The Last Days of Rockin Rob’s
Writer/director Nick Albanese’s latest show, The Last Days of Rockin Rob’s, opens June 15 at Artist’s Exchange.
In his hit autobiographical one man show, The Last Sicilian, Albanese explored his Italian upbringing in Providence. Now he is exploring how the changing musical landscape is affecting small businesses in The Last Days of Rockin Rob’s.
The cast includes Kathleen Russell (13 Rue de l’amour), Stephen Hug, John Cillino, David Adams Murphy and Ericka Atwell (Everybody Needs Therapy Sometimes).
The comedy drama about a failing record shop was inspired by real-life, Albanese explained. “I read an article about a record shop that’s closing in (New York’s) Greenwich Village,” Albanese said. “This (store) was there for years and years. No one’s buying (vinyl) albums anymore.”
When writing the play, Albanese added some twists of his own to the story and believes it reflects the ups and downs of life. Sales of record albums have actually increased over the last few years. They are now outselling digital downloads, which Albanese finds interesting. “It’s kind of funny how everything comes around again,” Albanese said.
The Last Days of Rockin Rob’s opens June 15 and runs through June 23. Artist’s Exchange. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Tickets available at tickets.vendini.com.
An Examination of The Inside of His Severed Head
Writer/Director Lenny Schwartz and composer Duncan Pflaster have teamed up for the musical, The Inside of His Severed Head, debuting May 10 at the RISE Playhouse in Woonsocket.
Based on the classic Arthur Miller play Death of a Salesman, the story follows the adventures of aging vampire hunter Willy Loman (played by Michael Thurber) who realizes his life is empty and tries to fill it in the last 24 hours of his life. “It’s one of those warm, fuzzy plays,” Schwartz noted.
For Schwartz, working on a musical has been a dream come true. Schwartz has written several offbeat plays, including The Social Avenger, Co-Creator, Accidental Incest and Ben Minus Zoe Minus Ben. “I wanted a challenge, I wanted to go out and freaking do it,” Schwartz explained. Schwartz is proud of the cast, which includes Victoria Paradis, Ryan McKenna, Derek Laurendeau, Sarah Reed, Lauren Pace, Alexandra Cipolla, Kevin Hernandez, Mya Lemery, Maureen Noel and Ryan Bedisee. “Everyone is insanely talented,” Schwartz said. “I have so much respect for people who can act and sing. Every night I come in (to rehearsals) so enthusiastic. It’s almost like I have a new lease on life. You should be constantly learning and challenging yourself.”
Schwartz is excited about reuniting with Thurber, who has appeared in Schwartz’s previous productions. “I have to say this performance (Thurber) is giving is the best of anything he has ever done,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz promises The Inside of His Severed Head will offer something for everyone. “People want to try something new that they haven’t seen before,” Schwartz said. “If you don’t know Death of a Salesman, you’re going to love it. For those who have (seen it), I think they’ll be enthusiastic about what the twists are we took on this classic material.”
The Inside of His Severed Head runs May 10-19. The RISE Playhouse, 142 Clinton St, Woonsocket. All shows are at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at Smarttix.com by following this link: smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?SalesEventId=7442
Sometimes The Rain, Sometimes The Sea
Sometimes The Rain, Sometimes The Sea is a whimsical fable about love between humans and non- humans. Brown University’s production, written by Julia Izumi and directed by Kate Bergstrom, was inspired by the classic Hans Christian Andersen story The Little Mermaid.
Karishma Swarup had an appealing sweetness as the Rain Cloud, who falls in love with Ralmond (Kai Bershack). The only problem is Ralmond is in a relationship with Midi (Marianne Verrone).
Anthony DeRita was wonderfully campy as Bessie the cow, a confidante to Rain Cloud who counseled her about the nature of love. Rain Cloud desperately wants to be human, but has to be loved by another before that can take place. Meanwhile, Edvard (Conor Sweeney), a lovesick prince, pursues Ina (Oyindamola Akingbile), who rebuffs his advances.
Brendan George shows up as the eccentric and boastful Dolan, who has written the story we are watching, “The Little Raincloud.” Dolan realizes, to his dismay, that his creations have taken on lives of their own.
The technical qualities of the production were first-rate. The set design, which featured a huge cloud suspended over the stage like a chandelier, was dazzling. The sound effects of thunder and rain were also convincing.
The performances were all excellent. I especially liked the energy of Conor Sweeney’s performance as well as the passion of Maaike Laanstra-Corn as Little One. Bergstrom’s direction was crisp and imaginative, using the catwalks above the stage in the Leeds Theatre for maximum effect.
Sometimes The Rain, Sometimes The Sea continues Brown’s theater department’s history of producing offbeat and intelligent stories that reflect on the complexities of human nature.
Sometimes The Rain, Sometimes The Sea ran April 5 through 15. Leeds Theatre at Brown University, 83 Waterman St, PVD.
The Community Players Present Forever Plaid The Community Players present the “heavenly” musical, Forever Plaid, April 13-22. Singing group “The Plaids,” played by Nick Mercurio, Joe Catanzaro, Dan Thompson and Matt Fagan, recreate the close harmony of their idols: The Four Freshmen, The Hi-Lo’s and The Crew Cuts, and soon start rehearsing their music together. The group’s 1950s songs include “Three Coins in a Fountain,” “Sixteen Tons” and “Catch a Falling Star.”
For East Providence native Fagan, working on the show “has been a wonderful opportunity and the material has been a great challenge.”
Fagan, 21, has been performing for most of his life. “I first began performing when I was in 4th grade,” Fagan said. “I was in Tolman High School’s production of The Wizard of Oz as a munchkin, Emerald City worker and the flying monkey.”
Fagan also appeared in productions of My Fair Lady as Colonel Pickering, Young Frankenstein as The Monster and The Phantom of the Opera as The Phantom. At Rhode Island College he was in Middletown and Leading Ladies.
For Catanzaro, who lives in Johnston, being a part of the show “has been a joyous challenge.”
“I usually audition for shows that I know will help me grow as an artist and musician,” Catanzaro said. “This is my first time working with a quartet. Learning these harmonies and getting them right has been a lot of work, but definitely worth it.”
The 27 year-old played Melchior in Spring Awakening, Angel in RENT and Josh in If/Then. “Nothing on this earth gives me a rush like being on stage,” Catanzaro noted. “It’s also a beautiful thing to take the audience on an emotional ride and take them out of real life for a couple of hours.”
Forever Plaid will be a real treat for audiences, the actors promise. “When audiences come to see Forever Plaid they can expect to be entertained while taking a trip down memory lane,” Fagan added. “Despite the fact that our characters are transported from 1964, the show and its comedic wit are timeless.”
“Expect to have fun and see what theater is all about,” Catanzaro added.
Forever Plaid will be presented April 13-15 and 20-22 at Jenks Auditorium, 350 Division Street, Pawtucket (across from McCoy Stadium). Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm. Order e-tickets online and print them at home at thecommunityplayers.net or reserve at 401-726-6860.
A Chorus Line Arrives at Stadium Theatre
A Chorus Line, one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals of all time, will be performed at the Stadium Theatre from March 2 – 4. The show follows 17 chorus dancers and puts them through the final grueling audition run by the director, Zach, for a new Broadway musical.
The music is by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Edward Kleban. The songs include “I Hope I Get It,” “At The Ballet,” “One” and “What I Did For Love.”
Kristen Arsenault, from Easton, Mass, plays Cassie, a once successful solo dancer down on her luck and a former love of Zach’s. The rehearsal process has been physically demanding, according to Arsenault, who appeared in the National Touring Company of Cats as Rumpleteazer.
“It’s a tough show,” Arsenault said. “It’s really an ensemble show, which is different from other shows out there. Every character has either a song, a dance, a monologue or a mixture of all of them. You have to be able to sing, dance and act.
“It’s a high being up on stage,” Arsenault continued, adding: “You’re just throwing your life out there and giving it your everything and having the audience take that in and then reciprocate something back. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Arsenault said the success of A Chorus Line is due in part to the vulnerability of the characters.
Arsenault’s husband, Joe Arsenault, plays Don, another of the aspiring dancers. Joe appeared in the Stadium’s production of American Idiot last summer. He had never seen the show before except for a few video clips, and explained he wanted to bring his own perspective to the character.
“I really enjoy the experience the audience gets from watching the show,” Joe said. “That motivates me to do the best that I can.”
West Warwick native Chantell Arraial plays Diana, the only character in the show who performs two songs. Arraial appeared in the Stadium’s recent production of West Side Story.
“Performing, being on stage is my second home,” Arraial said.
A Chorus Line strikes a chord with audiences due to the universal need for acceptance, Arraial and Arsenault explained.
“So many people can relate to the stories being told,” Arraial noted. “You don’t realize the person sitting next to you had the same experience as you had before.”
“For any of the performers out there who watch the show, it hits home to them because it’s exactly what they’ve been through,” Arsenault said. “It’s their story of what it’s like to audition for a show, and you get cut and it feels awful or you get kept and it feels great.”
A Chorus Line will be performed March 2-4, Stadium Theatre. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. Tickets are available at the Stadium Theatre Box Office or by calling 401-762-4545 and online at stadiumtheatre.com
West Side Story
The classic musical West Side Story will be performed at the Stadium from February 16 – 18. Mike Daniels and Grace Cuellar star as Tony and Maria, who fall in love among the gang warfare of the Jets and the Sharks in New York City. Daniels previously starred as Johnny in the Green Day rock opera American Idiot. Tony is a far cry from that role, according to Daniels.
“(Tony) is really hopeful,” Daniels said. “He’s a lot more of a positive character than some of the other characters. It’s an honor to play him.”
Playing such an iconic role has been “a challenge, but in the best way possible,” Daniels explained. “It’s challenged me to expand my musical theater horizons.”
The music is by legendary composers Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The songs include “Tonight,” “Maria,” “America,” “One Hand, One Heart” and “Somewhere.”
Daniels has a lot of admiration for Cuellar, who he calls “incomparable.”
“I really love how Maria develops during the show,” Cuellar said. “She starts off gentle in Act One and then takes a stand against the violence and discrimination in Act Two. When tragedy strikes, that’s when you see her true passion and emotion come out.”
Cuellar is excited to be acting out her first lead role in a musical. He previously appeared in productions of Mary Poppins and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Working on West Side Story has been a dream come true, Cuellar said. “Everyone has been so welcoming. At the end of the show, we’ve all become one big family.”
Cuellar believes the affection from audiences for West Side Story has to do with the characters and their emotions.
“It’s a very strong love story,” Cuellar said, adding that West Side Story features a powerful message that “love conquers all.”
West Side Story has just as much relevance for today’s audiences as the show did when it premiered 60 years ago, Daniels said, particularly regarding issues of race, socio-economics and gender identity. “It touches on the themes that are going on in our society today,” Daniels added.
West Side Story runs February 16-18. The Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. stadiumtheatre.com
Writing is Live at Brown
Brown University’s annual Writing is Live festival will be held February 5 through the 11. The event allows playwrights to showcase their unfinished work for audiences.
“Each performance day has a different reading or workshop of a new play from one of the playwrights in our MFA playwriting program,” said Brianne Shaw, marketing and box office coordinator for Brown’s theater department. “What the audiences will be seeing is mainly actors sitting down with the scripts in front of them, just reading.”
The event will benefit the playwrights in the development process.
“It’s an opportunity for them to hear their work out loud and get some feedback so they can go back and do some rewrites,” Shaw noted.
After each reading, there’s a talkback with the playwright and the audience. Shaw said there would likely not be critiques of the work from professors.
“They would save (critiques) for a class or a private discussion where it would be more intimate,” Shaw explained.
The playwrights were not obligated to explore any particular theme or motif.
“They can write about anything that their heart desires,” Shaw added.
Writing is Live: Leeds Theater, Lyman Hall, 83 Waterman St, PVD. browntaps.org Down With Love: A Cabaret
Down With Love: A Cabaret will be presented on February 16 at the Common Fence Point Hall in Portsmouth. Jeff Blanchette and Rachel Hanauer will be performing jazz standards, musical theater and pop.
“Jeff and I wanted to perform again at the Common Fence Point Hall, specifically to fundraise for some theater arts equipment,” Hanauer said. They hope to turn the facility into a full arts center to be used for theater, music and arts programs, as well as community-based fitness and wellness classes.
“Valentine’s Day seemed like the perfect time to put on a cabaret program,” Hanauer said. “Jeff and I are fans of collaborating on these musical review shows together, as we did with I Love… What’s His Name? We decided to create a program for both lovebirds and Anti-Valentine’s Day folks alike, which is why we called it Down with Love.”
Hanauer said the music in this family-friendly program should appeal to audience members of all ages. Hanauer and Blanchette also encourage a BYOB policy, and most of the guests at CFP Hall bring picnic dinners, which all are welcome to do.
Down With Love: A Cabaret will be performed at Common Fence Point Hall, 933 Anthony Rd, Portsmouth. brownpapertickets.com/event/3223822
Get On Your Feet! and Head to PPAC The hit musical On Your Feet will be presented at Providence Performing Arts Center from January 30 through February 4. On Your Feet tells the inspiring story of pop music superstar Gloria Estefan, who with her husband, Emilio, was responsible for several hits in the 1980s and ’90s, including “1-2-3,” “Conga,” “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” and “Get On Your Feet.”
Nancy Ticotin
Broadway veteran Nancy Ticotin plays Gloria Fajardo, the headstrong and controlling mother of Gloria Estefan, who left Cuba in search of a better life in the United States. Ticotin said Fajardo was jealous of her daughter’s success in the music business and “resented” Emilio. “She was awful to him,” Ticotin explained. “Even after they got married, she was really disrespectful to him and mean to him.”
However, Fajardo became much closer to her daughter and son-in-law after Estefan was badly injured in a tour bus crash. “(Fajardo) finds Emilio in a closet crying,” Ticotin said. “From that moment on, she saw he never left (Estefan’s) side. “There’s a beautiful song in the second act, (If I Never Got to Tell You) that is the only song written for the show,” Ticotin continued. “That’s the drama in the story that most people don’t know, which is what makes (On Your Feet) more interesting.”
Ticotin has plenty of stage experience, including appearances in The King and I, West Side Story, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway and Damn Yankees.
On Your Feet has been striking a chord with audiences due to the continuing debate about immigration in our country, Ticotin noted. “We have a mission in our show to spread the word how hardworking we are as immigrants,” Ticotin said. “They sacrificed, did things with no money at all and became extremely famous and rich. This is the true American dream. It still exists. It’s still possible and that is what we all hope for.”
On Your Feet will be performed January 30 through February 4 at Providence Performing Arts Center. For tickets, visit ppacri.org.
Lovers and Other Strangers
The Community Players are beginning the year with their production of Lovers and Other Strangers, a series of five comic one acts, each dealing with the ups and downs of relationships and marriage. Each story features partners of varied ages, from a planned seduction gone wrong, a groom experiencing cold feet before the wedding, to a long-married couple who have fought for over 30 years, trying to save their son’s marriage by admitting their own failings.
The play was written by actors Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor. It became a hit on Broadway in 1968 and was later adapted for a 1970 motion picture. The film was nominated for three Academy awards.
The show is co-directed by Tony Annicone, Dan Fisher and Christopher Margadonna, and features Ed Carusi, Richard Griffin, Ron Martin, Ashley Moore, Sandi Nicastro, Susan Perreault, David Schillinger, Kevin Thibault, Rebecca Tung, Emily Van Pelt, Leslie Racine Vazquez and Geoff White.
Performances are January 12-14 & 19-21, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm at Jenks Auditorium, Division St, Pawtucket. Order e-tickets online at thecommunityplayers.net or reserve at 401-726-6860.