Review of Sister Act at Interlakes Theatre (Meredith, NH)

Photo Credit: Interlakes Theatre/Dr. Robert Kozlow

Last night I curiously awaited the start of the opening night performance of the musical Sister Act at Interlakes Theatre. It is based on the film of the same name and features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner; with additional material by Douglas Carter Beane.

Though the show is full of talent, it started off rather slow and took a while to build momentum. But I believe the issue there lies in the script and not the performers. As the first act progressed the cast really kicked the show into high gear and got the energy surging throughout the theatre. By the time Delores, wonderfully played by Miki Abraham, and her choir of nuns were singing “Raise Your Voice” and then “Take Me to Heaven (Reprise)” the energy was high and the excitement was jumping off the stage into the audience, which made a great end to the first act. This energetic momentum continued into the opening of the second act with “Sunday Morning Fever” and lasted all the way to the final piece “Spread the Love Around”. All of these numbers superbly showcased precise choreography from Director and Choreographer Brian Feehan.

As with any show, there are hiccups along the way, but what allows the audience to forget all of that are the standout performances given throughout the production. The first I would like to mention is from veteran performer Nancy Barry and her portrayal of Mother Superior. She was not only commanding and witty throughout, but she also brought a good deal of heart to a turning point scene towards the end of the show. Secondly, was the hysterical performance of “Lady in the Long Black Dress” by Mikey LoBalsamo (Joey), Michael Jemison (TJ), and Peter Garza (Pablo). These three had the audience laughing aloud throughout their number. Thirdly, was the incredibly powerful vocal performance by Caitlin Thurnauer (Sister Mary Robert) who sent chills and thrills through the audience during “The Life I Never Led”.

By the time finale rolled around it was clear that this cast had been working very hard to put on a show worthy of a standing ovation. And though difficulties popped up along the way; they pulled it together and nailed their opening night performance and clearly enjoyed their time on stage. No matter how hard the work was, they had the hope that it would all pay off. Luckily, it did, as noted with the boisterous standing ovation that they certainly deserved.     

Photo Credit: Interlakes Theatre/Dr. Robert Kozlow

Director and Choreographer Brian Feehan has brought yet another show to life on the Interlakes stage where it plays until August 9^th, 2015. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.interlakestheatre.com

Table Manners at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse

Photo Credit:Winnipesaukee Playhouse

Table Manners, by Alan Ayckbourn, is the first in a trilogy of plays entitled The Norman Conquests. The play takes place in a country house in West Sussex, England where three grown-up siblings and their significant others all end up under the same roof. This is no ordinary weekend holiday as strong personalities, long-time rivalries and romantic entanglements converge and quickly boil over.

Directed by Neil Pankhurst, this fantastic six actor cast brings to life this witty and highly entertaining British comedy. The full play takes place in a comfortable dining room, designed by Meredith Brown. Once it began it didn’t take long before the audience was fully engrossed and laughing; which they continued to do for the next two hours.  

Rebecca Tucker (Annie) and Molly Parker Myers (Sarah) wonderfully portrayed their sister-in-law characters. Their opposing views, mannerisms, and the ways that they believe flowers and place settings should be arranged make for great first scene. It is clear within the first few minutes who prefers to always be in control and have things done her way regardless of whose house she is in. When the other characters arrive into the scene tensions escalate to the point where by intermission, more than one character has become unhinged. Tom (Jason Plourde) is the rather in-different friend of Annie, who is constantly trying to figure out if he has interest in her and if so why won’t he make a move. Jason Plourde is pleasantly charming as the only character who seems to stay relaxed during the play; with the exception of one momentary misunderstanding. Richard Brundage superbly portrays Annie’s brother & Sarah’s husband Reg. Reg is a very relatable character in that he is just trying to make it through the weekend without too much family drama. Norman, incredibly played by Nicholas Wilder, often finds himself in the middle of the dysfunctional drama and rightly so; though he does feign his innocence in the thick of it. Suzanne Kimball who splendidly plays his wife Ruth, sister to Annie and Reg, joins in the weekend of family disorder and like Annie, knocks heads with Sarah most of the time.

As the chaos continues throughout the play the audience gets a clear understanding of why the trilogy is called The Norman Conquests. And if you want to know why you’ll just have to head over to the Winnipesaukee Playhouse sometime before July 25^th to find out. It would be great to see this trilogy of amusing plays about family pandemonium produced at the Winnipesaukee playhouse in the coming years especially if this same group of talented actors reprised their roles.

For additional information and tickets to Table Manners visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org

The Addams Family at Interlakes Theatre (Meredith, NH)

Photo Courtesy Interlakes Theatre/Dr. Robert Kozlow

The Addams Family, the highly anticipated musical comedy, opened last night at Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH. Upon entering the theatre the eerily designed set by Katy Monthei drew the audience’s attention as anticipation grew. The audience eagerly listened for the oh-so- familiar theme and as soon as the orchestra began, the audience joined in with the snapping of their fingers.

This deliciously dark musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, follows the famous characters created by Charles Addams in a brand new story that, for some in the audience, may hit a little too close to home. Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet young man, Lucas Beinekee, from a “normal family” and has planned a dinner for the two families to meet before she and Lucas tell them of their plans to get married. It has the makings for a very interesting evening that will change both families before the night is through.    

The opening number, “When You’re an Addams”, not only introduced us the living members of the Addams family, but also over two dozen of their dead or undecided ancestors. Uniquely designed costumes from the always amazing David Withrow made each character within the large cast stand apart from the others. For the next two hours the audience laughed, applauded and cheered for this extremely fun and funny musical.

While the entire cast put on a great show there were a few standout performances that certainly deserved the standing ovation they received. Firstly, the magnificent pair that perfectly portrayed Gomez and Morticia Addams: Mikey LoBalsamo and Ashley Walley. They were born to play these characters. These two Interlakes Theatre veterans and audience favorites with their top notch vocals and comedic timing were devilishly charming. Hannah Zieser, who fiercely belted it out as the princess of darkness, Wednesday Addams, was another standout performer last night. She was engaging and exquisitely edgy. The mischievous Pugsley, played by Graham Campbell, delivered as Wednesday’s tossed aside, no longer tortured little brother in his rendition of “What If”. Fred Frabotta delivered a superb portrayal of Uncle Fester while Elise Watson (Alice) stole the scene in her version of “Waiting”.     

Fantastically directed and choreographed by David Beris, this family friendly show is sure to make you laugh. The Addams Family plays until July 26^th, 2015 at Interlakes Theatre in Meredith, NH. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.interlakestheatre.com 

Photo Courtesy Interlakes Theatre/Dr. Robert Kozlow

The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare & Company (Lenox, MA)

L-R: Kelley Curran, Cloteal L. Horne & Aaron Bartz. (Photo by Enrico Spada)

William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors is an entertaining farce about two sets of identical twins separated at birth whose worlds accidentally collide in the city of Ephesus. This instigates a hilarious adventure of mistaken identity and human folly. Fantastically directed by Taibi Magar, the twelve member cast takes us along on this ninety minute ride bursting with laughter and music to the point that we in the audience may forget we are watching a play written over four hundred years ago.

This production is a modernized version, however, I’m not going to tell you when it takes place or where, but I will say that the accents they are using are spectacular and make the already humorous script even better. Before the play even begins cast members are out and about on the stage and in the audience chatting with and engaging the audience in whatever they are currently doing such as dancing or playing a game. It is here that the audience starts to get drawn into the world of the play. Music (designed/composed by Stowe Nelson) and costuming (designed by Tilly Grimes) helps transport us back into time so when the play begins we are excited, engaged and ready to laugh.

I was nervous when I first heard this play was to be a modernized version as those versions could easily butcher the story, the lines and the characters in a way that would have Shakespeare rolling over in his grave. Luckily, this version shows exactly how modernized interpretations should be done. The cast is compiled of Shakespeare and Company veterans: Kelley Curran (Adriana), Cloteal L. Horne (Luciana), Malcolm Ingram (Egeon), Josh Aaron McCabe (Dr. Pinch/Duke Solinus), Christianna Nelson (Abbess), Douglas Seldin (Luce), and Michael F. Toomey (Angelo). As well as newcomers: Aaron Bartz (Dromio of Ephesus/Dromio of Syracuse), Ben Chase (Officer/Merchant), Jenelle Chu (Courtesan), Ian Lassiter (Antipholus of Ephesus/ Antipholus of Syracuse), and Daniel Rios Jr. (Merchant). They all portray their characters with truth, charisma and sheer brilliance. They breathe life into these characters in a way that I don’t think anyone has ever dared to do before and it has completely paid off. The chemistry amongst the cast was fantastic which clearly demonstrates how much work went into this play. Even though they were speaking lines written hundreds of years ago, their modern mannerisms, dialect, movement, and expressions enabled everyone in the audience to understand not only the lines they spoke, but exactly what was occurring in the story at any given time.    

The creative team on this production, some of whom I’ve already mentioned, did a brilliant job bringing this play into a more modern age. Movement and Choreography were wonderfully done by Jesse Perez who kept things upbeat and fun. Set and Properties Designer John McDermott created a unique space that was complimented by great lighting, designed by Matthew Miller. I applaud the creative team and cast for their incredible work on this production. It is by far one of the best I have seen in years and I am thrilled to have been in the audience on opening night. Furthermore, I would gladly see this show again; which is a statement I rarely make!

If there is one show you see this summer I highly suggest you make that show The Comedy of Errors. Suitable for anyone; whether you are familiar with the work of Shakespeare or you are seeing one of his plays for the first time, this show is the perfect choice. The Comedy of Errors plays through August 23^rd in the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, MA. Tickets and more information can be found at www.shakespeare.org