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

Posted on October 11 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.

REVIEW: Greater Boston Stage Company turns on the charm for ‘Guys and Dolls’

Posted on June 27, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

What a Guy wouldn’t do for some doll.

A sky high bet, a saintly woman, and a group of gamblers are all on the line in a musical comedy custom made in New York City. Guys and Dolls is lighthearted and bustling with some of the most popular songs of Musical’s Golden Age such as Luck Be a Lady, Fugue for Tinhorns, I’ve Never Been in Love Before, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat and its beloved title track.

Directed and choreographed by Ceit Zweil, Greater Boston Stage Company continues Frank Loesser’s musical comedy classic Guys and Dolls live and in person at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts through June 30. This slick production is approximately two hours and 30 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Arthur Gomez, Mark Linehan, Stephen Markarian and Greater Boston Stage Company ‘Guys and Dolls’ cast Photo by Gillian Gordon

Set on Broadway between Times Square and Columbus Circle, Greater Boston Stage Company reveals a little cozy but snazzy set by John Savage including vintage 1950s illustrated signs lit by marquis lights and an illuminated moving cityscape back drop. With lively music direction and conducted by Dan Rodriguez, this glitzy version of Guys and Dolls has a bit of a concert vibe with the orchestra performing center stage amidst all the action.

Arthur Gomez and Sara Coombs in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Gillian Gordon

The show is as zippy as these fast talking gamblers ready for the next crap game. In stylish hat and a pinstriped suit, Arthur Gomez as lovable but scheming Nathan Detroit is always cooking up a plan and usually one step ahead, but now he is short on money to hold his next floating crap game. Enter Jared Troilo as smooth talking and high stakes gambler Sky Masterson and suddenly, Nathan has a new and seeming surefire plan to win big and finally marry his long suffering girlfriend, Miss Adelaide. However, Sky discovers he is in for much more than he ever bargained for.

Jared Troilo and Sarah Coombs in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Gillian Gordon

Guys and Dolls is a classic for a reason. Not only did the 50s film adaptation star Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, but it’s an upbeat musical full of charm about love, the Big City vibe, taking risks and saving souls not necessarily in that order. The characters are all likable in spite of their shady ways because most of them can humorously talk their way out of just about anything.

Stephen Markarian and Mark Linehan in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Gillian Gordon

In glasses and a bowler hat, Stephen Markarian captures the cheery and good natured charm of Nicely-Nicely Johnson from the slick and catchy harmonies in Fugue for Tinhorns with Mark Linehan as Benny and Christian David as Rusty Charlie. Their goofy chemistry and antics set the stage well along with the title track and bookended by Stephen Markarian’s exuberant and exciting classic number Sit down You’re Rocking the Boat which is not to be missed.

Allison Russell, Kaedon Gray and the cast of Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Gillian Gordon

Sara Coombs as Miss Adalaide could easily have entered over the top caricature territory, but Coombs sticks with dramatic yet a bit more realistic subtlety for Adelaide’s Lament. Hailing from Rhode Island, Miss Adelaide is not to be underestimated and knows exactly what she wants playing a long game of her own as Nathan’s girlfriend. She shares some endearing chemistry albeit with some understandable bickering with Nathan as they perform a quick paced and intense rendition of Sue Me. Alongside Hot Box dancers Hannah Shihdanian, Allison Russell and Abigail Martin, Coombs delivers some flirtatious and humorous scenarios decked out in Dierdre Gerrard’s timely, sparkling and playful costumes kicking off with a country coy Bushel and a Peck. Russell and Shihdanian both perform triple roles with Russell notably as the infamous big time, tough talking gambler Big Jule.

Sara Coombs, Abigail Martin, Allison Russell, and Hannah Shihdanian in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Gillian Gordon

In a blue pinstripe suit and gleaming white shoes, Troilo depicts Sky Masterson with smooth talking swagger and shares some great scenes with Lisa Kate Joyce’s straight-arrowed and head of the Save-a-Soul Mission band, Sarah Brown. Joyce’s angelic and silvery soprano vocals nail the delightful If I were a Bell and I’ve Never Been in Love Before alongside Troilo in a lovely duet. Joyce also has a brief but memorable scene with Chip Phillips as lovable Arvide for the tenderhearted number, More I Cannot Wish You.

Lisa Kate Joyce and Chip Phillips in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Gillian Gordon

Jared Troilo shines in My Time of Day, but nothing beats Troilo’s determined earnestness teetering toward desperation with the rest of the cast for Luck Be a Lady embellished by Ceit Zweil’s tight choreography and Corey Whittemore’s vivid and flashy lighting which just about brings down the house.

Jared Troilo and the cast of Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Photo by Photo by Gillian Gordon

REVIEW: Searching for answers in The Huntington’s ‘Joy and Pandemic’

Posted on May 16, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Medicine and faith and faith versus fear as a pandemic is looming.

These powerful topics should all be more than vaguely familiar in this day and age. However, the most recent pandemic is not when Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic takes place though from its urgent dialogue, it all seems like yesterday.

Directed meditatively by Loretta Greco, The Huntington presents the World Premiere of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic live and in person as well at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 21. It is also available digitally through June 4. The show is two hours with one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Stacy Fischer, Breezy Leigh, and Ryan Winkles of The Huntington’s production of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic; photo: T Charles Erickson. Running from April 21 to May 21, 2023 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, South End.

Joy and Pandemic delves into a number of topics and it is not surprising that this production is running through and beyond Mother’s Day. It has an increasing intensity around the pandemic of 1918 in Philadelphia, but it also focuses on the shaping and influence mothers have on their daughters. What about doubt? What if a mother casts a shadow over what is right and wrong?

Though the show can meander and its formal dialogue is a bit muddled at times, Joy and Pandemic presents some important viewpoints that tip the scales on what is important in times of crisis. It is not preachy and delves into extreme behavior of those who make decisions strictly based on faith who might benefit from a bit more common sense.

Joy and Pandemic is about a passionate, independent and hardworking Christian Science mother and artist named Joy, her new husband Bradford and her excitable, impressionable and eccentric daughter Pilly. They are running a fine arts school for children and plan to have an open house on the same day the town is holding a parade, even through whispers of the Spanish flu to the dismay of Joy’s mother in law Rosemary.

Arnulfo Maldonado’s transformative, layered, and eye opening scenic design is strewn with paintbrushes, framed art work, shelves full of assorted pottery and art books as crown molding and retro wallpaper adorn the walls and brass, vintage chandeliers hang overhead. Just as impressive is the astounding sound effects and presentation of the parade with booms and pops by Fan Zhang and lighting by Jen Schriver. Zhang also effectively rewinds the clock with American Standards by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

Stacy Fischer and Ryan Winkles of The Huntington’s production of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic; photo: T Charles Erickson. Running from April 21 to May 21, 2023 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, South End.

Even while exploring themes like faith, illness, medicine, life, and death, the cast manages to bring some occasional and much needed relatable humor to the production. Marceline Hugot brings gravitas and hardnosed practicality as Joy’s mother in law Rosemary and Ryan Winkles is formidable as Joy’s mysterious husband Bradford. Due to a portion of the show’s clever casting, it is best not to say more except that Stacy Fischer, Ella Dershowitz, and Breezy Leigh fit smoothly into their perspective roles. Joy and Pandemic is not so much about joy itself though it does touch upon it outside its moments of intensity, poignancy, and insightful dialogue. Somewhere along the way lies hope.

Stacy Fischer and Breezy Leigh of The Huntington’s production of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic; photo: T Charles Erickson. Running from April 21 to May 21, 2023 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, South End.

The Huntington presents the World Premiere of Taylor Mac’s Joy and Pandemic live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, May 21 and will continue streaming through June 4. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Hosted by Jordan Rich, renowned Broadcast Hall of Fame recipient, author, veteran, and Boston radio legend Ron Della Chiesa celebrated his 85th birthday with a marvelous bash

Posted on March 1, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Ron Della Chiesa still spends his life doing the very thing that he loves best. When he is not sharing his extensive music knowledge on the air on Strictly Sinatra and Music America Sundays on Easy 99.1 FM or announcing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra or for Tanglewood under a warm summer sun, one of his biggest loves is opera. A frequent visitor to the MET, Ron’s father was an opera singer and Ron could passionately talk about opera from Giacomo Puccini to Marcello Giordani, two opera dynamos who are also the names of Ron and his wife Joyce’s beloved cats. Ron knows so much about opera that during the night of his 85^th birthday, he shared a little known fact about a famous opera singer and how the Phantom of the Opera musical really got its roots.

Raffaels in Hingham, MA Photo by Louise Lori Patricia

To the swinging sounds of Rico Barr and his Jump and Jive Band and hosted by Jordan Rich, Ron Della Chiesa’s 85^th birthday took place to a full house at Raffaels in Hingham, Massachusetts on Friday, February 17, the night before his real birthday.

Host Jordan Rich and Ron Della Chiesa Photo by Louise Lori Patricia

It seemed not so long ago that Ron was turning 70 and didn’t feel a bit like it. Still happily working in Broadcasting at 85, he still makes guest appearances to talk about Broadcast history, his popular book with bestselling author Erica Ferencik called Radio My Way and will be quick to tell anyone what still makes him fond of radio after all these years. Always good natured and positive, the theme of his birthday bash was ‘The Best is Yet to Come,’ not only named after a Sinatra song but the personal slogan of his amazing life.

Surprise appearance by Cha-Chi Loprete Photo by Jeanne Denizard

Tenor Matthew D i Battista sang the National Anthem to open this special evening. With guests invited to dress in red, people took to the dance floor to swing to an extensive list of American Standards performed by Rico’s band. The elegant evening even included a couple of songs Ron sang from Sinatra’s classic tunes.

Tenor Matthew DiBattista sings the National Anthem From L to R Ron Della Chisa Matthew DiBattista and Jordan-Rich Photo credit to Louise Lori Patricia

Music Director for the Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons, renowned Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, and popular jazz musicians Bo and Bill Winiker were among the special guests that sent their birthday wishes via phone. Popular DJ and close friend Cha-Chi Loprete surprised Ron with his presence. Born in Quincy, MA, Quincy Mayor Koch proclaimed February 18 as Ron Della Chiesa Day among many of Ron’s generous gifts. The evening also included birthday cake, cocktails, table seating, and countless guests reminiscing with Ron about his blessed life. Ron called it a magical evening he won’t soon forget!

Birthday slideshow produced by Christopher Desprez

Visit Strictly Sinatra and Music-America’s Facebook fan page for more photos of this celebrated evening. Ron’s Della Chiesa’s Strictly Sinatra and Music America offer occasional dance parties at Raffaels in Hingham, Massachusetts. The next event will be Ron Della Chiesa Strictly Sinatra Tribute Dance on November 3. Email musicnotnoise@aol.com, visit musicnotnoise.com or call Executive Producer Paul Schlosberg at 617-633-5100. To learn more about Ron, click here and listen to him on Easy 99.1 FM on Sunday night on Music America and Strictly Sinatra. Be sure to check out his memoir Radio My Way by Ron Della Chiesa and Erica Ferencik.

REVIEW: Seeped in silvery, eclectic rhythms, Celebrity Series of Boston presented a joyous, sold out Sergio Mendes and Bebel Gilberto concert for Bossa Nova’s 60th anniversary

Posted on October 31, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

Catchy, invigorating rhythms have never had a better reception than at Grammy award-winning Brazilian great Sergio Mendes and popular Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto’s sold out concert to celebrate 60 years of Bossa Nova on Friday, October 18 at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston. Presented by Celebrity Series of Boston, an enthusiastic crowd rejoiced in the exhilarating, eclectic rhythms that surely left them humming a tune or two long after the show was over.

Click here to find out where Sergio Mendes and Bebel Gilberto will perform next on their tour. Click here for more about Celebrity Series of Boston and all of their upcoming events.

Dressed in a floral, black trimmed dress that delivered a certain sparkle with silver, sky high heels, Bebel Gilberto, who descends from a long line of Brazilian and jazz greats including her late father, Joao Gilberto, who wrote the Grammy award-winning tune, The Girl from Ipanena, kicked off the celebration. Accompanied by renowned guitarist Guilherme Monteiro and drummer Leo Costa, Bebel swept onto the stage with catchy, low key rhythms. Her smooth, slinky vocals opened with Wave written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Frank Sinatra recorded this popular song in English in 1969.

BebelGilberto-credit Vicente de Paulo(3)

Bebel Gilberto Photo credit: Vicente de Paulo/Celebrity Series of Boston

Most of Bebel’s songs were in Portuguese, but as she engaged the crowd through song and personal reflections, she said she is Brazilian-American. She dedicated a few songs to family members, stating family is everything. Her set was a mix of jazz and serene rhythms as she whistled and scatted onstage.

Even if Portuguese is not a familiar language, the beats and rhythms linger in Bebel’s crisp, clear, and captivating vocals. She invited the crowd to sing and clap along as she covered some of her father’s hit songs such as the humorous O Pato (The Duck), the upbeat rhythms of Saudade vem Correndo, and Udiu, a song that Bebel said mirrors how her father played guitar.

Warm and charismatic, Bebel delivered a lighthearted, invigorating version of her own hit, So Nice (Summer Samba) and performed a lighter, more upbeat version of Just One of those Things, dedicating the classic Cole Porter hit to her parents. After playfully applying lipstick onstage, she ended her set with Samba Da Bencao, dedicating the mystical, romantic rhythms to Boston.

The celebration heated up as Grammy award-winning Sergio Mendes appeared onstage, greeted with a rousing applause. Along with his vocalist wife Gracinha Leporace and Katie Hampton, Sergio promised the crowd a musical journey through 60 years of Bossa Nova music and he certainly delivered.

Referring to the renowned musicians onstage as “the best band he ever had” while simultaneously playing piano and conducting the band, Sergio was accompanied by drummer Leo Costa, guitarist Kleber Jorge Pimenta, bassist Andre De Santanna, keyboardist Scott Mayo, and percussionist Gibi.

Dressed in his signature white Cuban Hat and suit, Sergio delved into the history of Bossa Nova, opening with a rousing rendition of Magalenha as the crowd clapped wildly. He followed it with the lighthearted and colorful tune, Waters of March, composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim as Katie Hampton and Gracinha Leporace swayed and effervescently sang, “It’s the end of the strain/It’s the joy in your heart.”

Sergio Mendes Photo credit: Vincente De Paulo/Celebrity Series of Boston

Sergio kept the evening lively, sharing songs that ranged from romantic and stirring to breezy and joyous with drum-infused rhythms. In a flowing sea green dress and charcoal leggings, Gracinha passionately sang O Que Sera by Chico Buarque. Hip hop veteran and vocalist Harrell Harris (H2O) sang a lovely duet with Katie Hampton for Sergio’s 80s hit, Never Gonna Let You Go as guitarist Kleber Jorge Pimenta performed an amazing guitar solo.

One of the most thrilling parts of the evening was a freestyle jam session which included a berimbau and percussionist solo seeped in the rhythms of Rio de Janeiro. Many of the musicians are multi-instrumentalists and it was fascinating to watch the instruments seemingly “speak” to each other.

The concert featured unique spins on popular songs such as Gracinha and Katie’s spirited, piano-infused duet of the Beatles classic, Fool on the Hill. Gracinha also lends her powerful vocals to an eclectic version of Dusty Springfield’s James Bond theme song, The Look of Love.

Sergio Mendes capped off the evening on a high note with two of his most popular songs. H2O returned to the stage as the band performed Mas Que Nada, a 1966 hit song that became popular again when Sergio collaborated on the song with Will.i.am and The Black Eyed Peas. H2O is an incredible talent, adding a boost to an already electric lineup. Saving the best for last, Bebel returned to the stage with the entire ensemble for a sensational version of Sergio’s most popular song, Pais Tropical, enhanced with bright rhythms and Scott Mayo’s thrilling saxophone. After 60 years, Bossa Nova still puts joy in the heart.

Click here to find out where Sergio Mendes and Bebel Gilberto are performing next. Click here for Celebrity Series of Boston’s wonderful 2019-20 season and upcoming events. For updates and more, follow Celebrity Series of Boston on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

REVIEW: Love and marriage gets wildly complicated in amusing romantic comedy farce, TCAN’s ‘First Things First’

Posted on March 16, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

Ever told a white lie that manifests itself into a whopper? One where the truth becomes hazy? That’s partly what The Center for the Arts in Natick’s (TCAN) romantic comedy farce First Things First is all about. Presented by Mutual One Bank, First Things First delves into love, marriage, and what can become of a little white lie.

Written by Derek Benfield and directed by Kathy Lague, TCAN’s First Things First continues its run through Sunday, March 17 at 14 Summer Street in Natick, Massachusetts. Parking is free on Sundays. The Center for the Arts in Natick is a charming theatre space that also holds other events including a movie theatre. Click here for more information, tickets, and how to become a member.

Photo courtesy of TCAN

This story is outlandish, which is the true nature of a farce. Boy meets girl. Boy marries girl. Girl gets lost on a mountain. Boy marries another girl. Then the girl returns. What’s a guy to do? Set entirely in the living room of newly married couple Pete and Sarah’s apartment, each character has his or her own ulterior motive of how this story will play out.

Set designer Tom Powers creates a cozy, welcoming environment with warm colors, coordinated paintings on the walls, and a large sofa. Classic songs about love and marriage by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole add a lighthearted, vintage flair.

The cast delivers quite a few surprises on this comedic journey and wait for the twist. Sarah, portrayed with a good measure of feigned, wide eyed naiveté by Laura Deschaines, is Pete’s wife. In a business suit and beard is Scott Saley as optimistic Pete, a man in for a surprise. As the characters delve deeper into deception, credit is due for keeping Derek Benfield’s increasing complicated plot straight. Scott Saley has a knack for physical comedy. His amusing facial expressions become more entertaining as the plot thickens.

Cathy Merlo portrays Pete’s steely and judgmental mother in law. Her pink suit is the only thing demure about her. She’s a woman used to being in charge and her schemes with Laura Deschaines are fun to watch. David Rustin as Pete’s unwitting friend George offers a great deal of observational humor as does Alessandra Horton as sweet and mysterious Jessica.

TCAN - The cast and crew of First Things First

The cast and crew of TCAN’s ‘First Things First’

The Center for the Arts in Natick present romantic comedy farce First Things First through Sunday, March 17. Click here for more information and tickets. Click here for more on TCAN’s 2019 season.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston presents one last summer dance with award-winning dance extravaganza, ’42nd Street’

Posted on August 7, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston is ready for its last dance of their 49^th summer musical season. After the smashing successes of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s spectacular production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the historical, epic, award-winning musical, Showboat, Reagle presents the Tony award-winning dance extravaganza, 42^nd Street continuing through Sunday, August 13 at Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Rachel York stars as Dorothy Brock Photo courtesy of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

Featuring an array of exuberant songs such as We’re in the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, and its title track, 42^nd Street delves into the life of a troubled director and the inner workings backstage of a Broadway show. The toe-tapping, Tony award-winner for Best Musical, 42^nd Street, stars award-winning actress Rachel York as ‘Dorothy Brock’ and beloved Reagle alum Rich Allegretto as ‘Julian Marsh.’ Performances are held at the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington Street in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Beloved Reagle alum Rich Allegretto stars as ‘Julian Marsh’ Photo courtesy of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has plenty to look forward to in the fall. On Sunday, September 17, Reagle presents a celebrity concert of what might have been with The Concert that Never Was: An Evening with Barbara and Frank at 2 p.m. Featuring classic tunes from The American Songbook, this fascinating concert explores what it might have been like if legendary entertainers, Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra, took the stage for one enchanting stage performance. Click here for this one day only experience as well as other events coming this fall.

Call 1-781-891-5600, click here or email groups@reaglemusictheatre.org for more information on their final summer musical of the year, upcoming events, and much more. Group tickets and gift certificates are also available. Stay updated on all of Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s latest news by following them on Twitter and Facebook.