GREATER BOSTON STAGE COMPANY CELEBRATES SUMMER WITH THE CALAMARI SISTERS’ SAUSAGEFEST
Once you’ve finished the meat you’ve grilled for the Fourth of July, come on over to Greater Boston Stage Company where the Calamari Sisters’ will be serving up sausages like you’ve never seen before. Celebrate summer with these sassy, brassy broads and their newest all-singing, all-dancing, and all-cooking show, The Calamari Sisters’ Sausagefest. The Calamari Sisters bring on the heat July 18 – 21, 2019 for six scrumptious performances. Wickedly naughty, Delphine and Carmella Calamari cook up a deliciously hilarious show. Whether you’re a sausage-lover or not, you’ll laugh until your sides ache. Get ready for a raucous good time because this is a bratwurst, not a little wiener!
GBSC’s Box Office: 781-279-2200, or visit www.greaterbostonstage.org.
One hundred years ago, on July 4, 1919, in Toledo, Ohio, Jack Dempsey won the Heavyweight Championship of the World from Jess Willard. The fight, which took place under a blazing sun, is remembered for many things. It ushered in the Dempsey era and the making of a legend. The footage of the fight, which is amazingly clear, shows Jack giving the champion a vicious beating. Though he was outweighed by nearly sixty pounds, Dempsey tore into Jess like a hungry lion. He decked Willard seven times in the first round and Jess was on the verge of being counted out when he was saved by the bell. Willard managed to stay on his feet for two more rounds and fought back gamely before retiring as the bell rang for round four.
In 1963 Jack Kearns, who had manage Dempsey at the time he won the title, wrote an article that was published in Sports Illustrated saying Jack’s gloves were loaded when he fought Willard. Dempsey vehemently denied it and sued the magazine for publishing the article. They settled out of court.
There had been bad blood between Kearns and Dempsey for years, andKearns died not long after he wrote the article. It was as if he wanted to get one last shot at the great champion before he shed his mortal coil. He certainly didhat and the controversy has raged on for years.
Much has been written about whether on not Dempsey went into the fight having an unfair advantage, and I am not going to rehash those arguments now. I do want to bring up another mystery that is connected to that day.
In all of the arguments over whether or not Jack’s gloves were loaded that day, one thing that was never done was for there to have been an examination of those gloves. In fact, nobody seems to know for sure what happened tom them.
Not long after the Kearn’s story appeared, former Bantamweight Champion Babe Herman announced that he was in possession of the gloves. He said they were given to him years earlier by a seaman, though he said he couldn’t remember the man’s name. He claimed the man was a close friend of Dempsey’s and also friend of his. He didn’t say how the man got them and didn’t offer and convincing evidence of their authenticity. Babe said that Dempsey knew he was in possession of the gloves and even suggested they be put in a glass case at his restaurant in New York.
Jack Dempsey Burying The Gloves From The Willard Fight? (Photo Courtesy Of The Great Spesh)
This doesn’t add up as there is a newspaper photo that was taken on December 10,1934 that shows Jack Dempsey placing what he claims are the gloves from the fight under the cornerstone of his soon to be built restaurant at the corner of 50th Street and Eight Avenue in New York City. This was directly across from the old Madison Square Garden. In the photo he is accompanied by his wife Hannah and Mayor LaGuardia along with a number of other people. Did Jack forget about this when he was talking with Herman, if indeed such a conversation actually took place.
One of the reasons for examining the gloves would have been to see if there were traces of plaster of Paris in them. Kearns claimed he soaked Dempsey’s taped hands in the substance before the fight. That claim has been pretty much debunked, but checking the gloves would completely rule out that possibility.
Of course, the gloves in the photo very well may not have been the the ones Jack wore that hot July 4th afternoon. It is possible they were just an old pair of boxing gloves and the whole thing was staged for publicity for Jack’s new restaurant. It does seem odd he would bury the gloves rather than put them on display. Perhaps he was getting rid of the evidence, though that wouldn’t have added up since this was almost thirty years before Kearns wrote the story that got things stirred up.
Still, it would be interesting to uncover the gloves. Jack eventually moved the popular restaurant to between 49th and 50th Streets. It doesn’t appear the gloves went along for the ride.
Could they still be buried at that location? It’s very likely. Are they the gloves Jack wore when he beat Willard? I doubt it, but it is possible. There is only one way to find out. Recovering them would be one of the great finds in the archeology of boxing. I say an archeological dig should be ordered for the site. It is time to recover this rare artifact from the reign of one of the greatest kings in the history of boxing. Can you dig it?
July 11-21, 2019 – 8 performances with 4 matinees!
Starring Elliot Norton and IRNE Award Winner Aimee Doherty as Maria and IRNE Nominee Mark Linehan as Captain Von Trapp
Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s 51st Summer Season continues with The Sound of Music from July 11-21, 2019. This beloved family musical features Elliot Norton and IRNE Award winner Aimee Doherty as “Maria” – a free spirit who is struggling in her commitment to become a nun; when she is sent to look after the seven children of a widowed Navy captain by the Mother Abbess, she brings joy and music into the family’s home and changes all she comes in contact with.IRNE nominee Mark Linehan is featured as Captain Von Trapp. Directed and Choreographed by Daniel Forest Sullivan, Music Director Dan Rodriguez, Produced by Robert J. Eagle.
This Tony and Oscar-winning musical features beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein songs including “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss,” and “Do-Re-Mi.” Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. Presented through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals.
The Sound of Music runs for 8 performances with four matinees over 2 weekends; Fri & Sat at 7:00 pm, Thurs & Sun matinees at 2:00 pm. Performance Schedule: Thurs, July 11th at 2:00 PM; Fri, July 12th at 7:00 PM; Sat, July 13th at 7:00 PM; Sun, July 14th at 2:00 PM; Thurs, July 18th at 2:00 PM; Fri, July 19th at 7:00 PM; Sat, July 20th at 7:00 PM; Sun, July 21st at 2:00 PM.
Tickets for Reagle’s 51st summer season can be purchased at www.reaglemusictheatre.org, by calling the box office at 781-891-5600, or at the theater box office at 617 Lexington St, Waltham, MA, 02452.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., with extended hours from 9:00 am to curtain on performance days.
Aimee Doherty
The full cast of The Sound of Music includes: Aimee Doherty as Maria; Mark Linehan as Captain Von Trapp; Mara Bonde as The Mother Abbess; Janis Hudson as Elsa Schraeder; Robert Orzalli as Max Detweiler; Emma Heistand as Liesl; Wade Gleeson Turner as Friedrich; Jane Jakubowski as Louisa; Ryan Philpott as Kurt; Fiona Simeqi as Brigitta; Addison Toole as Marta; Libby Sweder as Gretl; Max Currie as Rolf Gruber; Sara Delong as Sister Margaretta; Margaret Felice as Sister Sophia; Yewande Odetoyinbo* as Sister Berthe; Allyn Hunt as Franz; Tracey O’Farell as Frau Schmidt; Doug Gerber as Herr Zeller; Anelise Allen; Jacqueline Breines; Ian Costello; Joseph Duda; Doug Dulaney; Audrey Flowers; Nikki Kelder; Helen L. Kemeny; Lenni Kmiec; Lindsay Kraft; Stephanie Kreutz; Sujinna Mariella Kuenghakit; Lauren Marlow; Amanda McGranahan; Julie McNamara; Conor Meehan; Marian Rambelle; Simon Rogers; Tyler Shore; Nora Sullivan; Joey Thordarson. * Appear through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Mark Linehan
Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston (RMT) has been bringing Broadway-quality musical theatre to the greater Boston area for 51 seasons. Under the creative direction of Robert J. Eagle the non-profit theater company’s professional productions have earned IRNE and Moss Hart Memorial Awards as well as rave reviews from critics. Reagle’s productions have attracted Broadway stars and legendary performers including Patti LuPone, Sally Struthers, Vicki Lawrence, Andrea McArdle and Shirley Jones. RMT is also committed to supporting arts education for area youth through Youth Education workshops and by using theatre techniques to support the Waltham Public Schools’ curriculum. For the latest information on Reagle Music Theatre’s programs and performances see www.reaglemusictheatre.org, and follow RMT on Facebook (ReagleMusicTheatre), Twitter (@ReagleMusicThtr), and Instagram (@reaglemusictheatre).
Bill Hanney’s award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) continues the 2019 Musical Season with Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAY, a brand-new mother/daughter body swap musical playing for two-weeks only from Tuesday, July 9 thru Sunday, July 21, 2019.
“Last year, the executives from Disney invited me to attend a special screening of their new television adaptation of the recently developed stage version of the Freaky Friday story. Before the lights came up, I knew I wanted to put this brilliantly written show on the stage for North Shore Music Theatre audiences,” said Bill Hanney, NSMT owner and producer. “I am committed to developing a younger theatre audience and with this endearing family show we will have both the younger and older audiences entertained by this universally relatable story about learning to see life from another person’s perspective.”
Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAY is the new madcap body swap musical about an overworked mother and teenage daughter who magically spend a day in each other’s shoes. Katherine and Ellie face a variety of challenges trying to get through the day as each other and ultimately learn a lot about what life is really like on the other side of the generation gap. A beloved classic story, Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAYhas been given a contemporary fairy tale spin with a hilarious new book by Bridget Carpenter (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) and a pop/rock score by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winners Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then).
The cast of Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAY will be led by Laurie Wells (Katherine) and Lindsay Joan (Ellie), along with Lindsey Alley(Torrey), Gerald Caesar (Adam), Annabelle Fox (Savannah), and Sean Hayden (Mike), with Jake Ryan Flynn and AJ Scott sharing the role of Fletcher.
Performances are July 9 – July 21, Tue – Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, or visit the box office at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA. www.nsmt.org
At the height of the Great Depression Hollywood produced many feel good musicals that were a source of escape for people struggling through very difficult times. One of the most popular of these was the Busby Berkeley film 42nd Street thatstarred Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, with music by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. In 1980 Gower Champion and David Merrick brought a stage version of it to Broadway. The play was a huge hit and has been revived repeatedly since then, most recently in London’s West End where it was directed by Mark Bramble with choreography by Randy Skinner.
The latest revival has just opened at the Ogunquit Playhouse with original sets from the London production. Randy Skinner is directing and choreographing this production. Unfortunately, Mark Bramble passed away earlier this year.
The backstage musical about aspiring hoofer Peggy Sawyer having to step in when leading lady Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle during rehearsals for the play Pretty Lady is the standard “the show must go on” theme that was popular in the 1930s. What is so special about this piece is it has many great, if corny, lines, some of the greatest songs ever written for a musical, and stunning dance numbers.
This is one of the largest casts ever assembled on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage, and the sound of all those tapping feet is intoxicating.
It really is all about the dance, and who better to make that happen than Randy Skinner who worked on the original Broadway production in 1980. The dance numbers here are simply exquisite. This is one of the largest casts ever assembled on the Ogunquit Playhouse stage, and the sound of all those tapping feet is intoxicating.
Jessica Wockenfuss as Peggy Sawyer, the starry eyed kid from Allentown, PA who’s golly gee demeanor belies her drive to make it in the city that never sleeps is outstanding. She puts it all together with her lovely singing voice, delivery, and amazing dancing feet. She is a Peggy Sawyer to remember.
Steve Blanchard is Julian Marsh, the hard driving director who gives more pep talks than the manager of a baseball team playing in the World Series. He delivers his lines in rapid fire without missing a beat; “You’re going out there a youngster, but coming back a star”. His performanceofLullaby of Broadway is marvelous. You can just taste the theatre district of old New York as you listen to him sing the lyrics.
In Shadow Dance, Rachel York as the snooty and aging star Dorothy Brock, dances in front of a large curtain on which her shadow is double cast. Ms York and Ms Wockenfuss perform a lovely duet on the classic About a Quarter To Nine. It is one of those great Broadway tunes and gets a bit of a modern arrangement here.
Tenor Billy Lawlor is played by Con O’Shea-Creal. He and Ms York perform another favorite in You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me. Mr. Con-Creal gives a convincinghappy-go-lucky Lawlor filled with enthusiasm.
Sally Struthers is Maggie Jones and, as always, brings her wonderful comedic timing to the Playhouse stage. Along with Cliff Bemis as Abner Dillon, Dorthy Brock’s sugar daddy, and Ryan K. Bailer as her not so secret paramour, there is a stage full of talent performing here.
While the story is fun and fast moving, if predictable, 42nd Street is all about the singing and dancing. The numbers are spectacular. We’re In The Money is performed with giant dimes being rolled on stage (They are Mercury heads in keeping with the time frame). Shuffle Off To Buffalo with Kilty Reidy as Bert and Megan McLaughlin as Lorraine, a couple heading off on their honeymoon, is sweet and fun.
Photo Credit: Gary Ng
The best is saved for last when the stage is filled with dancers on rows of lit stairs tapping away to the title song. Signs with the names of theaters, shows, and performers hang above them while they sing and dance. It is an outstanding number that brought the audience to their feet. It has been said there is a broken heart for every light on Broadway, but these lights bring happiness.
Last month I got to experience the new lighting that was installed at the Playhouse when I saw Jersey Boys. It is an investment that is paying great dividends. Of course, it takes more than lighting to make for great theatre, and those ingredients are in abundance at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Artistic Director Brad Kenney proves over and over again he knows how to choose great plays, find the best talent, and bring in the finest creative teams available. It is all on display in 42nd Street.
If you love a fast paced, toe tapping, Broadway musical filled with some of the best songs ever written, you will find it playing now in Ogunquit, Maine. I loved it and can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t.
For the first time in Ogunquit Playhouse history a show hit the 100 performance milestone! Congratulations to Jonathan Mousset (Frankie Valli), Matt Magnusson (Tommy DeVito), Andy Christopher (Bob Gaudio), and Matthew Amira (Nick Massi) and the entire Ogunquit cast, creative team, and crew for reaching this exciting moment! Jersey Boys opened in the fall of 2018, and ran for an unprecedented 8 weeks to close the season (for decades the Playhouse season was only 10 weeks long!) –Jersey Boys returned to open the 2019 season for another 5 weeks!Over the last decade the legendary theatre has grown from a traditional summer stock theatre to a true regional theatre that operates over twenty-six weeks each year.
Ensemble With Leigh Barrett Photo: Reagle Music Theatre/Herb Philpott
One of my favorite lines from Mame is “Life is a banquet and most poor sons of bitches are starving”. The production of Mame now playing at the Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston in Waltham is a delicious feast of this classic Broadway musical. It will nourish your theatrical soul.
Led by uber talented Leigh Barrett as Patrick Dennis’s Auntie Mame, the entire cast is solid and tight. Ms Barrett who thrilled audiences in last year’s Lyric Stage production of Gypsy has met, or I would argue, even exceeded that performance here. Leigh Barrett delivers what is best described in the words of the great theatre critic Kenneth Tynan, “a high definition performance”. She is stage presence personified.
This is the story of the “live life to the fullest” Mame who has taken on the care of her nephew Patrick Dennis. Mame faces many obstacles in watching over young Patrick, including threats to have him taken away from her for her unconventional lifestyle, as well as financial ruin (the play is set in the 1920s and 30s when the stock market crash destroyed many people’s finances), but you can’t keep her down.
While Ms Barrett’s performance is something to behold, she is not on the Reagle’s stage by herself. In fact, she is accompanied by 38 other highly talented actors who light up the theatre along with a full orchestra, a rarity today and such a pleasure, led by Dan Rodriguez. Upon entering the theatre I could hear the musicians tuning up. This lends an air of anticipation and excitement to the evening.
Ben Choi-Harris and Leigh Barrett Photo: Reagle Music Theatre/Herb Philpott
Regarding the other performers; well, there are too many to mention by name and any omissions are in no way a slight against any of them. Eleven year old Ben Choi-Harris who pays young Patrick Dennis is a rising star who more than held his own playing opposite Leigh Barrett in the first act. I had to check to make sure this wasn’t a fifty year old veteran actor heavily disguised to look like a boy, as Ben looks as if he has been on the stage for years. The duet between Mame and young Patrick on My Best Girl is just beautiful. Their warmth and love are fully conveyed to the audience. Mame’s nephew also makes a fine martini.
Katie O’Reilly takes on the role of the homely and lovable Agnes Gooch, who learns to open up and let go; well, a bit too much. In Gooch’s Song, Ms O’Reilly shows incredible comedic timing while keeping her character real and sympathetic.
Mark Linehan, seen last year at the Reagle as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man, plays Beau, the Southern Gentleman who falls for Mame and takes her hand in marriage bringing her love and wealth. He also ends up taking another fall, literally, while traveling with his new bride. Mr. Linehan has appeared on the Reagle’s stage eight times and once you see him you will understand why they keep bringing him back.
Mame’s house servant Ito is played by Simon Rogers. Mr. Rogers brings a depth to this loyal character while not sinking into caricature. The laughs are never at him, but with him. He, along with Vera, Mame, Patrick, and Miss Gooch are all family.
Maureen Keiller and Ensemble Photo: Reagle Music Theatre/Herb Philpott
Speaking of Vera Charles, this has to be a dream role for many actors, and Maureen Keiller is having her dream come true. Ms Keiller is hysterical as the “world’s greatest lush” and dear but difficult friend of Mame’s. In fact, they are Bosom Buddies which they sing together in one of the many well known songs from the play. Ms Keiller also gives a hilarious performance on the number The Man In The Moon Is Lady.
At the beginning of Act II the role of young Patrick transitions to the older Patrick played by Will Burke. The reprise of the song My Best Girl is begun by young Patrick and moves smoothly to older Patrick. It’s a touching moment.
Mame is directed and choreographed by Eileen Grace and the stage is filled with music and dance. The large cast is always in synch, and if you love dancing you will not be disappointed. It is a treat to see and hear them work the boards.
If He Walked Into My Life Today is one of the better known songs from Mame, but it is often not heard in context and is usually thought of as a romantic song about lost love. Seeing it sung here by Ms Barrett you fully grasp the feelings of doubt and regret Mame has over whether or not she has made the right choices in how she raised Patrick. Every parent feels this way at one time or another.
Maureen Keiller and Leigh Photo: BarrettReagle Music Theatre/Herb Philpott
The title song, which closes the first act, is a lavish musical number that fully allows the audience to see what a classic Broadway Musical looks like. The stage is filled with dancers and singers all moving about effortlessly while performing their hearts out. As I was exiting the theatre I could hear people singing and humming the tunes. That’s a nice feeling.
Artistic Director Robert J. Eagle founded the Reagle Musical Theatre of Greater Boston fifty-one years ago and it is a gift to have his creation still going strong after all that time. I suspect it easily has another fifty ahead of it. If you haven’t yet been there, well, what are you waiting for? If you have, I’m sure you won’t want to miss the current production. Mame is playing through June 23 and the theater is easy to find and has plenty of parking.
As the Mame household reminds us, there are times We Need A Little Christmas, and I couldn’t think of a better Christmas present with which to begin your summer.
SpeakEasy Stage Remounts Its Acclaimed Production of
the Tony Award-Winning Musical
Due to popular demand, SpeakEasy Stage will proudly remount its acclaimed production of the Tony Award-winning musical FUN HOME for four weeks, June 8-30, 2019.
Featuring music by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori and a book and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Lisa Kron, FUN HOME is a landmark musical about seeing one’s parents through grown-up eyes. Based on Ms. Bechdel’s best-selling memoir of the same name, this groundbreaking show introduces us to Alison at three different ages, revealing memories that celebrate the curiosity of childhood, the challenges of coming out, and the complexities of family.
SpeakEasy Founder and Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault is again at the helm of this acclaimed production. Winner of three Elliot Norton Awards including the 2014 Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence, Mr. Daigneault had directed dozens of Boston premieres, including the company’s recent productions of The View UpStairs, The Scottsboro Boys, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Allegiance.
Also returning to help with the remount are IRNE Award-winning Music Director Matthew Stern and Choreographer Sarah Crane. Paul S. Katz joins to conduct the band for these added weeks.
Amy Jo Jackson (Alison), Ellie van Amerongen (Medium Alison) and Marissa Simeqi (Small Alison) again play Ms. Bechdel at three different ages.Also returning are Laura Marie Duncan, Luke Gold, Desiré Graham, Cameron Levesque, and Todd Yard.Christopher M. Ramirez joins the cast as Roy.
The design team for both the original production and remount are Cristina Todesco (scenic); Charles Schoonmaker (costumes); Karen Perlow (lighting); Andrew Duncan Will (sound); and Jennifer Butler (props).
Rachel Sturm is the Production Stage Manager. John Meredith is the Assistant Stage Manager.
FUN HOME will return for four weeks, from June 8-30, 2019, in the Roberts Studio Theatre in the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End.
For tickets or more information, the public is invited to call the box office at 617.933.8600 or visit www.SpeakEasyStage.com .
Tap Dancing Extravaganza, 42nd Street to Open at the Ogunquit Playhouse
Come and meet those dancing feet! The ultimate tap-dancing, show-biz musical sensation, 42nd Street celebrates Broadway, Times Square, and the people who make magical musical theatre hits the Ogunquit Playhouse stage June 19 through July 13. The Ogunquit production is staged by Tony Award-nominee Randy Skinner, the creator of the Broadway revival and recent West End production of 42nd Street. The tap-dancing extravaganza stars Broadway’s Rachel York as Dorothy Brock, Steve Blanchardas Julian Marsh, Jessica Wockenfussas Peggy Sawyer, Con O’Shea-Crealas Billy Lawlor, and features Emmy-Award-Winner Sally Struthers as Maggie Jones. The Ogunquit production of 42nd Street also features the Lawrence Olivier-nominated and Tony-nominated costumes by Roger Kirkalong with Douglas Schmidt’sTony-nominated sets.
Rachel York
The delightful and dazzling show tells the story of aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer who leaves her small town for the big city and soon lands her first job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show. Mayhem and mirth ensue when just before opening night the leading lady breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step in and become a star? The musical 42nd Street isbased on the novel by Bradford Ropes withbook byMichael Stewart and Mark Bramble. The score by Harry Warren(music) and Al Dubin (lyrics), is chock-full of Broadway standards, including “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” “Dames,” “We’re In the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle off to Buffalo” and “Forty-Second Street.”
Rachel York returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse as Dorothy Brock, the quintessential Broadway diva. Ms. York last dazzled Playhouse audiences as the Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot. She was most recently seen on Broadway in the musical Head Over Heels, and is best known for her critically acclaimed Broadway performances in City of Angels, Les Misérables, Victor/Victoria (Drama Desk Award) with Dame Julie Andrews, and for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in the CBS TV movie, Lucy. Ms. York has stunned audiences of the stage, screen, and concert halls across the country through her numerous National Tours, regional theatre appearances, concert performances, and TV guest-starring roles.
Sally Struthers
Two-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Sally Struthers joins the cast as Maggie Jones. Ms. Struthers is best known for her role as Gloria in the groundbreaking TV series, All in the Family as well as reprising that role in the series spin-off, Gloria. She also appeared on Fox television series 9 to 5, and in recurring roles on the CBS’s Still Standing and the CW network’s Gilmore Girls. Sally Struthers has performed many roles at Ogunquit Playhouse including Punky Olander in Grumpy Old Men the Musical, Evangeline Harcourtin Anything Goes, Duchess Estonia Dalworth in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Mama Morton in Chicago, and Paulette in Legally Blonde.
Broadway veteran, Steve Blanchardstars as the notorious Broadway director Julian Marsh. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in both the Broadway production and First National Tour. Other credits includeFred in A Christmas Carol, Lancelot in Camelot with Robert Goulet, Pulitzer in Disney’s Newsies, and Pa in Little House on the Prairie. Joining the cast as the starry-eyed chorus girl, Peggy Sawyer is Jessica Wockenfuss who also performed the role in the North Shore Music Theatre’s 2017 production. Off-Broadway, she has been seen in Hey, Look Me Over!, and Me and My Gal. Her National Tour credits include Jersey Boys, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Little Mermaid, and Monty Python’s Spamalot. ConO’Shea-Creal will make his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Billy Lawlor. His Broadway credits include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Side Show, and he has performed in many National Tours including Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins as Bert, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas with Randy Skinner, and Something Rotten.
The Ogunquit Playhouse production of 42nd Street includes one of the largest casts to ever hit the theatre’s stage. It featuresRyan K. Bailer as Pat Denning, Cliff Bemis as Abner Dillon, Megan McLaughlin as Annie, Kilty Reidy as Bert Barry, and JakeWeinsteinas Andy Lee. The ensemble includes Danielle Aliotta, Emily Applebaum, Willie Beaton II, Allison Blanchard, Quinten Patrick Busey, Brittany Cattaruzza, Alex Drost, Liz Friedmann, Patrick Heffernan, Alex John Johnson, Tommy Joscelyn, Trent Kidd, Ryan Koerber, Brianna Latrash, Lily Lewis, Elizabeth McGuire, Andrew Muylle, Melissa Schott, andKristen Welsh.
For ticket information visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511
Bill Hanney’s award-winning North Shore Music Theatre kicks off the 64th Annual Season with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA!, one of the greatest classic musicals of all time, playing for two-weeks only from Tuesday, June 4 thru Sunday, June 16, 2019. OKLAHOMA! is sponsored by Beverly Bank.
“The 2019 Season marks the tenth season since reopening this historic theatre in 2010. I am still just as excited about creating this season as I was for season one.” said Bill Hanney, NSMT owner and producer. “When planning the 2019 Season, I was surprised to discover that Oklahoma! had not been seen on the North Shore Music Theatre stage in more than twenty-five years. Seventy-five years ago, Rodgers and Hammerstein reinvented musical theatre with Oklahoma!, a musical that is a celebration of both the pioneering spirit of settlers building new lives on the frontier and the patriotism surrounding the territory’s impending statehood. It feels like the perfect time to create an all new production of this classic for our signature in-the-round stage.”
When Rodgers and Hammerstein’s masterpiece OKLAHOMA! made its Broadway debut in 1943, it launched a new era in American musical theater — fusing story, song and dance through the stunning choreography of Agnes de Mille. It also began one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in Broadway history. At its heart, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! is a love story between confident cowboy Curly and feisty farmer Laurey. As the road to romance and the road to statehood converge, Curly and Laurey are poised to carve out a life together in a brand-new state. But the road to love is as bumpy and fraught with all the dangers and excitement of the time. The unforgettable score includes: “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “I Cain’t Say No!” and the exhilarating title song, “Oklahoma!”
The cast of OKLAHOMA! will be led by Blake Price (Curly McLaine), and Madison Claire Parks (Laurey Williams), along with Sean Bell (Will Parker), Melissa Carlile-Price (Ado Annie Carnes), Sue Cella (Aunt Eller Murphy), TomGleadow (Andrew Carnes), Cooper Grodin (Ali Hakim), and Alex Levin (Jud Fry).
The cast of 24 will also include Bella Calafiura, Mary Callanan, Stephen Diaz, Dale Elston, Marjorie Failoni, Katie Griffith, Ricky Lee Loftus, Trevor McChristian, Kevin B. McGlynn, Alaina Mills, Rachel Perlman, Michael Pesko, Laura Sky, Cameron Turner, Scott Whipple, and Jessica White.
Performances are June 4 thru June 16, Tue – Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit nsmt.org, or visit the box office at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, MA.
Once you’ve finished the meat you’ve grilled for the Fourth of July, come on over to Greater Boston Stage Company where the Calamari Sisters’ will be serving up sausages like you’ve never seen before. Celebrate summer with these sassy, brassy broads and their newest all-singing, all-dancing, and all-cooking show, The Calamari Sisters’ Sausagefest. The Calamari Sisters bring on the heat July 18 – 21, 2019 for six scrumptious performances. Wickedly naughty, Delphine and Carmella Calamari cook up a deliciously hilarious show. Whether you’re a sausage-lover or not, you’ll laugh until your sides ache. Get ready for a raucous good time because this is a bratwurst, not a little wiener! 
