Rhianna | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Lexus Broadway in Boston presents sizzling and spectacular ‘Moulin Rouge the Musical’

Posted on February 4, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Moulin Rouge is sizzling, romantic and grand scale entertainment perfect just before Valentine’s Day.

Boasting Derek McLane’s lavish and sophisticated heart-shaped sets fueled by Justin Townsend’s vivid lighting so vibrant that could be its own character and Catherine Zuber’s edgy, timely and shimmering costumes, Moulin Rouge the Musical is a glorious spectacle right from the start blending its unique delivery of a multi-generational jukebox musical soundtrack as well as lively and athletic choreography that makes an immediate impact.

The cast of the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Nothing less could be expected from director Baz Luhrmann, who is not only behind the 1997 frenetic film of the same name in which the musical is based on starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, but has a creative hand in the musical’s signature style. Filled with popular songs of its time, Moulin Rouge has always been a lavish and wild celebration of desire, the rigid social class divide and first love, but somehow Moulin Rouge the Musical harnesses these rich themes on a considerably larger scale and it is nothing short of a feast for the eyes.

Winner of ten Tony Awards including Best Musical and directed by Alex Timbers, Lexus Broadway in Boston presents Moulin Rouge the Musical live and in person at Citizens Bank Opera House through Sunday, February 4. The show is 2 hours and 35 minutes with one intermission and has some content not suitable for children. Click here for more information and for tickets. Click here for Moulin Rouge’s national tour schedule.

Not only does Moulin Rouge The Musical contain a wide range of sharp and slinky choreography by Sonya Tayah, but features distinct characters with powerful vocals that make lasting impressions. Robert Petkoff brings enthusiasm, poetic and flamboyant charisma to Moulin Rouge’s nightclub master of ceremonies Harold Zidler starting with an incredible first appearance in Welcome to the Moulin Rouge further embellished by a fierce foursome who sang Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil Kim, and Mya’s Lady Marmalade first made famous combined with an even catchier and colorful Can Can Can.

Adéa Michelle-Sessoms and Jennifer Wolfe in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Sarah Bowden as Nini is a sensational dancer and alongside Danny Burgos as Santiago sure know how to turn up the heat. Burgos and Bowden make a sultry and flirtatious pair especially in the catchy and cathartic Backstage Romance with the cast featuring music from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and the Eurthymics.

Gabe MartInez as Santiago and Libby-Lloyd as Nini in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

In a top hat and thick mustache, Andrew Brewer is cunning as distinguished and wealthy businessman The Duke of Monroth. He seems good to be true and has an agenda all his own. Nick Rashad Borroughs as Toulouse-Lautrec performs a wonderful and moving rendition of Nature Boy and shares warm and humorous camaraderie with Christian Douglas as Christian and Danny Burgos as they advise Christian about life at the Moulin Rouge.

David Harris as The Duke of Monroth in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Christian Douglas is captivating as naïve, charming, and idealistic Christian. Christian is a promising American artist and songwriter longing for his big break. At the Moulin Rouge in Paris, he sets eyes on Moulin Rouge’s confident, complex, and ambitious main attraction Satine, portrayed splendidly by Gabrielle McClinton. McClinton, decked out in a black and diamond ensemble, proves herself a versatile showstopper in The Sparkling Diamond singing snippets from Beyonce, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe and Rihanna with over the top dramatic flair, sensuality, and commanding vocals. Douglas and McClinton bring gorgeous harmony together for Elephant Love Medley featuring Come What May and Silly Love Songs. Christian also performs a haunting and fiery rendition of El Tango de Roxanne.

Courtney Reed as Satine in the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge The Musical Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Moulin Rouge the Musical offers many exciting surprises that will not all be revealed here. The swift and complex orchestration by Music Director Andrew Graham and sound designer Peter Hylenski uniquely integrates a selection of hit songs with unpredictable humor and drama. It is a fast paced firecracker of a love story that is as edgy as it is moving. Don’t miss the chance to see Moulin Rouge The Musical.

Winner of ten Tony Awards including Best Musical and directed by Alex Timbers, Lexus Broadway in Boston presents Moulin Rouge the Musical live and in person at Citizens Bank Opera House through Sunday, February 4^th. The show is 2 hours and 35 minutes with one intermission and has some content not suitable for children. Click here for more information and for tickets. Click here for Moulin Rouge the Musical’s national tour schedule.

REVIEW: Imaginary Beasts conjures a boisterous ‘The Spider and the Fly’

Posted on October 29, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

With a collection of zany characters such as a Moth, a Praying Mantis, a Gossamer Fairy, Figment, a Land Octopus, and a sleepy constable named Bluebottle, it is clear that The Spider and the Fly has no shortage of zealous imagination.

With so many productions that rely on the zip and zing of digital effects, CGI, and AI, it is exhilarating to see director Matthew Woods solely rely on homespun creativity and audience interaction to bring to life a vivid and unpredictable gothic children’s tale.

Imaginary Beasts ‘The Spider and the Fly’ cast Photo by Matthew Woods

Directed artfully by Matthew Woods, Imaginary Beasts presents live and in person Kiki Samko and Matthew Woods’s The Spider and the Fly or the Tangled Web (a gothic pantomime) through October 29 live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The show is one hour and 40 minutes with a 10 minute intermission and is recommended for children 5 and up. Click here for more information and for tickets that are quickly selling out.

Blending vintage with the contemporary, The Spider and the Fly is quite the inquisitive adventure with lots of high jinks, scheming, plotting, sleuthing, and memorable and poetic dialogue that delivers a meaningful message about inspiration, friendship, and doing what is right. A panto is a form of wintertime family entertainment in the UK that weaves in puns, wordplay, jokes, and more. The Spider and the Fly is somewhat a panto within a panto as the cast embarks on an ardent journey to inspire a writer inside the writer’s own head.

Brooks Reeves as King Cumbercrown in Imaginary Beasts ‘The Spider and the Fly’ Photo by Matthew Woods

Brooks Reeves relishes in the part of King Cumbercrown who will stop at nothing to stop the Panto from happening, even if it means corrupting everyone in his path. Reeves is up to no good and his scheming and crafty behavior is such fun to watch as Reeves’s blue face scowls and sneers at the any sign of happiness and joy behind hypno spiral goggles.

The black and purple painted set design by Jason Taschereau has a vintage and mesmerizing quality while Cotton-Talbot-Minkin’s captivating and colorful costumes exude a gothic, fanciful and vintage edge with a dash of steam punk. As the look is inspired by silent films, outrageous patterns combine with bow ties, top hats, sparkling converse sneakers, lace, corduroy, pearls, flowered shoes and boots. Though it is gothic, it is not scary, but creative, inviting, and imaginative.

Laura Detwiler as the Great Author and Brooks Reeves as King Cumbercrown in Imaginary Beasts ‘The Spider and The Fly’ Photo by Matthew Woods

The continual audience engagement fuels this wild tale that does meander and veer off course occasionally, but it is difficult to notice with such a lively cast of characters that weave in some random contemporary pop and winking adult references. The Wednesday dance challenge, Rhianna, and random television show references are just a few examples.

Jamie Semel as Young Woodby and Evan Turissini as Madame Bijou in Imaginary Beasts ‘The Spider and the Fly’

Some of the cast depicts more than one role. Evan Turissini is all drama and also relishes in the part of lovelorn, flirty, and attention-seeking Madame Bijou, especially while vying for the attention of Bluebottle, portrayed with British flair by Colin McIntire. Sophia Yael Koevary as Daisy Mae and Jamie Semel as Young Woodby share some sweet scenes. With choreographer Laura Detwiler’s dynamic choreography, Camille Charlier as the Gossamer Fairy and Lindsay Eagle as The Ghost of Mary Whosie-Whatsit perform a harmonious rendition of Mills Brothers’ The Glow Worm. Another memorable tune comes straight from the audience as the cast invites the crowd to believe in a spark, depicted by Erin FM and navigated by Beth Owens.

For a show about inspiration, The Spider and the Fly doesn’t need much coaching as it delves into this exciting production with a quick pace with lots of heart.

Imaginary Beasts presents live and in person Kiki Samko and Matthew Woods’s The Spider and the Fly or the Tangled Web (a gothic pantomime) through October 29 at Chelsea Theatre Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The show is one hour and 40 minutes with a 10 minute intermission and is recommended for children 5 and up. Click here for more information and for tickets that are quickly selling out.