beachside

REVIEW:   Gloucester Stage examines love’s good, bad, and funny side in Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Two pairs of British honeymooners embark on a luxurious beachside vacation without a care in the world…until their exes come into view.  Then panic sets in.

Directed with vintage finesse by Diego Arciniegas, Gloucester Stage presents the amusing and at times hilarious romantic comedy, Private Lives live and in person at Gloucester Stage in Massachusetts through June 25.  The show is presented in three acts and is approximately two hours with two intermissions.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Gunnar Manchester as Elyot and Katie Croyle as Amanda Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Seeing an ex can be excruciating, embarrassing, and depending on the circumstances in which it ended, a resentful experience.  Every individual is different, but unless one parts way in a resplendent and amicable manner resembling  a typical Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy where everyone is cheerfully and most times unrealistically understanding, seeing an ex can take the wind out the sails and become a harrowing and at best, brief and awkward experience.  During what should be the happiest time in these honeymooners’ lives, encountering a complicated ex can spell disaster.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Serenity S’rae as Sibyl Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Private Lives may be a bit outdated in some of its thinking, but the nature of love remains the same. It boasts Noel Coward’s snappy dialogue that resembles 1940 classic comedy His Girl Friday about ten years before that film existed.  Set in the 1930s, Private Lives features gorgeous classic love songs designed by Eric Hamel and possesses the charm of times gone by including marvelous vintage couture and outdoor wear by Nia Safarr Banks and landline telephones back when no one could identify who was on the other end of the line until it was picked up.  Refreshingly, not a cell phone in sight.  Another bright facet of Private Lives is Izmir Ickbal’s elegant scenic design that matches the show’s pristine sophistication from matching French-style furniture and grand piano to a pristine marble patio, balustrades, and lush greenery.

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Stephen Shore as Victor and Katie Croyle as Amanda Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Essentially though, it explores the good, the bad, and the ugly side of love.   The patterns of falling in and out of love while learning from what went wrong.  When it comes to love on a scale of when it’s good, it’s perfect, but when it becomes ugly, watch out. 

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Jennifer Bubriski as Louise Photo Credit to Jason Grow

Each character has an eloquent speaking style and sophistication in manner, tone, and behavior evident even in chatty, young, and impressionable Sibyl depicted with vigor and excitable humor by Serenity S’rae.  S’rae as Sibyl is not to be underestimated and her scenes with Gunnar Manchester as Elyot are full of idealistic expectations.  Manchester certainly has the charisma for it as brooding, mysterious and a gambler in every sense of the word Elyot.  While his motives are often in question, Elyot is a fascinating sort that never walks blindly into a situation.  Katie Croyle embodies headstrong Amanda with wit and cynicism, yet still idealistic about love and hoping she has outsmarted her past.  Stephen Shore, who shares a passing resemblance to Matt Damon, depicts chatty, protective, yet heart on his sleeve Victor while Jennifer Bubriski portrays Louise, a comedic bystander in this situation with perfectly timed, deadpan one-liners.   The cast have compelling chemistry as well as quick witted comedic timing.  Each character also demonstrates various outlooks on love, but will it serve them well?

Gloucester Stage’s ‘Private Lives’ Stephen Shore as Victor Serenity S’rae as Sibyl and Gunnar Manchester as Elyot Photo credit to Jason Grow

Energetic, tense, and with plenty of engaging physical and absurd humor, Private Lives is a smart, lighthearted, and hopeful romantic comedy about searching for love that is perfect in its imperfection. 

Gloucester Stage presents the amusing and at times hilarious romantic comedy, Private Lives live and in person at Gloucester Stage in Massachusetts through June 25.  The show is presented in three acts and is approximately two hours with two intermissions.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Gorgeously filmed, Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Philadelphia’s ethereal ‘Svadba’ a vivid and dreamy celebration of treasured moments before a wedding

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

As Atlantic Ocean waves lap along the shore, renowned vocalists Chabrelle D. Williams, Brianna J. Robinson, Maggie Finnegan, Vera Savage, and Hannah Ludwig provide an intense and inspired a cappella chorus for an idyllic beachside cottage as a bride, what appears to be the mother of the bride, and bridesmaids prepare for a beautiful wedding.  A wedding can stir up a myriad of powerful emotions from bitter sweet to pure joy as a couple starts a new life together and in a way, leaves the former one behind.  Filled with rich traditions, rituals, and cultural customs, the days leading up to a wedding can provide life’s most unforgettable moments.

JUST BEFORE HER WEDDING CEREMONY BEGINS, MILICA (VICTORIA L. AWKWARD) SHARES A GRATEFUL MOMENT WITH LENA (JACKIE DAVIS) IN “SVADBA.” Photo courtesy of Boston Lyric Opera

Gorgeously filmed, seamlessly conducted by Daniela Candillari, and insightfully directed by Shura Baryshnikov (the daughter of legendary dancer and choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov),  Boston Lyric Opera presents in collaboration with Opera Philadelphia Channel, Svadba by Ana Sokolovic streaming now on Operabox.tv.  The film is just under an hour.  Click here for streaming access and more information.

(L.-R.) VICTORIA L. AWKWARD AS MILICA AND JACKIE DAVIS AS LENA IN “SVADBA.” Photo courtesy Boston Lyric Opera

Svadba, which is Serbian for ‘wedding,’ contains all the anticipation and beauty of the days building up to the big day.   It is a pivotal time in a couple’s life, especially these times when family and friends gathering can be a hesitant and tricky venture.  The glow of the bride-to-be is resplendent in Victoria Awkward as Milica, the loving stares of love and pride shine in Jackie Davis’s eyes as Lena and the beautiful bridesmaids excitedly bonding create a dreamy and ethereal presence in this picturesque setting.

What also makes Svadba so alluring is the intimacy among the group.  From Victoria Awkward as bride Milica and Jackie Davis as Lena’s first encounter, it is easy to see the precious nature of a mother and daughter relationship, though the film does not specify the connection between them.  Davis treats Awkward delicately, taking her hand and getting her ready while presenting to her family and cultural customs and heirlooms leading up to this big day.  The sunlight peers into the cottage, illuminating the treasure trove of precious objects.  There is a quiet outpouring of love between the two of them as Davis prepares Awkward for the future.

BRIDESMAIDS ZORA (SARAH PACHECO, L.) AND DANICA (JAY BREEN) PICK ROSEHIPS IN “SVADBA.” Photo courtesy of Boston Lyric Opera
LENA (JACKIE DAVIS) STIRS THE BEGINNINGS OF A ROSEHIP JAM AS THE WOMEN LOOK ON IN “SVADBA.” Photo courtesy of Boston Lyric Opera

Costume designer Albulena’s Borovci’s dynamic costumes vary from traditional and intriguing to unconventional with fantasy and flair.  Sparkling, translucent, and understated gowns adorn bridesmaids Sasha Peterson as Maid of Honor Ljubica, Emily Jerant-Hendrickson, Sarah Pacheco as Zora, and Jay Breen as Danica.  The pale green and coral complements the serene beachside landscape while a bride’s vivid daydream unleashes brighter and bolder attire.

JAY BREEN (AS DANICA, L.) AND VICTORIA L. AWKWARD (AS MILICA, IN WHITE) DANCE AS OTHER BRIDESMAID’S LOOK ON IN “SVADBA.” Photo courtesy of Boston Lyric Opera

Much of this opera symbolizes togetherness, the progression of growing up and finding where a woman fits in the world from the bride’s whirlwind feelings to family and friends perspectives.  The choreography at times feels so intense that the dancers look like they are being taken over by the chorus’s powerful vocal harmony.  From spontaneous frolicking to wild and intense dance rituals set to heavenly, trilling, and rhythmic vocals that narrate, navigate, and reveal the complicated feelings when one weds, Svadba is a spirited snapshot to this tumultuous and extraordinary rite of passage and a beautiful celebration of the future.

MILICA (VICTORIA L. AWKWARD, CENTER) AND HER BRIDESMAIDS RETURN TO THE COTTAGE AFTER GATHERING DECORATIVE FLORA IN “SVADBA.” Photo courtesy of Boston Lyric Opera

Boston Lyric Opera presents in collaboration with Opera Philadelphia Channel, Svadba streaming now on Operabox.tv.  The film is just under an hour.  Click here for streaming access and more information.

REVIEW: Company Theatre’s ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ is one amazing ride

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The Company Theatre is reprising their original, award-winning production of ‘Paragon Park the Musical‘ to cap off their 40th season from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 18 with a VIP reception taking place on Saturday July 27.  Winner of the Moss Hart Award in 2012 for Best New England Production, ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ returns with a new cast including Michael Hammond as George A. Dodge and some returning cast members.

A portion of the proceeds from the tickets will be donated to the beloved Paragon Carousel.  Performances will take place at the Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive in Norwell, Massachusetts.  Tickets are selling fast.  Click here for more information and how to get tickets and here about the Paragon Park VIP reception.

Click here for a clip of the original production.  Here is what the Sleepless Critic had to say about this production when it first debuted onstage in Summer 2012…

As the dazzling chandelier is to the musical, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ or a certain symbolic revolving stage is to ‘Les Miserables,’ the original, historic carousel used in the Company Theatre’s exciting production of ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ exudes its own brand of theatre magic.  It serves as a pulsing centerpiece into creator George A. Dodge’s timeless imagination as well as the depth and delight of what made children and adults embrace that revolutionary park in Hull, Massachusetts for nearly 80 years and beyond.

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‘Paragon Park the Musical’ is an original production by Company Theatre co-founder Zoe Bradford and director Michael Hammond with lyrics and music by composer Adam Brooks.  Performances continue through Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 30 Accord Park Drive in Norwell, Massachusetts.  This highly-anticipated musical is enjoying a brilliant run, with nearly every show sold out weeks in advance.

What makes this particular production so popular is it depicts the history of a beloved beachside amusement park that closed in 1984 and actually existed in Hull, Massachusetts.  Historic Paragon Park encapsulates many happy memories to Massachusetts natives, especially those in the South Shore.

‘Paragon Park the Musical’ tells the story of warm, ambitious, and imaginative whaling mogul George A. Dodge, who was passionately inspired to entertain Massachusetts residents and beyond with a revolutionary beachside amusement park.  It also tells a story of forbidden romance and a glimpse into the lives of the real people who resided in that little seaside town in Hull.  The Company Theatre’s ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ not only shines a historical lens into a piece of the South Shore’s dynamic history, but the picturesque settings paint a crisp portrait with each scene.

'Paragon Park the Musical' 2012 production

Scott Wahle as George A. Dodge with cast in the 2012 production Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

The cast is very much an ensemble and delves into various social issues, family issues and immigration, giving insight into each character’s devotion to the park, showing what truly made the park endure for nearly 80 years.  Boston broadcast veteran Scott Wahle is charming and clever as George A. Dodge, portraying him with a twinkle in his eye.   He is full of charisma and authenticity throughout the show and is a delight to watch with children.

It is wonderful to see so many strong female characters such as strong willed Tilly, portrayed with vivacity by Joyce McPhee, discerning Amira, played by Maya Carter, sharp and spirited journalist Floretta Vining, depicted by Victoria Weinstein, and spunky and ambitious Mrs. Rose Stone, played by Juliana Dennis.  The practical Mrs. Rose Stone’s strong presence is a fine match for George A. Dodge’s relaxed humor.  Rinado, portrayed by Nick Cox, is a combination of rugged good looks and captivating naivety, while John King’s Ogden has a spectacular sneer.  Dave Daly is refreshing as lively and cheerful Honeyfitz, who showcases soaring vocals and can play a spirited rendition on a ukulele too!

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Each of Paragon Park’s original 18 numbers are polished and lyrically rich.  The musical’s exhilarating songs, One Last Ride and Paragon Park are delivered with spectacular energy and passion.   The humorous song, Over the Bridge sets a cheerful tone and depicts a few glorious aspects of being young through the wonder of the park.  Joyce McPhee’s Long Lost Love compliments her stunning vocal range and was a crowd favorite.  Massachusetts residents will delight in many well-known local references in the show, especially in the welcoming number, Nantasket for a Day. and A Proper Life.

The sets and costumes range from elegant and sophisticated to colorful and humorous.  The question, “Did I really wear that?” may also come to mind.  The sets are colorful, detailed, and the backdrops are simply stunning.

Through meticulously detailed costumes, ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ brings to life important eras of the park’s history with ease.  With 18 original numbers, a powerful 20-piece orchestra, and the enthusiasm of each cast member, the Company Theatre’s ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ is a beautiful creation, a love letter to its creator and the many people who hold dear memories of the park’s heyday.

Company Theatre reprises ‘Paragon Park the Musical’ from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 18.  Click here for more information and tickets or call the box office at 781-871-2787. Follow Company Theatre on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more on their upcoming events.