Dedham

REVIEW:  Risking it all in Sullivan Rep’s wry and reflective ‘Merrily we Roll Along’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

How the tables turn for this group of dreamers.

A devoted trio of friends set out to follow their ambitions, but the smell of success may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

With lively direction and choreography by Dan Sullivan and witty musical direction by Jenny Tsai, Sullivan Rep continues Merrily We Roll Along live and in person at Mother Brook Arts and Community Center in Dedham, Massachusetts through Saturday, June 27.  This time jumping, theatre in the round musical runs two hours and 40 minutes including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Carly Evans, Sean Donnelly, and Dan Sullivan in Sullivan Rep’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Photo by Kenly Murray

Following the staggering 14 Tony award-nominations for Sondheim’s musical Company in 1970, Stephen Sondheim reunited with George Furth and Harold Prince for the 1981 musical Merrily We Roll Along. Merrily We Roll Along could very well be Company’s cousin in its similarity in tone, shared themes and its non-linear storyline.  Also, Marianne Elliot directed the Broadway musical revivals that went on to win a Tony in 2021 for Company starring Katrina Lenk and featuring Patti Lupone and in 2023 for Merrily We Roll Along starring Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe.

Both musicals also have in common a conflicted man who makes a variety of decisions which creates some complicated outcomes while his tight knit group of friends stand by to support him, especially as this man starts to lose sight of what is truly important. 

Ryan DuBray’s flashing multicolor spotlights form what seems like a disco style time traveling machine surrounding the stage and projections on the wall alternate from the progression of time to rewinding the clock throughout the musical.

DuBray’s era-inspired set along with costumer JeanMarie LaPointe work together to create distinct portraits of various eras from 1959 to 1976.  From Post World War II to the disco era to the black and white Andy Warhol era, bold and eye catching colored wardrobes include flowing silk dresses and jumpsuits, polyester leisure suits, plaids, florals, sequins and fringe to depict the hard partying “movers and shakers.”  Cast members bring assorted retro props to set up each scene.

Merrily We Roll Along focuses on Sean Donnelly as Franklin Shepard who is thriving from the success of his new musical.  He is married to Katie Clark as resentful and consummate performer Gussie, but there is a lot more to their story than meets the eye.  Clark establishes and “gussies up” this complicated character well and it is interesting to watch the unmistakable parallels between Clark’s Gussie and Donnelly’s Franklin.

Justin Boudreau, Katie Clark and cast in Sullivan Rep’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Photo by Kenly Murray

As far as the trio of friends, Franklin has a complicated bond with Carly Evans as increasingly unreserved and steadfast Mary Flynn and Daniel Forest Sullivan as Franklin’s business partner Charley Kringas.  Evans, Sullivan and Donnelly all share a bond that only old friends can even as it frays at the edges.  They demonstrate some wonderful moments in the daydreaming number, Bobbie & Jackie & Jack and warm camaraderie for It’s a Hit and Old Friends. 

The musical may start out cynical and seemingly shallow, but becomes more robust as the tale unfolds.  A particular highlight is Daniel Forest Sullivan as Charley expressing wry sarcasm and mounting frustration with a tinkling piano and a wink to Fosse for the catchy and rapid fire number, Franklin Shepard, Inc.  Carly Evans as Mary offers a heartfelt rendition of Like It Was and Meghan Rose shines as down to earth and reasonable Beth from her very first scene for Not a Day Goes By.  Along with Justin Boudreau as ambitious producer Joe, the group form bright harmonies for Opening Doors.  Amanda Atkinson and Scott Berozi notably share clever comedic quips as a pair of news anchors.

Sondheim is known for his complex harmonies as well as rapid fire and thickly descriptive lyrics and this musical is no exception.  This cast dominates this challenging musical style, but some of the lyrics can get a little lost in acoustics of the venue, so try to sit as close as you can to the stage.  The venue also can get a little warm so dress accordingly. 

Merrily We Roll Along is an engaging cautionary tale that cleverly carves out fascinating patterns and parallels to focus on the pressures of fame, the fragility of friendship and the risks one takes to follow that dream.  As upbeat and funny as it is cynical, it reflects on the realities of this pivotal era and brings to light what is truly important.

Sullivan Rep continues Merrily We Roll Along live and in person at Mother Brook Arts and Community Center in Dedham, Massachusetts through Saturday, June 27.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  Lavishly dancing through France in Sullivan Rep’s ‘Can-Can’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Freedom through dance is only part of the story in Cole Porter’s Can-Can.

Considered one of Cole Porter’s later musicals, Can-Can debuted in 1953 before being adapted into a 1960 film starring Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine and some of its ideas make it identifiable to its 60s timeframe.  It’s Alright by Me, I Love Paris, and C’est Magnifique are a few of the Cole Porter American Standard songs that are part of the Great American Songbook.

Directed and choreographed by Dan Sullivan with Musical direction by Hollis W. Sullivan, Sullivan Rep continues Can Can live and in person at Mother Brook Arts and Community Center in Dedham, Massachusetts through Saturday, October 11.  The action is not limited to the stage and set up like a dance hall.  It runs approximately three hours with an intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Carly Evans and Can-Can dancers in Sullivan Rep’s ‘Can-Can’ Photo credit Sullivan Rep

Taking place in Montmartre, France, Carly Evans aptly portrays shrewd and stealthy businesswoman Pistache who knows just how to live under the radar until her girls are caught by the French authorities for lascivious dancing.  The lively dancers coyly perform the satirical number, Maidens Typical of France.

Can-Can features two powerful leads in Carly Evans and Anthony Rinaldi and Dan Sullivan’s flowing, unbridled and meticulous chorography certainly make a great impression.  Anthony Rinaldi is conflicted as Judge Aristide, torn between justice and his growing affection for saucy Pistache.  Rinaldi and Evans make some beautiful music together and are certainly capable of mastering these individuals on the opposite sides of the law.  Evans as Pistache shows off her hardnosed business sense impressively for Never Give Anything Away and Rinaldi soars in the catchy number, It’s Alright with Me.

Anthony Rinaldi and Carly Evans in Sullivan Rep’s ‘Can-Can’ Photo credit Sullivan Rep

Dan Sullivan’s often lavish and splashy 1890s French forward fashion costumes by Judi Olson include bowler hats, lace, velvet, ruffles, saloon-style gowns, bustles, three piece suits, detailed parasols and top hats with Pistache’s elegant emerald green peacock gown as a particular highlight shown later in the production. 

The cast of Sullivan Rep’s ‘Can-Can’ Photo credit to Sullivan Rep

This musical features grand dance numbers that are often flirty and playful even occasionally including a French accordionist.  Can-Can explores love, the nature of dance, societal expectations, censorship, skewed media, the law and the art of being an artist.  A.J. Lyman as Bulgarian sculptor Boris, Andy Ross as Theophile, Ryan Pereira as Hericule, Dom Pappagallo as Etienne, Hannah Shihdanian as Model and Rinaldi as Aristide have a good natured camaraderie and perform a standout number that takes humorous and lighthearted jabs at the nature of being an artist is Never Never Be An Artist.   

Sullivan Rep Can Can Anthony Rinaldi and cast Photo credit Sulivan Rep

Dream Ballet has been popular in grand musicals such as Broadway Melody in Singin’ in the Rain, Louise’s Ballet in Carousel, and The Prologue in West Side Story which usually enhances or advances the plot of the musical.  Though performed with ballet-inspired athletic zeal, Garden of Eden Ballet didn’t seem to advance the plot in a meaningful way other than being controversial during that time.

Sullivan Rep boasts powerful leads, vivacious dance numbers and features elegant attire, yet the musical itself has its setbacks. Clocking in at approximately three hours, some of the musical’s plot points seem filler and unnecessary to the progression of the story and some of the love connections and satirical outcomes didn’t quite make sense such as in If You Loved Me Truly.

Garden of Eden Ballet in Sullivan Rep’s ‘Can-Can’ Photo credit Sullivan Rep

With that in mind, Sullivan Rep vibrantly brings Cole Porter’s Can-Can to life with an enthusiastic cast and memorable music.

Directed and choreographed by Dan Sullivan with Musical direction by Hollis W. Sullivan, Sullivan Rep continues Can-Can live and in person at Mother Brook Arts and Community Center in Dedham, Massachusetts through Saturday, October 11.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

After a night out, enjoy MET Bar and Grill’s ‘Boston Hot Chocolate Experience’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The holidays may be over, but any time during the winter is a good time for hot chocolate.  The MET Grill and Bar brings back their popular refreshment, ‘Boston Hot Chocolate Experience’ through Valentine’s Day.  With a wide variety of hot chocolate available in ‘adult versions’ topped with extra large marshmallows, whipped cream, and more, it is a special treat at the end of a concert or a great night out.

‘Boston Hot Chocolate Experience’ is offered at MET Bar and Grill locations in Natick and Back Bay in Boston, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information.

Hot chocolate options include Classic Hot Chocolate featuring vanilla chocolate and whipped cream, Spiced Mexican with chili and grated Mexican chocolate, Dolce De Leche with marshmallows and salted caramel, and Peppermint White Hot Chocolate featuring candy cane flavors and whipped cream.  Each treat can be enhanced with Peppermint Liquor, Caramel Vodka, Bailey’s, and more.

Enjoy them as ‘A Flight of Four’ experience featuring four miniature glasses or attendees can order one flavor as ‘One Big One’ presentation.

Visit MET Back Bay in Boston and in Natick, Massachusetts.  MET offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as Saturday and Sunday Brunch. They also are available for private events and gift cards are available online for the perfect gift.

After a night out, MET Bar and Grill presents the return of ‘Boston Hot Chocolate Experience’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Sweeten the end of a concert or a night out at the theatre with rich chocolate.  Whether hot or cold, it is an undeniable treat throughout the year.  With the return of ‘Boston Hot Chocolate Experience’ starting Friday, November 25 and continuing through Valentine’s Day 2018 at three MET Bar and Grill locations in Massachusetts, chocolate has never tasted better.  Click here for more information.

Exclusively at MET Back Bay, customers can indulge in an interactive experience with Tableside Smores. They can toast extra-large marshmallows at their own table and add graham crackers, milk, white, or dark chocolate.  Hot chocolate options include Classic Hot Chocolate featuring vanilla chocolate, whipped cream, and mini-roasted marshmallows, Caramel Sea Salt with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, Espresso with Almond Biscotti, and White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Chocolate, featuring white chocolate, crushed peppermint stick, vanilla cream, and a candy cane.  Each treat can be enhanced with Peppermint Liquor, Caramel Vodka, Bailey’s, and more.

These holiday treats are presented as ‘A Flight of Four’ experience featuring four miniature glasses or attendees can order one flavor as ‘One Big One’ presentation.  Visit MET Back Bay in Boston and MET Bar and Grill in Dedham and Natick, Massachusetts.  MET offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as Saturday and Sunday Brunch. They also are available for private events and gift cards are available online for the perfect gift.