pre-Broadway | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Things more than go bump in the night in gripping ‘Paranormal Activity’

Posted on July 23 by The Sleepless Critic

Full Disclosure: I saw Paranormal Activity Live on Stage alone.

Not necessarily a fan of horror with few exceptions, my interests lean more towards thought-provoking science fiction or a psychological thriller. I was hesitant as I arrived at Emerson Colonial Theatre facing a black curtain, but left riveted by the production’s depth, intensity, and a truly remarkable cast.

Paranormal Activity can be chilling, but is also rooted squarely in the human condition with a great deal of darkly relatable humor and lots of twists and turns. It lured me in and never let go.

Superbly directed by Felix Barrett, Levi Halloway’s Paranormal Activity Live on Stage continues its pre-Broadway run through Thursday, July 30 at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. For the squeamish, this intense and immersive production is not gory. It does contain explicit language, some dark themes and runs two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Cher Álvarez and Travis A. Knight in Paranormal Activity. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.

Metal, alternative and hard rock 90s music from musicians such as Soundgarden revs up the audience before the production begins. Paranormal Activity Live on Stage is considered a new story from the original film which inspired six sequels. A seventh film sequel has an anticipated 2027 release date. The original film latched onto the clunky, grainy and less polished amateur film style of The Blair Witch Project which enjoyed great success at the time.

However, the stage production greatly improves on the film predecessor in multiple ways. The film has a grainy home video quality, but this production is all encompassing and in vibrant color. Having witnessed the original film, the Paranormal Activity play is more effective, allowing the audience to experience multiple scenarios at once led with sterling timing by lighting designer Anna Watson. Scenic and costume designer Fly Davis crafts an elaborate and functional dual level house which includes five detailed and sophisticated rooms featuring a modern kitchen, hanging plants and a smart flat screen television. Illusion designer Chris Fisher, the illusionist behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, creates plenty of riveting moments that will have you fully invested in what will happen next.

Cher Álvarez in Paranormal Activity. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Contributing to the production’s unfettered tension, Gareth Fry’s mesmerizing sound design ranges from a steely and hollow hum to sudden rings to what can be likened to a deafening and reverberating wind tunnel.

This engaging cast is so in sync and polished that they will make you almost forget you are watching a horror stage play. Cher Álvarez as Lou Singer and Travis A. Knight as James Singer are incredibly charming as a newly married couple who have just moved into a house in London. Playful with a dynamic sense of humor, Álvarez and Knight demonstrate a heartwarming and genuine connection as they embrace and warmly support each other.

Shannon Cochran is impressive as James’s religious and pushy southern mother who only wants what is best for her son and Eva Kaminsky is captivating as an eerie and insightful famous podcaster Etheline Cotgrave.

Paranormal Activity boasts many darkly funny moments while also delving into serious issues such as depression, trauma, secrets, marital challenges, spiritual warfare and much more with a wealth of unpredictable twists and turns. At one point, this fully invested audience (including me) was at the edge of our seats rooting on the characters and united in the action. Although I came alone to the production, I did not feel alone with this intense and excited crowd.

Isn’t that what live theatre is all about?

Levi Halloway’s Paranormal Activity Live on Stage continues its pre-Broadway run live and in person at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Thursday, July 30. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: A divine world premiere of ‘The Queen of Versailles’

Posted on August 6, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

If eternal ambition had a face, it would be Jackie Siegel’s. She chases her dreams like only a queen can.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, shrewdly directed by Michael Arden with dynamic choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher “Cree” Grant, The world premiere of The Queen of Versailles continues its pre-Broadway run live and in person at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through August 25. This impeccably well-timed show grandly opened during the Paris Olympics and runs two hours and 45 minutes including one 20 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Kristin Chenoweth in THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES. Photo Credit Ken Yotsukura

From its French-inspired royal opening, The Queen of Versailles is a gorgeous sight to behold and it is immediately clear that Emerson Colonial Theatre and this pre-Broadway debut are made for each other. Emerson Colonial Theatre’s architectural design is patterned after elements of Versailles and The Louvre. This elegant baroque-style venue’s meticulously-detailed gold trim, ornate murals, and glittering chandeliers superbly match Dane Laffrey’s multi-layered video and opulent scenic design including its fine crown molding, candelabras and matching gold embellishments.

The Queen of Versailles delves into the love of wealth, excess, and consumption led by a sterling performance by Kristin Chenoweth as the self-proclaimed queen herself, Jaqueline Siegel, or Jackie. Small town New Yorker Jackie has tremendous dreams as well as the determination and ingenuity to make them all come true with a degree in computer engineering. However, things do not go quite as planned, and Jackie is left to think of a new way to achieve her ‘champagne wishes and caviar dreams’ as described by host Robin Leach on the inspiring 80’s TV show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous that Jackie watched growing up with her family. Chenoweth’s sunny disposition, rich vocals and sharp comic timing tempers Jackie’s seeming shallowness with irresistible charm to make determined, resourceful, and relentless Jackie an instantly likable lead. Chenoweth’s vocals are just as dynamic and powerful as ever with the hilarious opening number, Because I Can as she embraces and embodies this complex character that prefers her diet coke in a golden chalice.

Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel in The Queen of Versailles – Credit Matthew Murphy

Though Chenoweth as Jackie and the cast seem to be speaking to the audience, Arden’s clever direction has the audience watching the making of The Queen of Versailles documentary where Jackie and her husband, F. Murray Abraham in an impressive portrayal as David, is in the process of building the biggest house in America patterned after Versailles and located in Orlando, Florida with a budget to the tune of 75 million and a Benihana in the basement. Leading to all this is a fascinating and vastly entertaining story based on Lauren Greenfield’s documentary film of the same name and the real life stories of Jackie and David Siegel. It’s a multilayered rags-to-riches-story….and that is only the beginning.

F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel in The Queen of Versailles – Credit Matthew Murphy

Boasting a brilliant cast, The Queen of Versailles is both socially satirical and genuinely funny while delivering a meaty and heartfelt storyline. Sparkling Chenoweth meets her match in F. Murray Abraham as wildly successful, charismatic and equally ambitious Timeshare King David. A slick and charming businessman, Abraham and Chenoweth rapidly share a likeminded rapport and some powerful scenes. Abraham and the cast humorously perform The Ballad of the Timeshare King with Laffrey’s marvelous video projections, some onstage orchestrations, and Christian Cowan’s notable western-inspired costumes. From meticulously-detailed historical to outrageously fabulous as well as from glitzy to edgy, Cowan’s colorful assortment of standout and distinctive costumes with Cookie Jordan’s embellishing wigs enliven each compelling scene.

Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham in The Queen of Versailles – Credit Matthew Murphy

Nina White delivers a memorable performance as Jackie’s introspective daughter Victoria who feels like an outsider in her own home. Jackie has a complicated relationship with Victoria who likes to be called Ricky in spite of being named after the Queen. White’s soaring vocals lift stirring numbers Pretty Always Wins and Book of Random to another level as well as a stunning moment with Chenoweth for In Little Houses. White’s lighthearted duet with Tatum Grace Hopkins as struggling Jonquil for Poor Little Lizard bring some levity to the production’s more serious topics. White and Melody Butiu as a wonderful Sophia share a sweet camaraderie. Hopkins shares the stage with Chenoweth for a phenomenal rendition of I Could Get Used to This.

The Siegel Family in The Queen of Versailles – Credit Matthew Murphy

The supporting cast all have fabulous comic timing with a notable performance by Pablo David Laucerica in multiple roles including a smirking King Louis and as well as Andrew Kober as an over the top pageant host and others.

The Cast of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES. Photo Credit Nile Hawver

With gumption, determination, courage, and ambition, Chenoweth as Jackie candidly tells the audience you must thrust yourself onto greatness. Realizing your dream and what is truly important is quite a revelation and what a thrill to embark on this musical journey to chase a dream with the Queen of Versailles herself.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, shrewdly directed by Michael Arden and dynamic choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, The world premiere of The Queen of Versailles continues its pre-Broadway run live and in person at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through August 25. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Spectacular and uplifting, the world premiere of ‘The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise’ is anything but a song sung blue

Posted on July 15, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

After watching The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise, one thing is clear. Every story should be told with brilliant swing backup dancers.

Directed shrewdly by Michael Mayer, The world premiere of The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise continues its pre-Broadway run at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, MA live and in person through August 7. The show is two hours and 30 minutes including an intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.

Tony Award® nominee Will Swenson as Neil Diamond – Then and the Swings Photo credit to DCM O & M/Emerson Colonial Theatre

Kicking off with surprising, self-deprecating humor, A Beautiful Noise might have been just what one would expect from a musical biopic, but Neil Diamond takes it to the next level. Diamond’s music beginnings are a bit reminiscent of Carole King’s journey from creative songwriter delivering hits such as I’m a Believer to songwriter solo act. Part riveting, sing-along concert within a musical, part dive into Diamond’s past, but yet there is so much more to this solitary man. Even if Neil Diamond’s songs aren’t at the top of your playlist, this wonderful musical helmed by Will Swenson’s stellar performance as then Neil Diamond just might end up being music to your ears.

Tony Award® nominee Will Swenson as Neil Diamond – Then Photo credit to DKC O & M/Emerson Colonial Theatre

One of the best selling musicians of all time and yet Neil Diamond is not what one might expect. Now Diamond, portrayed with pensive fortitude by Mark Jacoby, is a rather gruff and unassuming man who does not like to talk about himself. Many deep thinking individuals steeped in the pressures for success seem to also have what Neil Diamond calls ‘clouds’ and the show does not shy away from that, but this musical is much more of a celebration.

Neil Diamond’s hit songs are explored, but on a more comprehensive and personal level. Much of the production is a luminous foray into how songs like catchy Cherry, Cherry, Song Sung Blue, America which delves into Diamond’s Polish heritage, traditional Boston Red Sox song Sweet Caroline met with rousing applause and many others factor into this revered songwriter’s remarkable journey.

Tony Award® nominee Will Swenson as Neil Diamond – Then and Tony award nominee Robyn Hurder as Marcia Photo credit to DKC O & M/Emerson Colonial Theatre

Charismatic and charming, it is difficult to imagine a better Then Diamond than Will Swenson. A compelling singer with a dry sense of humor, Swenson has an indelible stage presence from the moment he first appears with his guitar. He and Jessie Fisher as optimistic and sympathetic Jayne Posner have endearing chemistry and deliver a powerful and tense duet for Love on the Rocks. Robyn Hurder gives an electrifying performance of Forever in Blue Jeans as charming and soulful Marcia Murphey. Bri Sudia in a dual role is comic gold as outspoken and caring record producer Ellie Greenwich from her very first line with Swenson as Then Diamond. Their snappy chemistry creates some of the production’s funniest and most inspiring moments.

Tony Award® nominee Will Swenson as Neil Diamond – Then with Swings Photo credit to DKC O & M/Emerson Colonial Theatre

Whether soaked in beautiful shadows or in a multi-colored glow on a concert stage, lighting designer Kevin Adams exacts each mood-induced scene masterfully. Emilio Sosa’s lively and glittering costumes have a retro feel delving into the wild, vibrant patterns of the late 60’s and onward while Diamond’s progressive stage presence flaunt his signature fringe, suede, leather, and glittering sequins. David Rockwell’s inviting and eye-catching set design enhances this dazzling musical experience which includes dynamic hanging light fixtures and a stunning, innovative multi-tiered, spot-lit band richly conducted by Sonny Paladino and Sinai Tabak.

Tony Award nominee Mark Jacoby as Neil Diamond – Now, Linda Powell as Doctor, and the Swings Photo credit to DCM O & M/Emerson Colonial Theatre

A Beautiful Noise is a clever, eloquent, and illuminating look at Diamond without taking itself too seriously. Now to those incredible swing dancers that accompany Diamond on his journey. Fueled by Ste v en Hoggett’s upbeat, athletic, and era-driven choreography, the Swings brightened each scene even its darker moments to make this effervescent musical journey feel so good.

The world premiere of The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise continues at Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, MA live and in person through August 7. Click here for more information and tickets.