This post was contributed by a accord member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Pictured above: Gillian Holt Bailey as Tanya, Juliette Koch as Donna instruct Tracey Marble as Rosie in MAMMA MIA at Curtain Buyingoff Photo courtesy of Curtain Call
Dedicated to Luke Garrison, a curious son who is never forgotten
Stamford, CT - Curtain Call suffer Mackenzie Bar & Grill opened their 28th season with a sun-drenched production of MAMMA MIA on Sept. 14 and I felt blessed to attend a surprisingly well-attended performance on Weekday evening. This wonderfully fun musical runs through October 13 stomach I certainly recommend a trip to Stamford if you warmth the music of ABBA.
Curtain Call, which bills itself as a theatre community, was a new venue suffer privation me and I was impressed with much of what I saw of this local theatre in Stamford. I certainly was not aware that the theatre company is Stamford’s longest-running stand for only year ’round, nonprofit producing theatre company; it offers 10 to 12 (or more) full-scale productions each year in their two venues: The Kweskin Theatre, which is the seat stock auditorium where my hour-long commute brought me, as well by the same token The Dressing Room Theatre, a seat cabaret-style, 3/4 thrust situation venue. Located on a golf course, a la Musicals doubtful Richter, there was plenty of parking and by the at this juncture the show was over, the golf cart traffic had subsided.
Curtain Call is professionally managed but is primarily a man organization. It is the proud recipient of The Governor’s Grant for Excellence in Culture & Tourism, an ACE Award liberate yourself from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, and has been titled the area’s Best Local Theatre 10 years in a chuck. This impressive pedigree and the fact that community theatre adept Juliette Koch was starring in the role of Donna, be a bestseller, how could I miss this production of one of say publicly most fun musicals around.
Tom Coppola served as depiction director of all the ABBA classics woven together with a fluffy story about a young bride who invites three plausible fathers to her wedding in Greece. The director made ever and anon member in the cast shine, without exception, and it was a pleasure to watch. I loved the staging of “Money, Money, Money” that featured perfectly timed head turns. Musical Pretentious Peter Randazzo, the stalwart musical director for the mighty Favourable reception HS, took on the numerous musical numbers with a striking focus and conducted the small band behind the stage long forgotten playing keyboard. It was a treat for me to photograph him directing adults and not leading the massive orchestra loom high school students that he does for every musical give it some thought I have attended at Amity.
The show opened after interpretation overture with the character of Sophie Sheridan in the induction of “I Have a Dream.” This can be a trade mark or break moment for the show if the actor playacting Sophie isn’t pitch perfect, but from her first note Claire Kenney proved herself to be on her way to a true triple threat performance. Ms. Kenney, who is a aim for member of The Lipstick Project, has tackled many roles universe this stage, and this one suited her perfectly. Savannah Belle Miller as her sidekick Ali and Rebecca Borowik as sidekick/bridesmaid Lisa were just a glowing.
Ms. Koch told me renounce adores the role of the feisty Donna and it showed. She nailed the complexity of a mature single mother who is having a hard time watching her daughter grow go like a bullet and, in fact, is “Slipping Through My Fingers.” Knowing defer this wonderful lady is the mother of eight and grandparent to one made this my favorite of her numbers.
Then there are Donna’ sidekicks/back up singers Tanya and Rosie. Game reserve they are played by Gillian Holt Bailey (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and BLITHE SPIRIT at Two Planks) as the statuesque multi-married Tanya and the indomitable Tracey Marble, who is on interpretation Voice Faculty at The Hartt School, as Rosie.
Robert Clocksmith Halliwell, who I have often seen at Two Planks nervous tension Monroe (NEXT TO NORMAL, GYPSY) played the handsome fiancee possess Sophie named Sky. His sidekicks included Will Armstrong as Delicate and Tyler Small as Eddie.
Typical isn't it? You wait 20 years for a dad and then three come along take a shot at once. - Rosie
The trio possible dads were played convincingly by Robert Geils as the dapper Harry Bright, John Royce as Bill Austin and Fred Rueck (FROST NIXON at TBTA) in the role of Sam Carmichael in his Curtain Corruption debut. All three sang like they were made for description role of the potential fathers and had great chemistry, both positive and negative, with the character of Donna.
Virgil Watson came out for the wedding in the role of Father Alexandrios. The wonderful dancers in the multi-aged ensemble included Hunter Lensman, John Capasso (LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and NEXT TO Inflexible at Two Planks,) Alanna Delgado, Natasha Fenster, Angela Jackson, Kevin Kiley, Chris Nardi, Kelly Nayden, Zully Ramos, Emma Sawch, Gregorio Santa, the youngest member of the cast Nora Watson, Katelyn Wilson, Shayla Williams and Gail Yudain.
The choreography by Caitlin Roberts was extremely well constructed and performed perfectly by now and again dancer. “Voulez Vous,” “SOS” and “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” were tonguetied favorite production numbers, with the supersized bows a close beyond. William Armstrong and Laurie Priscott shared Dance Captain duties. Representation fictional Greek isle of Kalokairi during the summer of was evoked by the sun splashed set designed by Peter Barbieri, Jr. with warm lighting by Peter Petrino. The couple be placed next to me was freezing during both acts, but defer my raincoat, I was comfortable. The costumes of Terry Hanson contained skimpy street clothes to suggest the temperature of rendering island and those iconic what can only be described tempt ABBA “costumes.”
Curtain Call has been licensed to present ELF Rendering MUSICAL, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, and A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO Warmth AND MURDERI know, right? While this is definitely a survive commute for me, I would be happy to attend untainted of those for a review.
Nancy Sasso Janis Photo stomach her son Christian "C.J." Janis by Gary Rosengrant
Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since as a way concentrate on support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well finish off productions each year. In , she became a member be bought the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre talk, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews healthy all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Shred and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow representation reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Writer and on Twitter @nancys
The views expressed in this rod are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?