Grammy | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: An amusing battle of wits at Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

Posted on January 30 by The Sleepless Critic

It can be a strange form of intellectual entertainment.

The contestants range from excitable to anxious to charismatic while braving through the pressure to succeed. With spell check just a click away, knowing how to spell complex words such as Xanthosis, Autochthonous, or Logorrhea almost seems like an archaic practice. However, Scripps National Spelling Bees are seen all over the world and like any competition, plenty of drama is happening behind the scenes.

Smoothly directed and choreographed by Margaret McFadden with John Eldridge’s witty music direction, The Hive Theatre Company dives into an interesting match of wits with the award-winning musical comedy, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continuing live and in person through Sunday, February 1 at BCA Plaza Theatre at Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. This semi-interactive production runs 1 hour and 45 minutes with one intermission and contains some adult humor. Click here for more information and for tickets.

The cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Based on a book by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn and featuring playful and insightful songs from its Grammy award-nominated album such as I’m Not That Smart, Pandemonium, and I Speak Six Languages, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee explores the lives of quirky and feverishly ambitious Putnam Valley Middle School students who are not only striving to win the bee, but to find their place in the world.

Alex Kennedy and the cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Featuring a live four piece band in the background, the BCA Plaza Theatre offers a fitting scholastic vibe for a spelling bee. Kevin Deane Parker’s modestly staged set features a blue school door, colorful metal chairs and auditorium seating. No spelling bee should be without a sponsor and Putnam Optometrists have stepped in with a humorous slogan across the judge’s table. Samantha Wolfrum’s wild and eccentrically charming costumes illustrate each character’s distinctive qualities.

Before addressing each one of the improvisational wizards that compete in Hive Theatre Company’s production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, it is important to note that the audience plays their own part in the bee. This small cast makes a big impression, and this zany musical comedy tests the audience’s knowledge as four lucky guest volunteer spellers have the honor of taking the stage to compete with the cast. It is an amazing experience to be a guest speller as the cast keeps them on their toes all in good fun.

Amanda Wade and Cameron Nye in cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

If offered this opportunity, do not let fear and the unknown override a wonderful chance to join in the excitement of the bee along with the outside possibility of getting serenaded by some real talent. The interactive antics are just part of what makes this improvisational musical comedy unique and doused in a bit of the “reality show” flavor. Each performance of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee leaves its own individual and lasting impression.

From caricature voices to bizarre antics, this spelling bee cast leans into and emphasizes character quirks much more than endearing qualities than other version I have seen while relishing in their own various idiosyncrasies. To these students, spelling can be ruthless and punishing and are certainly feeling the pressure. Full of anxiety and neurotic awkwardness, each adolescent has their own humorous ways of coping to achieve a win paired with the difficulties of growing up. Learning each speller’s story and why they are participating in the Putnam County Spelling Bee (and needs a win) can be insightful, comical, and moving.

Salvatore Guillermo Garcia, Amanda Wade and Maya Gopalswamy in The Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Running the Bee is Amanda Wade as Rona Lisa Peretti, former winner of Putnam’s Spelling Bee. Peppy, orderly, and with polished vocals, Wade doles out fun facts about the contestants with palpable enthusiasm especially during the excitable number, Rona Moment #1. She and Josh Telepman as Vice Principal Douglas Panch are responsible for quite a few clever one liners during the show, feeding off each other’s varied personalities.

Anna Wright and Salvatore Guillermo Garcia in cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Salvatore Guillermo Garcia is impressive as intense, firm, but sensitive Mitch Mahoney who hands out cure-all juice boxes to eliminated contestants as he supervises the competition.

Maya Golalswamy and Kaden Mays in Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

Outlandish and peculiar, the remarkable spellers play well off each other and boast particular chemistry and harmony during the numbers, Pandemonium, My Friend, the Dictionary, and Magic Foot which fittingly features a kick line. Maya Gapalswamy as Olive and Kayden Mays as William display some awkwardly cute chemistry. Gapalswamy as hesitant and sweet Olive Ostrovsky is also sympathetic in a stirring rendition of The I Love You Song with Amanda Wade and Salvatore Guillermo Garcia. Anna Wright as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere, an anxiously outspoken bright-eyed girl in braids with a lisp forlornly laments Whoa is Me and Alex Kennedy is memorable as Leaf Coneybear, an intense, wildly dressed savant in a cape and bow tie while Cameron Nye has more than spelling on his mind as shy and daydreaming Chip Tolentino. Ashley Ha is ironically charismatic as socially awkward and rigid perfectionist Marcy Park especially for the athletic number, I Speak Six Languages.

Kaden Mays (center) and the cast of Hive Theatre Company’s ‘The 15th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Photo credit to Margaret McFadden

In a tricky environment where so much rides on improvisation, the cast navigates their characters while gliding through any challenging circumstances. The show inserts a few interesting pop references and contemporary issues into this timeless musical comedy. Some elevate the comedy while others seem out of place. Overall, The Hive Theatre Company’s musical comedy, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a clever and original musical production that may just leave the audience feeling a little smarter.

The Hive Theatre Company continues musical comedy, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee continuing live and in person through Sunday, February 1 at BCA Plaza Theatre at Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: The Mark Morris Dance Group, presented by Global Arts Live, displayed a mostly fetching ‘Look of Love’

Posted on February 2, 2025 by The Sleepless Critic

You may be familiar with far more Burt Bacharach songs than you realize.

That was certainly my experience watching The Mark Morris Dance Group’s pre-Valentine’s Day and retro- inspired music dedication to Burt Bacharach, The Look of Love.

Named after Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s Academy Award-nominated song for the 1967 James Bond film, Casino Royale originally sung by Dusty Springfield, Global Arts Live presented The Mark Morris Dance Group’s The Look of Love for a limited engagement from January 23 to 25 at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for more information, here for more on Global Arts Live and here for Mark Morris Dance Group’s next tour destination.

The Look of Love Jacobs Pillow 2023 Christopher Duggan

Burt Bacharach was an Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, and Emmy-winning composer and songwriter boasting an array of hits including songs from various movie soundtracks such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Arthur, Alfie, Promises Promises, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and interestingly enough, the strangely comical and catchy novelty tune to B horror flick, The Blob.

His songs are so memorable that they slip into contemporary culture in amazing ways as he continued releasing new songs into 2020. Who could forget the iconic, comedic and uplifting moment in My Best Friend’s Wedding when Rupert Everett started crooning I Say a Little Prayer before the whole table started singing along or when Kristen Wiig awkwardly started singing That’s What Friends are For at her best friend’s engagement party in Bridesmaids?

The Look Of Love Santa Monica 2022 Skye Schmidt

Burt Bacharach passed away in February 2023 so it was more than fitting to perform this dedication at the almost two-year anniversary of his passing. Kicking off with the Grammy award-winning and what Bacharach said was his favorite composition Alfie, The Mark Morris Dance Group embarks on a vivid journey in song and dance through an array of Bacharach’s popular hits.

Blaire Reinhard and Clinton Curtis create mellifluous harmony from the orchestra pit as dancers inhabit the stage for What the World Needs Now amid Nicole Pearce’s multicolored lighting which is at times luminous against Isaac Mizrahi’s multicolored assortment of flowing costumes and other times, overwhelming which can be a suitable description of love itself, striking a barrage of color before coming into luminous focus. The dancers are what coming into focus as brightly colored metal chairs and matching pillows complete this minimal set.

Bacharach has an array of peppy and sophisticated songs such as Do You Know the Way to San Jose, but Reinhard and Perry are at their best articulating heartache. Reinhard has an amazing belt and throws herself into Don’t Make Me Over and delivers charged vocals for Walk on By as dancers stride in rows concluding on a poignant moment of a woman looking on in the distance. Her expressive vocals for Are You There (With Another Girl) and Anyone Who Had a Heart in bold red lighting emphasize the pain of lost love, rejection and heartache while Curtis’s smooth vocals rise for The Look of Love in a dizzying display as dancers drift and sway in a green and purple backdrop punctuated by a tender embrace.

Ethan Iverson’s unique music arrangements deliver a fresh and exciting use of Bacharach’s work exemplified in the tapping and gradually athletic and urgent pace as light flashes overhead for Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.

This performance boasts mini situational love scenes depicted in Mark Morris’s storytelling choreography which includes a lip syncing karaoke singer for Message to Michael and other times dancer spin, leaping and soar at times quite literally depicting the lyrics in spreading wings or miming making a call.

The foreboding, kooky and funky vibe for The Blob reveals shadows of dancers possessed by a catchy beat. It is oddly comical in its red hued essence with the group in on the camp not to be taken too seriously.

UCSB Arts & Lectures – Mark Morris Dance Group “The Look of Love” 5/6/23 The Granada Theatre

The full company unites on a high note for I Say a Little Prayer with a joyful, fluttering, and sweet display amid a vibrant purple backdrop and a warm embrace much like the show began with a message of love, hope and support amid life’s suffering and struggles.

Though at times it can be visually overwhelming, The Mark Morris Dance Group provides an uplifting tribute to the genius that is Burt Bacharach and why his universal appeal and lasting impact will be celebrated for many generations to come.

Global Arts Live presented The Mark Morris Dance Group’s The Look of Love for a limited engagement from January 23 to 25 at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for more information, here for more on Global Arts Live and here for Mark Morris Dance Group’s next tour destination.

REVIEW: Based on a true story and featuring music by Cyndi Lauper, Company Theatre’s ‘Kinky Boots’ has some bright ideas

Posted on August 15, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

From beige to outrageously bold, Kinky Boots makes the shoes the stars.

‘Walking in another person’s shoes’ may be just a popular expression, but it fits so vividly into this unusual tale that is actually based on a true story. Set in England, Brandon Wong portrays sensible marketing whiz Charlie, the son of the owner of his family’s men’s shoe factory business, Price and Sons. Price and Sons has been passed down through generations, yet Charlie is not so keen on the world’s obsession with shoes or shoe manufacturing. His wise and distinguished father, memorably portrayed and boasting deep rich vocals by Peter S. Adams, wants to pass the business down to Charlie, but business isn’t what it used to be.

Company Theatre’s ‘Kinky Boots’ Dan Hannafin as George, Brandon Wong as Charlie, and Peter S. Adams as Mr. Price Photo by Zoe Bradford

However, one chance encounter leads to a Eureka moment in spades.

With conscientious direction by Zoe Bradford, upbeat musical direction by Robert McDonough and creatively choreographed by Sally Ashton Forrest, The Company Theatre steps into musical comedy Kinky Boots through Sunday, August 18 live and in person at the Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts. This layered rock musical has adult themes and runs approximately two hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Originally a 2005 British film of the same name, Kinky Boots musical made its Broadway debut in 2013. Acclaimed singer-songwriter and She’s so Unusual singer Cyndi Lauper, who has always been driven by her unique individuality as much for her distinct talent, is a perfect fit for the musical’s score and became the first solo woman to ever win a Grammy for Best Music Theatre Album for Kinky Boots.

It was a delight to hear her pop synth and rock signature sound in a portion of the songs, especially evident in Charlie’s inspired rendition of Step One and in a standout performance by hilarious Liz Mongrello as Lauren expressively singing The History of Wrong Guys. Mongrello has a charismatic, edgy and lively vibe that was a hit with the audience and it’s easy to imagine a young Lauper in that role.

Company Theatre’s ‘Kinky Boots’ Brandon Wong as Charlie and Liz Mongrello as Lauren Photo by Zoe Bradford

Brandon Wong as humble and innovative Charlie’s best scenes are immediately evident with Gilbert Dabady as Simon aka drag queen performer Lola because most of their scenes are where both characters are at their most vulnerable. Wong’s Charlie has great ideas, but not without Dabady as Lola/Simon who builds and enriches those ideas and takes the big risks over Charlie’s hesitation. Along with a humorous performance by Dan Hannafin as factory manager George, their Eureka moment and niche market for saving the shoe company is building shoes for drag queens that accommodates the weight of a man. However, it is still a mystery how they sold the shoes they already had manufactured in the former style.

Company Theatre’s Kinky Boots Andrew Farina as Don and Gilbert Dabady as Lola Simon and cast Photo by Zoe Bradford

Though being less of a fan of the more rambunctious portions of the musical such as the sultry The Sex is in the Heel, the spirited rendition of The Most Beautiful Thing, powerful duet for Not My Father’s Son, and the touching ballad The Soul of a Man resonates in each character’s struggle for authenticity. Gilbert Dabady is a remarkable Lola/Simon who commands the room most of the time delivering strong vocals, a sharp sense of humor, and clever quips such as ‘Room full of people who feel normal by comparison.’ Flashy with distinctive taste that does not conform to gender limitations, frank and outspoken Dabady as Lola/Simon has complex confidence that hides veiled insecurity and shines the most at Lola/Simon’s most vulnerable and forthright moments.

Company Theatre’s ‘Kinky Boots’ Kat Murphy O’Connor as Nicola and Brandon Wong as Charlie Photo by Zoe Bradford

Andrew Farina as macho Don also shares some humorous and thought-provoking scenes with Dabady including a tango-infused duet for What a Woman Wants which leads to a stunning revelation. Kat Murphy O’Connor compellingly portrays bubbly yet pushy with a taste for the finer things Nicola, Charlie’s girlfriend. Sporting a classic look, O’Connor only has eyes for her future.

Tackling an array of themes including grief and authenticity, Kinky Boots features some catchy tunes including Raise You Up/Just Be, the acoustically rich Take What You Got, and Everybody say Yeah’s notable choreography highlighted by some fancy footwork on conveyer belts.

Company Theatre’s ‘Kinky Boots’ ‘Take What You Got’ number with onstage orchestration Photo by Zoe Bradford

Dean Palmer Jr. livens the production’s uplifting rock vibe through multicolored, mood-setting lighting that enhances set designer Ryan Barrow’s muted British shoe factory layered in steel and brick. The rolling set does have its own share of sparkle and is structured to make room for the real stars…the boots! Joe Michienzie’s dynamic costumes range from factory casual to flashy which includes sparking gowns, tiger furs, neon, and lace. However, the glittering, wildly stated, eye popping delights are the boots themselves.

Company Theatre’s ‘Kinky Boots’ cast Photo by Zoe Bradford

REVIEW: Sara Bareilles serves up music and pie for film version of ‘Waitress the Musical’

Posted on December 15, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Perhaps love is like a pie. It’s comforting, fluffy, messy and sometimes forbidden.

When Joe’s Diner offers 27 varieties of pie including ‘White Knuckle Cream Pie’ and ‘In the Dark, Dark Chocolate Pie,’ love can get complicated.

Fathom Events presents a heartwarming and meaningful musical comedy, Waitress the Musical, a show that proves the greatest secrets in life might just be found in the kitchen. A lively production that made a splash on both Broadway and on a national tour, this filmed stage version is particularly special because it stars Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, the woman behind the music and lyrics to the production. Waitress the Musical boasts an all female production team and is based on the book by Jessie Nelson and screenplay by the late and great Adrienne Shelly. This film is dedicated to Shelly’s memory.

With a cast of colorful and comical characters and based on the 2007 film of the same name starring Keri Russell, Waitress the Musical film version is serving its best at select movie theatres for a limited time and will soon be available for streaming and video on demand. The show has some mature themes. Click here for more information and tickets.

L to R: Charity Angel Dawson as Becky, Sara Bareilles as Jenna and Caitlin Houlahan as Dawn in ‘Waitress the Musical’ Photo credit to Fathom Events

REPORT THIS AD

From a bright neon sign and red chrome booths to clever choreography that brings diner dancing a fresh, new meaning, the majority of Waitress is set inside the vintage and picturesque Joe’s Pie Diner as patrons and musicians interact onstage. Impressive songs range from catchy to reflective and numbers such as When He Sees Me and Opening Up are sure to stay with the audience long after the show is over.

Full of heart, what Waitress the Musical achieves is a delicate balance of the sweetness and realism, delving into the lives of a group of dynamic characters who dream of a better life. Sara Bareilles depicts diner baker Jenna who finds herself pregnant and falling in love with her doctor. Jenna expresses her thoughts on life through the humorous titles she deems to Joe’s Diner Pie of the Day.

REPORT THIS AD

It is impressive to watch mezzo soprano singer-songwriter Bareilles take the stage though it is sometimes difficult to separate her from her music. Sara Bareilles delivers a natural and inspiring performance as Jenna with her offbeat daydreams among the most memorable highlights of the film. Bareilles depicts Jenna’s complex web of emotions with dark humor and a spark of hope. Her smooth and familiar vocals offer an emotional rendition of A Soft Place to Land and She Used to Be Mine.

Bareilles as Jenna shares playful chemistry and beautiful harmony with compassionate and mysterious Drew Gehling as Dr. Pomatter in Bad Idea and the tender You Matter to Me. Lanky and a bit neurotic, Gehling doesn’t immediately seem so suave, but his compassion and quirky persona give him a fascinating charm. Dressed in a plaid shirt, worn jeans, and an acoustic guitar, Joe Tippett as Earl is manipulative, possessive, and at times chilling, especially for the rock tinged number, ‘You Will Still be Mine.’ Tippett is also ironically Sara Bareilles’s real life fiancé.

With oversized earrings, wild hair, and tiger prints, Charity Angel Dawson offers a great deal of comic relief as outspoken, wise cracking, and supportive waitress Becky. Spirited and direct, Becky captivates for the number, I Didn’t Plan It and her onstage charisma will have the audience hanging on her every word including her sarcastic and priceless reactions to her surroundings.

REPORT THIS AD

In bright red glasses, Caitlin Houlahan portrays Dawn with her own endearing comedic timing and shines as a yearning bundle of nerves for the catchy tune, When He Sees Me. Imaginative and shy while she rhythmically shoots ketchup into the mustard bottle, Dawn awkwardly deems herself ‘a woman of many passions.’ With Christopher Fitzgerald as scene stealing Ogie, they are a comedic force to be reckoned with. Gleeful and goofy yet determined, Fitzgerald shows the power of love has sharp comedic rhythm in a bungle of flawless and unsuppressed energy.

Boasting a wonderful laugh and a curmudgeonly personality, Dakin Matthews portrays difficult customer and diner owner, Joe. A darkly comical storyteller, Joe’s conversations with Jenna are frank, open, and offer sage advice. Take it from an Old Man is tender, paternal, and moving number. Matthews as Joe also captures the uplifting spirit of the production as he remarks, ‘Baking a pie is a magical experience.’

With a cast of colorful and comical characters and based on the 2007 film of the same name starring Keri Russell, Waitress the Musical is serving its best at select movie theatres for a limited time and will soon be available for streaming and video on demand. The show has some mature themes. Click here for more information and tickets.

REVIEW: Take a wondrous romp ‘Into the Woods’

Posted on March 27, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

What lies beyond happily ever after?

From David Patrick Kelly’s initial rich and spirited vocals as Narrator uttering the classic line, ‘Once upon a Time’ from a treelike podium, it is easy to see that Into the Woods is no ordinary fairytale. To Stephen Sondheim’s complex tapestry of famous storytelling numbers ranging from stirring ballads to catchy compositions, Into the Woods brings together some of literature’s most famous fairytale characters on a multi-arc journey through an enchanted wood. It’s a place where fortune smiles, but like every fairy tale, the road winds with surprise twists, turns and resounding life lessons for adults and children alike.

INTO THE WOODS 12 : The Company of Into the Woods Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Directed shrewdly by Lear deBessonet, seamlessly choreographed by Lorin Latarro with meticulous music direction by John Bell, the Grammy and Tony award-winning musical Into the Woods continues direct from Broadway live and in person at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 2. The musical is 2 hours and 45 minutes including one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Into the Woods boasts some absorbing special effects and Tyler Micoleau’s affective and multicolored lighting enlivens David Rockwell’s moving and immersive set with includes an onstage orchestra and a monstrous full moon.

INTO THE WOODS 25 : David Patrick Kelly Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Storytelling has never sounded better with David Patrick Kelly at the helm. Kelly brings gravitas and zealously delivers this humorous, adventurous, and poignant tale which includes a baker and his wife’s unfortunate encounter with a witch that drives them to embark on an unexpected journey. Into the Woods was revived on Broadway last year and with that, the characters seem more boisterous, the jokes sleeker, and cast’s quick witted comic timing and bold and hilarious adlibbing enrich the characters and their plights while occasionally breaking the 4^th wall.

INTO THE WOODS 21 : (L to R) Jason Forbach and Gavin Creel Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The chemistry between this savvy cast crackles and they master Sondheim’s technically challenging harmonies in several collaborative numbers including the musical’s title track. Andrea Hood’s edgy, vibrant and lavish costumes are well suited for Nancy Opel as Cinderella’s stepmother and Ta’nika Gibson and Brooke Ishibashi as Cinderella’s fashion conscious stepsisters. Opel’s sarcastic fervor and tight lipped Cheshire smile is reminiscent of Jennifer Saunders and the conceited trio relishes in their own villainy. Gibson and Ishibashi is a pair of self-absorbed bookends who comically parade in their excessive glory, unaware of how foolish they seem. Diane Phelan impressively depicts an exasperated and contemplative Cinderella, her soaring and angelic vocals shine for the deliberative, A Very Nice Prince and conspiratorially for On the Steps of the Palace.

INTO THE WOODS 1 0 : (L to R) Gavin Creel and Katy Geraghty Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The show’s edgy and coordinating costumes are also prevalent on a pair of egotistical and coiffed Prince Charmings in dazzling fuchsia by Jason Forbach and in brilliant yellow by Gavin Creel. Every bit the scene stealing pair, the two prance and pose like rock stars, their comic timing on point for the backhanded and love struck, Agony. Creel also utilizes some of that lively charm and Jim Carrey-esque energy with some menacing glee for Hello Little Girl with Katy Geraghty in a surly little scowl as blunt, daring, and voracious Red Riding Hood. Geraghty’s strong willed Riding Hood is fierce and exhibits incredible dry wit throughout the production, but especially with Sebastian Archelus as the proud and humble Baker and Stephanie J. Block as the conflicted Baker’s Wife in a bit of physical humor involving a loaf of bread. Archelus and Block are married in real life which only enhances their playful and affectionate duet, It takes Two. Block emotive eyes and desperate demeanor draws sympathy toward her plight, even in her occasionally warped reasoning for Maybe There’s Magic.

INTO THE WOODS 1: (L to R) Aymee Garcia, Cole Thompson, and Kennedy Kanagawa Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Cole Thompson is wonderful as idealistic and naïve Jack in an amazing rendition of Giants in the Sky and has some sweet and humorous scenes with Aymee Garcia as Jack’s protective and practical mother as well as Kennedy Kanagawa, who is one of a few lively personalities depicted splendidly through puppetry.

Montego Glover glides along the stage maliciously as The Witch, but maybe unlike one found in any other fairytale. Glover depicts this harsh and complex practicality with vigor, finesse, and perhaps as a wearied storyteller all her own. The Witch’s multi-faceted demeanor stuns in a harrowing rendition of Stay with Me and in a riveting The Last Midnight.

INTO THE WOODS 7 : Montego Glover Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Into the Woods made its musical debut in 1987 and there is a reason it still thrives over 35 years later. It still has that timeless wonder, humor and charm, but more importantly, it metaphorically encapsulates realistic complexities of life in a fairytale that reaches happily ever after…and beyond.

The Grammy and Tony award-winning musical Into the Woods continues direct from Broadway live and in person at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 2. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Featuring Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Krista River and special guest musicians, A Far Cry ended season with a stirring ‘Sunset’

Posted on May 23, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

Having witnessed A Far Cry’s triumphant return to performing live and in person last September as they kicked off their 15th season with Circle of Life, it was an honor and fitting to review Sunset, A Far Cry’s final concert of the season. Sunset was originally scheduled for March 2020 and this Grammy-nominated, self-directed chamber orchestra was thrilled to finally present it onstage. With a heartfelt introduction by Sarah Darling, Boston-based A Far Cry brought a diverse repertoire of suspense, tragedy, and soaring vocals by mezzo-soprano Krista River before joining a collection of promising musicians including Project STEP for a robust finale.

A Far Cry criers at Jordan Hall Boston MA Photo credit to A Far Cry

Following opening group Project STEP, A Far Cry took the gorgeous Jordan Hall stage in Boston, MA for their final concert on Friday, May 13 for 90 minutes with no intermission. A Far Cry will cap off their 15^th season with a Spring Soiree on June 1 at the Nathaniel Allen Center for Arts and Culture in Newton, MA. The event includes a sneak peek of next season, outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a charity auction with the option to attend in person or virtually. Click here for more information and here for a look at A Far Cry’s upcoming season.

Grammy-nominated Chamber Orchestra A Far Cry Photo courtesy of A Far Cry

Elegantly dressed in flowing dresses and suits, A Far Cry opened their final concert with all 18 criers for Julius Eastman’s Joy Boy. A piece likened to the feeling of falling in love, Joy Boy has a trickling and mounting intensity as the orchestra gradually comes to life. It is fascinating to watch the ebb and flow in Joy Boy’s soothing opening rhythms which escalate to a gripping crescendo before lulling into its resonating finale.

Imagine moments before a stunning discovery in a suspenseful film. That’s the escalating tension built around Lutoslawski’s fiery Musique Funebre, Spanish for Funeral Music. A Far Cry performs this chilling and somber dirge with rich, Hitchcockian flair enhanced by a stroke of the viola and plucking, creeping rhythms. Fueled by searing drama and violin-tinged, pulsing urgency, A Far Cry plays furiously to bring this masterful work to an exciting and astounding climax that might leave you with a few goose bumps by the finale.

‘Il Tramonto Photo credit to Sarah Darling/A Far Cry

Led by Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Krista River’s airy and soaring vocals, A Far Cry took on Respighi’s classic piece, Il Tramonto, which is an Italian phrase translated as The Sunset. It is a popular piece having been featured in films such as the western classic, The Good the Bad and the Ugly. Adorned in a shimmering blue gray gown with her hair swept into an updo, River’s expressive vocals and her stirring countenance brings out the surreal poignancy of this tragic romance. Based on a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Il Tramonto has a moving story behind it and possibly inspired by a real life disaster in Indonesia.

Mezzo-soprano Krista River Photo credit to A Far Cry

A Far Cry recalled how music has been “cathartic journey” and like many in the arts and beyond, the love for the arts has been tested, especially in the last few years. Joined by promising musicians in New England Conservatory, NEC Prep, and Project STEP, A Far Cry brought this concert to a robust and wondrous close with Vicente Lusitano’s Aspice Domine and Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme, the latter dedicated to an inspiring teacher that encouraged young musicians to pursue their musical aspirations. Highlighted by a duo of skilled violinists, this group of musicians brought A Far Cry’s 15^th season to a glorious close with a mix of fragility, power, and a stirring finale.

Students in Project STEP Photo credit to Project STEP/A Far Cry

A Far Cry will cap off their 15^th season with a Spring Soiree on June 1 at the Nathaniel Allen Center for Arts and Culture in Newton, MA. The event includes a sneak peek of next season, outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a charity auction with the option to attend in person or virtually. Click here for more information and here for a look at A Far Cry’s upcoming season.

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: Multi-talented Hugh Jackman wows at the TD Garden

Posted on July 14, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

Is multi-talented Hugh Jackman better on film or onstage?

Is it worth seeing him when he comes back to Boston? Is he the Greatest Showman?

One thing is certain – Hugh Jackman is the genuine article.

Some actors who decide to go on tour put on self-indulgent shows of their history in show business and share their general musings about life to promote their next album or film. They might even sing a song or two. However, outside the studio, they can’t really sing or dance. People cheer, even if the show isn’t what they were expecting, but they remember that guy in that film or show who was so great in those roles, and that is enough.

Hugh is one talented guy. He is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award-winner as well as a Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominee. He has also been on the other side of acting as host of the Academy and Tony Awards. For his 50th birthday, he wished to go on a world-wide tour.

Hugh Jackman’s ‘The Man. The Music. The Show’ will continue through October 20, 2019. Click here for show dates. He’ll also return to Boston’s TD Garden for one more performance on Tuesday, October 1.

Photo credit to Hugh Jackman The Show

The morning of Hugh’s appearance on Thursday, June 27 at the TD Garden, Hugh Jackman made a surprise appearance serving coffee from a coffee truck in Boston to promote his charity work with ‘The Laughing Man Cafe and Foundation.’ A loyal Bruins fan, he called performing in Boston one of his big dreams.

As superhero Wolverine (in which he demonstrated an onstage pose or two), he showed his dynamic range. Decked out at first in a white tux, he ran the gamut of styles from flashy costumes to more casual attire with no ringleader costume in sight. Though he reminisced about his career with a realistic look at his dogged pursuit to find success as an actor, he seemed like a humble, funny, and approachable guy.

A family friendly show, he kept the crowd moving with a broad range of music. From reaching into an old school vibe with selections such as I’ve Got Rhythm and Mac the Knife to tap dancing to AC/DC to performing a vast selection of musical theatre including lighting up the stage with selections from ‘The Greatest Showman,’ the show had a universal appeal though especially tailored for the theatre buff. He joined Kaley McKnight onstage to perform a stunning, powerful rendition of This is Me and a sweeping ‘Les Miserables‘ medley. He also joined members of the Boston Children’s Chorus for a stirring rendition of You Will Be Found from the hit musical, ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’

Hugh Jackman at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts Photo courtesy of Jeanne Denizard

The second half of the show did not outdo the first, but he demonstrated his range further in the second. It actually became a bit trippy during his ode to his Australian idol, Peter Allen in which Hugh won a Tony Award for his portrayal as Peter in ‘The Boy From Oz.’ Peter was not only known for songs such as Don’t Cry Out Loud and Arthur’s Theme, but for his over-the-top stage performances. He also welcomed the audience into his native Australia by recreating the outback, claiming it as one of his most out-of-this-world experiences he has ever had.

So, to answer those questions, I prefer Hugh in his epic films, but he is undeniably a wonderful performer. The very best is a lot to ask, but his dynamic range is truly great and worth watching on tour or when he returns to Boston in October. You will no doubt recognize the sheer talent that he has developed over decades of being a singer, a dancer, theater actor, movie star, and a hero.

Cambridge Symphony Orchestra’s renowned conductor Cynthia Woods discusses ‘Angels and Heroes’ and describes her inspiration

Posted on March 9, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

On International Women’s Day, the Sleepless Critic pays homage to women who are making their mark around the world. One woman who is thriving in the Boston area and beyond is renowned Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (CSO) conductor, Cynthia Woods.

Cynthia has toured around the world and put together Cambridge Symphony Orchestra’s latest show, ‘Angels and Heroes,’ a one day only concert performance on Sunday, March 17 at Kresge Auditorium at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Click here for more information and tickets. The Sleepless Critic interviewed her about her exciting music background, what inspires her, ‘Angels and Heroes,’ and her future plans.

Photo courtesy of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra

Sleepless Critic: Grammy award-winning composer Nan Schwartz has not only composed arrangements for Natalie Cole and is from a long line of women composers, but she has also created orchestration for several films such as My Week with Marilyn, Life of Pi, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and Julie and Julia. What inspired the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra to take on Nan Schwartz’s latest work, the 15-minute trumpet tone poem, ‘Angels Among Us?’ I understand this piece will be performed live for the very first time.

Cynthia Woods: I met Nan Schwartz a few years ago and immediately thought her music would be a great way to broaden our programming. I asked her to keep me in the loop about her works for concert orchestra and she very kindly did.

Simultaneously, I was actively looking for some fresh concertos that use the brass to break up the piano or violin concerto routine and found a great fit when I heard Angels Among Us. Its beautiful lines and lush melodies evoke shimmering imagery and its rich, jazz influence brings a breath of freshness to the concert repertoire.

SC: One of the featured soloists for the afternoon is trumpeter Joseph Foley. He has performed all over the country and his first solo CD makes its debut this year. How did he become part of this performance? I understand this is a particularly challenging piece.

CW: I knew I needed an exceptional trumpet player who was also very comfortable crossing idioms and had a range that went much higher than what is considered standard. Joe, whom I have known for years, came to mind right away as the perfect choice.

SC: It is easy to see why this performance is called ‘Angels and Heroes’ because Joseph Schwanter’s powerful piece, ‘New Morning for the World’ pays tribute to the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Reverend Ray Hammond of Bethel AME Church will narrate some of Dr. King’s most acclaimed speeches.

CW: As you know, Art reflects the times we live in and the struggles we face as a society. I wanted to program something that reflected some of our current struggles we face while adding a historical context. Schwantner’s brilliant ‘New Morning for the World’ was a perfect choice. Dr. King preached hope and love and Schwantner represented that by using bold, fractured rhythmic cells to represent the unrest and despair of inequity against the soaring, vocal-like writing of the strings and brass.

The text is drawn from a series of some of King’s most famous speeches including ‘Behind the Selma March’ ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ and ‘I Have a Dream.’ We are thrilled Reverend Dr. Raymond Hammond is joining us to narrate these speeches and to bring renewed life and hope to Dr. King’s words.

SC: The theme of this concert is using your voice to break through feelings of powerlessness. Please expand on that. I understand the pieces in this performance complement each other.

CW: Yes, all the works in some way celebrate the human spirit and its ability to transform our lives for the better. The ‘Angels’ of Schwartz’s work are the ordinary people such as parents, teachers and friends, who, in the quietest way, change our lives for the better. Schwantner reminds us while we may face many challenges and heartbreak in life, we must have hope for change ‘because the arm of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice’ (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). The Sibelius, which was inspired by the simple beauty of 17 swans soaring overhead, reminds us of the simple beauty and inspiration our lives hold on a daily basis.

SC: You have worked all over the world. Please tell me what first inspired you to choose a career in music and what has been your favorite career moment so far?

CW: My parents enrolled me in a Preschool for the Performing Arts when I was three, and I think I have had the music bug ever since. I have very vivid childhood memories from when my folks would take my brother and me to the local orchestra concerts, which were conducted by the pioneering conductor Catherine Comet. My eyes were glued to her and thought it looked like fun! My passion for music began early and never dimmed.

I have so many wonderful memories. One of my favorite moments might be our recent ballet production of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It ended up being everything I could have hoped for artistically as a synthesis of music and dance, two of my favorite art forms.

SC: Is there a particular conductor that has inspired you over the years?

CW: It’s hard to choose because there are so many wonderful conductors out there, but my favorite one would be Bernard Haitink if I had to choose. He seems to overflow with music every time he performs.

SC: I understand you conducted Conrad Pope’s The Little Match Girl, such a compelling tale. You also worked on Morgan Neville’s documentary on Amar Bose. Please tell me more about that.

CW: Two seasons ago, the CSO was very fortunate acclaimed Hollywood composer Conrad Pope agreed to write The Little Match Girl for us. With youth runaways and homelessness at an all time high, we envisioned a tone poem outlining a story that is still very relevant today. Instead, it found its essence as a ballet filled with various scenes of our heroine’s life, from snow ball fights to teasing a grumpy old man to her vivid memories of her grandmother waiting for her in heaven. Due to this evolution, both Pope and I hope to see it fully staged at some point in the future.

I worked with Morgan Neville on his documentary about Amar Bose filmed on location at various parts of MIT where Bose was a student and he designed where the CSO performs, the Kresge Auditorium. Anytime you work with artists of different fields, it gives you a broader sense of your own idiom. It was an inspiring and rewarding experience.

SC: When you are not conducting, you are also a lecturer and writer. Any new projects you’d like to let people know about?

CW: We are busy planning lots of great things for our 45^th anniversary season next year including a newly commissioned ballet of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. We also hope to commission a new work for our Family Concert series as well as continue to highlight diverse and relevant programming that inspires our audiences. I think it will be our most challenging and rewarding season yet.

Cambridge Symphony Orchestra’s latest show, ‘Angels and Heroes‘ will be held Sunday, March 17 at Kresage Auditorium at MIT. Click here for more information on Cambridge Symphony Orchestra and for tickets.

REVIEW: Lexus Broadway in Boston’s ‘Waitress the Musical’ proves the best things in life come from the kitchen

Posted on March 18, 2018 by The Sleepless Critic

Lexus Broadway in Boston’s heartwarming and meaningful musical, Waitress the Musical, shows that life’s most important answers can be found in a pie. Currently on a national tour, Waitress, with book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and featuring an all female production team, oozes with southern charm as baker Jenna, portrayed passionately by Desi Oakley, finds herself pregnant and falling in love with her doctor.

Desi Oakley as Jenna in the national tour of Waitress, photo by Joan Marcus and courtesy of Broadway in Boston

With a cast of colorful and comical characters and based on the 2007 film of the same name starring Keri Russell, Waitress served its best in Boston from February 20 through March 4 at the Boston Opera House. Click here to see where Waitress will be taking the stage next and here for more on Lexus Broadway in Boston.

From a bright neon sign and red chrome booths to clever choreography that gives diner dancing a fresh, new meaning, the majority of Waitress is set inside the vintage and picturesque Joe’s Pie Diner. Impressive songs range from catchy to reflective and numbers like When He Sees Me and Opening Up are sure to stay with the audience long after the show is over.

Full of heart, what Waitress the Musical achieves is a delicate balance of the sweetness and realism of life, delving into the lives of a group of dynamic characters who dream of a better life. Jenna expresses her thoughts on life through the humorous titles she deems to Joe’s Diner Pie of the Day.

Nick Bailey & Desi Oakley in the national tour of Waitress, photo by Joan Marcus and Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Broadway in Boston

Desi Oakley delivers a powerful, inspiring performance as Jenna. She depicts Jenna’s complex web of emotions with a blend of dark humor and a note of hope. Her voice is as versatile as the pies she bakes and her intense rendition of She Used to Be Mine is one of the show’s greatest highlights. Her irresistible chemistry and beautiful harmony with compassionate and mysterious Bryan Fenkart as Dr. Pomatter are engaging in the playful Bad Idea and the tender You Matter to Me. Dressed in a plaid shirt, worn jeans, and tied back hair, Nick Bailey as Earl is manipulative and gruff with a rich, rock n roll voice.

Maiesha McQueen, Desi Oakley & Bryan Fenkart in the national tour of Waitress, photo by Joan Marcus and Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Broadway in Boston

With big earrings and wild hair, Charity Angel Dawson offers a great deal of comic relief as outspoken and wise cracking waitress Becky. Passionate and direct, Becky is captivating in the number, I Didn’t Plan It and her onstage charisma will have the audience hanging on her every word.

Charity Angel Dawson, Desi Oakley & Lenne Klingaman in the national tour of Waitress, photo by Joan Marcus and Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Broadway in Boston

In bright, red glasses, Lenne Klingaman portrays Dawn with her own, magnetic, comedic timing. Dreamy and shy, Dawn calls herself “a woman of many passions.” She is unforgettable singing the yearning number, When He Sees Me. With Jeremy Morse as scene stealing Ogie, they are a comedic force to be reckoned with. Gleeful and goofy with a habit of over sharing, Jeremy Morse has even the cast trying to keep a straight face. Morse’s comic timing is a bungle of flawless, unsuppressed energy.

Lenne Klingaman & Jeremy Morse in the national tour of Waitress, photo by Joan Marcus and Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Broadway in Boston

Larry Marshall, with a wonderful laugh and a curmudgeonly personality, portrays difficult customer and diner owner, Joe. A complicated storyteller with more insight than he seems, his conversations with Jenna is full of humor and openness. Speaking to the uplifting spirit of this charming show, Joe proclaims, “Baking a pie is a magical experience.”

Desi Oakley & Larry Marshall in the national tour of Waitress, photo by Joan Marcus and Matthew Murphy and courtesy of Broadway in Boston

Click here to see where Waitress the Musical arrives next. Lexus Broadway in Boston announces their new season on Monday, March 18 and is just getting started with popular musicals, On Your Feet, Disney’s Aladdin, Hamilton, and more. Click here for more information, tickets, and upcoming news. Follow Lexus Broadway in Boston on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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