Masquerade | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Vocals soar as Academy of the Company Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’

Posted on February 16, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

It may seem like a small detail, but The Phantom of the Opera’s iconic chandelier plays a pivotal role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. It opens the show in its sheer majesty and the Phantom is actually found hiding in the glittering and monstrous powerhouse of a special effect at one point during the Broadway production. In fact, it is what fascinates the audience at the beginning of the musical in glorious rhythm with the thunderous and foreboding sound of a pipe organ blaring in the distance and what later crashes to makes the cast run in terror.

Directed insightfully by Sally Ashton Forrest with powerful music directed by Melissa Carubia, Academy of the Company Theatre’s Phantom of the Opera gets so many things right from Vickie Gerard-Culligan’s ornate costumes, the pitch perfect casting, its sinister lighting by Dean Palmer Jr., and its smaller scale replications of Phantom’s famous sets by Ryan Barrow, but the production’s chandelier may not quite meet some lofty expectations.

Academy of the Company Theatre (A.C.T.) presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera live and in person at The Company Theatre, 130 Accord Park Drive in Norwell, Massachusetts through February 19. The musical is sold out. Click here for more information on the Company Theatre and its upcoming events.

Alexa Cohen as Madame Giry (right) with cast in ACT’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Set in the 1700’s, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera focuses on a mysterious presence that haunts the famous Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, France. New opera house co-owners Ben Cavallo-Smith as Monsieur Richard Firmin and Weston Hammond as Monsieur Giles Andre make a distinguished and at times humorous pair in vintage suits with tails as they start to realize things are not what they seem.

‘Masquerade’ ACT’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Phantom of the Opera boasts some enduring yet challenging music numbers and the cast may feature students up to 18 years of age, but their vocals are well beyond their years. Jillian Pongonis as Christine and Catrina Riker as Carlotta hit some extraordinary notes for being so young and it was a joy to hear Riker’s Think of Me and Prima Donna as she prances around the stage in signature diva fashion, bold and comical as she shouts her demands. Carlotta’s sophisticated gowns become more extravagant as the musical progresses and the cast hits its outrageous stylish stride for Masquerade. Salvator Guillermo Garcia, whose past performances with ACT include Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables, has a supporting and memorable role as Ubaldo Piangi. Garcia not only does a wonderful job vocally in Hannibal and Notes with the cast, but his occasional tenuous smirks and smiles enhance the musical’s humorous moments.

Gilbert Dabady as The Phantom and Jillian Pongonis as Christine Daae Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Pongonis may be slight in stature, but her powerful vocals exceed her years as does Gilbert Dabady as The Phantom. Dabady and Pongonis’s duet of The Point of No Return may seem a bit mature for their ages, but Angel of Music and Music of the Night are beautifully performed and Pongonis’s stirring rendition of Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again is a must see. Dabady is mysterious and threatening as the Phantom, his deep and resounding vocals all the more menacing offstage. Dabady and Pongonis are a complex and charismatic pair while Charlie Flaherty is well suited for the daring and charming Raoul. Amid a pale blue rooftop, Christine and Raoul perform a sweet rendition of All I Ask of You.

Charlie Flaherty as Raoul and Jillian Pongonis as Christine Daae in ACT’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’ Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Clever blocking and reigned in sets aptly accommodate the Company Theatre stage. Tints of haunting purple, vintage marble columns, nostalgic lighting, eerie skulls, an angelic stone statue, onstage gold lined opera box seats, a brass organ, monkey music box, and a candelabra lit lair on a misty lake help recreate iconic scenes and special effects that bring this somewhat opera within an opera to life. As a big Phantom of the Opera fan, Academy of the Company Theatre’s Phantom of the Opera captures this moving and mystical musical best known for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic soundtrack and makes the magic of the longest running show on Broadway last a little longer in Norwell.

Academy of the Company Theatre (A.C.T) presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera live and in person at the Company Theatre, 130 Accord Park Drive in Norwell, Massachusetts through February 19. The musical is sold out. Click here for more information on the Company Theatre and its upcoming events.

REVIEW: Versatile singer Joyce Didonato performed classics with a compelling twist as Celebrity Series presented ‘Songplay’

Posted on March 14, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

It is easy to see why mezzo soprano Joyce Didonato has such a following on social media and otherwise. For one night only, she took the stage to share what she has learned from music and more as Celebrity Series presented Songplay on Friday, March 1 at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall at 8 p.m. Click here for more information and here for where Joyce Didonato will appear next.

Celebrity Series of Boston presented Joyce Didonato for one night only on March 1 Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series

Celebrity Series has a knack for welcoming artists that not only show off their talent, but teach the audience a thing or two about their craft, leaving the audience some material to ponder. With a lively, charming presence and a versatile voice that defies a definitive genre, mezzo-soprano Joyce Didonato shattered a few traditions and came up with a refreshing repertoire that combined opera, jazz, baroque, and other genres making a few classic songs new again.

Emerging from backstage in a shimmering emerald evening gown, this dynamic singer was greeted by a full house. This particular show seemed to be tailor-made for professionally-trained singers as Joyce shared details of her extensive vocal training, recalling in jest and self deprecation the tools that helped her become the professional singer she is. She also shared some personal reflections and comical stories between songs about her life and music.

With soaring, soothing vocals and an impeccable range, Joyce’s voice is as sophisticated with an aria as it is playful with jazz and Broadway numbers. Fans of opera and jazz would especially enjoy the show, but Joyce and her band offered enough variety and humor with each transformed song that most music fans could appreciate it as well.

Throughout the evening, she introduced her acclaimed band one by one with anecdotes and playful music interludes. Each band member had their individual chance to shine. Behind a large Steinway and Sons grand piano sat pianist and arranger Craig Terry with whom she shared more than a few lighthearted moments with. They kicked off the evening with the Italian aria, Caro mio ben and later Craig performed a captivating rendition of Dizzy Fingers.

Hailing from Buenos Aires, Lautaro Greco introduced the bandoneon, a unique instrument which is played like a piano, shaped like an accordion, but sounds like a horn. He joined her lively band that included revered double bassist Chuck Isreals, acclaimed percussionist Jimmy Madison, and legendary trumpet player Charlie Porter. The band’s random, surprising music notes added a few humorous and cheeky moments to the performance, the horn chasing her soaring vocals during a jazz-infused interlude. All in good fun.

A few of the evening’s highlights included a heartfelt, angst-ridden rendition of Will He Like Me? from the Broadway show, She Loves Me, a tender, reflective rendition of Gene Scheer’s Lean Away dedicated to Andre Previn, Duke Ellington’s classic Solitude, and a song Joyce always dreamed of singing, Edith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose.

At one point during the show, Joyce referred to playing traditional music just one way as an emotional straight jacket. Watching her put a creative spin on these classics with humor, grace, and gusto was a liberating experience.

Celebrity Series of Boston offers a dynamic roster featuring the annual Stave Sessions, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Shawn Colvin, and much more. Click here for more information and for tickets. Tickets can also be obtained at the Celebrity Series of Boston’s box office. Follow Celebrity Series of Boston on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.