Hairspray Live | The Sleepless Critic

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.

REVIEW: Kristin Chenoweth thrills Boston with her unshakable optimism, humor, and unstoppable vocals

Posted on May 9, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

“Boston is my second favorite place in the world,” reveals a glimmering Kristin Chenoweth, “Don’t tell New York.” Wearing a black, glitzy cocktail dress paired with shining silver pumps and a megawatt smile, award-winning singer and film, television, and musical theatre actress Kristin Chenoweth excitedly burst onto the Boston Symphony Hall stage, standing before an equally shimmering microphone as the crowd roared. “I feel like I’m in Oklahoma,” she revealed, sipping from a large Dunkin’ Donuts cup, “It feels right.”

It also felt right for the enthusiastic, packed house as Chenoweth kicked off her one night only, Celebrity Series of Boston debut of An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth on Sunday, April 30. Symphony Hall was appropriately lit in Chenoweth’s signature color as Greek statues above the balconies gave off a violet and pink hue.

Celebrity Series of Boston at Symphony Hall Photo courtesy of Jeanne Denizard

Greeting the audience with Should I be Sweet by Vincent Millie Youmans from the musical, Take a Chance, a thrilling, flirtatious ode debating the perfect way to present oneself, Chenoweth immediately lured the audience in with her engaging, vivacious, and wonderfully charming personality as well as her rich, unstoppable vocals. From beautiful stories about her parents to her unfailingly optimistic, humorous, and unbridled reflections on her life and career, Chenoweth proved not only a brilliant entertainer, but an incredible joy just to spend time with.

Accompanied by her Worcester-raised Music Director Michael Orland on piano, who is also the vocal coach to the hit show, Little Big Shots, Kristin Chenoweth spoke about a few of her past career highlights in television such as GCB, West Wing, Glee, Pushing Daisies, and Hairspray Live, to new projects such as a recently filmed pilot set in Boston as well as her new role on American Gods that premiered on Starz that same evening. Chenoweth also revealed a few significant roles that horrified her God-fearing parents, having been raised in the Bible belt in Oklahoma. For instance, having heard about Chenoweth’s new role as a witch in Wicked, Jerry and Judy Chenoweth shockingly asked, “Is the show satanic?” She also launched into the scandalous Broadway tune from the hit musical, A Chorus Line called Dance Ten Looks Three, cheekily toning down the lyrics to coincide with her conservative upbringing.

Photo courtesy of Robert Torres/Celebrity Series of Boston

What makes An Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth so powerful is for that evening, Chenoweth’s uplifting view of life helped to make life a bit more bearable, even in its sadder moments. Her recitation of The Obituary of the Pillsbury Doughboy was a particular highlight as a moment of silly humor following a glorious and emotional rendition of the beloved song, Bring Him Home from the musical, Les Miserables as she alluded to the Boston and Oklahoma bombings, a painful reminder of what Boston and her hometown have in common.

Chenoweth warmly shared her early experiences longing to become a ballerina, her surprising friendship with Julie Andrews, and what inspired her latest Grammy-nominated album full of Chenoweth’s favorite songs from the American Songbook, The Art of Elegance. She sang a poignant, timeless selection from the album by Hoagie Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, I Get Along Without You Very Well. She also delivered a few of her signature songs with lively exuberance such as Taylor, The Latte Boy and Popular from the musical, Wicked, her soaring, silvery, classically-trained vocals dancing from pop to operatic, perfectly complementing her witty sense of humor.

Kristin Chenoweth on Symphony Hall stage

Kristin Chenoweth with the Boston Conservatory and the Boston City Singers Photo courtesy of Robert Torres/Celebrity Series of Boston

Chenoweth surprised the audience by bringing out the Boston Conservatory and Boston City Singers to join her onstage to perform as she expressed her love of mentoring students and her love of all faiths. “For those who don’t believe,” Chenoweth added, “this will be over in four minutes.” Accompanied by the two choirs, she launched into the worship song, Upon this Rock. Her performance closed with what Chenoweth refers to as her anthem, I was Here, though her tender, memorable encore, Smile, may have also stayed with the audience long after the show was over.

Click here to see where the award-winning Kristin Chenoweth will be touring next as well as how to get a copy of her latest album, The Art of Elegance. A few performances remain in the Celebrity Series of Boston’s season. Click here for tickets and for a closer look at this season’s shows and here to take a peek at their recently announced 2017-18 season. Follow Celebrity Series of Boston on Facebook and Twitter for updates.