Review: West Side Story

This weekend ended up being quite full of theater. Saturday night, on my way from the pre-show party to Little Shop, I received a call ... did I want to usher for this afternoon's sold out of performance of West Side Story?

It was a wonderful way to brighten up a rainy Sunday afternoon. The show was very good and a delight to watch. The set was beautiful, more scenic artwork created by Richard Prouse. The Set, a very creative use of space was designed by Andy Weintraub. The band was sublime and the choreography and staging, by Laurie Sepe Marder, energetic and bright. The lighting at times was awfully dim and there seemed to be some issue with the spotlight keeping up with some of the solo numbers, but they were momentary distractions. The only big concern I had with the show is that in some of the numbers there were too many cast members on stage which resulted in some collisions. All the energy was wonderful to watch but the result at times was chaotic.

There were a lot of familiar faces in this show. Let me start with the ensemble in general. They were wonderful. Strong voices and bursting with energy and vitality. They looked beautiful, moved gracefully and sounded great. Of note was the solos from Laura Doe (Pauline), Jackie Schroeder (Rosalia) and Michael Torbit (Action) Also fun to watch, as always, was Joe Felece and Fred Fishberg as Shrank and Krupke.

I loved Tony, played by Matthew Farcher, he did a amazing job with the role. Amazing. Victoria McCarthy did an wonderful Maria, with such beautiful singing. She also pulled off a wonderful accent and applied it to her singing as well, a difficult task. Bernardo, Vinny Lomoriello, was always fun to watch on stage. Christopher Tillson as Riff was very good also. Sammy Curbelo as Baby John made me chuckle on numerous occasions. Another one that made me laugh was Tony Dirusso as Glad Hand. Anita, Risa Petrone, was breathtaking both vocally and as she danced. Lindsay Michaels stole a number of scenes in the role of Anybodys. It was a perfect fit for her, and she made the most of it.

Up in One Productions West Side Story is a delight and will be running for another three weekends. I encourage you to go see this delightful musical that I'm certain will be another summer sellout!

Photos courtesy of Jen Kiaba Photography

Review: Little Shop of Horrors

I saw Golden Stone Productions Little Shop of Horrors tonight. It was a delight, there are still tickets available for Sunday afternoons last performance, and a very special raffle prize I hear. Think signed memorabilia and you have the right idea.

The Director, Danny Paul, did a beautiful job. The scenes flowed with grace and speed. The choreography was smoothly integrated into the scenes. Costumes were beautiful, and the scenery and Audrey II puppets by Richard Prouse were beautiful. His work never fails to impress.

Little Shop is a difficult piece in that many many people have seen the movie and have a preconceived notion of the characters. I have seen at least three versions of the show. This show was a delightful combination of the sense of characters you know and love (or hate ... 'sorry ... doctor') and some fresh insight into the depths of the material.

I loved Wendell Scherer as Seymour. He was a stronger Seymour then usual, which I liked, but had the endearing clumsy bumbling typical of the character. Audrey (Kate Weston) was adorable, with a hint of the typical Audry, but brought new life the role. The actor in the Audrey puppets was amazing, creating such an interesting life on stage and timing it perfectly. The voice of our favorite plant was amazing as well.

Also of note were the urchins Allie Miron, Amanda Quigley and Esme Hyman who collectively had such rich sound and balance you would imagine they had been singing together forever. Also delightful was Pat Kiernan who had the difficult and funny role(s) of Bernstein, Mrs. Luce & Skip Snip. He brought such energy and humor to the role. Bobby Greffrath, as the Dentist we love to hate was wonderful to watch as well. Pat's assistant was adorable also, but alas, I do not know her name. She took a small bit and made an big impression.

The show featured a strong ensemble also who made the customers, bums, and other people come alive. Vocally and visually they added great depth to the show. The band and musical direction was awesome, a pleasure to listen to.

Lighting for the show was mood appropriate, sound effects were spot on. My only criticism of the show was that certain actors did not always remember to cheat out, leaving me to look at their backside or profile rather then being able to see the emotion on their faces. There was some adjustment of sound levels during the show, but barely noticeable.

Overall, another delightful, strong, entertaining production from Golden Stone Productions.

Little Shop of Horrors - Saturday Night!

What are you doing Saturday Night? I'm very excited to be going to see Golden Stone Productions most recent show Little Shop of Horrors. Between the pre-party some friends are hosting and the show itself, it should be a wonderful, fun, entertaining evening. Especially since Little Shop is one of my favorite musicals.

No plans for Saturday? Come see the show!

Curtain is at 8:00 PM, Tickets available online here, $20 /$15 Seniors & Children.

Synopsis:
A down-and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who redefined the animated musical film with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty And The Beast” and “Aladdin.” Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, “Little Shop Of Horrors” never fails to entertain.

Review: Evita

I had an opportunity to see Evita at the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center last night. It is a CENTERstage production directed by Kevin Archambault.

It was beautiful. It's been a long time since I've seen such an amazing community theater production. The choreography and staging were wonderful, the lighting design was beautifully done, the set, by Richard Prouse - in one word Gorgeous! The music elegant. Costumes were wonderfully done also, with subtle colors and effectively setting the tone.

The highlight of the evening was Eva Peron herself, played by Aubrey Flick. Aubrey handled the challenges of the role smoothly and beautifully making the difficult transitions musically seem easy. She also managed many many costume changes (20+, I lost count), in an impossibly quick manner - kudos to her dresser(s) as well. Aubrey also did the difficult job of transitioning in age as Eva went from her humble roots, to elegant first lady, and then into illness.

She was mesmerizing - It's not often that an actor grabs my focus in that way. I like to observe the little nuances of the individual actors and usually have no trouble focusing on each individual at various times throughout the show. Aubrey stole every scene she was in, which was pretty much all of them.

Also amazing were Che played by the energetic Joshuah Partriarco and he handles the difficult role beautifully. The Mistress ,Victoria McCarthy, who sang like an angel and made an impression even though she appeared so briefly. Len West, who handled the challenging role Juan Peron by walking the fine line of appearing strong enough to be believable as a leader, but not so strong that he cannot be eclipsed by his wife.

The ensemble was filled with very talented, strong voices as well. They performed the complex job of becoming the people and filling the stage with whatever class or subset needed. From the poor, to the working class and even into the upper crust, they cast did an amazing job. I especially enjoyed the Tango Dancers.

I would recommend everyone to go see this show, certain to be the summer hit, but it is the last weekend, and the show is already sold out. If you were lucky enough to have seen this show, or have tickets for tonight or tomorrow - you know, or will know, exactly what I mean.

Upcoming Mid Hudson Valley Theater Auditions

Upcoming Auditions for Mid Hudson Valley Community Theater, August 2008. Lots of fun shows auditioning now for the fall ... grab a friend and go audition!

Golden Stone Production Auditions for "Once Upon a Mattress"
August 2nd starting at 12:00 pm
August 3rd starting at 6:00 pm
August 4th starting at 6:30 pm

Performances: October 17th-26th, 2008
Director: Kevin Archambault
Musical Direction: Liz Gerbi

Auditions to be held at SUNY Ulster Senate Gym
Please contact via email or phone for any questions.
bquigley@goldenstoneproductions or 845.687.4758

Up in One Productions Audition for BEST OF BROADWAY: “A Grand Night for Singing” Rogers and Hammerstein musical Revue
August 4, 5 at 7:00 pm
Callbacks: August 6 at 7:00 pm

At The Center for Performing Arts, Rte. 308, Rhinebeck, NY.
Needed: Singers/Actors/Dancers. Prepare: a Rodgers and Hammerstein song. Performance Dates: October 17 – November 2; Fridays – Sundays. Produced by Diana di Grandi, Directed and Choreographed by Laurie Sepe Marder. Further information contact the producer: 845 876 5348

West Side Story
Photos courtesy of Jen Kiaba Photography

Up In One Productions brings all the fever and the fervor of Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-Award-winning, WEST SIDE STORY to the stage at The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, beginning July 25th and running through August 17th.

This highly-acclaimed musical update of Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET, set in the tenements of 1950’s New York City, has become a classic in its own right. The Twentieth Century “star-crossed lovers”, Tony and Maria, are torn apart by ethnic intolerance and street gang rivalry. Their tender and tragic story is richly punctuated with exhilarating song and dance numbers, alive with social commentary and hailed as ground-breaking in its time. The music is immediately recognizable, from the ballads, Maria, Tonight, and Somewhere, to the energetic, America, I Feel Pretty, The Jet Song, and Cool.

WEST SIDE STORY, opened on Broadway in 1957, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, and starring Larry Kert, Carol Lawerence and Chita Rivera. The show marked the Broadway debut of composer Stephen Sondheim. It was translated into an Academy Award-winning film in 1961, starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer and Rita Moreno. Since then, it has enjoyed several Broadway revivals.

Director/choreographer, Laurie Sepe Marder (Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Oklahoma!, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), who has adapted the original Broadway choreography of Jerome Robbins, leads a cast of popular, seasoned actors, singers and dancers in the Up In One Production, including Victoria McCarthy (Romeo and Juliet) as Maria, Matthew Farcher (Les Miserables) as Tony, Chris Tillson as Riff, Risa Petrone as Anita, and Vinnie Lomoriello as Bernardo. Music is directed and conducted by Paul and JoAnn Schubert (Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Oklahoma!). Set and lights are by veteran designer, Andrew Weintraub (Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Chicago), and the scenic art by Broadway Scenic Artist, Richard Prouse. The costume designer for the production is Natalie Lunn.

The Up In One production is brought to the stage by producer, Diana di Grandi, who has presented such critically acclaimed hit musicals as Chicago, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma!, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, Annie, and Mame.

On Stage in the Hudson Valley - July 6th

We have some wonderful shows on stage this month. Some BIG musicals that I am excited to see. So on stage in the Mid Hudson Valley ... the best local community theater has to offer:

Evita
July 11, 12, 18, 19, at 8:00 PM
July 13, 20 at 3:00 PM

CENTERStage production
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Jul 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 8:00 PM
Jul 13, 20, 27 at 3:00 PM

The Playhouse at Museum Village
Route 17M
Monroe, NY
Call: (845) 294-9465


Little Shop of Horrors
July 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 8:00 PM
July 20, 27 at 3:00 PM

Golden Stone Productions
Quimbly Theater at SUNY Ulster
Stone Ridge, NY
Call: (845) 687 - 4758

West Side Story
July 25, 26, 31, August 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 8:00 PM
July 27, August 3, 10, 17 at 3:00 PM

Up in One Productions
The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck, NY
Call: (845) 876-3080

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
August 7, 8, 9 at 8:00 PM
August 10 at 2:00 PM

Up in One Productions
Quimbly Theater at SUNY Ulster
Stone Ridge, NY