game to achieve each of their desired objectives and as soon as you think you have a grasp of what is happening, the tables turn.

Anthony Mullin and Sehnaz Dirik in Theater Uncorked’s ‘The Lion in Winter’ Photo Credit: Gary Ng

The Lion in Winter boasts two powerful leads in Anthony Mullin as charismatic and egotistical King Henry II and Sehnaz Dirik as Queen Eleanor.  Complicated does not begin to describe their relationship and like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, King Henry II and Queen Eleanor’s relationship have many layers in their decades long marriage and one cannot think of how dangerous it can be to know someone all too well.  Mullin’s clever and shrewd King Henry to Dirik’s witty and scheming Eleanor put on more than a game face fueled by their passion and stubbornness vying for the upper hand in everything.  Dirik is a natural at Eleanor’s underlying vulnerability behind her machinations with only the audience the wiser.

Micah Livesay and Matthew Zahnzinger in Theater Uncorked’s ‘The Lion in Winter’ Photo credit: Gary Ng

Micah Livesay is sympathetic as loyal and susceptible Alais as she struggles in her twisted role while Matthew Zahnzinger as Alais’s egotistical brother Phillip stealthily bides his time on his next move as King of France.

The sons seem like pawns and wish I had a deeper understanding of who they are.  All longing for love more than anything else and acting out about it in distinctive and destructive ways.   Finian Ross as impressionable John, James Honaker as calculating Geoffrey and Thain Emrys Bertin as complex yet valiant Richard all work best while conspiring with each other. 

Matthew Zahnzinger James Honaker and Finian Ross in Theater Uncorked’s ‘The Lion in Winter’ Photo credit: Gary Ng

The Lion in Winter is a bit lengthy contemplating the game more than it builds tension, though it is intriguing to see how each move plays out.  Whatever this family has next up their sleeve, it is certainly far from a Norman Rockwell Christmas.

Theater Uncorked presents James Goldman’s rarely performed drama The Lion in Winter live and in person at Boston Center for the Arts at the BCA Plaza Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, December 15.  The production is approximately two hours with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.