girls night out | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Lively and insightful, Lyric Stage Company’s award-winning play, ‘The Wolves’ howls

Posted on February 1, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

Woven into the lush, green indoor turf is a unique narrative with the clever earmarks of adolescence in Sara DeLappe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play finalist, The Wolves. Framed as a soccer match, this unconventional ensemble drama kicks off like a rocket, luring the audience into the tumultuous chattering of a competitive, all-girls soccer team who are about to learn a few valuable lessons about life and themselves in and out of the game.

Directed by A. Nora Long, Lyric Stage Company’s The Wolves continues through Sunday, February 3 at 140 Clarendon Street in Boston. The show is 90 minutes with no intermission and contains some mature themes. Click here for more information and tickets.

Photo courtesy of The Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Taking place entirely in an indoor soccer arena, Shelley Barish and Elizabeth Cahill’s exciting setting fits into the team’s boundless energy. Sports fans take note: Trained by soccer consultant Olivia Levine, The Wolves are the real deal, showing off authentic as well as physically complex moves throughout the performance.

What makes this show particularly interesting is the remarkable way the story is told. With a 90 minute running time matching the length of an average soccer match, a horn blaring not only kicks off the latest match within the performance, but sometimes humorously ties in to interrupt a heated conversation. As the audience as spectators peek into this team’s lives, the progressive nature in which they learn discipline, tolerance, and how to listen to each other is subtle, yet one of the most powerful parts of this compelling narrative.

Cast consists of Lydia Barnett-Mulligan, Sarah Elizabeth Bedard, Simone Black, Olivia Z. Cote, Chelsea Evered, Grace Experience, Julia Lennon, Valerie Terranova, and Jurielle Whitney Photo courtesy of Lyric Stage Company

These teammates have a natural and at times, rumbling chemistry in their uninhibited conversations. Whether they are delving into gossip around school, technology, getting their driver’s permits or scandalized by their maturing bodies, their viewpoints stay consistent with their level of maturity (right down to the abuse of the word, “like”) which can sometimes be insightful and other times, hilarious.

Though each cast member exhibits their own distinct personality in their matching uniforms, Valerie Terranova, who is making her debut on the Lyric Stage with this show, is a particular highlight as serious, optimistic player #25. The wise, unassuming way she leads the team shows that while the other girls may only see what is right in front of them, #25 sees where the game might take them, united, one victory at a time.

Laura Latreille (Soccer Mom) and cast Photo courtesy of Lyric Stage Company

Simone Black as #00 Photo courtesy of Lyric Stage Company of Boston

The Wolves may even serve as a nostalgic trip down memory lane, when you were a teenager and everything was the best thing in the world or the worst, the raging excitement of life. It may even leave you scratching your head, trying to recall if being a teenager girl was really like this. The undeniable answer, for the most part, was yes.

The Lyric Stage Company continues Sara DeLappe’s The Wolves through Sunday, February 3 at 140 Clarendon Street in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for tickets and more information. Subscriptions and dinner packages are also available. Follow The Lyric Stage on Twitter and Facebook for their upcoming productions and more.

Acclaimed producer Sue Gilad talks Tony nominations, girl power, and heartwarming musical, ‘A Taste of Things to Come’

Posted on April 11, 2018 by The Sleepless Critic

From the award-winning Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 to Angels in America, renowned theatre producer Suzanne Gilad has an eye for the next big show. Boasting an array of memorable tunes, Sue’s current musical project, A Taste of Things to Come, has been described as Jersey Boys meets Betty Crocker meets the 60s feminist movement. It takes the stage at Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse through April 29.

Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

Sue discusses getting Tony nominations, bringing A Taste of Things to Come to Chicago, and Turtle Wax. Click here for more information and tickets to A Taste of Things to Come.

Sleepless Critic: You are involved in a number of well known projects such as Angels in America, Madame Butterfly, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and upcoming project, The Other Josh Cohen. What first brought you into the theatre world?

Sue Gilad: I was a performer a long time ago and then started doing voice overs, which took me down a completely separate and fun path. A few years ago, a friend created a show and asked me if I would help shape it. I discovered being a producer meant that I could be responsible and still have a life. We get to be creative in terms of what kinds of work we bring to the public to see and hopefully open their minds and hearts. It made sense and there are still relatively few female producers in the business, although that is changing. There is a lot of growth for that.

I would jump Broadway projects as a co-producer and that is what is happening with the recently opened Angels in America. People ask me if they can meet Andrew Garfield who delivers a tremendous and transformative performance in the show. I’ve never seen him like that.

SC: What was it like for you when Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 got multiple Tony nominations?

SG: It was such a big honor that the show received the most Tony nominations of any show last year. The best part about getting the nominations was The Great Comet was a big creative risk. I don’t think anyone thought it was going to be on Broadway with its tiny stage and cast. When it was at the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Diane Paulus wanted to take the show which was in the round and remount it into proscenium theatre. She did to great acclaim and it became an immersive production, unlike anything Broadway has ever seen before.

Libby Servais (Broadway: Wicked, Lysistrata Jones), Cortney Wolfson (Broadway: The Addams Family, Les Miserables) Broadway’s Linedy Genao (On Your Feet! Original Broadway Cast), Marissa Rosen (Off-Broadway’s The Marvelous Wonderettes) Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

SC: A Taste of Things to Come has an all female crew. Was it planned that way?

SG: Dare I say that the women were the most qualified for the job? A Taste of Things to Come, written by Hollye Levin and Debra Barsha, is based on Hollye’s experience of her mom and a part of it tells the story of the life her mom had growing up. Then director Lorin Latarro came onboard when the show debuted at Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania. Everybody loved her and she brings tremendous things to the show.

The show features four women that age from age 25 in 1957 to age 35 in 1967. Everything blows open in the beginning of Act 2 when they are 10 years older and wiser with more opportunities for women and delicious secrets about race, religion, and sexuality which is not something you really talked about in the 1950s. By the 1960s, there was a real space for it. You get to see these women’s journeys during an incredible moment in history.

SC: What was it about A Taste of Things to Come that grabbed your attention?

SG: I saw a rehearsal or reading of this show and loved it. It gave me the opportunity to articulate my gratitude to the generation before me that broke through so many glass ceilings I didn’t even know existed.

Women of that generation either didn’t work or they became teachers and nurses so my generation can become doctors and superintendents. Then my kids’ generation can do whatever they want for work or nothing for work. It’s just extraordinary and gave me a window into the past. I can share it with my mom and, if I wanted to, bring my teenage daughters to it. It’s a celebration of friendship, solidarity, and kind of interestingly timed with the advent of the ‘me too’ and ‘times up’ movement that women in their time also had to take a stance for things that were beyond their comfort zone or what was socially acceptable at the time.

The cast of ‘A Taste of Things to Come’ Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

SC: The New York Times has described A Taste of Things to Come as ‘a recipe for catchy musical theatre.’ Please tell me a little about the music and your favorite songs.

SG: Composer Debra Barsha worked on Jersey Boys on Broadway for ten years so it starts out with the popular tunes of the 1950s. Ten years later, things become a lot groovier and it had a really distinctive 60s sound. My favorite song has been shifting as I get to know it better, but today I love the song, Blessings in Disguise. It’s a testament to the things we think will challenge us which are actually the things that make us stronger and give us unexpected gifts. My other favorite song is In Time, the final song of the show. The entire cast sings it and they look back at what they have been through together as individuals and as a group of friends. The best things happen in time.

SC: What has it been like putting the show together?

Since the show is set in Winnetka, A Taste of Things to Come is making its home in Chicago. It’s been fun listening to the audio discs during previews because of the way the audience giggles with any Winnetka or Chicago reference. We were very lucky to get New York Broadway actresses but we also have an understudy that can swing all four roles. Madison Kauffman is a Chicago native who just graduated from college. She came in for the first day of rehearsal completely off book for all four roles. Her level of excitement and passion is so thrilling.

The cast of ‘A Taste of Things to Come’ Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago

SC: What kind of support is the show looking for?

SG: We have a great sponsor based out of Chicago called Turtle Wax. It is in the script because it was wax that men were using in 1957 for their cars. We would be open for Chicago-based companies to sponsor the show because we do have a wonderful, primarily female, well-educated audience.

SC: What is in store for the future of the show?

SG: We have wonderful theatres interested in having the show at their theatre so we might take the show on tour. Then we’re hoping to get it licensed so every school, regional theatre, community, and worldwide theatre can perform it and share the victories of womanhood.

A Taste of Things to Come continues at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago through April 29. Click here for more information and for tickets. Follow A Taste of Things to Come on Facebook and Twitter.

For Performing Arts news, interviews, reviews, and much more in Boston and beyond, follow us on Facebook @sleeplesscritic and subscribe.

Director Matt Silva and ‘Waist Watchers the Musical’s’ cast talks improvising, exercise, and girl’s night out

Posted on June 10, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

Since April, Alan Jacobson’s Waist Watchers the Musical, a musical comedy from the production team responsible for You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up, My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, and I’m in Therapy, and Menopause The Musical, has been taking a frank and lighthearted look at four women’s struggle with dieting, body image issues, exercise, and much more. Perfect for a date night or a girl’s night out, this musical comedy continues through Sunday, June 25 at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts. Click here for the full schedule and for tickets.

‘Waist Watchers the Musical’ cast Photo courtesy of Playhouse Productions/Regent Theatre

The atmosphere was full of excitement and laughter as the cast and director of Waist Watchers the Musical, having just performed a weekday matinee, spoke about the unique preparation for this show, working with the choreographer of the acclaimed film, Silver Linings Playbook and Hairspray Live, and keeping the show fresh and more hilarious each and every night. Director Matt Silva and cast members Kiley McDonald, Stephanie Genovese, and Krissy Johnson all agree they are having a blast.

Sleepless Critic: Waist Watchers the Musical tackles a unique and sometimes sensitive subject. How does this show balance comedy with working out?

Kiley: We’ve talked about that a lot and how to approach the material knowing about body image and social media. It really takes a toll on women and how they envision what’s perfect. This show does a really good job of making light of everything and reminding us to laugh, accept, and love who you are. Everyone has flaws and trouble with something. That can’t hold you back and rule the choices you make in life.

‘Waist Watchers the Musical’ cast at Cook’s Gym Photo courtesy of Playhouse Productions/Regent Theatre

SC: Waist Watchers The Musical’s choreographer, Dani Tucci-Juraga, was behind the choreography for the acclaimed film, Silver Linings Playbook and Hairspray Live, which featured some amazing dance moves. Did you find learning the dancing particularly challenging?

Stephanie: Dani is fantastic. She is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met, but she is tough. She knows exactly what she wants and pushes you to become a better dancer, performer, and in this case, athlete. There were times when we were sore and complaining and she told us to deal with it and try harder.

SC: What attracted you to this show and these roles?

Matt: I am the orchestrator for this company who had taken on the show. It was out in Phoenix and I didn’t have anything to do with it. I went to see the show and thought the material was cool, acceptable, and empowering for women. The production itself wasn’t all that successful in terms of the talent, choreography, and the production value. I was really excited to take the message, empowerment, and the women’s process and collaborate with them and make it fun. I thought the production was lot of fun, but I thought the show I saw needed a little injection.

‘Waist Watchers the Musical’ cast Photo courtesy of Playhouse Productions/Regent Theatre

SC: The cast has very unique roles to prepare for. Aside from the dancing, what other preparation was involved?

Kiley: We knew right away that we needed to condition our bodies for the show because it is non-stop, 90 minutes of cardio. We would have to sing and dance without a lot of time to breathe. We also don’t leave the stage very often. It took us a little while to get our bodies moving, figure out where to breathe, and where to sing. A lot mental preparation goes into it.

SC: This show features all new and original music by Vince Di Mura. Do you have any favorites that stand out for you?

Stephanie: I love Lazy.

Kiley: My top favorite is The Morning After.

Chrissy: Eat it.

SC: You have been performing this show since April and the final show will be on Sunday, June 25. How does the show stay fresh each time you perform? I understand the show involves a lot of improvisation.

Stephanie: We try to make new discoveries each night. Every audience is different and they react to different things, so every performance stays different and fresh.

SC: You must encounter your share of surprises improvising and trying new things. Any memorable moments that occurred onstage?

Krissy: At this one performance, we had a new sound system. It was the first time using this wireless microphone. The mic cracked and made a loud noise onstage right before one of my lines. It frightened me so badly, I screamed! From that moment to the end of that scene, I could not stop laughing or get my lines out. It was quite amusing.

SC: You all obviously have really snappy chemistry on and off-stage.

Kiley: We are very fortunate to all get along and appreciate each other’s sense of humor.

SC: What is the best reason to see Waist Watchers The Musical?

Stephanie: It is definitely a girl’s night out and one hundred percent campy. It’s a feel good show with lots of laughs. Good clean fun, but definitely PG-13.

Presented by Playhouse Productions, Waist Watchers the Musical continues at the Regent Theatre until June 25. After the Regent Theatre, the show continues its tour in Huntington Beach and Sacramento, California. Click here for further details and for tickets or call 781-646-4849. Group rates are also available at 888-264-1788.