Journey | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Boston Ballet delivers lighthearted and triumphant ‘Don Quixote’

Posted on March 24, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Armed with oversized artillery and a makeshift helmet, Don Quixote is a chivalrous and enchanting hero like none other.

Boasting a wealth of delightful physical humor, resplendent costumes, and exuberant choreography, the Boston Ballet presents Rudolf Nureyev’s uplifting and family friendly romantic comedy Don Quixote through Sunday, March 26 at Citizens Bank Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is approximately two hours 48 minutes including two intermissions. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Daniel Rubin as Don Quixote, Isaac Akiba as Sancho Panza and John Lam as Gamache Photo by Rosalie O’Connor Photography

A crowd toss, a tense and impressive knife dance, formidable puppetry, and every one of Don Quixote’s grand entrances are just a few of Don Quixote’s indelible moments when the company is not thrilling audiences with daring and athletic lifts and dives.

Isaac Akiba as Sancho Panza Photo by Rosalie O’Connor Photography

Delving into the wise words of Don Quixote author Cervantes, ‘The most perceptive character is the fool because the man who wishes to seem simple cannot possibly be a simpleton.’ Whether in love or in battle, My’kal Stromile’s charismatic and natural assurance as Don Quixote stands out amid his occasionally wild and rowdy surroundings. Chivalrous to a fault and a sympathetic admirer, Don Quixote, accompanied by his trusty and comedic sidekick Sancho Panza portrayed winningly by Angel Garcia Molinero, set out on a quest through Spain to find his ideal Dolcinea.

Ji Young Chae as Kitri and Jeffrey Cirio as Basilio Photo by Rosalie O’Connor Photography

Don Quixote encounters a vast array of dynamic characters from dryads to gypsies to matadors in distinct and exceptional garb in this consistently upbeat and lighthearted production. Viktorina Kapitonova dazzled audiences when she portrayed Cinderella in Boston Ballet’s 2019 Cinderella and that exuberance, determination and confidence shine through as Kitri. A red rose in her hair, Kapitonova’s bright smile lights for Basilio, portrayed impressively by Lasha Khozashvili. Kapitonova and Khozashvili are marvelous together as they perform a playful pas de deux, their captivating chemistry sweet and jubilant. Kapitonova also has some amusing moments with Rasmus Ahlgren as Lorenzo. Chyrstyn Fentroy’s spitfire Mercedes has spicier chemistry with Paul Craig as equally charming Matador Espada. Fentroy and Craig’s sharp and sweeping pas de deux is enthralling in daring lifts and leaps. One of the highlights of the performance is Fentroy’s thrilling knife dance. The matadors are elegant and gallant in bolero jackets in black and gold. Later, Jon Lam delivers a complex and powerful solo dance as a rowdy lead traveler .

The company demonstrates a plethora of visually impressive comedy ranging from absurd to mischievous to self deprecating. Lawrence Rines Munro as wealthy and foppish nobleman is an amusing scene stealer through his over the top expressions and comedic stances. On another notes, Addie Tapp is wonderful as Queen of the dryads delivering sweet chemistry with an enamored Stromile as Quioxote in a fanciful display as her dryads glide along the stage. Kaitlyn Casey intrigues as a mysterious bride.

Viktorina Kapitonova as Queen of the Dryads Photo by Rosalie O’Connor Photography

Boston Ballet’s Don Quixote’s resplendent visions of beauty vary from muted colors to floral pastels to bold and exotic creations inspired by Spain’s reformation era. In silks, lace, flowing capes and skirts, bolero jackets as well as ethereal, glittering and majestic attire, costume designer Nicholas Georgiadis effectively captures Quixote’s distinctive journey with finesse. The multi-functional fans frequently used by the company are characters in themselves for flirtation and comedy. From giant windmills to rustic wagons to towers and cannons, Georgiadis also helmed the production’s distinctive set design. Brandon Stirling Baker’s emotive lighting is especially prevalent for Don Quixote’s vivid and haunting visions.

Boston Ballet in Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote, photo by Rosalie O’Connor, courtesy of Boston Ballet

Skillfully conducted by Mischa Santora, Ludwig Minkus’s brilliant score varies from fanciful to powerfully epic to mischievous, setting the perfect tone for this unique and amazing classic tale.

Boston Ballet presents Rudolf Nureyev’s uplifting and family friendly romantic comedy Don Quixote through Sunday, March 26 at Citizens Bank Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston Ballet’s upcoming lineup includes Our Journey and Sleeping Beauty. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Despite boat’s limited view of the band, sold-out 70s funk and disco ‘Booty Vortex’ boat cruise still made waves

Posted on September 2, 2018 by The Sleepless Critic

Taking off from Boston Harbor to Gilligan’s Island and Hawaii Five-O’s adventurous theme songs, this was one three hour tour that kept party cruisers on their feet. Plenty of sun poured into the boat as fans wore their shiny, disco best boarding the Mass Bay Lines off of Rowes Wharf boat to witness the annual return of the nine piece 70s Funk and Disco band, Booty Vortex on their sold-out 21+ Booty Boat cruise Sunday, August 26 at 4 p.m. The cruise offered a cash bar and various concessions. Click here to find out Booty Vortex’s full schedule as well as a closer look at their talented band members.

This particular Mass Bay Lines boat was not ideal for a concert cruise. The roof where the band played was completely covered and attendance at full capacity, which offered limited ways to see the band perform up close. Booty Vortex’s past performance on the Provincetown II provided an open floor plan and dance floor so attendees had more room to move and witness the band take the stage. However, the band’s upbeat tunes provided plenty of reasons why Booty Vortex has developed such a strong following.

Past performance on Provincetown II for Rock and Blues concert cruises.

Calling themselves Boston’s finest funk and disco band, Booty Vortex is indeed unconventional, full of character, and possesses a bit of a wild side. Their enthusiasm is infectious, their voices powerful, and their music, a collection of mostly 70s disco cover songs, are tailored for a truly devoted 70s and retro dance crowd.

From saxophone to keyboard player, Booty Vortex delivers a full retro, big band sound. Some of their lively sense of humor is found in their self-proclaimed group member names composed of Huggy Bear Jeremy D. Valadez on saxophone, Brass Tornado Mark Coronado as Manager and Trumpet player, Gold Fingah James Tootle as MD/Keys and Vocals, Minty Fresh Dave Burnett on Bass, E-Bop Erik Barnes on Guitar, Tiger Lily Eva Davenport as Media and Vocals, Pixie Stix Maureen Medieros on Percussion, Rufus Russell Bogartz on Trombone, and Papi Erick B. Cifuentes on Drums.

Full Booty Vortex band on Mass Bay Lines boat Photo credit Erin Frawley/Booty Vortex

The nine piece extravaganza has a unique style, their music not too hard or loud and songs range from danceable to at times, mellow. They charmed audiences with pop tunes and disco hits such as Hues Corporation’s Rock the Boat, Lakeside’s Fantastic Voyage, Patti Labelle’s Lady Marmalade, Alicia Bridges’ I Love the Night Life, Tavares’s Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel, A Taste of Honey’s Boogie Oogie Oogie, George Benson’s Give Me the Night, Donna Summer’s Bad Girls, The Trammps’s Disco Inferno, Rose Royce’s Car Wash, Bee Gees’s You Should Be Dancing, Hot Chocolate’s You Sexy Thing, Chic’s Freak Out, Dee-lite’s Groove is in the Heart, KC and the Sunshine Band’s Get Down Tonight and Shake Your Booty, prompting the crowd to sing along.

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Denizard

Under sunny skies with no need for a jacket, the Booty Boat cruise provided some of Boston’s most beautiful sights including the Boston Harbor Islands and a lovely and hazy view of the city. It was primarily a smooth ride, with just a few instances of rockiness.

Booty Vortex will next appear at the C-Note in Hull on September 8. Photo credit to Erin Frawley/Booty Vortex

Easing their way back to Rowe’s Wharf, Booty Vortex closed out the evening with Sister Sledge and Jade’s We are Family and Journey’s hit Don’t Stop Believing. Booty Vortex next takes the C-Note stage in Hull on September 8. Click here for more of their future tour dates around Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.