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REVIEW:  The Umbrella Stage Company delivers a bright and uplifting ‘Hairspray’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

If only we can all possess Tracy Turnblad’s unwavering optimism and enjoy this much dancing everyday in our own lives, the world may be a little happier.

‘I’ll eat some breakfast and change the world’ is just one of the self-assured declarations that Nora Sullivan makes as tenacious during Good Morning Baltimore while dreaming about dancing on television in 1962 Maryland. Sullivan was also Tracy in Sullivan Rep’s Hairspray last year. 

With glowing, innovative and multi-color television screens and a sparkling curtain in the background, The Umbrella Stage Company lights up The Corny Collins Show’s vinyl record dance floor with catchy beats and a spirited groove in Hairspray: The Broadway Musical, an upbeat 60s romantic musical comedy sure to brighten anyone’s spirits.

The cast of HAIRSPRAY, feat. Lisa Kate Joyce* as Amber Von Tussle, Joshua LaPierre as Corny Collins, and Nick Corsi as Link Larkin Photo by Jim Sabitus *indicates a member of AEA

Boasting exuberant direction and choreography by Najee A. Brown and Jordan Oczkowski’s uplifting music direction, Umbrella Stage Company Hairspray: The Broadway Musical live and in person at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 17.  This engaging musical comedy delivers bold comical innuendos and runs approximately two hours with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Featuring a large and lively cast, Hairspray has always been an upbeat satire which infuses important messages about body positivity, bullying and racism with a hopeful and bubbly lead that believes anything is possible.  I had a marvelous time and could not help bopping my head several times to the musical’s joyous beat.  Hairspray picks up right away in constant motion as scenes unfold simultaneously on Cameron McEachern’s dual level set.  For example, Good Morning Baltimore unfolds with infectious rhythms and clever staging as Maggie Cavanaugh as Tracy’s best friend Penny and Tracy pour over an authentic retro television set alongside what they are seeing on the screen.

The cast of HAIRSPRAY, feat. Christian David* as Seaweed J. Stubbs in HAIRSPRAY at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. Photo by Jim Sabitus.
*indicates a member of AEA

 Big and fluffy standout wigs by Cara Guappone tower over vivid 60s costumes in flowing crinoline with colorful patterns including polka dots, florals, plaids and shimmering gold lamé by Emerald City Theatricals. 

Another highlight is demonstrated in Big Doll House which elevates the comedy and the chemistry between the actors and teen rebellion takes charge as Cavanaugh’s Penny, Lisa Kate Joyce as Amber Von Tussle and Sullivan’s Tracy sound off in vivid intricate lighting by SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal and sparkling harmony for Mama I’m a Big Girl Now.

Nick Corsi and Nora Sullivan in HAIRSPRAY at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. Photo by Jim Sabitus.

Tracy dreams of performing on Baltimore’s teen dance TV show The Corny Collins Show and winning the heart of Link Larkin, a council member and heartthrob singer exhibiting the dreamy excitability of falling in love with Brown’s 360 degree choreography in I Can Hear the Bells.  Sullivan’s jovial performance exudes charm and an imaginative turn of phrase as Tracy’s pretty vocals expel spontaneous shrieks and endearing chuckles during various parts of the production. 

Sullivan’s Tracy gets into ambitious teen high jinks and Maggie Cavanaugh as best friend Penny is gleefully along for the ride.  Boasting hints of Elvis croons and inflections, Nick Corsi portrays heartthrob Link with a mix of openness and charisma while sharing some amusing scenes with Tracy especially for the endearing ballad, It Takes Two.  Christian David is easygoing and suave delivering smooth and distinctive vocals as Seaweed J Stubbs, especially for the catchy number Run and Tell That. With a broad and winsome smile, Joshua Lapierre as Corny Collins certainly lives up to Corny’s name and is shows off his sharp comedic chops while cutting a rug in Nicest Kids in Town. 

Aimee Doherty, Lisa Kate Joyce and the cast of HAIRSPRAY at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. Photo by Jim Sabitus.

Brutal, poised and snarky, villainy lives in Aimee Doherty who revels in her role as Velma Von Tussle bathed in ruthless red lighting.  Lisa Kate Joyce as Velma’s coiffed and obnoxious daughter Amber Von Tussle is an appropriate mini-me striding onstage with a flashy smile.  The duo makes an impressively egotistical, calculating, manipulative and often unhinged pair.  Only second to an array of comical tantrums bellowed on a staircase, Joyce is brashly pitch perfect when she exclaims, ‘What happened to the bland and spineless guy I fell in love with?’  Joyce also delivers sharp comedic timing and over the top vocals for Cooties.

Robert Saoud infuses dry humor and a dazzled smile as Tracy’s once aspiring designer mother Edna and Chip Phillips lovably depict Tracy’s plucky and optimistic inventor father Wilbur for a humorous rendition of You’re Timeless to Me. 

Robert Saoud* and Nora Sullivan as Edna and Tracy Turnblad and cast in HAIRSPRAY at The Umbrella Arts Center.
Photo by Jim Sabitus.
*indicates a member of AEA

Whether delivering the playful and bluesy Big Blonde and Beautiful or a moving rendition of I Know Where I’ve Been, Barbara Pierre offers frank, unflappable and soaring vocals as Motormouth Maybelle.  Whether depicting a principal at the end of his proverbial rope, a wild bailiff, gym teacher, a camera shy advertiser or taking control of a TV shoot, Nick Miller and Meryl Galaid manage to make each of their multiple roles amusingly memorable.

Nora Sullivan and the full cast of in HAIRSPRAY at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. Photo by Jim Sabitus.

No time but now to see Hairspray:  The Broadway Musical continuing live and in person at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 17.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Creativity underway in ‘Tick, Tick…BOOM!’ at Umbrella Arts Center

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Jon feels he is nearing the end of an era…his 30th birthday.

Creatively directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins with lively music direction by Jordan Oczkowski, Umbrella Arts Stage Company continues Jonathan Larson’s ambitious musical Tick, Tick…BOOM! Live and in person at Umbrella Arts in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 23.  This introspective and humorous musical journey runs 90 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Once a 2004 Off-Broadway musical, Tick, Tick…BOOM! was translated into a 2021 award-winning Netflix film adaptation directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and scored an Academy award-nomination for Andrew Garfield  before taking the stage at numerous theater companies worldwide.  While creatively runs wild in the Netflix film, the Umbrella Arts musical is where you find the spark.

Anthony Pires Jr.* Vanessa Calantropo and Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Set in January 1990, Tick, Tick…BOOM! Is a fascinating semi-autobiographical rock musical about Jonathan Larson, a struggling writer and composer living in New York City years before he created his hit rock musical, RENT.  A writer writes about what one knows and so much of this story offers glimpses into Larson’s inspiration for that wildly-successful musical.

However, this is about the struggle and this musical is brimming with it.  The painstaking work of creativity and all that could go wrong illuminates Tick, Tick…BOOM! as Larson struggles to keep it all together to achieve what at times seems impossible, especially in New York City.  Tick, Tick…BOOM! is not only about Jonathan Larson’s frantic life, but it is also an ode to the artist and the struggle to live that extraordinarily competitive dream while just skirting out and skimming by trying to get a chance.

Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Erik Diaz’s barebones set symbolically offers a different approach to this production featuring dual level scaffolding (also featured in Rent) a weathered apartment balcony, staircase and a NYC skyline. It may symbolically stand as a work in progress much like this particular period in Jon’s life.  However, Johnny Shea who delivers Jon’s detailed narration stretches the imagination to conjure up each setting such as a stainless steel kitchen, butcher block table, vast views and a luminous city skyline in a purple mist, part of Ben Rush’s warm and atmospheric lighting.

Anthony Pires Jr.* and Johnny Shea* and Vanessa Calantropo in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

At its creative center is likable narrator and lead Johnny Shea who is instantly earnest, introspective and charming as the frenetic Larson on the eve of Larson’s 30th birthday.  The unconventional, imaginative, and quick-thinking Larson divides his time between writing, composing and working at the Moondance Diner.  However, music and writing naturally pours out of Larson’s soul and he is often consumed by it at the expense of everything else. 

For forward-thinking Larson, turning 30 is a looming chasm that soaks up every ounce of his time until that odious deadline demonstrated in the urgent and memorable number, 30/90.  Shea as Larson considers turning thirty as the end of youth, but it is certainly not too old to accomplish remarkable things.  Perhaps Larson always felt like he was running out of time.

This often lighthearted musical features a dynamic, infectious, and multi-dimensional soundtrack about living in your 20s in New York City and how life evolves.  RENT’s influence is unmistakably evident in the catchy and humorous number featuring Anthony Pires Jr. as Michael and Shea in No More which also reflects the strong camaraderie between best friends Michael and Jon.  It is also easy to recognize the roots that will develop Larson’s future work in Shea’s tender number Why. 

Anthony Pires Jr.* and Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Inside the Moondance Diner, Sunday features beautiful harmonies and clever quips.  Vanessa Calantropo as Susan and Shea as Jon deliver a flirty duet with Green Green Dress.  Therapy is a fantastic and humorous number about the miscommunication of love and the chipper and lighthearted Sugar is great fun.  Johnny Can’t Decide harmoniously and pensively depicts the agonizing struggle living in the uncertainty of your dream or being practical which is a prevalent theme throughout the production.

With rich vocal arrangement and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus, this intimate onstage band can impressively jam and the musical’s small and mighty cast interacts with the band while delivering rich and powerful harmonies along this uninterrupted musical journey. With the exception of Shea as Jon, Anthony Pires Jr. as Michael and Vanessa Calantropo as Susan smoothly and humorously capture many other roles as Jon allows his story to unfold.  Calantropo especially stands out for the soaring number, Come to Your Senses. 

Anthony Pires Jr.* Johnny Shea* and Vanessa Calantropo in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Tick, tick BOOM! explores the little victories, the larger victories, and the gut-wrenching defeats in Larson’s personal and professional world.  However, what is genuinely important becomes poignantly clear and what truly inspires his work changes as the musical progresses.

Umbrella Arts Stage Company continues Jonathan Larson’s ambitious musical Tick, Tick…BOOM live and in person through Sunday, November 23 at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Witness the quiet beauty inside The Umbrella Stage Company’s stirring ‘The Spitfire Grill’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

From Liza Giangrande’s first few haunting verses sung as Percy as her eyes brim with tears, it is easy to see that The Spitfire Grill is going to be something special.

Liza Giangrande as Percy. Photo by Jim Sabitus

According to the Bible, Gilead is a mountainous region east of the Jordan River and considered a place of asylum and refuge.  After spending five years in prison, Percy places her hopes in the remote and mysterious town of Gilead, Wisconsin, but its residents find it a ghost town suited only as a place for leaving.  However, Gilead may still have a few surprises in store.

Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, warmly directed by Ilyse Robbins, and with haunting music direction by Jack Cline, The Spitfire Grill musical continues live and in person at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 18.  This production is approximately two hours with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Kerry A. Dowling* as Hannah, Sean Donnelly as Joe and Liza Giangrande as Percy. Photo by Jim Sabitus

Blending acoustic and fiddle-infused melodies from an intimate band conducted by James Haupt, The Spitfire Grill boasts a wide range of driving folk rhythms such as Shoot the Moon, swift catchy melodies such as Out of the Frying Pan and luminous harmonies in Colors of Paradise.

Costumer Kelly Baker captures a deep woods ambiance in earth tones and layered clothing, denim, flannels and hiking boots. Karen Perlow’s haunting and revelatory lighting brings stirring character to enigmatic Gilead.  Prison bar shadows, a gleaming moon, twilight skies, soft glowing lanterns and prism shaped forest patterns illuminate Janie E. Howland’s dual level rustic wooden Spitfire Grill diner complete with a cozy kitchen and scattered appliances, living room, dining space and a faded staircase leading up to the bedrooms.  This set has worn character detailed in its red faded Spitfire Grill sign. 

Liza Giangrande as Percy, Christie Lee as Effy, and Kerry A. Dowling* as Hannah. *Indicates a member of Actors Equity Association. Photo by Jim Sabitus

Featuring a powerful cast, The Spitfire Grill is a well paced musical that exudes a quiet beauty focusing on ordinary people with haunting regrets longing for a new start.  Everyone knows everyone which is quite advantageous for Catherine Lee Christie as nosy town gossip Effy who is always starved for news as demonstrated in Somethings Cooking.  Though Christie’s Effy could seem malicious, her incorrigible curiosity and humorous know-it-all demeanor seems to stem from boredom imagining Gilead as an exciting town. 

Liza Giangrande as Percy, Kerry A. Dowling* as Hannah, and Shonna McEachern* as Shelby. *Indicates a member of Actors Equity Association. Photo by Jim Sabitus

Kerry A. Dowling depicts practical and business minded Spitfire Grill owner Hannah who hires Percy to tend to the kitchen.  Course, frank yet introverted, Hannah has a secret from her past she has kept for years.  Hannah has been struggling to sell The Spitfire Grill for a decade, but Percy may have come up with a new way to lure buyers Hannah’s way.  Dowling’s Hannah and Giagrande establish a genuine rapport while they both quietly carry burdens from their past. 

A charismatic actress with a dynamite vocal range, Liza Giangrande is brilliant as relentlessly hopeful Percy who is determined to reestablish herself as demonstrated in the sneakily and humorously frazzled number Out of the Frying Pan, emphasized with some impressive vocal gymnastics.  However, Giangrande is simply riveting for the revelatory number Sunrise/Shine.

Shonna McEachern* as Shelby, Liza Giangrande as Percy, and Kerry A. Dowling* as Hannah. *Indicates a member of Actors Equity Association. Photo by Jim Sabitus

Giangrande develops a sweet rapport with Shonna McEachern as Shelby delivering soaring harmony for Colors of Paradise.  McEachern has a lovely vocal range and offers a stirring rendition of Wildbird.    Giangrande’s Percy is under Sean Donnelly’s parole supervision as Sheriff Joe Sutter who has his own dreams beyond the wide woods of Gilead.

Anthony Pires, Jr. delves into the role of discouraged and traditional Caleb who feels aimless and frustrated with his life longing to get a foothold as demonstrated in a potent rendition of Digging Stone while Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia is memorable as The Visitor.

Shonna McEachern* as Shelby, Liza Giangrande as Percy and Anthony Pires, Jr. as Caleb. Photo by Jim Sabitus

The Spitfire Grill tackles loneliness and isolation, but also has its share of memorably heartwarming, frank and comical moments.  Steeped in quiet beauty, it is an uplifting musical that captures hope and meaning while shedding light in the darkest of places.

The Spitfire Grill musical continues live and in person at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 18.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Umbrella Stage Company gets up close and personal with ‘Network’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

How far will anyone go for ratings?

It’s a mad world and UBS is here for it.

With compelling direction by Ashley Kelly Tata, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall and based on Paddy Chayefsky’s Academy Award-winning screenplay, The Umbrella Stage Company presents dark satirical drama Network live and in person at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 3.  This well-timed production is 90 minutes with no intermission and contains explicit language and adult themes.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Set in September of 1975, UBS is a struggling television station drowning in the ratings.  Tensions are sky high as executives scramble to save it.   As a result, world weary veteran newsman and widower Howard Beale, a metamorphic portrayal by Bill Mootos, has been forced to retire after 25 years dedicating his whole life to his work.  In an act of desperation, Beale makes a shocking decision that impacts everyone around him. 

Bill Mootos stars as Howard Beale in ‘Network’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Steeped in nostalgic glory, Network seamlessly rewinds the clock to a time where television was the world’s primary source for news, information, and entertainment.  From three piece suits to wrap dresses to Barrymore collars, costume designer Nancy Leary captures the essence of the 70s while Afsoon Pajoufar’s duel level retro studio set features vintage studio equipment, a line of wall clocks keeping track of various time zones all over the world and a multitasking wooden desk. 

The cast of ‘Network’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

 The towering UBS logo printed across SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal’s projection screen can be distracting at times, but symbolically portrays the media’s monstrous influence on the world over anything else. Not only does it provide a window into nostalgic television but an intimate account into the characters’ reactions as if the camera is always rolling.   Featuring flashes of famous 70s commercials to searing headlines to classic TV shows like Laverne and Shirley, Salotto-Cristobal’s montages are overwhelming, rapid and impactful.  Even the television test signal can be unsettling.  Aubrey Dube’s audio design bring to life some particularly intense moments as well as satirical humor demonstrated in David Bowie’s meticulously placed Fame during a pivotal scene in the production. 

Blythe de Oliveira Foster as Diane and Bill Mootos as Howard Beale in ‘Network’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Having worked through the Golden Age of Television, Howard Beale has seen the trends change into a darker tomorrow.  Mootos craftily transforms as alcoholic newsman turned influencer Howard Beale.  From a professional newsman straightening his tie, Mootos captures the derailment methodically from weary to anguish and everything in between struggling to learn what is really important.     

Workaholic Diane, ferociously portrayed by Blythe de Oliveira Foster, is a laser focused executive voracious for success and ratings that she flagrantly talks of immorality like she is ordering a drink at a bar.  Justifying unimaginable things hungry to accomplish her goals, Foster as Diane brings gall, gumption and a dark humor to her greediness that make her fascinating in her audacity.  Foster delivers some thought provoking scenes with Barlow Adamson who is impressive as tough yet rational Max and one of the few sympathetic voices of reason in this production.   Will McGarrahan also makes a lasting impression as menacing Arthur Jensen.   

Jennifer Bubriski as Sheila and Blythe de Oliveira Foster as Diane in ‘Network’ Photo by Jim

Network is a cleverly executed and gripping production that becomes so immersive that it may encourage you to contemplate whether anything has changed today or worsened especially in this digital age.  Network’s lighting is almost glaringly bright during show time and shadows take over behind the scenes depicting a darker reality.  Tata’s direction is invasive and revealingly up close and personal to expose the nature of many of the production’s themes including corporate greed, corruption, sensationalism, consumerism, scandal, violence and fame.  It is a barrage of ideas that are peeled away bit by bit and what is unveiled is both fascinating, alarming and not so unfamiliar before it reaches its shocking conclusion.  When has it all gone too far? 

Bill Mootos is “Mad as hell” and he’s “not going to take it anymore” as Howard Beale in a new stage adaptation of the 1976 classic film, ‘Network’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

The Umbrella Stage Company presents dark satirical drama Network live and in person at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 3.  This well-timed production is 90 minutes with no intermission and contains explicit language and adult themes.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Umbrella Stage Company delivers boldly funny ‘The Full Monty’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

For a few average guys down on their luck, the time has come to risk it all.

The Chippendales have landed in Buffalo, New York and have captured the local women’s attention while a local factory has closed down leaving a group of steel workers on the unemployment line to support themselves and their families, but on a quest to regain their self confidence and mojo back.   Suddenly Michael Levesque as Jerry realizes the only way to get ahead is with some daring ingenuity to the tune of $50,000.

The cast of Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

With upbeat direction by Leigh Barrett and zany choreography by Najee Brown, The Umbrella Stage Company continues musical comedy The Full Monty live and in person at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday May 19.  This show contains adult themes, partial nudity and runs approximately two hours and 20 including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Andrea Giangreco, Sarajane Morse Mullins, Shonna McEarchern, and Stephanie Barney in Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Set in 1989, Rebecca Glick’s colorful and at times neon costumes were quite a wild walk down memory lane.  From neon scrunchies to tiger print sequins and jean jackets to track suits, it was such fun to revisit that late 80s nostalgia.  Jenna McFarland Lord’s realistic and rolling two floor set reflect the run down nature of Buffalo in the stained metal walls, steel accents, and the paradox of escapism in the glowing sign and glittery curtains of Club Giordano.

Michael Levesque and Jackson Wisco in Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

The Full Monty is more of a comedic romp than it is provocative, but both play an important role in this production.  This Full Monty is lighter on the innuendo and essentially explores the lives of a group of blue collar workers just trying to make it in this steel town as they face unemployment and various personal problems as explained in the humorous number, Scrap.  For example, depressed Night guard Malcolm in a lovably sympathetic performance by John Breen, wants to find his independence living alone with his ailing and emotionally abusive mother, depicted in a dual role by Jennifer Bubriski while Michael Levesque as impulsive yet sympathetic Jerry needs to earn enough to pay child support to his ex-wife, Pam portrayed by Stephanie Barney.  Levesque as Jerry shines in the heartfelt ballad, Breeze off the River and shares some endearing scenes with Jackson Wisco as adorable Nathan.  Tim Lawson as Jerry’s best friend Dave wants to support Jerry and soon realizes his own ardent need for a win.

Jennifer Bubriski, Joshua Wolf Coleman and the cast of Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Combining a charming group of actors to portray ego-bruised men with great chemistry, witty banter, and well timed physical humor placed in a vast array of awkward situations is no easy feat, but this skilled group shares a moving bond with exceptional camaraderie.  Joshua Wolf Coleman delivers fervent vocals and smooth dance moves in tweed as widower Horse during a hilarious audition process.  Tim Lawson’s Dave boasts strong vocals and notable comedic timing especially evident in a heartfelt duet with Will McGarrahan as Harold in You Rule My World and in the darkly satirical tune with Breen and Levesque for Big Ass Rock.  Jacob Thomas Less brings a delightful lightheartedness to the role of Ethan and Breen delivers a stirring and earnest rendition of You Walk with Me. 

Michael Levesque, John Breen, and Tim Lawson in Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Jennifer Bubriski is excellent as spunky, several times divorced accompanying piano player Jeanette.  Bubriski is frank and no filter funny which makes her a bit of a scene stealer.   Bubriski keeps the laughs coming in an excellent rendition of Jeanette’s Showbiz Number.  Aimee Doherty transforms a somewhat shallow role as Harold’s younger materialistic wife, Vicki and infuses absorbing charm and likability beyond the catchy, Latin-inspired number Life with Harold.

Will McGarrahan, Aimee Doherty, Louis Brogna and the cast of Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Najee Brown nails this particular brand of introverted and awkward dance moves into some of the most exciting parts of the production.  Got the Goods and Let it Go are equal parts embarrassing, raunchy, lively and funny with Got the Goods particularly feeding into each character’s insecurities.  One of the best parts of the show is watching those characters amusingly let loose.

Jennifer Bubriski, John Breen. Will McGarrahan, Tim Lawson, Michael Levesque, Joshua Wolf Coleman, and Jacob Thomas Less in Umbrella Stage Company’s ‘The Full Monty’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

The Full Monty has come a long way.  From a British 1997 film that I could not get through to a musical comedy tastefully bringing sexy back in ridiculous and heartfelt ways leaving you rooting for these six down on their luck men to show Buffalo what they are made of.

With upbeat direction by Leigh Barrett and zany choreography by Najee Brown, The Umbrella Stage Company continues musical comedy The Full Monty live and in person at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday May 19.  This show contains adult themes, partial nudity and runs approximately two hours and 20 including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Umbrella Stage Company unveils riveting musical, ‘The Color Purple’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

How does one find faith when everything falls apart?

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple is a powerful and thought provoking historical drama that examines life’s true meaning, redemption, transformation, and the search for faith and love when all seems lost.

With stirring direction by BW Gonzalez, Nathanael Wilkerson’s lively music direction, and instinctively choreographed by Najee A. Brown, Umbrella Stage Company continues the Tony award-winning musical, The Color Purple by Marsha Norman through Sunday, June 4 live and in person at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA.  The show has two acts with one intermission and contains some mature themes.  Some package shows also offer walking tours.  Click here for more information and tickets.

Shy’Kira Allen as Celie and cast Photo by Jim Sabitus

Umbrella Stage Company could not have chosen a better time to bring this particular musical to the stage this year.  The Color Purple celebrated the 40th anniversary of the acclaimed novel last year and the 1985 film directed by Steven Spielberg featured an all star cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey.  It garnered several Oscar nominations including Best Picture. This December, a musical film adaptation of The Color Purple will premiere featuring a multitalented cast including Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, and H.E.R.

Having never read the book or seen the film, The Color Purple was an eye opening experience.  It holds turmoil, peril, and cruelty, but it is also an extraordinary tale of miracles, transformation, humor, and unyielding hope exclaimed by a mesmerizing cast of powerful voices each with their own challenges to overcome.  Walker’s dynamic characters possess a wealth of depth and complexity that deliver some astonishing twists and turns.  The Color Purple features a powerful and Grammy award-winning score that infuses gospel, ragtime, jazz, and blues. The uplifting Our Prayer is gripping right from the start and the tapestry of moving numbers that follow makes the musical all the more enthralling.

‘Our Prayer’ from The Color Purple Photo by Jim Sabitus

SeifAllah Salotto-Crisobal’s impactful lighting design meticulously sets the tone in creative and multicolored pastels transforming Janie E. Howland’s modest wooden set equipped with whips and a silver barrel.  Covering a 40 year range, costume designer Danielle Dominigue Sumi navigates various eras with finesse including culturally appropriate attire from muted to kaleidoscopic colors.

Shy’Kira Allen as Celie and Kayla Leacock as Nettie Photo by Jim Sabitus

In 1909 rural Georgia, Celie at 14 is about to give birth.  She finds solace in her buoyant and discerning sister Nettie in a beautiful depiction by Kayla Leacock.  Their genuine camaraderie is sheer joy to witness as Celie navigates her own unmerited suffering.  Nettie is one of many spiritually strong and often challenged women surrounding inquisitive, naïve, obedient, and shy Celie depicted remarkably by Shy’kira Allen, that teach her about resilience and fortitude.  Kai Clifton is a powerful force as daring Sofia with a trailblazing attitude and demeanor rare of a woman in the early 1900’s as demonstrated in a sage and commanding rendition of Hell No!  Crystin Gilmore holds her own power as captivating and liberated performer Shug Avery who breezes into Georgia on a whim bringing excitement, scandal, and humor to the town as demonstrated in an alluring rendition of Push the Button.  However, Gilmore truly shines in quieter moments with her tender rendition of Too Beautiful for Words as well as the show’s heartfelt title track.

Crystin Gilmore as Shug Avery and cast Photo by Jim Sabitus

Shy’Kira Allen rises to the challenge as complicated Celie and though Allen has many memorable scenes with the cast, her most powerful scenes are the ones she must stand on her own such as in Lily of the Field, Dear God, and a brilliant rendition of I’m Here.  Brian Demar Jones is impressive and deceptively charismatic as short sighted and egocentric Mister while Jordan Aaron Hall is likable as compassionate yet impressionable Harpo.  Rural Georgia is an area not without its gossip and keeping the mood light in the midst of the show’s most difficult moments are the humorous and ever knowing Church Ladies, their clever vocal styling slick for Shug Avery Coming to Town and Uh Oh.

Kai Clifton as Sofia and cast Photo by Jim Sabitus

Umbrella Stage Company delivers Alice Walker’s message with such collective fervor, make time to witness this Color Purple. 

Umbrella Stage Company continues the Tony award-winning musical, The Color Purple though Sunday, June 4 live and in person at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA.  The show has two acts with one intermission and contains some mature themes.  Click here for more information and tickets.

REVIEW:  Theatre Kapow’s ‘Breadcrumbs’ unveil an indelible and winding journey

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Alita suspects something has changed.

Full of Easter eggs and a time hopping storyline, this cleverly titled production lives up to its name many times over and reveals a family secret near impossible to see coming.  Sponsored in part by the Mass/NH Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Breadcrumbs is a mysterious piece of theatre about the meeting of two individuals and how they fit into each other lives.

Jennifer Haley’s Breadcrumbs, Theatre Kapow’s most recent production, ran live and in person February 17 to 19 at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord NH before streaming live on February 24 and 25.  Directed intuitively by Catherine Stewart, Breadcrumbs is 80 minutes with no intermission and is part of Recent Remote Remember, the theme of Theatre Kapow’s 15th season.  Click here for more information and here for more on Theatre Kapow.

From L to R Rachel Chapin Longo and Katie Collins Photo credit to Matthew Lomanno Photography

Stark blue lighting evoked a haunting quality as Alita, a hardworking, unassuming, and reclusive writer depicted perceptively by Katie Collins, knows there is something is missing.  Collins, in a multilayered performance, portrays Alita with an increasingly brisk and suspicious manner as she struggles to connect with what is occurring around her.  Rachel Chapin Longo commands a challenging and multi faceted role as compassionate, talkative, impulsive, resourceful, but needy Beth who seemingly cannot get her life together to Alita’s rising frustration.   Beth admires Alita’s work which often focuses on metaphorical fantasy which is a surprising contrast to Alita’s practical sensibilities.

From L to R Rachel Chapin Longo and Katie Collins Photo credit to Matthew Lomanno Photography

What is fascinating about this meticulous production is each item, scene, and aspect including Alita’s writing plays an integral and significant role within a sometimes unreliable viewpoint.  Longo and Collins seamlessly navigate a number of vivid, stirring and mercurial scenes together and there isn’t a piece of dialogue that strays from this insightful look at these two individual’s lives.  The production also serves as an informative vehicle for an all too common life altering impairment.

From L to R Rachel Chapin Longo and Katie Collins Photo credit to Matthew Lomanno Photography

Tayva Young’s nostalgic and evocative lighting combined with Matt Cahoon’s vintage and eerie sound and projection design navigates each sudden flashback and time leap in an innovative and engrossing manner.  Barbara Holbrook’s distinctive costume design boosts each character’s personality with subtle hints on what they mean to each other.

Jennifer Haley’s Breadcrumbs cultivates a rich and unique path through trauma and struggle to reveal what is ultimately important.  Directed intuitively by Catherine Stewart, Breadcrumbs is 80 minutes with no intermission and is part of Recent Remote Remember, the theme of Theatre Kapow’s 15th season.  Click here for more information and here for more on Theatre Kapow.