“The Little Mermaid” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            “The Little Mermaid,” the Disney classic film turned into a musical at Theatre by the Sea is perfect family fare, well acted, and well sung with bright costumes and flashy dancing. In short it is sheer fun for all ages. It is utterly charming and delightful for all.

            The show comes from the Disney movie which comes from the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale abut a mermaid who is willing to sacrifice her life in the sea and mermaid identity to  gain a human soul and love a human prince.

Ariel ventures to the surface when she turns 15. She witnesses a great storm and sees a handsome young prince on board and rescues him from drowning, taking him to shore. When he awakens she is gone and he doe not realize it was she who saved him. In an effort to become human she goes to visit the sea witch, her aunt, willing to sacrifice her lovely voice in order to become human and thereby win the heart of the prince. Is she fails to get him to kiss her within three days she will be forever doomed to serve the Sea Witch and never view humans or the prince again.

Adrienne Eller is Ariel, the mermaid with the longing to be human. She is pert and perky, with a girlish charm and special voice. She is enchaining in the role, the embodiment of the little mermaid. Her voice is angelic and yet strong. She ably displays her talents in “The World Above” and “Part of Your World” as well as the other songs she sings Like “Ariel’s Lament.”

Austin Colby is the handsome prince who would rather be a sailor that inherit his father’s throne and rule his kingdom. He is a mixture of boyish yet complex with a solid voice and impressive stage presence. He is a great foil for Eller and the two work well together with charm and vitality. He is excellent in “Her Voice” and “One Step Closer.”

Andrew Holder is Ariel’s friend Flounder. He adores Ariel and follows her pile a puppy. He shows his singing voice off well in his song with the mersisters, “She’s in Love.”

Zachary Berger is the seagull the irrepressible Scuttle. Scuttle is a madcap mixture of confidence and malapropisms, misstating all kinds of things with unbridled enthusiasm. He is hilarious with the seagulls who all tap dance their way with finesse and confidence through “Positooovity.”

Of course there is the charming and winning crab, Sebastian, anointed guardian for Ariel and yet she always manages to outwit him to pursue her goals. He speaks with a Jamaican accent and is flamboyant and sun.  Nkrumah Gatling brings him to life with terrific comic timing and a strong singing voice. He really shines in a vigorous and fun version of “Under the Sea” with the sea creatures.

The wicked Sea Witch, Ursula is King Triton’s sister and a dark force to be reckoned with using her cohorts the darkly evil eels, Flotsam and Jetsam. She has a killer voice, full of raw power and variance. When she sings “Poor Unfortunate Soul” she explodes with energy and scathing sarcasm. Her trio with Flotsam (Robert Conte) and Jetsam (Daniel Hurst), “Daddy’s Little Girl” is also excellent.

King Triton is all bluster and pomp, demanding his daughters, and everyone else obey him without hesitation or question. Yet he does indeed love his daughter, in particular the youngest, Ariel. He shows this at last at the end.  Joseph Torello is King Triton and handles the role ably, but is in fact the weakest singing voice onstage.

One of the most impressive part of this endearing show is the complex and  rich quarter, “If Only” which carries the finesse of Verdi sung by Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian and King Triton.

            The musical is attractive with great songs from the Alan Menken music the Howard Ashman Glenn Slater lyrics and the book by Doug Wright. It is both warm and fun.

            Director and choreographer Billy Sprague Jr. keeps everything lively and appealing from first to last. His dance numbers have sass and class, a delight to behold. His number with the tap dancing seagulls is funny and fun to watch, robust and endearing.

            Musical director Esther  Zabinski who also conducts the orchestra is right on the mark and conducts the orchestra with verve and feeling.

            The set by Nate Bertone is simple, basic and effective. It successfully evokes and underwater world with simple yet impressive touches, creating undersea caves and dark areas for the denizens of the deep to prowl. His suggestive sets for out of the water worked well too.

            The costumes, the original costume and wig design by Kurt Alger were fanciful and energetic.

            If you loved the 1989 Disney movie, you will love this show which faithfully follows the movie. You won’t want to miss it!

           

            "Disney's The Little Mermaid" runs through Aug. 15 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Rd., Matunuck. Tickets are $45-$65. Call (401) 782-8587, or visit theatrebythesea.com.

“I Hate Hamlet” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Paul Rudnik’s comedy “I Hate Hamlet” currently at 2^nd Story Theatre is an absolute joy, packed with laughs from beginning to end, sure to please, a real treat. The plot circles about a television actor who moves into legendary actor John Barrymore’s NYC apartment after his show has been cancelled. It seems he has been hire, thanks to the efforts of his agent to do Shakespeare in the park as Hamlet in the play. Add to this his girlfriend who at 29 is a steadfast virgin, sworn to celibacy until she is married even thought she declines his efforts to marry her and you have an idea about what he is facing. Not only that, but his erratic agent who once had an affair with Barrymore, a ditzy real estate woman and of course, the ghost of John Barrymore himself who finagles his way into the works.

            Tom Bentley is Andrew Rally the television star who is now faced with playing Hamlet. He is uncertain as far as his acting talent, particularly when faced with such a daunting task as acting in such a legendary role. He is torn between the money offered in television and the prestige offered from the stage in NYC. His only issue is that he hates Hamlet and Shakespeare in general. Bentley is able and determined in the role.

            There is the ghost of john Barrymore played by John Michael Richardson, the epitome of the that suave, legendary actor, a drunk, bon vivant and womanizer to the endth degree without reservation of regret. Richardson is simply superb in the role.  He is a jot to watch, pure delight as he deftly dances though his antics with style and verve, utterly funny, totally convincing.

Then there is the wacky and somewhat curious real estate agent, Felicia Dantine, played by Isabel O’Donnell. Felicia found her inner self by communicating with her dead mother through a course she took and sweats by and insists that Andrew try to do the same with the ghost of Barrymore despite his protests.

Of course Andrew’s girlfriend, Deidre, is no help in all of this. She is 29 and still a virgin and determined to stay that way despite Rally’s frustration and efforts to convince her that sex is fun. Rein Elliot handles the role with a charm and style that is appealing and fresh, a delight to watch.

Andrew’s Hollywood friend and producer, Gary Peter Lefkowitz has no clue about theater and is in fact disdainful of it, instead promulgates the virtues of television and Hollywood with wild abandon and ruthless determination. He has put together a pilot for Andy with a $3 million paycheck, if only he will give up on the Shakespeare and theater ideals. He warns Andy in his own peculiar way if he doesn’t watch out he will end up in basements doing Chekhov, then clearing chairs away for the incoming AA meeting. Charles Lafond is the energetic, effeminate Lefkowitz and he handles the role with verve and sass without flinching and without hesitation. He is a sheer delight of hilarity.

Of cures there is Andrew’s agent the irrepressible Lillian Tory, who once had a sexual encounter with the legendary Barrymore. Paula Faber handles the role with finesse and a sense of comic timing that is expert.

Together they provide a delightful summer’s evening worth of theater, nothing deep, but loaded with sheer fun along the way without a doubt.

Director Mark Peckham keeps it all relentlessly on track and the laughs piled on one after another. The sset by Trevor Elliot is a delight with a great window view into NYC from behind to terrific stairs, etc. in front.

If you are looking for some easy going summer laughs, this is the place to be without a doubt.

            "I Hate Hamlet" runs through Aug. 30 in repertory with Charles Busch's "Die, Mommie, Die. Tickets are $25 and $20 for those under 21. Call (401) 247-4200, or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com.

“Venus in Fur” at 2nd Story Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            “Venus in Fur” is a two-person play by David Ives set in modern New York City. The play had its premiere off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company in 2010 and on Broadway in 2011. The current production at 2^nd Story sparkles with sheer brilliance, raw energy and is packed with laughter as well as being provocative.

            Thomas Novachek is the writer-director of a new play opening in New York City; this play-within-the-play is an adaptation of the 1870 novel “Venus in Furs “by the Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch and happens to be the novel that inspired the term Masochism. The play begins with Novachek on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of the actresses who have showed up that day to audition for the lead character, Wanda von Dunayev. Suddenly, at the last minute, a new actress, Vanda Jordan, bursts in. Novachek is on the telephone lamenting the inadequacies of the actresses who have showed up that day to audition for the lead character,

            Vanda Jordan, bursts in. and she is brash, vulgar and unschooled, but she convinces him to let her audition for the part of Wanda. The playwright will read the part of Severin von Kushemski. They both become caught up in the characters they are reading, often interchanging art and reality with unexpected consequences.

            Richard Derry is Novachek, the playwright frustrated by the actresses who have thus far auditioned for him. He is frustrated by his efforts to audition a leading lady for the play, with no one seeming to measure up to his artistic needs. As he reads the part of Severin von Kushemski je becomes swept up in the play, at times merging his character with that of the character in the play. Derry is wonderful in the role, sheer brilliance as he deftly shifts back and forth between playwrights and character.

            Lara Hakeem is the actress, Vanda, who arrives late for the audition. She is brash, vulgar and obnoxious, but also very sexy, sensual and provocative. She is outspoken and daring as a person and as an actress, very nervy and bold. She moves in and out of the role she is auditioning for and the actress at the audition with skill and finesse. She is audacious and inventive, full of energy and sassy. She alternates between the audacious actress and the sexy character with finesse, effortlessly being either seductive or brash ass needed. It is an impeccable performance.

            The chemistry between the two is impressive at once vibrant and touching, inventive and provocative.

            Ed Shea directs with zest and intelligence. He knows how to evoke the best from these two actors and does so consistently and robustly.

            The set and lighting design by Max Ponticelli is right on target evoking the bare auditions space with the overhead skylights with skill and vision.

            The costumes by Ron Cesario are perfect from her provocative dominatrix outfit to the coats he wears as the character in the play.

This is a do not miss production, one loaded with terrific acting and an intriguing play that is inventive and provocative.

“Venus in Fur" runs through June 28 at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. Tickets are $30, and $21 for those 21 and under. Call (401) 247-4200, or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com. 

“Gypsy” at Ocean State Theatre

By Richard Pacheco

            Gypsy” currently at Ocean State Theatre is an energetic, spirited splendid production which features the talents of Artistic Director Aimee Turner as Rose, the ultimate show business mother and Gypsy’s mom. It’s a 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Gypsy is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother." It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee's sister, the actress June Havoc.

            While the musical is showing its age, the acting and singing make it fun anyway.

            Aimee Turner, artistic director of Ocean State is stage mother Rose. Rose is obsessed in making her daughter June a star and later her daughter Louise. She will connive,  cajole, do whatever it takes to convince someone to hire her girls and advance their careers. She is bossy, like a bull in a china shop, determined and relentless. And if she seems to care too much about her goals for her daughters perhaps there is more than just a slight twinge that it is derived her disappointments about her own life and not being able to pursue such dreams. Turner is excellent in the role, a virtual human hurricane as she tramps through offices in search of more for her girls with unbridled energy and ruthless resolve. She is excellent with “Some People” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” as well as “You’ll Never Get Away from Me” her duet with Herbie.

            Christopher Swan is Herbie, the once former agent, now candy salesman, hooked back into being an agent again by the ever manipulative Rose. He is a good hearted man who genuinely cares for Rose and her daughter as well as the young women enticed into the act to trot about the country with them to all sorts of backwater vaudeville houses replete with cornball acts galore. Swan does a fine job in the role, convincing at every turn and shows a warmth that the girl’s mother lacks. He is good in “Have An Eggroll Mr. Goldstone” and “Together Wherever We Go.”

            Kristin Wetherington is the grown Louise, a shy, terrified young woman who struggles to get free of her mother’s over dominating personality and her sister June’s leading the act until she leaves to elope and wash her hands of her show and her domineering mother. She is outstanding in “The Strip” “If Momma Was Married” with her sister June, played by Juliettte Salway.

As far as the younger version of Gypsy and her sister June, Abigail Page as Louise and Victoria Cardi as June are just fine talented and energetic in their roles. They shine in “Let Me Entertain You.’

The rest of the supporting cast is solid and offer fine support to the principals.

            Russell  Garrett directed and choreographed the show with flair and style. Despite the somewhat dated material, particularly in the first act, he keeps it on course and enjoyable. Musical director Justin P. Cowen keeps the singers and the orchestra he conducts on track and agreeable.

            Scenic designer Kimberly V. Powers provides imaginative sets which evoke backstage at a vaudeville theater and elsewhere effectively.

The first act mostly revisits bad vaudeville acts and what often passed for entertainment in those days, being corny and barely bearable. Despite the fact it seems dated, the production keeps being entertaining with the fine performances throughout.

            Gypsy" runs through Aug. 2 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd. Warwick. Tickets are $39-$54. Call (401) 921-6800, or visit oceanstatetheatre.org.

“My Fair Lady” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            The current production at Theatre by the Sea of the Lerner Lowe classic “My Fair Lady” is a delightful production spurred by talented performances, some stunning sets and great music. “My Fair Lady” is a musical based on George Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion,” with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist, so that she may pass as a lady. The original Broadway, London and film versions all starred Rex Harrison. Theatre by the Sea stars Charles Shaughnessy of television’s “the Nanny” fame.

The result is a charming, energetic, ebullient production that never rails to please with its finesse and dazzling talent.

It all begins when Col Pickering and Higgins make a bet that Higgins cannot turn Eliza into a lady. Higgins decides to take her into his house to instruct her in the details and finesse of speaking and acting like a lady. They work ceaselessly and tirelessly to master her elocution with determination and Higgins showing off his self centered, self absorbed attitude towards her along the way.

Her first test is the racing at Ascot and the opportunity to meet Higgins’s mother. Eliza carries it off delightfully despite a faux pas at the end when she lapses into her Cockney roots. It doesn’t matter however,  as they are all charmed.

Eliza's final test requires her to pass as a lady at the Embassy Ball, A rival and former student of Higgins, a Hungarian phonetician named Zoltan Karpathy, is employed by the hostess to discover Eliza's origins through her speech. The event is revealed to have been a success, with Zoltan Karpathy having concluded that Eliza is not only Hungarian, but of royal blood. She is a princess.

Charles Shaughnessy of television’s “The Nanny” fame is Higgins. Sophisticated, an elitist he is self absorbed and rational to a fault. One false note occurs at the end when Higgins is supposed to fall in love with Eliza.  It is not totally convincing with Shaughnessy being still too much aloof and uninvolved with her to be truly convincing. Beyond that, it is a wonderful performance full of charm and finesse as well as skill. He is excellent with his singing of “Why Can’t the English” full of gusto and zest.

Kerry Conte is Eliza, a poor young flower seller in downtown London with a dense Cockney accent. Se is endearing and charming in the role. Her transition from Cockney flower girl to lady is convincing and appealing. She shines in “Just You Wait and her numbers with others like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Rain in Spain” as well as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly”.

A real stand out here is Eliza’s father, Alfred, played by Bill E. Deitrich. Alfred is a real conniver, a man out for himself but also likeable and charming. Deitrich makes this even more appealing with an energy and gusto that is perfect, full of sass and spirit.  He does well with his singing and dancing too as he displays in “Just A Little Bit” and the energetic “Get Me To the Church On Time” which he delivers with style and enthusiasm.

Tom Gleadow, well familiar to local audiences is solid as Mr. Pickering, who makes the bet with Higgins to transform the flower girl into a lady. While not his best performance, it is well done, full of confidence and skill.

Xachary Berger as Freddy, enamored of Eliza is a young man infatuated by love, distracted by Eliza’s beauty and style. He shines with his song “On The Street Where She Lives: being sincere and convincing.

Among the other supporting cast which adds so much to this production are Maria Day as Mrs. Higgins and Ellen Peterson as Mrs. Pierce, Higgins’s main servant.

There are many treats in this show with admirable signing and vivacious dancing.  The “Ascot Gavotte”  is very funny and right on the mark as the singers follow the racing horses around the  track with relentless dedication and an air of aloofness. There is more fun to be found with

Charles Repole directs with a sure hand and firm touch throughout. Musical director Milton Granger is excellent in his direction of the singers and conducting the orchestra. The sets by Michael P. Kramer work very well, beings suggestive and effective and imaginative throughout. The choreography by Michael Lightefeld is spirited and vibrant, never failing with imaginative touches throughout.

"My Fair Lady" runs through July 18 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck. Tickets are $45-$65. call (401) 782-8587, or visit theatrebythesea.com.