42nd St. at Interlakes Theatre

Hello Theatre audiences,

If you ever danced when you were younger or if you are a dancer now I strongly suggest you make your way to Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH and enjoy one of Broadways best dance musicals, 42^nd St! Last night as I sat awaiting the show I could hear the faint sound of tap shoes backstage. For a Tuesday evening the rather full audience was buzzing with anticipation. The footlights were glowing as the house lights came down and the audience hushed but not for long. From the very first number through the closing curtain, the company was high energy and full of smiles. Overall, the spectacular tap dancing was the highlight of the show. But there were a few other performances that really caught my attention. The first was the young man playing Billy Lawlor (Erik Joshua Clack) who was charming and charismatic. He danced with incredible ease and was vocally superb. Ellie Kahn, who played Maggie Jones, had me laughing with her witty one-liners throughout the show. The always amazing Ashley Landroche, who played Dorothy Brock, was a vocal powerhouse. Lastly, and my favorite performance of the evening, is the phenomenal Alexandra Fassler who played Peggy Sawyer. She was brilliant from the moment she stepped on the stage and delighted the audience with her fast foot work and beautiful voice. Last night’s audience loved this show and you will too! But you only have until Sunday July 13^th to catch 42^nd St. before it taps away!

Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to see my first ever live Cirque du Soleil show, Amaluna. Before the show began the audience was entertained by creatures and characters soon to be seen onstage. Cali, half human and half lizard, playfully interacted with the audience, especially those with popcorn. Amazons, Peacocks and even the drummer made their way through the audience for about ten minutes before the start of the show. As I was sitting in my aisle seat one of the Peacocks brushed their feathers on my shoulder and at that moment I knew that I would love this show. Though these pre-show interactions may seem insignificant, they really drew the audience into the world of the show. As the lights went down, the excitement and anticipation could be felt throughout the tent. The opening number introduced the audience to the inhabitants of the island (characters) including Prospera and her daughter Miranda. Over the next hour of the first act the audience was entranced by the music and performers both on stage and flying over it. Incredible acrobatic skills and flowing dance along with power and precision are just a few of the things to expect when seeing this production. One of my favorite numbers was when Miranda demonstrated unbelievable balance and grace on canes on the side of the waterbowl. She would be balancing in a one handed handstand while delicately moving her legs and the next moment she would be swimming around the waterbowl. She would go back and forth from balancing on one and two canes with such precision and beauty. At the end of the piece she is joined by Romeo, one of the men shipwrecked on the island, and they playfully splash in the waterbowl before submerging themselves as the lights dim. The first act concludes with the amazing Amazons and their uneven bar routine. The four uneven bars are in constant use as the women fly and flip in unified small groups. When the house lights came up for intermission my friend sitting next to me & I looked at each other in amazement at what we had just seen. As preparations began onstage for the second act we wondered what would be coming next. As the lights come up we saw one of the other men from the shipwreck fly up from behind a fenced area where they are being kept by the Amazons. And thus began the athletic and acrobatic all male Teeterboard routine. The fencing was moved away and I watched in awe as they soared into the air over the next few minutes. To say that the second act started on a high note is an understatement. Throughout the second act we continue to be astonished by acts such as the Chinese Pole and of course juggling. One of the final performances was Aerial Straps in which three Valkyries flew over both the stage and the audience with such power and strength. But what made this piece even more amazing was that all three were soaring through the air at the same time zigzagging through each other. The show concludes with all characters back on stage as the audience goes wild. This brilliant show comprised mostly of females is full of power and grace and is one of the best live theatrical shows I have ever seen. Cirque du Soleil’s production of Amaluna playing in Boston until July 6^th is not to be missed! If you can’t see it while it’s in Boston it’s headed to Washington, D.C. at the end of July and then opens in Atlanta, Georgia this October. But if you can’t see Amaluna definitely check out any of Cirque du Soleil’s productions either a resident show or touring. You won’t be disappointed, I wasn’t.

Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna