parody | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Yorick Ensemble’s dark and rollicking ‘The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals’ hums its own unique tune

Posted on February 22, 2025 by The Sleepless Critic

Imagine Office Space meets Little Shop of Horrors with a twist…and it only gets wilder.

Set in Hatchetfield in 2018 with a vintage vibe, Tom Marsh depicts polite yet direct office worker and everyman Paul. A particular man of few words, Paul is surrounded by people who cannot keep much to themselves until a mysterious astronomical event threatens to change everything.

Directed appealingly by Kari Boutcher with lively music direction by Elias Condakes, Yorick Ensemble continues horror sci-fi musical parody The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals through Saturday, February 22 live and in person at the Plaza Theater in Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is occasionally not limited to the stage, contains adult content and language and runs one hour and 45 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Yorick Ensemble’s ‘The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals’ cast Photo by Toni Photography

Simply staged with rolling and portable props, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is in part a musical, but if you are not a musical fan, do not let that deter you. The production delivers inside jokes for theatre fans as well as its own share of material for those who are not a fan of the genre. It has an appealing vintage flair while still fitting well in its contemporary setting largely due to excellent lighting and sound designer Michael Jay.

Silly, zany, and exceedingly funny fluctuating from cheerful to eerie without taking itself too seriously…at first. The musical numbers often dive head first into the absurd and range from sinister to upbeat and catchy with one example demonstrated in the creepily upbeat and catchy number La Dee Dah Dah Day which comes off cheery before morphing into a trance.

The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals delivers love triangles, family drama and more. Introducing Paul with feigned grandiosity, Marsh is sympathetic as Paul and shares some compelling scene time with Demi Dicarla as intuitive barista Emma. However, Marsh’s best moments have a darker tinge including the tormented struggle he endures in Let it Out.

With the exception of Marsh who exclusively portrays Paul, this bold and enthusiastic cast often uses improvisation to play to the audience while sliding into a number of different roles. Some of the roles may seem random, but will become crystal clear by the end of the production. It is entertaining to place which office coworker might seem all too familiar such as Kelly McGowan as obnoxious Ted or Katie Iafolla as discontented cat sweater-wearing office gossip Charlotte. However, Bradley Boutcher’s Alexa worshipping Professor Hidgens is a delightful scene stealer. Right down to the wild timber in his voice, Boutcher hints at all the mad scientists of 1950s films becoming wackier and more hilarious with each scene and culminating into an outrageous Show Stoppin Number.

The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals has its dark side which can feel uneven at times and is at its best when it is not taking itself too seriously. Approach this production with an open mind. Mixing and inspired by a smorgasbord of genres, it isn’t an easily defined production which leaves room for it to become its own darkly humorous creation that works.

Yorick Ensemble continues horror sci-fi musical parody The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals through Saturday, February 22 live and in person in the Plaza Theater in Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. This production is occasionally not limited to the stage, contains adult content and language and runs one hour and 45 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Anything goes in Ryan Landry’s ‘The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show’

Posted on January 3, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Three chrome microphones, two slaying reindeer and one Mrs. Grinchley describes just a fraction of Ryan Landry’s wild tale as The Gold Dust Orphans presented The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show which recently ended its run on December 23 live and in person at the Iron Wolf Theatre at the Lithuanian Citizens Association in South Boston, Massachusetts. This vintage-style Rocky Horror musical parody was strictly for adults containing graphic nudity and is 90 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and the full advisory.

From ugly holiday sweaters to antler ears to twinkling light necklaces to candy cane shirts, it was a festive and dynamic crowd that attended The Rocky Horror Menorah Christmas Show. Refreshments and merchandise were available at the theatre and envelopes were taped to the back of each seat for donations.

TURN AROUND: Taryn Lane as Janet and Eric McGowan as Brad, Briana Scafidi, Alex Davis, Kaedon Gray, and Spookey as the Snow Cone Dancers Photo by Michael von Redlich

The Gold Dust Orphans are known for delivering their own take on vintage films indicated by the retro black and white tube TV which illustrated each theme that was happening onstage through various film montages from Bambi to The Shining. This is The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a holiday twist, but do not expect to hear the songs known from the popular film. Though the story’s characters, a portion of the costumes, and set up are similar which included the signature glittering lips, A Rocky Menorah Christmas Show featured original music with a jingle bell twist by Tad McKittrick and Tim Lawton parodying a number of popular songs by Patti Smith, David Bowie, Meatloaf, Bonnie Tyler, Taylor Dayne, Joe Cocker and the Go-Gos.

Welcome comedic local references varied from quips about North Shore Massachusetts accents to local landmarks to host puppets ‘GBH’s Jim Braude and Margery Eagan bringing clever humor to their signature banter. Additionally, The Brookline Sisters, a vintage trio of glittering backup singers in red, green and yellow composed of Tad McKittrick, Lizette Morris and Gina Carmella, acted as commentators and semi-narrators throughout this production.

To be clear, never been a fan of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in any of its various forms. After several attempts, still not a fan. Rocky Horror Picture Show is considered a cult classic, but in the Tim Curry-iness of it all, Clue is the preferred cult classic in this critic’s book.

BRAD&JANET: Eric McGowan as Brad Keebler and Taryn Lane as Janet Winky Photos by Michael von Redlich

Sure, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 1975 film was risqué and banked on shock value not particularly relevant to the story and this show is similar in that regard. The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show focuses on two Christian elves decked out in fluffy pink and blue that spring a flat on their sled and their only hope is to get help at a mysterious and ice laden castle. Janet, depicted by Taryn Lane, is an insufferable, demanding, melodramatic, and superstitious know-it-all while Brad, portrayed by Eric McGowan, is a henpecked, timid, and dimwitted follower.

Ryan Landry as Mrs. Grinchley dons convincing green makeup and depicts the mastermind of this particular operation accompanied by ghoulish companions Kiki Samko as maid Fuchsia and Joey Pelletier as Butler Gift Wrap. Though at first this Grinch can be a mean one, Murphy’s Grinchley is a candid and bawdy creature that runs the moral compass of this zany universe. Political and religious ribbings and commentary run as amok as this lusty and at times darkly humorous tale takes shape.

GRINCHLEY: Kaedon Gray and Briana Scafidi as the Snow Cone Dancers, Ryan Landry as Mrs. Grinchley Photo by Michael von Redlich

Directed by Kiki Samko and choregraphed by Briana Scafidi, the cast collectively delivered strong vocals and are skilled dancers especially in the athleticism and impressive stunts performed by Spookey in a Speedo and sunglasses featured in 20^th Century Boy. This semi-immersive and interactive show occasionally breaks the 4^th wall and the characters sometimes are not limited to the stage.

FUCHSIA & GIFTWRAP: Kiki Samko as Fuchsia and Joey Pelletier as Gift Wrap Photo by Michael von Redlich

The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show is fast paced, but especially in the second half, starts to lose focus and hits a fork in the road in more ways than one. From a dirty Santa to blow up astronauts to demons to ghouls to tap dancing reindeer to a blow up yellow monster, anything goes and this cast does not leave much to the imagination. While the show does not seem to take itself seriously, when it does toward the end, its strong message seems a strange extra in this wild parody.

The Gold Dust Orphans presented The Rocky Menorah Christmas Show which recently ended its run on December 23 live and in person at the Iron Wolf Theatre at the Lithuanian Citizens Association in South Boston, Massachusetts. This vintage-style Rocky Horror musical parody was strictly for adults containing graphic nudity and is 90 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and the full advisory.

REVIEW: Academy of the Company Theatre’s parody ‘Puffs’ full of lively, enchanted fun

Posted on October 24, 2021 by The Sleepless Critic

Those first few chords seem familiar, but no, this is not quite the John Williams classic score about THAT wizard, but another earnest group of wizard hopefuls. Not quite ‘saint-like,’ but fun loving and enthusiastic underachievers nonetheless. Some legendary faces appear and make quite an impression, but the Puffs are the real stars.

Full of inside and self aware jokes, 90s pop culture references, chocolate frogs, almost every flavored bean, and not nearly as long as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 and 2 comes Puffs, a spot on parody that tells the epic tale of the seven years Harry Potter attended Hogwarts from the viewpoint of some of the lesser known wizard students that aimed for first, but would also settle for third. It is a hilarious exploration that is best appreciated by Harry Potter fans due to its share of spoilers, but anyone would enjoy a wealth of improvisational fun and physical humor as well as Dean Palmer Junior’s impressive lighting and special effects. The introduction of hilarious dragons and haunting dementors are just some of the show’s highlights.

Bath scene. Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Directed cleverly by Corey Cadigan, Academy of the Company Theatre (ACT) presents Matt Cox’s Puffs for one exclusive weekend from October 22 through October 24 at Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts. Click here for all of Company Theatre’s upcoming events including a tribute to Jordie Saucerman, Company Theatre’s late co-founder.

The timing is perfect for Puffs as next year marks 25 years since JK’s Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hit bookshelves in 1997, making the author one of the richest people in the world. With Harry Potter and the Cursed Child back on Broadway and around the world and Fantastic Beasts 3: The Secrets of Dumbledore slated for next year, Harry Potter remains a phenomenon.

Annie Dunn as Sally Perks and others and Marissa Tolini as Susie Bones and others Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

This is absolutely not a retread of Harry Potter though, but tells a slightly different and more humorous tale along Harry Potter’s timeline. It is difficult to choose which characters makes the biggest impression because each cast member collaborate so well together and as a big Harry Potter fan, I found myself laughing right through my mask which is required within Company Theatre’s comfortable theatre space.

Brianna Casey as Narrator Courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Many cast members transfigure into multiple roles as Brianna Casey serves as Puffs scholarly narrator. Casey’s benevolent and dignified delivery adds gravitas to an often whimsical role, keeping the tale focused as some of the more spontaneous characters could have led the story astray. Will Moon epitomizes Cedric’s rock star persona and charismatic scene stealer in a dual role and Alex Norton’s Wayne Hopkins is talkative and charming as the tale’s ‘would be’ hero. Morgan Hurley offers a memorable portrayal of conflicted Megan Jones, a rebel with a chip on her shoulder. She shares endearing chemistry with Sean Lally as Wayne’s nerdy best friend, Oliver Rogers.

Alex Norton as Wayne Hopkins and Will Moon as Cedric Photo courtesy of Zoe Bradford/Company Theatre

Anastasia Ferrera is bubbly and delightful as Leanne among others and James Keyes as goofy J. Finch as well as other roles is often the life of the party. One of the many collaborative scenes and highlights of the show involve a party with too much butter beer and a familiar sounding 90s dance song. Some scenes seem a random addition, but are always smartly done.

With intricate, multi-functional sets and props (those wands and that sorting hat!) by Ryan Barrow and colorful, distinctive, and humorously outlandish costumes by John Crampton, Puffs is a lighthearted and wonderful journey while still delivering important life lessons so prevalent in the books such as valuing the power of friendship, dreaming big, and being true to oneself. It’s a shame the show is only presented for one weekend with a cast that is having so much fun.

Brianna Casey as Narrator and Max Ripley as Ernie Mac and others

Academy of the Company Theatre (ACT) performs parody Puffs through October 24. Click here for more information and for all of the Company Theatre’s upcoming events.

Hingham Civic Music Theatre announces ‘Shrek the Musical’ auditions

Posted on June 8, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

Everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek is heading to Hingham Civic Music Theatre. Based on William Steig’s imaginative fairy tale, the Dreamworks Animation film adaptation, Shrek was an instant hit in 2001 starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Several sequels followed and was also adapted an innovative, fun-loving musical on Broadway.

Hingham Civic Music Theatre is searching for an all-new, fun-loving cast to join Shrek the Musical as it makes its Hingham debut in October. Auditions for Shrek the Musical will be held at the Sanborn Auditorium at Hingham Town Hall, 210 Central Street in Hingham, Massachusetts on Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27 at 7 p.m. Callbacks will take place on Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. Click here for more information on auditions, cast descriptions, rehearsal schedule, and to download the audition form. These will be closed auditions.

Shrek is a lone, but not lonely, green ogre who lives a quiet swamp life until life as he knows it is threatened, forcing him to embark on a daunting quest and tremendous adventure. Featuring a large cast of beloved fairy tale characters with a few new faces added to the tale, Shrek the Musical is a parody, offering its own fairy tale twist with plenty of witty humor, family fun, and life lessons.

Directed by Lisa Pratt, musically directed by Mark Bono, with choreography by Tara McSweeney Morrison, Hingham Civic Music Theatre presents Shrek the Musical for two weekends from Saturday, October 21 through Sunday, October 29. Follow Hingham Civic Music Theatre on Facebook for upcoming events and more.