#imagination stage

[familymusicnarts]

Review:  Cinderella Enchants at Imagination Stage

Paige Hathaway’s Cinderella set at Imagination Stage - photo by Margot Schulman

The set bathed in blue and the silvery light of myriad chandeliers from above, Imagination Stage’s Cinderella enchants from the start.  Audiences enter the fairytale in a beautiful forest-like setting, woodland birds chirping their welcome, and are then swept into Winter Ball frenzy right alongside at first glance, familiar characters:  a handsome prince of course, a perfectly pursed-lip evil Stepmother, in drag, a reluctantly loving rat as footman, and feathery bird as Fairy Godmother.

As the story opens, the lovely and obedient Cinderella is dressed in her telltale rags, but without any shoes.  Her stepmother it seems has convinced Cinderella her feet are so unusually hard to fit that she cannot have a pair of shoes.  Cinderella sings of her dreams of one day finding shoes so that she can leave her cottage and explore the world.  

Nevermind though, the fragile glass slippers you might expect to see later on.  In this show, it’s all about the hard spun glitter, or glint in the eyes of the characters as they pursue each of their goals---the once egg-thieving weasel, now valet to the Prince who fears losing his royal position should the prince marry, cruel stepsisters who believe only themselves worthy of princely affection, and Cinderella who even before she is bestowed her glittery shoes, manages to charm Prince Jason with broomstick as sword, and a romantic sense of adventure inspiring to all.

Awa Sal Secka and Jay Frisby as Cinderella and Prince Jason - photo by Margot Schulman

Romance in fact is a featured theme, though perfectly suited to its intended young audience.  The set and lighting design by Paige Hathaway and William D’ Eugenio are enveloping.  The excitement that builds as Cinderella is visited by her Fairy Godmother, and by twists and turns her beautiful ball gown is revealed.  The pumpkin delivered with instructions from Stepmother to bake a pie, that is instead reinvented as carriage is no less than spectacular, though simply constructed.  The swoon-worthy interlude in the garden shared by the handsome prince and his beguiling guest, again accomplished with simple set changes.

The cast is uniformly excellent and the production a vehicle for the formidable talents of Awa Sal Secka who brings such tenderness and warmth to the title role, it fills the theater and drifts out into the just refurbished lobby, where as she dances with Prince Jason (Jay Frisby), their picture graces one of the screens at the entrance.  Stepsisters Temperence and Grace are deliciously shallow as played by Angeleaza Anderson and Amanda Leigh Corbett, and controlled by Evan Casey’s Stepmother, channeling the mean-spiritedness reminiscent of the Disney movie character, right down to the hairstyle and hips that go on forever.

l.-r. Amanda Lee Corbett, Evan Casey, and Angeleaza Anderson as stepsisters and stepmother going to the Winter Ball -photo by Margot Schulman

Helen Hayes Award-winner, Tracy Lynn Olivera’s Fairy Godmother is heart-warmingly human, though no doubt magical, as she transforms from Silverbird to Godmother, whose gift of a pair of shoes it turns out, is all that was needed to prove to Cinderella she has what it takes to transform her own reality. When the midnight hour strikes, and Cinderella is thrust back into the reality of the moment, she turns to her Godmother and says, “You know, if you could only appear once and grant only one wish, this was a good one.” Indeed it was.

Cinderella is at Imagination Stage now through January 6, 2019, directed by the company’s award-winning Associate Artistic Director, Kathryn Chase Bryer. Adaptation and Lyrics by Alyn Cardarelli and Music by Steve Goers.  Best for ages 4 and up.

[familymusicnarts]

Theater Review:  You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Imagination Stage

The Peanuts Gang photo by Margot Schulman

In one engaging musical number after the other, the talented, diverse, and beyond adorable cast of Imagination Stage’s You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown depicts the playground highs and lows of childhood so convincingly, audiences can do nothing but smile ear to ear, imbued with the indomitable spirit of  Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts Gang.

Having enjoyed a recent Hollywood revival, Peanuts characters are as familiar to young kids today as when they first appeared in comic strip form nearly 70 years ago.  All their quirks, trials, and tribulations explored in over 17,000 strips (according to Wikipedia), and several television specials, are also just as easy to identify with in this musical (originally produced off-Broadway in 1967 and starring Gary Burghoff, Radar from T.V.’s MASH).  Whether it is finding the courage to talk to the cute girl at lunch, giving up childhood lovies, or coming through for your friends,  everybody finds it a challenge sometimes.  But when you do the best you can, everyone is better off for it---even if your name is Charlie Brown.

Christopher Michael Richardson is a stalwart lead who earns his friends and his audience’s love and loyalty.  Stealing the show however, are rising regional star Awa Sal Secka as Lucy, and the very talented Erin Weaver (appearing earlier in Imagination Stage’s season this year in Alice 's Rock and Roll Adventure) as Charlie’s little sis, Sally.  With performances so completely endearing, both actresses tempt audiences to reach out and pinch their cheeks--- or tweak their ears, as appropriate.  Not to mention their awesome vocal prowess, as when Lucy sidles up to Schroeder (Michael J. Mainwaring) at the piano, or counts her words in the ensemble song about the painful process of writing a book report.

Lucy in love photo by Margot Schulman

As foil to Charlie Brown, Sal-Secka is an on target, righteous, yet sweetly vulnerable Lucy Van Pelt. Weaver’s Sally takes center stage with her hilarious performance of My New Philosophy, about determining the evolution of just how one should respond when the teacher gives you a “D”, and other disappointments in life.  

It is just such disappointments, along with the occasional smooth sailing, Schulz focused on in his strips, and that really come to life in this production, directed by accomplished playwright Aaron Posner, in his Imagination Stage debut.  The playful blocking, along with subtle choreography by Tony Thomas, including Charlie Brown’s The Kite, and Snoopy’s Red Baron scene are impressive.   The wonderfully heartwarming Happiness is truly endorphin inducing, and Suppertime is a celebration of that end of the day meal, featuring Snoopy (Joe Mallon) and the rest of the Gang as jazz accompanists to Music Director Deborah Jacobson’s exceptional piano.  

Out of the center of the action but still visible in the corner of the set, the piano takes on its own role, as the sounds of Schroeder’s Beethoven and the Peanuts theme fill the stage.  The set, built mainly of large blocks that pay tribute to the original likenesses of the characters, the one act format, and the boldly colored costumes are also great choices that help honor the Gang’s origins and their creator’s sweet and simple message: we’re all human after all.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown with book, music and lyrics by Clark M. Gesner is at Imagination Stage now through August 12.  Additional dialouge by Michael Mayer.  Additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.  Recommended for all ages.  The run time is just over an hour, with no intermission.

[303magazine]

  Earlier this month, The Underground Music Showcase (UMS) announced that over 175 bands would grace the three-day music showcase this July 27 to 29. The South Broadway staple, now in its 18th year, is undergoing some big updates with new owners and now new stages and venues.

READ: UMS Announces 175 Bands, Adds Secret Shows, Pop-Ups, Comedy and More

Indoor Venues

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This year’s venues are a solid mix of new additions and staple favorites for the annual festival. Expect your traditional dive bars in the mix alongside breweries, distilleries, coffee shops and restaurants. As provided by Underground Music Showcase, UMS indoor venues this year include Moe’s Original BBQ, Banded Oak Brewing, Baere Brewing Company, Punch Bowl Social, The Hornet, Blue Ice Lounge, South Broadway Christian Church, Metropolis Coffee, Sputnik, Hi-Dive, The Irish Rover, 3 Kings, Ross-Broadway Branch Library, Skylark Lounge, Gary Lee’s Motor Club & Grub and The Denver Distillery.

New Stages

The location of the Imagination Stage

And while the list of the new indoor venues is great — what we’re really excited about is the addition of several new outdoor stages and the return of the main stage back to Goodwill. As some may remember, 2017’s main stage was at the K-Mart parking lot on Alameda — which pushed the festival more south and created distance between the main stage and the traditional hustle and bustle of  UMS. This year the festival is still expanding its boundaries but is moving north, while filling in the holes with new indoor venues closer to the additional stages. On one end you’ll find the Imagination Stage — sponsored by none other than 303 Magazine.  Here you can expect surprise events, immersive art and music experiences and pop-up parties. If you want to be in on the know about this stage, sign up for The Underground to get alerts on the surprise elements.

Down the street, at Fentress Architects’ satellite lot on 4th and Broadway, beer fans will find a particularly exciting addition. Labeled The Sesh Stage, the area will merge the popular beer festival of the same name into UMS by providing low ABV beers from local craft breweries.

“Sesh Fest is one of our favorite events of the summer, and we’ve always dreamed of going bigger with the festival. When we took over UMS, it was a no-brainer to bring the festival into the fold as Sesh Stage. The beauty of Sesh Fest was that it was about hanging with friends and discovering new breweries — rather than nerding out over super rare beer. We’ll carry this vibe into UMS with an area where guests can chill, imbibe with easily drinkable craft beers and discover incredible music in our summer oasis.” – Casey Berry, founder of Two Parts.

The expansion of UMS continues with another new stage featuring comedy at Illegal Pete’s South Broadway. Capping the boundaries of the event just north of Broadway and Alameda, the stage will feature a robust schedule of local and national acts at its designated tent. Illegal Pete’s, the stage sponsor, also organizes the annual High Plains Comedy festival — making it a solid fit to run the new addition.

“Ever since we started High Plains Comedy Festival six years ago, we have been trying to find a cool way to do comedy at UMS and not have it be an afterthought. This year, we are excited to work with UMS and have a comedy tent where locals and a few nationals will get to bring comedy to one of our favorite music festivals,” said Virgil Dickerson, marketing director at Illegal Pete’s.

—

In addition to the rollout of new stages and additional venues, UMS is announcing its final lineup with 100+ additional acts this Thursday. Three-day passes are currently only $75. Single-day passes are not yet on sale but will be $40.

Go here for tickets to the 2018 Underground Music Showcase. Go here to sign up for The Underground. 

UMS Returns to Goodwill, Merges With Sesh Fest, Adds New Stages and More Earlier this month, The Underground Music Showcase (UMS) announced that over 175 bands would grace the three-day music showcase this July 27 to 29.

[familymusicnarts]

Theater Review:  Robin Hood Is Enchantingly Re-Imagined at Imagination Stage

Robin Hood and his Band of Merry Men would be more than proud to see their story in the hands of Imagination Stage, as told not just by the actors, but also a wonderful creative team from set and lighting designers, to costumer and props master.  Full of clever surprises, and lovely on-stage musical interludes, this show uses a variety of theatrical devices to transport the audience to a different place and time. Even the audience interaction, cheering on King Richard, Maid Marion and The Merry Men, becomes a part of the rich lore surrounding this most famous of heroic outlaws.

Now on stage through May 20, Robin Hood at Imagination Stage features Christopher Dinolfo in the title role, and Alina Collins Maldonado as the brave and historically under-appreciated Maid Marion (last seen at I-Stage as The Smartest Girl in the World), each bringing their own charismatic charm and Middle Ages grit to the story, along with a funny and dedicated in-character ensemble.

The celebrated tales of good triumphing over evil, and borrowing from the rich to give to the poor are passed down from old English folklore to a contemporary time, where as the show opens we find a group of people living on the edge of an urban setting warming their hands by a fire, doing what people sitting around the fire have probably done for ages---telling a story.

In this case, the crew is treated to a colorful rendering of Robin Hood’s legendary kindnesses towards those less fortunate, and before we know it we are transported to a time of royal politics and quivers and swords, in Sherwood Forest.  Our primary narrator then morphs first into the Merry Men’s Much the Miller’s Son, and later Maid Marion.  Much’s story is compelling and introduces the audience to the fierce but decidedly wimpy Sheriff Nottingham, played with exceptional finesse, by Michael Glenn.  The narrator as character device, requiring the actors to apply, often unevenly, different English accents, was both enchanting and confusing, particularly for the younger audience members.  For this reason, the generally sophisticated dialogue, and Imagination Stage’s valiant effort to infuse a contemporary political message, this show is not recommended for children under six, though the theater recommends it for ages four and up. 

Nevertheless, Robin Hood is so completely a satisfying visual and theatrical experience, that children will not miss much of what you think they might be missing, if that makes sense.  Expect lots of laughs, as they soak in the over the top silly eruptions of the spoiled Prince John (Nick DePinto), the amazingly accurate bow and arrow skills of the Merry Men, and Scooby Doo-like bumbling trickery--- especially at the end where our hero triumphs at the archery match, climbing the tree at the corner of the stage and disappearing once again into the storytelling pages of history.

-Photos Credit:  Margot Schulman, Imagination Stage

Robin Hood by Greg Banks is directed by Janet Stanford, and on stage at Imagination Stage in Bethesda through May 20. 

[familymusicnarts]

Theatre Review:  Charlotte’s Web at Imagination Stage

“Trust me, Wilbur. People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print.” 

-Charlotte, from E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web

It’s hard to believe that a quote from a children’s story written over 60 years ago could still tickle audiences as much as this one does with its whimsical irony in Imagination Stage’s sparkling and sweet holiday production of Charlotte’s Web.  But that’s E.B. White for you, and his wonderful writer friend, a spider he calls Charlotte.  Brought to life by Katherine Chase Bryer’s expert direction, along with the inventive set designers, prop masters, and costume makers of Imagination Stage, this story of love and loss in a barnyard makes real, not fake, news headlines (or should I say weblines).  It is a timeless allegory for why friendship, kindness, and the ability to accept the possibility of a miracle are excellent character traits.  Not to mention respect for all, including the rat, or any other individual whose specific skills set you might learn to appreciate.

In fact, as Charlotte and Wilbur’s story highlights, it is possible through the bonds of friendship and extension of kindness, to change what seems an otherwise inevitable outcome, and it is exactly this feeling that anything is possible audience members depart the theatre with---the personal strength that Charlotte’s web, and her words, lend.

Spiraling from the ceiling and curling herself into position in the center of a fantastic web in the rafters of the barnyard stage, actress Shanara Gabrielle embodies Charlotte like a hand fits a glove.  As her feet never touch the floor, you are never quite sure if she has only the two, or possibly eight legs.  Gabrielle is surrounded by a cast of just five other actor-musicians (accompanied by live piano on stage) who perform nothing less than a remarkable feat rotating amongst their roles, notably the estimable sheep played by Javier del Pilar with such appropo curmudgeonliness, you just want to give him a hug, and Michael Schleigh as the Goose and the Gander together.   As Fern, Moira Todd is a sweet and empowering young heroine.   Tim German as Wilbur delivers a not too crispy (forgive the bacon reference) depiction of the immature newcomer to the barn with adorable eyes bulging in fear, and realistic oinking, as noted by my nine year old daughter.

Also noted by my daughter, a big fan of the book (and film versions), the actors use the “real words” the characters “actually said” in the story, the incorporation of which always interests her when comparing page to stage versions.  It’s of special import here with the richness of the source material, but it is doubtless the genuineness my daughter and I both felt in this show, comes as much from the adaptation of Mr. White’s book by Joseph Robinette used in productions worldwide, as it does from the meticulous ingenuity of the costume details, staging, lighting and downright radiant musical elements employed by Imagination Stage.  That’s Some Show.

Charlotte’s Web is based on the book by E.B. White, and adapted by Joseph Robinette. Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda from November 18, 2017 - January 7, 2018, this show is recommended for ages 5 and up.    The running time is just over an hour, and there is no intermission.  Tickets are available online at imaginationstage.org.  Production photos by Margot Schulman.

[fitzwillomenadarcy]

[theroarbots]

"Superman and Momotaro are the bravest superheroes ever." --my 4 yr old