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REVIEW: By song and by sea, interactive musical comedy ‘Toothy’s Treasure’ makes waves in Boston

Posted on June 6, 2023 by The Sleepless Critic

A pirate’s life is not for everyone, but when it comes to the possibility of treasure, perhaps anyone might be willing to learn.

Widely interactive with its share of comedic pop culture references and more, musical comedy Toothy’s Treasure by Brayden Martino and composed by John-William Gambrell arrived for one weekend only at Boston Center for the Arts live and in person from Wednesday, May 31 through Sunday, June 4. The production was 95 minutes with no intermission and offered pay-what-you-can tickets. Click here for more information.

The Off-Broadway cast of ‘Toothy’s Treasure’ Photo by Brayden Martino

What is great about the day in the life of a pirate is that every day is different and the same can be said for Toothys Treasure. Part sink-or-swim improvisation, musical comedy, and interactive tale, Toothy’s Treasure is never the same production twice. The core plot may remain the same, but Toothy’s Treasure steers in various directions and with the amount of improvisation actually involved, it can be tricky to keep this type of show from starting to veer off course. However, it does keep the cast and the audience on their toes.

He’s a Pirate or otherwise known as the Pirates of the Caribbean Theme song, Under the Sea, and Ruth B’s Lost Boy are just a few of the mood setting preshow tunes piped into the Black Box Theatre to warm up the crowd as cast members humorously mingle. Easter eggs such as a cereal box, skeleton, a cardboard rudder, and multi-purpose wooden boxes hold a purpose or two as the show progresses.

As pirates are often in peril, a crack team of multi-talented actors are on hand to weather the storm, albeit like all pirates, with more than a bit of self preservation. Cait Winston is more than up to the challenge as not only a lively parrot puppeteer, but with a knack for maneuvering other humorous roles along the way. Creator Brayden Martino, in lavender threads, is commanding, foppish, and egotistical as Captain Moldy Bones who leads a crew including Chloe Gardner and Mabel White to replace a certain missing crew member on their voyage to locate Toothy’s buried Treasure. Charlize Vermaak and Dylan Gombos also lend spontaneity and playfulness to various roles.

The Off-Broadway cast of ‘Toothy’s Treasure’ Photo credit to Brayden Martino

The musical aspect holds promise, especially as certain lyrics are cleverly altered to fit ever changing scenarios performed by an onstage musical trio. A few highlights include the catchy opening number Thank you Scurvy which explores the next quest for this dastardly and swashbuckling crew. My Lady the Sea is a charming piece delivered with devoted fervor by Mabel White as Squid Lips and the introspective What Would I Do boasts humorous and well timed sound effects skillfully engineered by Bella Cario, Brayden Martino, and Evelyn Dumeer. Break the Mold by Chloe Gardner, who depicts humble and earnest Wet Shoe, brims with boldness and sincerity.

The show is strange, silly, humorous, and adventurous with a sincere message, but features a bit more improvisation for its own good and might benefit from sticking a bit more to structure. However, Toothy’s Treasure is a funny and entertaining piece of theatre that allows the audience to be part of the story and to decide if it’s indeed a pirate’s life for you.

Toothy’s Treasure by Brayden Martino and composed by John-William Gambrell arrived for one weekend only at Boston Center for the Arts live and in person from Wednesday, May 31 through Sunday, June 4. Toothy’s Treasure has taken the stage off-Broadway and in Boston. Click here for more information and when it will return Off-Broadway in New York.

REVIEW: Celebrity Series of Boston presents ‘What Makes it Great?’ with Rob Kapilow and the brilliance of Broadway’s Lerner and Loewe

Posted on January 26, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

What elements contribute to a great song?

At just beyond his 25^th year, NPR’s popular composer, conductor, and music commentator, Rob Kapilow continues to captivate audiences with his vast musical knowledge, sense of humor, and careful analysis of what makes the best songs tick. Though music styles and genres inevitably change, these classic tunes may make you see your favorite songs in a whole new light.

From the GBH’s Fraser Performance Studio in Boston, Massachusetts and directed by Bob Comisky, Celebrity Series of Boston presents What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow streaming through January 27. Featuring an array of classic Broadway songs by American lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and Austrian composer Frederick Loewe, Kapilow delves into each song’s appeal and emotional undertones through its carefully selected musical notes.

NPR’s Rob Kapilow and his piano Photo courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston

Part teacher, humorist, and historian, Kapilow proves once again just how fascinating a song can be through a mix of sophistication and an easy to follow delivery. Click here for more information and how to get access to this virtual production and follow along by downloading the show’s program. The virtual performance includes a short question and answer session. Click here for more on NPR’s What Makes it Great?

Though often speaking to a large audience, Rob Kapilow possesses such a personal, relaxed and friendly quality during his talks, it often feels like a one-on-one session on a baby grand piano. He is so popular with the Celebrity Series crowd that he usually makes a couple of Celebrity Series of Boston appearances per season tackling everything from swing to dance to classical to Broadway music revealing each song’s inherent brilliance.

Calling on a couple of Broadway love songs, Kapilow was accompanied by soprano Emily Albrink and stirring singer, actor, and musician Ben Jones. In a flowing floral dress, Albrink brims with excitement evident is her soaring vocals as she delivers a charming rendition of My Fair Lady’s I Could Have Danced All Night. In a black jacket and tie, Jones masters the complex and emotional weight of Camelot’s If Ever I Should Leave You with a bold finish. Together, Jones and Albrink depict the playful and lighthearted chemistry for Brigadoon’s Almost Like Being in Love and Heather on the Hill where at one point, Jones takes Albrink’s hand.

Delving into the Golden Age of Broadway as well as Lerner and Loewe’s dynamic history, Kapilow chose a selection of lighthearted and dreamy songs as well as pivotal numbers from musicals that leads to a character’s imminent transformation. With humor and grace, Kapilow also reveals what each song might have sounded like without its individuality and as he peels back each layer, What Makes It Great? becomes an eye-opening experience.

From classic songs and American Standards such as It’s Almost like Being in Love from Brigadoon to the high-spirited I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady to a humorous and not to be missed I Remember it Well from Gigi, Rob shows how compulsive American lyricist Lerner of the famed retail stores and poverty-raised and frugal Austrian composer Loewe poured themselves and their imagination into their music to create some real Broadway magic.

What Makes it Great? with Rob Kapilow streams through January 27. Click here for more information and how to access the show. Click here to see what is next during Celebrity Series of Boston’s digital and in person season.

REVIEW: South Shore Conservatory presents fascinating art exhibition, ‘South Shore Photographers’ through April 30

Posted on March 31, 2017 by The Sleepless Critic

No matter how talented an artist is, there is nothing like discovery and opportunity. South Shore Conservatory is dedicated to mold and provide opportunity for promising talent in the arts through their classes, workshops, and exhibits. Click here for further insight into the South Shore Conservatory with two locations in Hingham and Duxbury, Massachusetts.

Curated by Judith Montminy, South Shore Conservatory and South Shore Art Center offered an opening reception for an insightful exhibition featuring 44 South Shore Photographers’ inspirational works of art on Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. Visit South Shore Photographers exhibit through Sunday, April 30 at South Shore Art Center.

SS Conservatory Opening Reception and exhibition

‘South Shore Photographers’ feature 44 artists on two floors Photo courtesy of South Shore Art Center

Linked by a regal wooden staircase, The South Shore Art Center is brimming with carefully selected framed pieces on two floors. Delicious free food and wine were available for guests at the reception as they carefully perused bright colors and abstract pieces. Other pieces portrayed water and people.

Part of the exhibit for ‘South Shore Photographers’ Photo courtesy of Michelle McGrath

Soft landscapes, bright, sparkling water, snow steeped winter scenes, colorful highways, emerald green wooded views, and a pair of Bengal tigers is just a taste of what these deeply observant photographers offer in this ongoing exhibition. Convinced that one portrait will be a perfect fit to take home? Each framed photo is on sale.

Keri McAndrews Trees in Fog at exhibition

Guests gather at ‘South Shore Photographers’ opening reception and ponder ‘Trees in Fog’ by Keri McAndrews Photo courtesy of Keri McAndrews

South Shore Art Center presents South Shore Photographers exhibition through Sunday, April 30 at South Shore Conservatory, One Conservatory Drive in Hingham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information, how to donate, and the full calendar of upcoming events. Follow South Shore Art Center on Facebook.