the wizard of oz | The Sleepless Critic

Kristen H. Tremblay talks role in Hingham Civic Music Theatre’s ‘Cabaret’ to kick off 70th anniversary season

Posted on April 17, 2018 by The Sleepless Critic

Hingham Civic Music Theatre (HCMT) is thrilled to kick off their 70^th anniversary. Over the past 7 decades, The Wizard of Oz, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, Young Frankenstein, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and The Sound of Music are just a few of the wide range of musical productions HCMT has produced on the South Shore of Massachusetts. They are launching their milestone season with award-winning spring musical, Cabaret, a captivating musical which celebrated its 50^th anniversary just a couple of years ago.

Photo courtesy of Hingham Civic Music Theatre

Set in the Kit Kat Club in Berlin, Germany as the Nazi Party was rising to power, Cabaret focuses on nightclub girl Sally who becomes embroiled in a love triangle. Winner of multiple Tony awards, Cabaret is known for its glamorous dance numbers while dealing with serious issues of the era. The 1972 film was directed by dance legend Bob Fosse and starred Liza Minnelli in her star making role. This show is not intended for children and contains mature themes.

Sleepless Critic caught up with Kristen H. Tremblay who will make her HCMT debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret for two weekends only from Friday, April 20 through Sunday, April 29 at Sanborn Auditorium in Hingham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets.

Kristen H. Tremblay as Sally Bowles

Sleepless Critic: How does it feel to star in the first show of Hingham Civic Music Theatre’s 70^th season? It is quite a milestone.

Kristen H. Tremblay: I’m so thrilled to be playing a leading role in such a great show as part of this wonderful theater group’s 70th anniversary season! A very special honor for sure!

SC: What do you like most about being part of Hingham Civic Music Theatre?

KHT: This is my first production with Hingham Civic Music Theatre. They have such a wonderful reputation and it’s been great getting to know everyone in the group.

SC: This season also includes the beloved musical, Annie this fall. You star as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Have you ever done this show before? What was the audition process like for you?

KHT: I’m a classical soprano and usually play roles very different from Sally. As I get older, I’m trying to challenge myself by going out for roles that might be a stretch for me creatively. Sally Bowles is a complicated, meaty character and love every moment in her shoes.

I auditioned to challenge myself and because I have known the director, Nathan Fogg, for years and think he does great work. I didn’t think I had a shot at getting Sally, but felt really positive about my audition. The day after the audition, I was in line at the grocery store when I got the call. I was shocked and incredibly thrilled.

SC: The multiple Tony award-winning musical, Cabaret celebrated its 50^th anniversary a couple of years ago. It is a unique musical with memorable songs such as Maybe This Time, Wilkommen, and its famous title track, Cabaret. What was most challenging about this role?

KHT: Sally is an iconic character in musical theater. There’s some intimidation associated with the pressure of doing her justice! She has many sides to her and many intriguing levels. It’s been fun exploring how best to portray her.

Aaron Stolicker as Emcee with cast in production photo

SC: How has it been putting the show together?

KHT: I adore everyone in this cast. They are such a fantastic group of kind, talented, and hard working people. We are having a blast and we all have deeply bonded. No question I’ve made lasting friendships.

SC: What is the best reason one should see Hingham Civic Music Theatre’s Cabaret?

KHT: Cabaret is a very different theatrical experience unlike anything else out there right now. It will not disappoint! It’s edgy, honest, shocking, funny, and thought provoking.

Directed by Nathan Fogg, Hingham Civic Music Theatre proudly presents their spring musical, Cabaret for two weekends from Friday, April 20 through Sunday, April 29 at the Sanborn Auditorium, 210 Central Street in Hingham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets.

Click here to take advantage of “Facebook Friday” offer exclusively for the April 20 performance. Use password “pineapple” to get a pair of tickets for 35 dollars. Follow HCMT on Facebook.

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Lexus Broadway in Boston presents musical spectacle ‘Wicked,’ returning by popular demand

Posted on May 29, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

A simple hat can make quite a statement. Back by popular demand with its astounding sets, phosphorescent costumes, and multi-faceted story, Wicked is the Grammy and Tony award-winning musical spectacle that may make audiences reject those ruby slippers because Oz feels like home. The award-winning musical Wicked, presented by Lexus Broadway in Boston, sweeps into the Boston Opera House once again on Wednesday, June 7 and will remain there through Sunday, July 23. Click here for tickets and more information on Wicked.

Glinda and Elphaba Photo by Joan Marcus

Could Glinda the Good and young, ambitious, and somewhat naive Elphaba, before she became the Wicked Witch, actually have been friends? What did happen before Dorothy and Toto arrived? Based on Gregory Maguire’s best-selling book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the splendid musical adaptation, Wicked, introduces an entirely new way of interpreting L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Elphaba Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Glinda Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Elphaba and Glinda Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Madame Morrible and Elphaba Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Elphaba Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Elphaba and the Wizard Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus

Featuring a mix of beloved, familiar Oz characters while also introducing new ones, many parts of Wicked turn Oz on its ear in a clever and beguiling way, unraveling its own set of mysteries. It also introduces a darker side to Oz, revealing deep, relatable issues of prejudice and balancing that with hope, love, and treasured moments of welcome humor.

Wicked arrives at the Boston Opera House, 539 Washington Street in Boston, Massachusetts from Wednesday, June 7 through Sunday, July 23. Click here for more information and tickets. Subscriptions and group tickets are also available. Click here for a closer look at Lexus Broadway in Boston’s 2017-18 season and follow Lexus Broadway in Boston on Facebook and Twitter.

Hingham Civic Music Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Oklahoma!’ on beloved musical’s 75th anniversary

Posted on April 14, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

Hingham Civic Music Theatre, a theatre group whose most recent productions included The Wizard of Oz, Young Frankenstein, Once Upon a Mattress, and their most ambitious musical to date, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, is going country. This spring, Hingham Civic Music Theatre presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Oklahoma! in recognition of the show’s 75^th anniversary. Click here for a sneak peek.

Frank Mellen as Ike Skidmore, Roy J. Harris as Andrew Carnes, and Erin Thomas as Ellen in ‘Oklahoma!’

A sweeping musical with suspense, comedy, romance, and some of Broadway’s most memorable numbers, Hingham Civic Music Theatre proudly presents Oklahoma! for two weekends only from Saturday, April 22 through Sunday, April 30 at the Sanborn Auditorium in Hingham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Photo courtesy of Hingham Civic Music Theatre

Directed by Nathan Fogg and musically directed by Sandee Brayton with choreography by Tara Morrison, Oklahoma! is based on Green Grow the Lilacs, a 1931 play by Lynn Riggs. Set in the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the century, settlers explore the beauty and dangers of life on the range where some may be facing their biggest challenge yet: love. Oklahoma! includes an exciting array of popular musical numbers including People Will Say We’re In Love, Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, I Cain’t Say No, and the title track, Oklahoma.

Cowboy from ‘Oklahoma!’ Photo courtesy of Hingham Civic Music Theatre

Help support Hingham Civic Music Theatre as they raise money to upgrade their sound and lighting equipment for this production, their fall musical, Shrek, and for the quality of future shows. Click here to be a part of this fundraising campaign.

For tickets and further details, click here or email hcmttickets@gmail.com. Group and discount tickets are available. All performances will be held at the Sanborn Auditorium, 210 Central Street in Hingham, Massachusetts and follow Hingham Civic Music Theatre on Facebook for upcoming events and more.