Georgia

REVIEW: Featuring a stellar cast, a riveting and indelible ‘Parade’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

A blanket and balloon have never held greater meaning under Georgia’s magnolia trees and endless sunshine.

Taking place nearly 50 years after the Civil War in 1913, Max Chernin depicts Leo Frank, a quiet and disciplined Jewish Brooklynite who is working hard to build a life in Georgia with his Southern wife Lucille, portrayed by Talia Suskauer, when one harrowing night changes everything.  Corruption, hypocrisy, slander, scandal and manipulation are all boldly explored as Leo Frank is accused of an unimaginable crime. 

When truth is set aside, where is there to turn?

Winner of two 2023 Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Direction of a Musical by Michael Arden with evocative choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, the national tour of historical musical drama Parade continues live and in person at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, March 23.  Based on a true story, this riveting production runs 2 hours and 30 minutes including one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Max Chernin (center) and company in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

It is particularly significant that Parade is on tour in Boston due to Massachusetts’ foundational roots including its Cradle of Liberty nickname, but also timely because Parade’s Boston run occurs through Purim, a Jewish festival rooted in the Book of Esther celebrating a historic Jewish triumph over oppression.

This captivating musical is based on a gripping true story and evokes a wide range of emotions.  Like a parade, it spectacularly unfolds with an opening drum roll of The Red Hills of Home boasting gorgeous harmonies, splendor and Michael Arden’s acclaimed and seamless direction as well as Dane Laffrey’s moving and sweeping scenic design.   

Adorned in vivid bunting as lights descend from the ceiling, Dane Laffrey’s elaborate and rolling set transforms from a wide open field into a wooden courtroom blending Sven Ortel’s descriptive projection design of dramatic and documentary-style elements revealing historical photos of the real people, places and newspaper headlines as crucial dates trace the events of the story.  Billowing clouds and colorful landscapes stand out vividly between the black and white footage.  Susan Hilferty and Mark Koss impressively capture the essence of the era in pastels, frills, smocks, three piece suits, newsboy caps, parasols, and brimmed hats.   

The National Touring Company of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

Having seen Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years, Brown has a gift for articulating a vast range of complex emotions and glimpses of his inspiration for his later work can been heard in this moving journey that ebbs and flows from bright to poignant, confident to humbling and from rueful to optimistic.  The emotional highs and lows infusing blues, pop, gospel, jazz, and rock are swift, stunning, and consistently thought provoking.

Max Chernin and company in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

Featuring a large and stellar cast of approximately 30 people with many of them portraying more than one role, I was blown away hearing the depth and resonance of this particular array of amazing and occasionally a cappella vocals under Charlie Alterman’s magnificent music direction.  Chernin’s vocals have a unique beauty as he embodies Leo’s stark loneliness and deft humor in How Can I Call this Home.  With gravitas and sincerity, Chernin is excellent as Leo as he shares his thoughts in melodious vocals and quiet candor especially during his remarkable ballad, It’s Hard to Speak my Heart.  He has elevating chemistry with Talia Suskauer as spirited and resourceful Lucille and they create powerful harmony for the lively and optimistic duet It’s Not Over Yet and a stunning rendition of All the Wasted Time.

Talia Suskauer and Max Chernin in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

Jack Roden is mesmerizing as Frankie Epps, especially during a powerful and poignant rendition of There is a Fountain/It Don’t Make Sense. The medley infuses light and angelic harmonies to foreboding of a boy maturing in an instant.  Roden and Olivia Goosman as exuberant Mary Phagan share some endearing scenes for the catchy The Picture Show.

Olivia Goosman, Jack Roden and company in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

Griffin Binnicker shines as charismatic yet contentious Tom Watson as he leads the urgent Hammer of Justice and Michael Tacconi is notable as scandal thirsty reporter Brett Craig desperate to revive his career in the darkly playful hymnal Real Big News.

The National Touring Company of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

Parade’s layered and stirring choreography is demonstrated in the hypnotic turn and parallels of The Factory Girls to the mischievous spring of Pretty Music with impressive Chris Shyer as slick Governor Slaton jubilantly spinning ladies across the dance floor.  Another highlight is the clanking rhythms and chilling choreography of Feel the Rain Fall with Ramone Nelson’s commanding vocals as mysterious Jim Conley and the telling and satirical number Where will you Stand when the Flood Comes.

Emily Rose DeMartino, Bailee Endebrock, Sophia Manicone and company in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

Parade is an important and touching musical that is as breathtaking and mysterious as it is shocking.  A haunting and powerful exploration of love, hope, faith, and loss into a profound and resonating piece of storytelling that is sure to stay with you long after the production is over. 

Max Chernin and the company in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus

The national tour of historical musical drama Parade continues live and in person at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, March 23.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW:  The Huntington’s intensely funny and revealing ‘John Proctor is the Villain’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

In a small southern town, everyone seems to know everyone else’s business and in high school, rumors run amok.  However, which ones are actually true and which ones are just talk? 

With meticulous direction by Margot Bordelon, The Huntington presents Kimberly Belflower’s dark comedy John Proctor is the Villain live and in person at the Calderwood Theatre in Massachusetts through Sunday, March 10 as well as a virtual program option through Sunday, March 24.  This show is not appropriate for children and is 100 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Left to right: Brianna Martinez, Jules Talbot, Victoria Omoregie, Haley Wong in John Proctor is the Villain; directed by Margot Bordelon; photo by T. Charles Erickson

Set in a rural Georgia high school in 2019, girls are coming into their own and through The Crucible, are discovering their own power.  When Jules Talbot as studious, serious, anxious and outspoken Beth Powell wishes to start a feminist club, the faculty is somewhat hesitant.  With Brianna Martinez as Ivy, Victoria Omoregie as Nell, Haley Wong as Raelynn Nix, and Japhet Balaban as cool teacher Mr. Smith to back Beth and tie the club into the curriculum, the club is underway.  Feminism fosters power and ignites change and this ambitious and likable group thinks that is just what this small town needs.

Left to right: Olivia Hebert, Japhet Balaban in John Proctor is the Villain; directed by Margot Bordelon; photo by T. Charles Erickson

Kristen Robinson’s detailed and edgy scenic design unveils a colorful classroom complete with academic notes, green chalkboard, raised stadium-style classroom seating, and transfiguring walls enriched by Aja M. Jackson’s flashy, rhythmic and radiant lighting.  Jackson’s lighting seamlessly aligns with Sinan Refik Zafar’s lively sound design that weaves in pop tunes from the darker sides of Pink, Lorde, Britney Spears and Taylor Swift. 

Left to right: Japhet Balaban, Isabel Van Natta, Victoria Omoregie, Brianna Martinez, Benjamin Izaak, Jules Talbot, Maanav Aryan Goyal, Haley Wong in John Proctor is the Villain; directed by Margot Bordelon; photo by T. Charles Erickson

John Proctor is the Villain presents a different and intriguing perspective to The Crucible that plays out in various ways within this Georgia High school.  The stiff raised hands, the quick paced teen dialogue, frenetic excitement and nervous energy of this group of teens solidly depicts the atmosphere and nature of high school while Zoe Sundra’s distinct costume design enriches each character’s individuality.  The production has plenty of giddy and playful moments that cement some close knit friendships and yet it never loses sight of tackling its serious topics.

Left to right: Isabel Van Natta, Jules Talbot, Victoria Omoregie, Haley Wong in John Proctor is the Villain; directed by Margot Bordelon; photo by T. Charles Erickson

Kimberly Belflower’s juicy script holds many stunning revelations and the tables turn many times over as the tale intensifies, but  John Proctor is the Villain also notably dives into broken relationships, reputation, and discovering one’s authentic self.  Some of the characters have an air of superficiality and mystery perhaps because they are gradually learning who they truly are.  Benjamin Izaak as cocky Lee Turner and Maanav Aryan Goyal as earnest Mason Adams seem more emotional than these focused teen girls. 

Left to right: Victoria Omoregie, Jules Talbot, Haley Wong in John Proctor is the Villain; directed by Margot Bordelon; photo by T. Charles Erickson

Isabel Van Natta is memorable as complicated and unpredictable Shelby who has returned to school under mysterious circumstances.  Van Natta and Haley Wong as unconventional and courageous Raelynn share some dynamic and fascinating scenes together.  In black star stockings with a matching purple and black dress, Victoria Omeregie charismatically portrays frank, stylish, and sometimes tough Nell Shaw.  Japhet Balaban cleverly portrays engaging, charismatic, and popular teacher Carter Smith who seems the most transparent and shares a charming camaraderie with his students. 

With meticulous direction by Margot Bordelon, The Huntington presents Kimberly Belflower’s dark comedy John Proctor is the Villain live and in person at the Calderwood Theatre in Massachusetts as well as a virtual program option through Sunday, March 10.  This show is not appropriate for children and is 100 minutes with no 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.