Club Cafe

REVIEW: Retail therapy takes on new meaning in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s lighthearted comedy ‘Buyer and Cellar’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

“Well, hello gorgeous.”

What does an unemployed and rather desperate actor and a wealthy multi-talented celebrity have in common?

They share a kit kat bar and a dream.

Exploring the psyche of the have and have nots, Jonathan Tolins’s fictional one man comedy, Buyer and Cellar brings to light the weighty and wild world of excess on the journey of discovering what is truly important.

Victor L. Shopov in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Buyer and Cellar’ Photo credit Lauren Elias

With lighthearted direction by Daniel Bourque, Hub Theatre Company of Boston continues Buyer and Cellar live and in person at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 1.  The action is not limited to the stage and runs approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.  Pay-what-you-can tickets are available.  The production occasionally contains adult and unfiltered language.  Purchase a drink during this show and Club Café offers a full menu.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Victor L, Shopov in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Buyer and Cellar’ Photo by Lauren Elias

Buyer and Cellar is a fictional tale, but is based on real life aspects of Barbara Streisand’s life drawn from Streisand’s book, My Passion for Design which sits on a lighted pedestal.  Streisand’s book offers insight into her legacy and the story behind building her dream home.  While the show revolves around Barbara Streisand, you do not necessarily need to be a fan to appreciate this production.

From Funny Girl to Yentl, sound designer Gage Baker weaves inflections of Streisand’s most memorable film theme songs into the playful and whimsical sound design.  Under a sparkling disco ball, Club Café always offers a little extra in its vibrant space and Justin Lahue takes full advantage of that space through the tiered set and surrounding projections scattered throughout Club Café’s back room.  A variety of projections include some of Streisand’s most coveted and iconic ensembles, store fronts, book racks and a peek into the architecture from the book. Two vintage wardrobe stands ostentatiously adorned and topped off with a pink feather boa situated side by side for colorful ambiance and a sophisticated chair and ottoman is a wink to Barbara’s style.

Victor L. Shopov in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Buyer and Cellar’ Photo by Lauren Elias

One of the most fascinating aspects and the center of this production is that Barbara Streisand built a shopping mall in the cellar of her Malibu mansion in the late 2000s.

Yes, really.  It’s mindboggling to think Streisand has that many possessions and all the more intriguing are the eccentric stories behind them.  With a wealth of pop culture references and self aware humor, Victor L. Shopov amicably portrays down-on-his-luck California actor Alex More who has had just about enough working for Disneyland and is looking for his big break. Central Casting arranges a bizarre new opportunity in which Alex is tapped by gravelly throated estate manager Sharon to become the shopping mall’s very first employee.  Confusion, havoc, mystery and even monotony ensue on the job before Alex is face-to-face with Streisand herself.  

Shopov is a candid and engaging storyteller infusing animated and eccentric voices emphasizing various mannerisms and avoiding impressions.  He perfects a mix of imaginative and real life voices with flair including a humorous and exacting take on Barbara delicately sampling a morsel of food with her incomparably long nails. Navigating between awestruck, sarcastic, earnest and dubious, Shopov’s Alex takes this amusing and outrageous journey through Streisand’s wonderland through panic and in stride.  However, nothing beats Shopov’s hilarious talent for narrating and delivering commentary on one particular film that won’t be revealed here.

Victor L. Shopov and Barbara in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Buyer and Cellar’ Photo by Lauren Elias

Buyer and Cellar is a funny tale about another side of a legend.  One may long to be rich.  However, not everything is what is seems, even for someone who seems to have it all.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston continues Buyer and Cellar live and in person at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 1.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Behind the scenes take center stage in Hub Theatre Company’s satire ‘The Understudy’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The understudy has a gripe…and he has a point.

Sharply yet familiarly written by hit show Smash creator Theresa Rebeck and resourcefully directed by Paula Plum, Hub Theatre Company of Boston continues The Understudy live and in person through Saturday, August 2 at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts.  The action is not limited to the stage and contains adult language.  All tickets are on a pay-what-you can basis and the show runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Kevin Paquette in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘The Understudy’ Photo by Kai Chao

Angelica Houston portrayed Eileen Rand, a savvy Broadway producer jilted and betrayed by Jerry.  Katherine McPhee as Karen and Megan Hilty as Ivy are competing actresses for the role of Marilyn Monroe in Bombshell, a new Broadway musical where the real drama took place behind the scenes.  This is the plot of Smash, a musical TV drama that lasted two seasons, but developed a cult following.

Like Smash, some elements of The Understudy are not meant to be taken seriously.   Though some of the core plot points between Smash and The Understudy bears some resemblance, it expands its satirical focus into films, theatre and what makes real art through a newly discovered Broadway work by renowned absurdist writer Kafka.  It also contains insightful commentary about creating quality work with meaning and creating less than quality work for profit while infusing inside humor about the nature of theatre.  What do audiences actually want? 

Kevin Paquette and Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘The Understudy’ Photo by Kai Chao

Symbolically wearing a Bad Brains punk t-shirt and flannel by costume designer Kara McGuinness, some of the play’s funniest and strongest moments come from Kevin Paquette as Harry who is a fed up and a bit of an embittered savant theatre actor performing exacting accents who just happens to be holding out for real art while Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia as Jake is a determined movie star reluctant to do theatre.  Both actors are charismatic and humorously egotistical as they realize their roles.  Paquette as Harry engages the audience with real gusto commenting on the state of art thinking outside the box while Lauren Elias as harried stage manager Roxanne and the picture of practicality, tries to keep the production rehearsal on track.  Paquette, Mancias-Garcia and Elias share rapid fire banter, physical comedy and a few surprises as the show unfolds.

Lauren Elias and Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘The Understudy’ Photo by Kai Chao

It also acts as a love letter to the stage managers of the world and does it well.  The play may be called The Understudy, but rocking a legendary Kiss T-shirt, clever, skeptical and sympathetic Elias as Roxanne rises to the challenge attempting to avoid impending theatre disasters while keep it together personally and professionally.  No small feat as Emily Bearce’s haunting lighting and Justin Lahue’s impressively gothic projections seem to possess a mind of their own.  When these elements work with Gage Baker’s rich sound design, it is all quite the spectacle.

Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia, Kevin Paquette and Lauren Elias in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘The Understudy’ Photo by Kai Chao

A day at the theatre with The Understudy unveils drama, secrets, romance, and takes its time with a twist ending you may not see coming.   A production may come together onstage, but the absurdity of how it gets there is the real story.  Thank a stage manager and an understudy today.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston continues The Understudy live and in person through Saturday, August 2 at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts.  The action is not limited to the stage and contains adult language.  All tickets are on a pay-what-you can basis and runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s wildly revealing ’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Life in the White House has always been messy.

Resourcefully directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins, Hub Theatre Company of Boston continues politically satirical play, 46 Plays for America’s First Ladies live and in person at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 3.  This semi-interactive production is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission and tickets are on a pay-what-you can basis.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Lauren Elias, Sophia Mulharram, Yasmeen Duncan and Katie Pickett in ’36 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ Photo credit Andrew Keefe

It is quite a feat having to navigate each distinctive perspective of ’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ in a constrained and approximate 90 minute timeframe with no intermission, so this production hits the ground running.  It serves more as a crash course for each first lady starting from Martha Washington literally framed elegantly with a classic side view as buntings hang above and the American flag is occasionally projected behind her.   E. Rosser’s symbolic, patriotic and muted colonial style garments stay true to each setting with some occasional surprises along the way. 

Sophia Mulharram, Lauren Elias, Yasmeen Duncan and Katie Pickett in ’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ Photo credit Andrew Keefe

With a cast of five which includes Yasmeen Duncan, Lauren Elias, Eleni Kontzamanys, Sophia Mulharram, and Katie Pickett portraying multiple roles with time saving costume changes and Samantha Mastrati’s essential props efficiently hidden in various places on the stage ranging from historical to contemporary to absurd, these hard working and talented individuals still manage to make it look easy. 

From absurdity to solemnity to comedy to tragedy including a few music numbers, each play is creative and vastly different with modern nuances and exposing the herstory and women’s societal hierarchy as time marches on.  Some of the production makes assumptions and analyses the perspectives of these ladies as modern observers.  Much of it is surprising and at the same time sadly not given the tumultuous state of politics throughout history.

Lauren Elias, Sophia Mulharram, Yasmeen Duncan, and Katie Pickett in ’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ Photo credit Andrew Keefe

’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ offers a wealth of information in its limited timeframe backed up by direct quotes from these ladies stylistically displayed as each play progresses.  A vast array of scenarios took place in the White House (which was first deemed The White House by a First Lady) and the title ‘First Lady’ has its own interesting back story with some stories questioning who the first lady really was at the time.

The cast of ’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ Photo credit Andrew Keefe

The elicit affairs, the worries, the losses, unspeakable tragedies, disasters, emotional turmoil, the hospitality, the gossip, mudslinging and slander all had its place in the lives of the Presidents and their first ladies.  Some did not know that their husband ran for President, some felt invisible while some reveled in their station as ambitious First Ladies and advised their husbands without getting credit, and some stuck to their domestic duties including one first lady who invented the pink bathroom. Some changed America forever for the better, one even deemed herself the Queen of America and that just the tip of the iceberg.

Yasmeen Duncan, Sophia Mulharram, Lauren Elias and Katie Pickett in ’46 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ Photo credit Andrew Keefe

It is not easy to delve into politics, especially these days. This fast paced production’s bold views are at times one sided and leading while exploring serious hot button issues in innovative and variety show style ways from vaudeville to comedic sketches to puppets to a play within a play and much more. While I enjoyed some parts more than others, the style of each play changes with each president and first lady with some revelations about these first ladies that just might unite us all.

Resourcefully directed by Ilyse Robbins, Hub Theatre Company of Boston continues politically satirical play, 46 Plays for America’s First Ladies live and in person at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 3.  This semi-interactive production is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission and tickets are pay-what-you can.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Sisterhood is the new black in Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s vivacious ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Call this cast a girl squad and a sisterhood.

With potent direction by Paula Plum and based on the bestselling memoir by Ilene Beckerman, Hub Theatre Company of Boston presents Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s semi-interactive production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore live and in person at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 5.  This show is 90 minutes with no intermission and pay-what-you-can tickets are available.  It occasionally contains adult and unfiltered language.  Purchase a drink during this show and Club Café also offers a full menu.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Lauren Elisa, June Kfoury, Barbara Douglass, Evelyn Holley, and Nettie Chickering in Hub Theatre’s ‘Love, Loss, and ‘What I Wore’ Photo credit to Tim Gurczak

The name Nora Ephron must ring a bell.  She was a famous award-winning rom-com journalist, writer, and filmmaker best known for 1983’s Silkwood, 1989’s When Harry Met Sally as well as 90s rom com classics Sleepless and Seattle and You’ve Got Mail before co-writing the screenplay for Julie and Julia in 2009.  Ephron’s signature style tackled the seriousness of life with a lighthearted demeanor and always found some relatable humor along the way.  With her sister Delia, Nora lends that empowering humor and charm to Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

June Kfoury, Evelyn Holley, Nettie Chickering, Lauren Elias, and Barbara Douglass in ‘Hub Theatre’s ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’ Photo credit to Tim Gurczak

One of the greatest strengths of Love, Loss and What I Wore is the ensemble’s beautiful camaraderie.  Love Loss and What I Wore has a gift for eloquently associating fashion with life’s bittersweet challenges.  Portraying several ages while sharing that walk down memory lane is Nettie Chickering, Barbara Douglass, Lauren Elias, Evelyn Holley, and June Kfoury.  Dressed in chic black by Kat Lawrence, they allow their vibrant experiences to take center stage.  From fashion faux pas to that eternally favorite garment, five women lay bare their fondest memories and insecurities.  It is a love letter to growing up and growing older in all of its wonder and complications. 

Nettie Chickering in Hub Theatre’s ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’ Photo credit to Tim Gurczak

To an array of lighthearted club hits between scenes, this dynamic group share silly, sad, courageous and important stories with collaborative flair and wistfulness.  They dance, grieve, conspire, tease, support and relate to each other all while discussing everything from relationships to family to roommates to the trials and tribulations of being a woman in a fun loving and deeply personal manner.  A few lighter moments include witnessing Lauren Elias and her hilarious and empathetic comments about carrying a purse, Douglass’s wise and humorous motherly advice, and the sheer joy and supportive manner in which these women appreciate each other’s company.   However, what stirs the production the most is contained in this group’s most significant challenges.  The stories they share are raw, honest, at times rueful, and may seem familiar as well.

June Kfoury in Hub Theatre’s ‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’ Photo credit to Tim Gurczak

With Talia Elise’s dazzling lighting powering a bright and cheerful set which includes glowing string lights, a luminous neon hanger, shimmering disco ball, multicolor boas, and an illustrated clothing rack by Justin Lahue and Maggie Shivers plus a wonderful dose of nostalgia, Love Loss and What I Wore is a captivating experience into life’s surprises and how to discover what is truly important.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston presents Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s semi-interactive production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore live and in person at Club Café in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, August 5.  This show is 90 minutes with no intermission and pay-what-you-can tickets are available.  It occasionally contains adult and unfiltered language.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s zany and immersive dinner comedy ‘Slow Food’ survival of the hangriest

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Having to wait for food isn’t easy, but the crazy antics that result are quite extraordinary in Slow Food, a wild comedy that focuses on a long time married couple on their anniversary vacation who finds themselves in pursuit of their meal.  It’s a good thing that Hub Theatre Company of Boston cleverly sets this production in a dinner theatre setting because not only does the show address love, marriage, manipulative food service and more, but most importantly, the very art of being frustratingly hangry.

With witty direction by Daniel Bourque, Hub Theatre Company of Boston presents Slow Food through Saturday, July 30 live and in person at Club Café Boston at 209 Columbus Ave in Boston, MA.  This show is 90 minutes with no intermission and tickets are on a pay-what-you can-basis.  Club Café offers a discount on the menu when attending Slow Food.   Click here for more information and for tickets.

Jyoti Daniere as Irene, Victor L. Shopov as Waiter Stephen, and Steve Auger as Peter Photo courtesy of Lauren Elias/Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Club Café’s backroom was once artfully transformed into a hair salon setting for Steel Magnolias, one of Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s lighthearted past productions held at Club Café Boston.  Though a Palm Springs Greek restaurant setting is less of a stretch, set designer Justin Lahue’s subtle candlelit setting, vine adorned walls and framed photos onstage flow with the candlelight and Ukraine flags that frame Club Café while sound designer Ted Kearnan’s inviting Greek soundtrack sets the mood. 

Slow Food’s immersive and interactive vibe continues as Jyoti Daniere as Irene, Steve Auger as Peter and Victor J. Shopov as Stephen the Waiter wander through Club Café at various times, making it easy to engage in the frustrating hilarity of this pair as they attempt to navigate a stubborn, preoccupied waiter and each other through it all. 

Jyoti Daniere as Irene, Victor L. Shopov as Waiter Stephen, and Steve Auger as Peter Photo courtesy of Lauren Elias/Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Slow Food features a small and strong cast with dialogue that is pretty snappy at times.  Shopov pushes all the right buttons and stealthily builds tension as a nosy, savvy and neurotic waiter that doesn’t know his boundaries. With a dry sense of humor, natural chemistry, and a gift for pushing each other’s buttons, Daniere and Auger make a likeable and relatable couple. Daniere as perceptive, exasperated, and sympathetic Auger as business minded, occasionally distracted and blunt Peter know they must rally to negotiate a good meal if they can get past their personal grievances as secrets gradually unfold along the way.

Jyoti Daniere as Irene, Victor L. Shopov as Waiter Stephen, and Steve Auger as Peter Photo courtesy of Lauren Elias/Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Slow Food is only the name of the show and Club Café delivered quick and attentive service.  Try the delicious Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake for dessert.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston presents Slow Food through Saturday, July 30 live and in person at Club Café Boston at 209 Columbus Ave in Boston, MA.  This show is 90 minutes with no intermission and tickets are on a pay-what-you can-basis.  Club Café offers a discount on the menu when attending Slow Food.   Click here for more information, tickets, and for more about Hub Theatre Company of Boston.

REVIEW: Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Steel Magnolias’ boasts humor, heartache, and hairspray

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

A good story is usually rooted in truth.

Robert Harling’s ‘Steel Magnolias’ is partially based on a true story.  Harling wrote the play, ‘Steel Magnolias’ in 1987 and based it off of real people he knew in Louisiana.  In the popular 1989 film (which included a parade of famous actresses such as Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah,  and Shirley MacLaine), the part of M’Lynn was portrayed by Sally Field and Julia Roberts was Shelby.  Harling based M’Lynn on his mother and Shelby (whose real name was Susan) on his sister.

Directed by Paula Plum, Hub Theatre Company of Boston celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1989 film with comedy drama ‘Steel Magnolias’ continuing at Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s summer home, Club Cafe through Sunday, August 3.  This show is on a pay-what-you-can basis.  Click here for more information and tickets.

The Sleepless Critic also recently spoke to Hub Theatre of Boston Artistic Producing Director’s Lauren Elias about ‘Steel Magnolias,’ the future of Hub Theatre Company of Boston, and more.  Click here for the podcast.

Set entirely in Truvy’s Beauty Shop in Chinquapin, Louisiana in 1985, this bittersweet tale follows a group of vastly different women who find strength in each other through hardships and triumphs with a great deal of understanding, humor, and hairspray.  Though it has its share of serious themes, ‘Steel Magnolias’ offers more humor and relatable moments seeped in a wealth of 80s references that include mentions of Jane Fonda, and Elizabeth Arden.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston Steel Magnolias full cast 2

From L to R: Maureen Adduci as Ouiser, Liz Adams as M’Lynn, Oye Ehikhamhen as Shelby (center), Lauren Elias as Annelle, June Kfoury as Clairee, and Catherine Lee Christie as Truvy Photo courtesy of Hub Theatre Company of Boston

With bold costumes by Chelsea Kerl and Wig Master Caroline Clancy, the show impressively rewinds the clock into the 80s big hair era and memorable fashion sense while highlighting each woman’s distinct personality.  It is also refreshing to look at back at life at a time before the internet where people shared time, recipes, and hair tips in person.

Directed impressively by Paula Plum, ‘Steel Magnolias’ also thrives through its smart casting and the developing chemistry and growth between these primarily outspoken southern women, keeping this popular show fresh.  With a gift for gab and gossip, Catherine Lee Christie portrays Truvy Jones with charm and sass.  As a big fan of the movie, it is hard to imagine this part for anyone other than Dolly Parton, but Christie, in an array of distinct, sparkling, and mismatched fashion, rises to the occasion.  Her scenes with Lauren Elias as mysterious and humble Annelle make for some quirky, heartwarming moments.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston Steel Magnolias full cast

From L to Right: Maureen Aducci as Ouiser, Liz Adams as M’Lynn, Oye Ehikhamhen as Shelby (center), Lauren Elias as Annelle, June Kfoury as Clairee, and Catherine Lee Christie as Truvy Photo courtesy of Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Maureen Adduci’s sardonic, frank, and darkly amusing Ouiser delivers some of the most entertaining moments in the show.  Adduci’s exhausted scowl alone in Truvy’s cheery beauty salon is enough to crack a smile.  Her sarcastic facade rings true with the priceless line, “I don’t see plays because I can nap at home for free…and I don’t read books because if they are any good, they are going to make them into a miniseries.”  June Kfoury as Clairee, a stylish and gossip-driven widow with good intentions and a knowing smile, amuses herself by teasing Ouiser and their exchanges create their own spark.

However, the most captivating relationship is the family dynamic between Liz Adams as M’Lynn and Oye Ehikhamhen as M’Lynn’s daughter Shelby.  The push and pull between the two make it easy to see them as mother and daughter.  As in any mother-daughter relationship, one minute they exchange nagging barbs and the next, nurturing affection.

Hub Theatre Company of Boston Steel Magnolias Liz Adams as MLynn and Oye Ehikhamhen

Liz Adams as M’Lynn and Oye Ehikhamhen as Shelby Photo courtesy of Hub Theatre Company of Boston

Liz Adams portrays M’Lynn with a quiet, palpable tightness and a bundle of suppressed feelings.  It is easy to feel the weight of the world on her shoulders.  This M’Lynn has a bit of a tougher edge and a dry sense of humor as she meticulously looks after everyone but herself.  Though M’Lynn and Shelby are both dramatic and stubborn, Oye Ehikhamhen as Shelby is a ceaselessly optimistic force where happiness is a requirement, not an option.  With a broad smile and easy chemistry with the entire cast, Oye as Shelby shines in a charismatic, compassionate performance.

Club Cafe’s stage is an air-conditioned, intimate space that includes tables set up for food and drinks.  In honor of the production, Club Cafe offers themed specialty cocktails such as Truvy’s Twister, Blush and Bashful, Wack-A-Ouiser, and Chinquapin Parish Punch.

Directed by Paula Plum, rewind the clock and take a trip south to Truvy’s for Hub Theatre Company of Boston’s ‘Steel Magnolias’ at Club Café  at 209 Columbus Ave through Saturday, August 3. This show is on a pay-what-you-can basis.  Click here for more information about Hub Theatre and tickets.  Hub Theatre Company of Boston is also taking donations of beauty products and toiletries at every performance to be donated to Rosie’s Place and other charities.