virtually

REVIEW: Chain Theatre’s Winter One Act Festival presents Sarah Hoogenraad’s dark comedy ‘Celebrity Crush’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Who’s on the celebrity list?

Some couples have a ‘pass’ from their partners when fantasying about celebrities.  One person might get a pass from the other if by some possibility one gets a chance to meet or even date a famous celebrity and Lizzie Nguyen as Shannon never dreamed that this might actually happen.  Self absorbed, giddy, and giggly, Shannon and her roommate Amy, depicted by Sarah Hoogenraad who is also the playwright, will find out dreams might not live up to reality and that over sharing can be more than dangerous.

Photo credit to Chain Theatre

With careful direction by Rebecca Wilson and co-produced by Chandler Holloway, Sarah Hoogenraad’s dark comedy Celebrity Crush (#15) was part of Chain Theatre’s Winter ’24 One Act Festival took place from February 8 through March 3 virtually as well as live and in person at The Chain Theatre, 312 West 36th Street in New York, New York.  Click here for more information.

Set in Los Angeles, Celebrity Crush’s dark humor and zippy storytelling keeps things light even when Shannon and Amy realize that the celebrity scene can be less than glamorous. With a fitting music soundtrack which includes perfectly appropriate Crush by Jennifer Paige, Celebrity Crush has a modestly colorful set and humorous props to add lightness to the progressive intensity of the production.  Hoogenraad and Nguyen share some wild moments and they have a natural rapport together.  Miciah Wallace, in a dual role, is especially engaging as Kyle boasting that snappy catchphrase, ‘Smile because you’re with Kyle.’

The Cast of ‘Celebrity Crush’ Lizzie Nguyan, Sarah Hoogenraad, Miciah Wallace, and Matthew Sheaffer Photo credit to Sarah Hoogenraad

It would have been nice to have known what led to Shannon’s date and to get to know the cast better to be more invested in its outcome, but perhaps Celebrity Crush could expand its storyline or become a series in the future.

Sarah Hoogenraad’s dark comedy Celebrity Crush (#15) was part of Chain Theatre’s Winter ’24 One Act Festival took place from February 8 through March 3 virtually as well as live and in person at The Chain Theatre, 312 West 36th Street in New York, New York.  Click here for more information.

REVIEW: Featuring Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Krista River and special guest musicians, A Far Cry ended season with a stirring ‘Sunset’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Having witnessed A Far Cry’s triumphant return to performing live and in person last September as they kicked off their 15th season with Circle of Life, it was an honor and fitting to review Sunset, A Far Cry’s final concert of the season.  Sunset was originally scheduled for March 2020 and this Grammy-nominated, self-directed chamber orchestra was thrilled to finally present it onstage.  With a heartfelt introduction by Sarah Darling, Boston-based A Far Cry brought a diverse repertoire of suspense, tragedy, and soaring vocals by mezzo-soprano Krista River before joining a collection of promising musicians including Project STEP for a robust finale.

A Far Cry criers at Jordan Hall Boston MA Photo credit to A Far Cry

Following opening group Project STEP, A Far Cry took the gorgeous Jordan Hall stage in Boston, MA for their final concert on Friday, May 13 for 90 minutes with no intermission.  A Far Cry will cap off their 15th season with a Spring Soiree on June 1 at the Nathaniel Allen Center for Arts and Culture in Newton, MA.  The event includes a sneak peek of next season, outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a charity auction with the option to attend in person or virtually.  Click here for more information and here for a look at A Far Cry’s upcoming season.

Grammy-nominated Chamber Orchestra A Far Cry Photo courtesy of A Far Cry

Elegantly dressed in flowing dresses and suits, A Far Cry opened their final concert with all 18 criers for Julius Eastman’s Joy Boy.  A piece likened to the feeling of falling in love, Joy Boy has a trickling and mounting intensity as the orchestra gradually comes to life.  It is fascinating to watch the ebb and flow in Joy Boy’s soothing opening rhythms which escalate to a gripping crescendo before lulling into its resonating finale.

Imagine moments before a stunning discovery in a suspenseful film.  That’s the escalating tension built around Lutoslawski’s fiery Musique Funebre, Spanish for Funeral Music.  A Far Cry performs this chilling and somber dirge with rich, Hitchcockian flair enhanced by a stroke of the viola and plucking, creeping rhythms.  Fueled by searing drama and violin-tinged, pulsing urgency, A Far Cry plays furiously to bring this masterful work to an exciting and astounding climax that might leave you with a few goose bumps by the finale.

‘Il Tramonto Photo credit to Sarah Darling/A Far Cry

Led by Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Krista River’s airy and soaring vocals, A Far Cry took on Respighi’s classic piece, Il Tramonto, which is an Italian phrase translated as The Sunset.  It is a popular piece having been featured in films such as the western classic, The Good the Bad and the Ugly.  Adorned in a shimmering blue gray gown with her hair swept into an updo, River’s expressive vocals and her stirring countenance brings out the surreal poignancy of this tragic romance.  Based on a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Il Tramonto has a moving story behind it and possibly inspired by a real life disaster in Indonesia. 

Mezzo-soprano Krista River Photo credit to A Far Cry

A Far Cry recalled how music has been “cathartic journey” and like many in the arts and beyond, the love for the arts has been tested, especially in the last few years.  Joined by promising musicians in New England Conservatory, NEC Prep, and Project STEP, A Far Cry brought this concert to a robust and wondrous close with Vicente Lusitano’s Aspice Domine and Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme, the latter dedicated to an inspiring teacher that encouraged young musicians to pursue their musical aspirations.  Highlighted by a duo of skilled violinists, this group of musicians brought A Far Cry’s 15th season to a glorious close with a mix of fragility, power, and a stirring finale.

Students in Project STEP Photo credit to Project STEP/A Far Cry

A Far Cry will cap off their 15th season with a Spring Soiree on June 1 at the Nathaniel Allen Center for Arts and Culture in Newton, MA.  The event includes a sneak peek of next season, outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a charity auction with the option to attend in person or virtually.  Click here for more information and here for a look at A Far Cry’s upcoming season.