Lin Manuel Miranda | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Creativity underway in ‘Tick, Tick…BOOM!’ at Umbrella Arts Center

Posted on November 12 by The Sleepless Critic

Jon feels he is nearing the end of an era…his 30^th birthday.

Creatively directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins with lively music direction by Jordan Oczkowski, Umbrella Arts Stage Company continues Jonathan Larson’s ambitious musical Tick, Tick…BOOM! Live and in person at Umbrella Arts in Concord, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 23. This introspective and humorous musical journey runs 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Once a 2004 Off-Broadway musical, Tick, Tick…BOOM! was translated into a 2021 award-winning Netflix film adaptation directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and scored an Academy award-nomination for Andrew Garfield before taking the stage at numerous theater companies worldwide. While creatively runs wild in the Netflix film, the Umbrella Arts musical is where you find the spark.

Anthony Pires Jr.* Vanessa Calantropo and Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Set in January 1990, Tick, Tick…BOOM! Is a fascinating semi-autobiographical rock musical about Jonathan Larson, a struggling writer and composer living in New York City years before he created his hit rock musical, RENT. A writer writes about what one knows and so much of this story offers glimpses into Larson’s inspiration for that wildly-successful musical.

However, this is about the struggle and this musical is brimming with it. The painstaking work of creativity and all that could go wrong illuminates Tick, Tick…BOOM! as Larson struggles to keep it all together to achieve what at times seems impossible, especially in New York City. Tick, Tick…BOOM! is not only about Jonathan Larson’s frantic life, but it is also an ode to the artist and the struggle to live that extraordinarily competitive dream while just skirting out and skimming by trying to get a chance.

Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Erik Diaz’s barebones set symbolically offers a different approach to this production featuring dual level scaffolding (also featured in Rent) a weathered apartment balcony, staircase and a NYC skyline. It may symbolically stand as a work in progress much like this particular period in Jon’s life. However, Johnny Shea who delivers Jon’s detailed narration stretches the imagination to conjure up each setting such as a stainless steel kitchen, butcher block table, vast views and a luminous city skyline in a purple mist, part of Ben Rush’s warm and atmospheric lighting.

Anthony Pires Jr.* and Johnny Shea* and Vanessa Calantropo in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

At its creative center is likable narrator and lead Johnny Shea who is instantly earnest, introspective and charming as the frenetic Larson on the eve of Larson’s 30^th birthday. The unconventional, imaginative, and quick-thinking Larson divides his time between writing, composing and working at the Moondance Diner. However, music and writing naturally pours out of Larson’s soul and he is often consumed by it at the expense of everything else.

For forward-thinking Larson, turning 30 is a looming chasm that soaks up every ounce of his time until that odious deadline demonstrated in the urgent and memorable number, 30/90. Shea as Larson considers turning thirty as the end of youth, but it is certainly not too old to accomplish remarkable things. Perhaps Larson always felt like he was running out of time.

This often lighthearted musical features a dynamic, infectious, and multi-dimensional soundtrack about living in your 20s in New York City and how life evolves. RENT’s influence is unmistakably evident in the catchy and humorous number featuring Anthony Pires Jr. as Michael and Shea in No More which also reflects the strong camaraderie between best friends Michael and Jon. It is also easy to recognize the roots that will develop Larson’s future work in Shea’s tender number Why.

Anthony Pires Jr.* and Johnny Shea* in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Inside the Moondance Diner, Sunday features beautiful harmonies and clever quips. Vanessa Calantropo as Susan and Shea as Jon deliver a flirty duet with Green Green Dress. Therapy is a fantastic and humorous number about the miscommunication of love and the chipper and lighthearted Sugar is great fun. Johnny Can’t Decide harmoniously and pensively depicts the agonizing struggle living in the uncertainty of your dream or being practical which is a prevalent theme throughout the production.

With rich vocal arrangement and orchestrations by Stephen Oremus, this intimate onstage band can impressively jam and the musical’s small and mighty cast interacts with the band while delivering rich and powerful harmonies along this uninterrupted musical journey. With the exception of Shea as Jon, Anthony Pires Jr. as Michael and Vanessa Calantropo as Susan smoothly and humorously capture many other roles as Jon allows his story to unfold. Calantropo especially stands out for the soaring number, Come to Your Senses.

Anthony Pires Jr.* Johnny Shea* and Vanessa Calantropo in Umbrella Arts Stage Company’s ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Photo by Jim Sabitus

Tick, tick BOOM! explores the little victories, the larger victories, and the gut-wrenching defeats in Larson’s personal and professional world. However, what is genuinely important becomes poignantly clear and what truly inspires his work changes as the musical progresses.

Umbrella Arts Stage Company continues Jonathan Larson’s ambitious musical Tick, Tick…BOOM live and in person through Sunday, November 23 at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Lexus Broadway in Boston’s ‘Hamilton’ – history and the hype

Posted on February 22, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

Having witnessed Lin Manuel Miranda’s dynamite, hip hop improvisational event Freestyle Love Supreme live in Boston prior to seeing Hamilton, it is easy to see some of the inspiration and contemporary influences on the renowned historical rap musical, Hamilton which centers around one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. As an illegitimate orphan immigrant from the West Indies, Hamilton created a legacy and became one of the forefathers of the constitution, but not without making enemies and causing scandal along the way.

Directed by Thomas Kail and inspired by the book, Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Broadway in Boston presents Tony award-winning Hamilton live and in person at the Citizens Bank Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts through March 12. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Hamilton Joseph Morales and Nik Walker will lead the second national tour of Hamilton as Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, respectively. Other principal roles in Hamilton will be played by Ta’Rea Campbell as Angelica Schuyler; Marcus Choi as George Washington; Elijah Malcomb as John Laurens/Phillip Schuyler; Shoba Narayan as Eliza Hamilton; Fergie L. Philippe as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Kyle Scatliffe as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Danielle Sostre as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds and Jon Patrick Walker as King George. The second national tour also includes Tia Altinay, Amber Ardolino, Conroe Brooks, Cameron Burke, Evan S. Cochran, Phil Colgan, Desmond Sean Eillington, Hope Endrenyi, Lili Froehlich, Daniel Gaymon, Camden Gonzales, Jennie Harney, Stephen Hernandez, Kristen Hoagland, Abby Jaros, Emily Jenda, Wonza Johnson, King David Jones, Carina-Kay Louchiey, Brandt Martinez, Taeko McCarroll, Tyler McKenzie, Justice Moore, Antuan Magic Raimone, Julian Ramos, Jen Sese, Willie Smith III, and Julius Thomas III. Photo by Joan Marcus

One of Hamilton’s most memorable lines reflected on legacy. It is defined as “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” Hamilton has an innate urgency as big as Hamilton’s persistent and risk taking drive. Having emigrated from the West Indies where life was short to New York, Alexander knew many in the West Indies at that time did not expect to live past 20 as he arrived in New York with big aspirations according to the musical at 19 years old.

Hamilton’s life was lived without a second to lose and the show emphasizes this with vigor, roaring cannons by sound designer Nevin Steinberg while Howell Binkley’s peak lighting blares in the distance for My Shot. In spite of a mountain of obstacles, Alexander knew this was his chance to rise up and bring the United States to freedom.

Quite the opposite is the leisurely sarcasm of King of England’s King George, an amusingly smug performance by Neil Haskell as he waits in the wings for his estranged renegades’ surefire defeat and return. Wearing a gleaming crown, Haskell’ s droll and intriguing remarks are so certain and so methodically threatening in You’ll Be Back as he drives his once followers into submission from a distance. In feigned loyalty and villainy, he remarks, “You were mine to subdue.”

One of the strongest and most fascinating aspects of the musical is Jared Dixon’s regal, sophisticated and reserved Aaron Burr to Pierre Jean Gonzalez’s impulsive and expedient Alexander Hamilton. Dixon is exceptional as Burr, emphasizing how these two greats are so alike and so incredibly different as is demonstrated in the stirring number, Dear Theodosia. Burr and Hamilton’s building tension, especially while working with an inspiring Marcus Choi as wise, firm, reasonable and commanding George Washington, is among the best parts of the production. Aaron Burr Sir, Non-Stop, and The Room Where it Happens emphasize this gripping tension while Choi makes a formidable Washington as he delivers soaring vocals in an exhilarating rendition of One Last Time.

Hamilton’s reflective number Hurricane is an indelible performance fueled by Andy Blankenbuehler’s intricate and purposeful choreography while contemporary meets vintage colonial flair in a stream of clever storytelling for the playful Helpless and then the discerning Satisfied. Hamilton’s colonial era setting hits the mark with costumes by Paul Tazewell ranging from bustiers to velvet suits to sweeping ball gowns in muted colors. Ta’Rea Campbell is extraordinary as conflicted Schuyler sister Angelica. Her silvery vocals depict her charisma, determination, but steadfast loyalty established in Helpless and Satisfied. She has intriguing chemistry with Hamilton as she deliberately matches her sister Eliza with him. Nikisha Williams is well suited for wide eyed, altruistic, and unwaveringly supportive Eliza as demonstrated in the touching duet That Would be Enough with Gonzalez and the complex and poignant It’s Quiet Uptown enhanced by Blankenbueher’s sweeping choreography.

Shoba Narayan, Ta’Rea Campbell, and Nyla Sostre – Hamilton National Tour Photo credit Joan Marcus 2018

Hamilton has had quite a sterling reputation over the years. Witnessing this musical the first time brought incredibly high expectations, so perhaps those high hopes was not fair to the musical itself. It was a unique and immersive experience featuring some fast paced and catchy numbers, but also a wealth of heady and historical dialogue delivered in rap libretto, which sometimes made the musical difficult to follow. Streaming it with subtitles certainly helped on Disney Plus and returning fans of Hamilton are already familiar with the story and soundtrack, but though the style is contemporary and innovative, it was a bit frustrating trying to capture every word. Perhaps it is wise to experience Hamilton through the soundtrack and/or streaming before watching it live.

Much acclaim to Alexander Hamilton who literally picked himself up by his bootstraps and created such an incredible legacy. Hamilton is packed with some lesser known historical facts about United States history and history buffs will especially enjoy it as events unfold. Hamilton is full of patriotism and stands as a much needed reminder of the kind of timeless zealousness that originally established America’s independence and freedom as it pulses to its own contemporary beat.

Broadway in Boston presents Tony award-winning Hamilton live and in person at the Citizens Bank Opera House through March 12. Click here for more information and for tickets.

On the verge of Cohasset Dramatic Club’s 100th season, President Lisa Pratt wrestles with the future of live theatre

Posted on July 23, 2020 by The Sleepless Critic

“It looks like a snapshot in time waiting for life again,” reflects Cohasset Dramatic Club President Lisa Pratt, as we spoke about what the future holds for live theatre and their highly-anticipated production of The Music Man. The show was supposed to take the stage in March on the weekend Covid-19 shut everything down.

Sleepless Critic spoke to Pratt about live theatre, the history of Cohasset Dramatic Club, and how art makes a new start. Cohasset Dramatic Club is hoping to present The Music Man in September 2020 to kick off its 100^th season, but what it will look like still remains to be seen.

Photo courtesy of Cohasset Dramatic Club

Sleepless Critic: I understand you are hoping The Music Man will arrive this fall.

Lisa Pratt: I guess I’m hopeful but realistic. From a parent’s standpoint, I only want to do what’s best and give everyone an outlet for a beautiful and wholesome show. Literally every costume is perfectly intact and every dressing room is waiting for us to come back. It looks like a snapshot in time.

Of course, there’s the financial fallout. We spent all that money to put on a show, but didn’t sell a single ticket. Not that theatre is a money-making venture. We might lose more money producing the show than not, but the art is so important to put back on its feet again that we’ll do whatever we have to do to make it happen.

It’s ironically Cohasset Dramatic Club’s 100^th season this September and we had a bunch of plays in the talking stages. We are scheduled to do Our Town because Our Town author Thornton Wilder portrayed the Stage Manager when it was first being produced in summer stock on our stage which was what Cohasset Town Hall’s Theatre space was before The South Shore Music Circus became their second venue. It was necessary to have more space, so a family named Cook who owned that flat land in Cohasset, donated the land to let the people put up a tent for shows in 1950. The summer stock circuit started in the 40s. It was in and out of the Cohasset Town Hall for 10 years.

Our Town, a relatively simple show to produce, has a fairly large cast. The town election takes place in that space. It works for them and I think it is convenient to have the town officers have their own auditorium attached to them. So, we would bypass a September 1 election and have Our Town before the November 3 election. The final show and the end of our 2021 season would be in March 2021.

Sleepless Critic: I was watching the 1962 film The Music Man a few weeks ago. At one point in the movie, Robert Preston as Harold Hill was told not to go in that house and he replied, “Why? Is it in Quarantine?”

Lisa: Shut the front door! Are you kidding me? That is so funny. We want The Music Man be a live event at this point. It all depends if Covid-19 follows the right path to keep all of us safely sharing space and moving forward. As much as I want it all to happen, I would be devastated if anything came from it and someone got sick. What will it look like?

Sleepless Critic: Theatre has transformed a bit as we’ve been going through what Lin- Manuel Miranda deemed “an intermission.” Some theatres have just stopped and some have turned to other avenues.

Lisa: I feel we have stayed in touch with people who have wanted to study scene work, choreography, dance, and vocal work. In the spring, we created a program called, Live from the Living Room, a free virtual production with option to donate to Cohasset Dramatic Club and people did. We did a special theatrical makeup piece created by Lancôme’s Cara Lee Chamberlain. We have a great friend who is a professional dancer and choreographer for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon in New York. She also choreographed a large theatrical production of Matilda which took place at the Union Theatre in Minneapolis, one of the biggest regional theatres in the country. She taught a choreography class and we had lots of young families virtually tune in. We did that for about six weeks and then took a break to settle in a bit.

Photo courtesy of Cohasset Dramatic Club

This would have been our 15th consecutive year of offering that summer theater education and performance program for kids ages 8-21. One of the shows we got the rights to produce this summer is Les Miserables with age ranges from 14 to 21 years old. We are excited we are not losing the rights and doing it next year.

‘Les Miserables’ delayed to 2021 Photo courtesy of Cohasset Dramatic Club

Cohasset Dramatic Club has been at the same place for 100 years and thankfully, I haven’t been at the helm of it that long which I think is unique. So many theatres I respect are having a hard time and I am saddened every time a theatre is selling off stuff because they can’t keep it alive anymore or however it works at a professional, regional, or local level. No one goes into this with the amount of time it takes to spend to do any less than the best they can with the resources they have. For that, I am always buoyant when I see theatres at any level doing great things.

Whether we present our work virtually, in person, or on the town green with people sitting further apart from one another, the arts community is committed and alive and it’s so important for so many people to keep it that way.

I’m so proud of this organization that has been through good times and bad whether living on a shoestring budget or having the money to pay for rights for shows before they get to deadline. We’re part of a community that I think we’ll survive. If there is ever a person looking for a rocking chair and we have one, I’ll be the first one to say that you can come get it or I can meet you somewhere. That’s the camaraderie of our combined love of art.

We can do this. Theatre can do it. It has survived through everything.

Click here for more on Cohasset Dramatic Club and its upcoming events.