“Annie” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            The third show of Theatre by the Sea's 80th season is the 1977 hit musical "Annie". The show is based on Harold Gray's comic strip "Little Orphan Annie", it won seven Tony Awards and ran for 2,377 performances before closing in 1983. It was based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip  LittleOrphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin the book by Thomas Meehan. It won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Sc ore and Best Choreography. The production is bright, uplifting and fun sparked by energetic performances that never stop and always deliver the goods. It is heart warming and a sheer delight from beginning to end.  It tells the tale of the plucky orphan, Annie, who has been waiting for her parents to return for her for ten years. In this rags to riches story, she gets selected to spend Christmas with one of the world’s richest men Oliver Warbucks.

            Richard Sabellico, who directed and choreographed it with fire and finesse, also directed it at TBTS in 1983 played Rooster during the original Broadway run of the show. His direction here is brisk, bright and full of sass. His choreography is full of flair and style.

Lauren Weintraub is Annie and she delivers a simply stunning performance. She is 14 and it is made all the more remarkable by the fact that she stepped into the role the day it opened and learned in six hours. She is no stranger to the role having played it before at Maine State Music Theatre and has done the voice of Zoe in the Academy Award nominated animated film, “A Cat in Paris.” She is poised and perfect in the role, deftly able to balance the comic moments with the more touching moments with equal skill and grace. She has a strong voice and knows how to belt out a tune with spunk as she does with "Maybe", "Hard Knock Life", "Tomorrow", "NYC.” She is sheer delight as the spunky orphan determined to find her missing parents no matter what comes.

Todd Fenstermaker is a delight as Daddy Warbucks, the calculating businessman who transforms into a kind, loving parent. He has a terrific sense of comic timing and is able to hit the right emotional notes when needed as well. He has a strong singing voice which he show to good use in the touching, “Something is Missing”, when he realizes that Annie is something missing in his otherwise full life. His duet with Lauren, called "I Don't Need Anything" is utter delight with a terrific dance to accompany it.

The scenes between Annie and Daddy Warbucks are by turns funny and touching. For example when he tires to give her a new necklace for the old one she wears in the hopes of her parents returning to her is quite moving and poignant. Or also when he realizes that Annie is a wonderful addition to his life.

Margaret Robinson is excellent as Grace, Daddy Warbuck’s assistant. Grace is warm and compassionate, genuinely caring and Margaret shows this effect off well in her performance.

Jan Neuberger as Miss Hannigan is wonderful, pure magic as the mean spirited harridan who hates children with a passion. She oozes nastiness with comic flair and finesse, never failing to delight. She has a strong singing voice as well. She shines in “Easy Street” with the nefarious Rooster and his flashy girlfriend Lily.

Nathaniel Shaw as Rooster and Becca Gottlieb as Lily are real treats. Nathaniel is a wonder as the sleazy, nefarious, calculating Rooster, Miss Hannigan’s brother. Becca Gottlieb is pure fun as the ditzy blonde girlfriend, Lily. The two are comic gems as the Mudges, Annie’s faux parents.

There are winning performances abounding here throughout the whole cast. Tom Roberts as FDR and Michael John Lewis as Bert Healy performed by are notable and enjoyable.

The orphans, played by Taylor Rose Donovan as Tessie, Emma Senerchia as July, Jennifer Pamula as Duffy, Nina A. Pezzello as Pepper and Lily McMahon as Kate and finally. Eva Senerchia who also moved into this role opening night as the youngest orphan, Molly; their singing and dancing are utter fun and vastly entertaining.

The musical direction by Nick DeGregorio is marvelous in all its aspects.

The sets by Bert Scott are spot on and splendid. The costumes by David Costa Cabral are lovely and fabulous.

There are many musical treats in this show with often splashy and effective dancing. Songs such as Margaret in “NYC”, "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here”, or ", "You Won't Be an Orphan for Long", "Annie" are delightful and vastly entertaining.  So “It’s A Hard Knock Life” with Annie and the orphans.

Sabellico keeps his direction smart and poised. His choreography runs the gamut from smart and sassy to keen and effectively moving. The choreography shines in particular in “Easy Street” and “Little Girls” as well as “Hard Knock Life.”

It’s the prefect show for young and old alike. Children will love it as much as their parents.

"Annie" (17 July - 10 August)

THEATRE BY THE SEA

@ 364 Card's Pond Road, MATUNUCK RI

1(401)782-8587

“The Murder Room” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            There are times when it is jus pure fun and sheer delight to see a play that is purely superficial and totally for laughs and nothing else. That is “The Murder Room” by the prolific Jack Sharkey at 2^nd Story Theatre for their summer season. It follows right after the opening of their winning version of Agatha Christie’s long running, “The Mousetrap” and continues in conjunction with it.

            This spoof pokes fun at plays like “The Mousetrap” and does so with wanton abandon and mischievous fun.  The characters, the continually plot twists and shifts are hilarious good fun from beginning to end. Sharkey didn’t begin writing stage plays until he was 44 in 1965 and wrote them and them only from 1975 until he died in 1992. He was nearly too prolific and published his plays under four pseudonyms, Rick Abbot, Monk Ferris, Mark Chandler and Mike Johnson. While he never had a play that made it to Broadway, community theaters everywhere loved his work. He gave audiences what they wanted, fast paced farce, hysterically fast and polished dialogue and very broad comedy, not an once of subtlety in them. This play is no exception and pure fun from beginning to end, sparked by solid performances and perfectly poised comic timing in line delivery and physical comedy, it’s a production you can’t help but love for it being so much sheer fun.

It revolves around Edgar Hollister, a prominent gent in the community who marries for the second time a woman who might be a gold digger and fortune hunter. He is awaiting the arrival of his daughter after her graduation from college in America, but Hollister disappears before she returns and when the cat goes missing after Hollister feeds it some hot cocoa meant for him. Hollister confronts his wife and tells her he followed her to a strange apartment and overheard her conversation with a strange man. She tells him she resents his blatant accusations and then shoots him. She calls her lover to help her get rid of the body. To cover her tracks, she calls the police to report her husband missing. Things get more and more convoluted and confused with sinister motives arising all over the place as the play moves on.

Al Terego is on the mark as Edgar Hollister, and wealthy and suspicious man who does not trust his new wife.

Sharon Carpentier is his second wife, Mavis, a conniving, sneaky and untrustworthy woman. Ms. Capentier is pitch perfect as the manipulative wife with deep, dark motives of her own. She is funny and menacing with deft doses.

Susan Bowen Powers is the maid, Lottie, a bit daffy, a bit meddling, a bit afraid of her own shadow. Ms. Powers is pure glee with her Irish accent and curious manners.

The inspector who shows up to investigation the disappearance is Inspector Crandall played by Jeff Church. The Inspector is in his own way methodical and determined to solve the case, albeit prone to forgetfulness when questioning. Mr. Church is hilarious as the Inspector, in his fumbling determination and being befuddled by certain questions and at a loss. His Scottish accent is impeccable and fun.

Constable Howard shows up on the doorstep to return the cat, part of another investigation. He is methodical and determined, a typical Bobbie. Mr. Sullivan is sheer pleasure in the role, making the most of his character’s sincerity and confusion.

The daughter Susan arrives home to find her father missing and shows up with a new fiancée, a rich Texas millionaire she met on the boat over and who proposed to her shipboard. Susan is likeable but dense and a bit dippy. Ashley Hunter Kenner handles Susan’s foibles with comic skill and finesses, making it all fun along the way.

Tim White is Barry Draper, Susan’s fiancé. His Texas accent is perfect and he makes a delightful foil for Susan, with a down home friendliness that is at once appealing and funny.

Ed Shea directs this merry escapade as the pure fun it is. It will get rid of your doldrums no matter how bad they are.

The set is the same set as for The Mousetrap and pure delight. The costume designs by Ron Cesario, in particular the lavish arrays of costumes for Mavis are deliciously rich and extravagant.

It will be presented at Second Story Theatre, 28 Market Street, Warren, RI in repertory with Agatha Christie’s murder mystery, “The Mousetrap” until September 1. Tickets are$25 and under 21 for $20. 401-247-4200 or http://www.2ndstorytheatre.com/tixfaq.htm

Legally Blonde” at Ocean State Theatre Company

By Richard Pacheco

            “Legally Blonde” at the Ocean State Theatre Company is a merry musical romp that’s loads of fun, marked by some  sassy dance numbers and solid singing. Based on the book by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. with the music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach. It received seven Tony nominations and ten Drama Desk nominations but failed to win any. It opened in London in 2010 and was nominated for five Olivier awards and it won three including Best Musical.

It tells the tale of Elle, full of verve and energy, the poster girl for cheerleader and sorority girl. At the end of her senior year in high school, her boyfriend, Warner,  dumps her when he heads off to Harvard Law to pursue a more respectable and “serious” girl. Not being one to let that stop her, Elle works her tail off to follow him to Harvard Law and makes it. When she arrives, she ends up in a top notch class that selects a scant four interns to work with a well known lawyer The only friendly face she encounters there is from a young law teaching assistant, Emmett. But it is not an auspicious beginning in his class and the trouble seems to ride as Elle get kicked out when Vivienne, Warner’s new girlfriend, turns the tables on her. Elle decides it is because she is blonde and goes to get her hair dyed when she meets a new best friend, Paulette, a beautician. Everything comes to a head when the law professor is chosen to defend a female fitness guru and selects Elle for his vaunted team.

It’s a merry romp always underscored by the note to be who you are no matter what and no matter what it takes.

Alyssa Gorgone is Elle the epitome of the sorority girl, the mold for the mold, who transforms into who she really is, smart, spunky and determined. Ms. Gorgone is perky, poised and energetic in the role, eminently likeable, someone to cheer for.  She delivers a wonderful performance, full of sass and spunk

Adam Ryan Tackett is the young legal assistant, Emmett, who support and encourages Elle when it seems like no one else will. Mr. Tackett is energetic and effective in the role, convincing us of his sincere concern for Ell and brining out the best in her. He is sheer delight in his duet with Elle, “Legally Blonde” and the song when Elle is getting him a classier suit, “Take it Like A Man.,” another great duet.

Nicole Paloma Sarro is Paulette, from the hairdressing salon, who from the first supports Elle to be who she is with down to earth observations and humor. Ms. Sarro is a comic delight in the role, a solid singer and someone with impeccable comic timing. He is wonderful singing “Ireland” and later in “Bend and Snap.”

Christopher Swan is the ruthless Professor Callahan, a lawyer determined to win at all costs, all else be damned. Mr. Swan oozes sleazy in the role, making your skin crawl when facing such a nefarious creature. He really shines in his song, “Blood in the Water.”

Laura Scherf is Vivienne, Warner’s new, more serious girlfriend. She is poised, snobbish and confident with a streak of nastiness when it comes to Elle. Ms. Scherf is poised and oozes a venous streak when it comes to Elle with rare flair and style.

I have to mention here Michael J. Borges who plays multiple roles but really shines as Kyle, a UPS guy who ends up interested in Paulette. He steals any scene he is in with his exaggerated comic, “I’m too Sexy” strut and mannerisms. He is a hoot.

Several other standouts include Maria Logan as fitness guru Brooke, Sean Maddox as pool boy Nikos and Meghan Lydon as Brooke’s stepdaughter, Chutney.

There is a large supporting cast and they are a delight too, from the Greek Chorus to various salespeople who prance through the play. There are many fun songs along the way here, from the opening fun number, “Omigod You Guys” sung by Elle and a host of others, “The Harvard Variations” Emmett, Elle and many others to “The Scene of the Crime” sung by Elle and company.

Director choreographer Russell Garrett keeps everything gliding merrily along at a cheerful pace. He keeps the dances perky and fun, keeping it all lively and enjoyable. It is a very merry romp that cavorts cheerfully along.

Musical director Justin P. Cowan keeps the music brisk, bright and fun with no dull spots. Scenic designer Brett Scott delivers a simple yet highly effective set, deftly able to do multiple duties. Costume designer Brian Horton keeps everything fresh, fun and appealing.

Through July 18. Tickets: $39 to $49.

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY

@ 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, WARWICK RI

1(401)921-6800

“The Mousetrap” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” is the world’s longest running play. It has run continuously since 1957 when the toast of London Noel Coward fired off a telegram to Dame Agatha to congratulate her on the play being the longest running play in West London. It opened in 1952 and hasn’t stopped since and the current production at 2^nd Story makes it easy to see why. It is a fun filled romp loaded with twist and turns and dark bits of humor throughout, brought vividly to life by a wining cast, impeccable directing and a gorgeous set.

The tale is set on a stormy evening in a remote, snowbound guesthouse. Eight strangers—or are they—are stranded and one of them may be a murderer. There has been a murder in London and the police believe the murder is next on their way to Monkswell Manor to claim a second and possible a third victim. Who is the killer? The spinster from a foreign land? The foppish architect? The strange foreigner who appears out of nowhere unannounced?  The cranky old woman displeased with everything? The retired British major?

Erin Elliott is Mollie Ralston, the young woman who owns Monkswell with her husband. She is green to the host business and very kind and caring. Ms. Elliot is wondrous as Mollie, a perfect balance of naiveté and determination to make it all work out.

Dillion Medina is her husband, Giles, who has a temper and truly loves his wife. Mr. Medina is a winning blend of charming attentiveness for his wife and distrust towards the others which only grows as the play progresses.

Ben Church is a delight as the foppish architect, Christopher Wren, whose dark sense of humor and at times irritating manner infuriate the others. Mr. Church is admirable as Wren with just the right manners and mannerisms to be totally convincing.

Paula Faber is Mrs. Boyle, a cranky always discontented woman who never has a good word to say about anything or anyone at the manor. She is haughty and condescending, very uppity. Ms. Fisher handles it with panache. She is wonderfully irritating and annoying.

F. William Oakes is the retired Major Metcalf who arrives with her. He seems the typical upper crust British military man, full of manners and methods. Mr. Oakes is outstanding in the role, poised and precise, the epitome of British military manners.

Erin Olson is the spinsterish Miss Casewell, a bit distant and secretive, dressed like a man with male mannerisms and attitude. Ms. Olson is impeccable as the distant, distrustful woman who seems to have secrets to hide.

Vince Petronio is Mr. Paravacini, a foreigner with a dark sense of humor who shows up because his car plunged into a snow bank and he is forced to seek shelter at the manor. He has an air of mystery which he only compounds with his evasions of questions directed at him. Mr. Petronio is the right blend of charming and sleazy in the role.

Ara Boghigian is Det. Sgt. Trotter, who shows up to investigate after the police believe that yet at least one more murder will occur at the manor, somehow tied into the one in London. Mr. Boghigian is excellent in the role, the model of British police efficiency and determination.

            Co directed by Pat Hegnauer and Ed Shea it glides along effortlessly through its contorted plot twists propelled by dark humor and some nice touches along the way.

The set design by Trevor Elliot is impeccable, a lavish highly convincing evocation of an English Manor house with large banisters, bookcases, fireplace and a large window through which snow can be seen falling.

Ron Cessario’s costumes are impeccable and detailed, a sheer delight.

This production is pure delight from beginning to end. The talented cast is vivid and vibrant full of dark humor and energy, a wonder to watch. This is pure summer fun that makes it all a merry ride into murder and dark humor with style and flair. It is a treat from beginning to end. This cast is sheer fun together.

I saw “The Mousetrap” when I was in London in the 1980’s at the famed Covent Garden Theater where it is doing its run and this production is just as much fun with just as much finesse as that one.

“The Mousetrap”

It will be presented at Second Story Theatre, 28 Market Street, Warren, RI in repertory with Jack Sharkey’s murder spoof, “The Murder Room,” until September 1. Tickets are$25 and under 21 for $20. 401-247-4200 or http://www.2ndstorytheatre.com/tixfaq.htm

“Cats” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” has been a perennial favorite of audiences since it opened in 1981, when it opened at the New London Theatre, then moved to its NYC production at the Winter Harden Theatre in 1982. It is now the second show at Bill Haney’s Theatre by the Sea for their 80^th season and will no doubt prove still a solid favorite sparked by some luscious singing and fine performances. What little story there is revolves around the meeting of the Jellicoe Cats who get together for their junkyard ball annually to decide which cat will be reborn. The show won seven Tony awards in 1983 including Best Musical and Best Score for composer Sir Andrew. It was based on T.S. Elliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” and has no spoken dialogue in it. It has been translated into 20 languages and played worldwide. It ended its run in the US after 18 years and 7,485 performances.

It is a delightful accumulation of vignettes, with no real story or plot behind it.  It is sheer entertainment, flashy, splashy and fun. The multitude of feline characters gets their moment to prance their stuff throughout in their nighttime celebration. The cast is energetic and talented, singing in harmony in the ensemble numbers with skill and verve. The show opens with the energetic and splashy ensemble number, “Jellicoe Songs” which the cast delivers with fire and skill. The show focuses on various cats as they cavort in their night celebration. Each of the cast members has their moment to shine from the crowd and make the most of it. With each new episode it builds towards that moment when one of the cats will been reborn, and ascend to their new lives in grand style.

It is Grizabella, played by Katy Blake with poise and finesse. She sings “Grizabella, The Glamour Cat” with skill and assurance.  When she sings the most famous song from the show, “Memory” later on, she delivers a lyrical, haunting version that is unforgettable.

The patriarch of the feline gathering is Old Deuteronomy, well played by Peter Adams. Old Deuteronomy guides and leads the other cats with a world knowledge and experience the other respect. He is a large old cat who has lived many lives and Mr. Adams makes the most of the role. He has a strong voice and sings with passion.

Another standout cat is magical Mistofelees played with raw energy by Craig Donnelly. His dancing is deft and amazing, one of the highlights of the evening’s choreography, full of sass and style, simply dazzling.

“Mugojerrie and Rumpleteezer” sung by Sharrod Williams and Hilary Porter is a merry fun filled romp abut two mischievous cats who like take things and deliver some fun antics with their dancing and singing.

Chris Stevens struts his stuff as rock and roller Rum Tum Tugger” and shines in his song which he punctuates with plenty of rock and roll bumps and grinds. Ian Parmenter shines as the musical’s emcee, Munkustrap with zesty energy and flair.

“Macavity” sung by Jeremy Benussan (as Macavity),  Rachel Boone (as Demeter), Blayne Gregg-Miller (as Bombalorina) and Ian Parmenter ( Munkustrap) delight in the tale of the mysterious criminal master mind cat, Macavity. Whenever you get to the scene of the crime, Macavity’s not there. It is winsome and fun.  Lucy Horton as Jellyorum and Felipe Barbosa Bombonato as Asparagus are pure delight singing in “Gus: The Theatre Cat” with vibrant voices and deft moves.

There are more musical treat galore in the show which is more spectacle than anything, but enjoyable fun.

Director choreographer Richard Stafford keeps the cast on their toes, managing to squeeze some often deft dancing in the limiting space.

Musical Director Milton Granger keeps everything on the mark, with enthusiastic and energetic musical directions. He gets the best out of the ensemble songs, rich energetic and fun. 

I have seen the show twice before, once in NYC and then again with the national touring company in Boston. The stage at Theatre By the Sea is smaller than either of the other theaters and they make good use of it although it does limit them somewhat. For example in the other productions there is a large tire which is prominent in the set which is not here in this production. Scenic designer Anthony R. Phelps manages his way around stage size limitations deftly, creating multiple heights for the various parts of the stage and evoking a junkyard setting.

The costumes by the Kansas Costume Company are delightful and close to the original Broadway costumes. They show a flair for fantasy and playfulness with feline overtones.

The sound and lighting in this show have a particular impact towards enhancing the overall mood and flavor. The lighting design by Bailey Costa does the job really well. The sound by Leon Rothenberg is rich and vivid.

"Cats" (19 June - 13 July)

Theatre By The Sea

364 Card Pond Road, Matunuck, RI

(401) 782-8587