hcochr21, Author at Hallie

Don’t Dress for Dinner

by hcochr21 | Aug 13, 2018 | Theatre Reviews

Title
Don’t Dress for Dinner

Theatre
Stage West, Fort Worth

Dates
Jul 12 – Aug 12

Synopsis
Bernard is planning a romantic weekend with his chic Parisian mistress in his charming converted French farmhouse, while his wife, Jacqueline, is away. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare a gourmet dinner, and has invited his best friend, Robert, along too to provide the alibi. It’s foolproof; what could possibly go wrong?

Well…. suppose Robert turns up not realizing quite why he has been invited. Suppose Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers, and consequently determined that Jacqueline does not leave for the weekend. Suppose the cook has to pretend to be the mistress and the mistress is unable to cook. Suppose everyone’s alibi gets confused with everyone else’s. An evening of hilarious confusion ensues as Bernard and Robert improvise at breakneck speed.

Cast
Bernard – Mark Shum
Jacqueline – Dana Schultes
Robert – Michael Federico
Suzette – Allison Pistorius
Suzanne – Catherine D. DuBord
George – Justin Flowers

Production Staff
Director – Christie Vela
Performance Stage Manager – Michelle Foster
Rehearsal Stage Manager – Tiffany Cromwell
Set Design – Michelle Harvey
Lighting Design – Aaron Johansen
Costume Design – Ryan D. Schaap
Sound Design – John Flores
Props/Set Decor – Lynn Lovett
Technical Director – L. W. Miller
Shop Foreman – Karlee Perego

Final Thoughts
Where to begin? I knew very little about this show prior to attending, other than this was a comedy. My husband Nathan, who is on the board at Stage West, said that this show has been sold out most nights and that it’s really funny. For whatever reason, I’m always very leery of plays that claim to be funny. Or plays in general. I’m a musical nerd. Oftentimes, plays that are funny, try to hard and just end up being awkward.

That is not the case for Don’t Dress for Dinner. I can honestly say that not only was this the best show we’ve seen so far at Stage West (I did really enjoy The Royal Society of Antarctica and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City) but this was probably the funniest play I’ve seen. Ever. I laughed the whole time.

Catherine D. DuBord as Suzanne

As described in the synopsis above, it’s a comedy of errors and misunderstandings. Essentially, there is a married couple, and they each plan on spending the weekend with their ‘side pieces’ and all end up under the same roof. The writing is clever, the timing is great and the added physical comedy will make you cry when you laugh.

Mark Shum plays the lead male character Bernard. I’ve seen him before at Stage West and he’s great. The script has a lot of complex moments and it’s beyond me how he was able to deliver every line without a single mistake. Dana Schultes, the Executive Producer at Stage West, plays Bernard’s wife Jacqueline. Dana is great – she’s also hilarious and might I add, her wardrobe is phenomenal. She rocked the 80s shoulder pads for days. Robert, Bernard’s best friend and Jacquelin’s lover is played by Michael Federico. His timing and delivery is also impeccable.

I have to say though, the two standouts of the show were Allison Pistorius and Catherine D. DuBord who played Suzette and Suzanne. They were absolutely hilarious and the whole audience loved them. Allison’s character had to play a variety of roles including a chef, a mistress and a niece, each of which were totally different and hilarious. Her physical comedy and facial expressions were so funny. Catherine played another mistress, from high society, who was forced to pretend to be a chef… which was hilarious and awkward. I can’t say enough about her facial expressions and physical comedy either. For half of the play, she looked like she had been fun over by a bus and Nathan and I couldn’t stop laughing. (See pic on the right)

Y’all. So funny. Well done Stage West, well done.

We saw the show on it’s last night, so I’m sad that if you are reading this, you’ve missed the boat, but perhaps you’ll take a look at the rest of the season.

Learn more about Hallie's other favorite shows.

Let's do it!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

by hcochr21 | Aug 7, 2018 | Theatre Reviews

Title
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Theatre
Uptown Players, Dallas, TX

Dates
July 13-29, 2018

Synopsis
Adapted from the 1994 Academy Award-winning film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is the heartwarming, uplifting musical adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam (two drag queens and a transsexual), who take their show to the middle of the Australian Outback. Aboard a battered old bus called Priscilla, they search for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever could have dreamed. With a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love The Nightlife,” this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS! Get your glitter on and take the ride of your life with this hilarious and heartwarming Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

Act I
Overture
Downtown
I’ve Never Been to Me
What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Don’t Leave Me This Way
Venus
Go West
I Say a Little Prayer
I Love the NightlifeBoth Sides, Now
Follie! Delirio vano è questo! Sempre libera
Colour My World
I Will Survive

Act II
Thank God I’m a Country Boy
A Fine Romance
Shake Your Groove Thing
Pop Muzik
A Fine Romance (reprise)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Hot Stuff
MacArthur Park
Boogie Wonderland
The Morning After
Go West (reprise)
Always on My Mind
Confide in Me
We Belong
Finally

Listen to the whole album on Spotify here.

Nick Adams originated the roll of Adam/Felicia on Broadway.

Final Thoughts
I love this show. I first saw it with Mom and Grandma in New York with the original cast in 2011. We knew it was a fun, flamboyant show, but really didn’t know anything else. Since that first show, I’ve made a point that anytime it came to town, I was there. Merlin and I saw it together in 2013 when it was apart of the Dallas Summer Musicals series. She loved it and vowed to make the same promise. Fast forward to just a few weeks ago and I got to take my several of my closest friends to see this amazing Tony Award winning musical. For the veterans – Merlin, Brian and me – we knew what to expect. For the rookies – Nathan, Matt and Cat – they had no idea. Everyone left laughing and filled with joy.

Where to start? The story… the cast… the music… the dancing… the costumes. All fabulous. The music is all songs you would already be familiar with – I Say a Little Prayer, Material Girl, I Will Survive, etc. So right off the bat, you are singing along. I can’t say enough about the costumes. (Watch this video to see a behind the scenes look at the costumes). Just to give you an idea, their are 500 costumes worn in the national touring production of the show, which is enough to fill its own semi-trailer truck.

Kelly Groves, Blake McIver, and Jack Donahue

The story is so sweet and touching – you laugh, you cry, you get angry and you celebrate. The Uptown Players cast the show beautifully – Blake McIver (Adam/Felicia), Kelly Groves (Tick/Mitzi) and Jack Donahue (Bernadette) are incredibly talented. Each had beautiful voices and carried scenes on their own, as well as an ensemble.

“For me, it’s definitely the most out and proud character I’ve played on stage, which is interesting and challenging,” McIver said. “What I think the show does really well and makes it worth viewing in 2018 is that it shows our common humanity, that the most important thing about who you are as a person is how you treat people around you,” he says. “Everyone needs to be reminded of that right now.”

Laura Lites, Dana Harper and Beth Lipton played the three Divas, who come in and out of the show. When Harper sang, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was listening.

I don’t think this show comes around the DFW area enough. In fact, I feel like a lot of my favorite shows need to make more appearances, but that won’t stop me from listening to the album on repeat on Spotify.

Learn more about Hallie's other favorite shows.

Let's do it!

Hairspray

by hcochr21 | Jul 19, 2018 | Theatre Reviews

Title
Hairspray

Theatre
AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX

Dates
July 7 – 15, 2018

Synopsis
Hairspray is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on John Waters’s 1988 film of the same name (here’s the original trailer). The songs include 1960s-style dance music and “downtown” rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, and meets a colorful group of characters, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show’s integration.

In 2003 it won eight Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical, out of 13 nominations. It ran for 2,642 performances, and closed on January 4, 2009. Hairspray has also had national tours, a West End production, and numerous foreign productions and was adapted as a 2007 musical film. The London production was nominated for a record-setting eleven Laurence Olivier Awards, winning four including Best New Musical.

Act I
Good Morning Baltimore
The Nicest Kids in Town
Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now
I Can Hear the Bells
(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs
The Madison
The Nicest Kids in Town (Reprise)
It Takes Two
Velma’s Revenge
Welcome to the 60’s
Run and Tell That!
Big, Blonde and Beautiful

Act II
The Big Dollhouse
Good Morning Baltimore (Reprise)
You’re Timeless to Me
You’re Timeless to Me (Reprise)
Without Love
I Know Where I’ve Been
(It’s) Hairspray
Cooties
You Can’t Stop the Beat

Listen to the whole album on Spotify here.

Final Thoughts
Hairspray is exactly what I love about musicals. It’s fun, the story is easy to follow, the music is catchy and enjoyable and the dancing is great. You leave the theatre humming along and tapping your toes. “You can’t stop the beat” in this big and bold musical about one girl’s inspiring dream to dance.

The sets are simple and the costumes are perfect. The characters are all endearing, except for Velma Von Tussle, who is the evil head of the television station. The story, which is based in the 60s, deals with racism and equal rights, which is obviously still a hot topic today. However, it’s not preachy or in your face, it’s very sincere and you are rooting for Tracy and Seaweed, who just want to dance on the Corny Collins Show.

Tracy’s mom, both in stage and screen, has always been played by a man, which is honestly one of the best decisions the show has ever made. You quickly forget that and find yourself loving her when she’s down, cheering for her after she gets a makeover at Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway, and laughing so hard when her voice unexpectedly drops when she’s proving a point.

Big Blonde and Beautiful is a fun, slower song, sang by Seaweed’s mom, a voluptuous woman who is comfortable in her own skin. “Scoop me up a mess of that chocolate swirl, don’t be stingy, I’m a growing girl. I offer big love with no apology. How can I deny the world the most of me? I am not afraid to throw my weight around, pound by pound by pound…”

Run And Tell That!, sang by Seaweed, is a super catchy hit on the racism he deals with. “I can’t see why people look at me, and only see the color of my face. And then there’s those that try to help, God knows but always have to put me in my place. But I won’t ask you to be color blind ’cause if you pick the fruit then girl, you’re sure to find… The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice, I could say it ain’t so, but darlin’, what’s the use? The darker the chocolate, the richer the taste and that’s where it’s at… now baby run and tell that!!”

You Can’t Stop the Beat, the show’s mega smash finale song reiterates the whole lesson from the show – love will always win in the end and it doesn’t matter what that looks like… and just dance! “And you can’t stop the motion of the ocean or the rain from above, you can try to stop the paradise we’re dreaming of, but you cannot stop the rhythm of two hearts in love to stay… ‘Cause you can’t stop the beat, you can’t stop the beat!!”

Hairspray isn’t playing in Dallas anymore, however, if you haven’t seen the movie, I’d highly recommend it. The cast is wonderful, and I really mean that – WONDERFUL. And unlike most movie musicals, it’s not awkward and doesn’t come off as if they tried to hard – it’s just really fun.

Learn more about Hallie's other favorite shows.

Let's do it!

Bright Star

by hcochr21 | Jun 23, 2018 | Theatre Reviews

Title
Bright Star

Theatre
AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX

Dates
June 12 – 24, 2018

Synopsis
From Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award winning Steve Martin and Grammy Award winning Edie Brickell comes BRIGHT STAR, the five-time Tony nominated, new Broadway musical that The New York Times called “a shining achievement.” Directed by Tony winner Walter Bobbie and inspired by a real event, this original musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ‘40s. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances.

Main Cast
Daddy Cane – David Atkinson
Mayor Josiah Dobbs – Jeff Austin
Daryl Ames – Jeff Blumenkrantz
Mama Murphy – Allison Briner-Dardenne
Alice Murphy – Audrey Cardwell
Jimmy Ray Dobbs – Patrick Cummings
Lucy Grant – Kaitlyn Davidson
Billy Cane – Henry Gottfried
Margo Crawford – LianaI Hunt
Daddy Murphy – John Leslie Wolfe

Supporting Cast
Devin Archer
Kelly Baker
Hayden Clifton
Cody Davis
Robin De Lano
David Kirk Grant
Donna Louden
Kevin McMahon
Mary Page Nance
Alessa Neeck
Robert Pieranunzi
Michael Starr

Act I
If You Knew My Story
She’s Gone
Bright Star
Way Back in the Day
Whoa, Mama
Firmer Hand/Do Right
A Man’s Gotta Do
Asheville
What Could Be Better
I Can’t Wait
Please, Don’t Take Him
A Man’s Gotta Do [Reprise]

Act II
Entr’acte
Sun’s Gonna Shine
Heartbreaker
Another Round
I Had a Vision
Always Will
Can’t Wait [Reprise]
So Familiar
At Long Last
Finale

Final Thoughts
Where to begin. I knew very little about this show prior to attending, other than the music and story came from Steve Martin. I love Steve Martin and grew up sharing my dad’s love for banjo music. Side note, check out Daddy Played the Banjo, it’s a beautiful song by Steve Martin and what an incredible musician he is.

I started listening the music about a week ago so that I’d be familiar with it. Admittingly, I played it in the background during work, so was unable to really listen to the lyrics, however I loved the general feel of the music. I love the bluegrass feel – banjos and fiddles are awesome. I didn’t look up the plot and kept low expectations for the show since I hadn’t heard much about it.

The show starts with a beautiful song, one that I’ve now listened to on repeat, called If You Knew My Story. Watch the video above to see that song performed at the 2016 Tony Awards. The lyrics are so beautiful and Audrey Cardwell, who plays the Alice Murphy has such a beautiful voice.

If you knew my story you’d have a hard time
Believing me, you’d think I was lying
Joy and sorrow never last
I’ll die trying not to live in the past
If you knew my story
My heaven and my hell
If you knew my story
You’d have a good story to tell

Many times when you have extremely southern accents that are super nasally in shows can be fairly off-putting, however, I think the cast did a phenomenal job never crossing that line. Audrey Cardwell’s performance was fantastic, her character has so much depth and the different in ‘older Alice’ and ‘younger Alice’ was a joy to watch.

The story is becomes a little predictable in the second act, however, I have no problems with that. Loosely based on a true story, the plot really kept me engaged the whole time. There’s not a single song that I didn’t enjoy and the choreography was very appropriate and clever. The set was simple, just a framed wooden home that continually rotated around the stage. The band stayed in the house, which was great to see them on stage the whole time.

I attending Bright Star with my friend Cat, another huge theatre buff. I haven’t met too many other on my ‘level’ when it comes to musical theatre, but she’s right there with me. We both enjoyed the show so much more than either of us imagined and left with our toes tapping and humming along to what we just listened to.

The show runs through July 24, so you might not be able to catch this performance, but it’d still recommend you listen to the album. I’ve linked my favorite songs worth listening to above. What an enjoyable show and one that we both agreed – if it ever comes back to DFW, we’ll be there!

Learn more about Hallie's other favorite shows.

Let's do it!

Footloose

by hcochr21 | Jun 18, 2018 | Theatre Reviews

Title
Footloose

Theatre
Granbury Theatre House, Granbury, TX

Dates
Playing through July 15, 2018

Synopsis
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

Cast

Ren McCormack – Evan Beggs
Ethel McCormack – Connie Ingram
Rev. Shaw Moore – Tim Herndon
Vi Moore – Bentleigh Nesbit
Ariel Moore – Ashlen Loskot
Lulu Warnicker – Gale Gilbert
Wes Warnicker – Darren Clark
Coach Roger Dunbar – Charles Mason

Eleanor Dunbar – Tori Townsend
Rusty – Tasia Jewel
Urleen – Delaney Wenger
Wendy Jo – Bailey Brewer
Chuck Cranston – Riley Henderson
Lyle – Zach Zagrocki
Principal Harry – Ryan Lynch
Travis – Logan Throckmorton

Willard Hewitt – Austin Bender
Jeter – Andrew Bullard
Bickle – Cedar Valdez
Garvin – Britton Melton
Betty Blast – Gale Gilbert
Cowboy Bob – Charles Mason
Cop – Ryan Lynch
Girl 1 – Jenna McWilliams
Girl 2 – Cheyenne Shreve
Dead Bobby – Jack Snyder

Songs

“Footloose/On Any Sunday” – Ren, Shaw, Ethel, Vi, Ariel, and Company
“The Girl Gets Around” – Chuck, Travis, Lyle, Ariel
“I Can’t Stand Still” – Ren
“Somebody’s Eyes” – Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo & Company
“Learning to Be Silent” – Vi, Ethel, Ariel
“Holding Out for a Hero” – Ariel, Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo, Company
“Somebody’s Eyes (Reprise)” – Rusty, Urleen, Wendy Jo, Chuck, Lyle, Travis
“Heaven Help Me” – Shaw
“I’m Free/Heaven Help Me” – Ren, Shaw, and Company

“Entr’acte”
“Still Rockin'” – Cowboy Bob & Band
“Let’s Make Believe We’re In Love” – Irene & Band
“Let’s Hear It for the Boy” – Rusty, Company
“Can You Find it in Your Heart” – Vi
“Mama Says” – Willard, Bickle, Garvin, Jeter, Ren
“Almost Paradise” – Ren, Ariel
“Dancing Is Not A Crime” – Ren
“I Confess” – Shaw
“Can You Find it in Your Heart? (Reprise)” – Shaw
“Footloose (Finale)” – Company

Final Thoughts

This was our first time to visit the Granbury Opera House and see a show produced by the Granbury Theatre Company. This theatre is so cute and right on the square in downtown Granbury. In 2012 the theatre underwent a $3.5 million renovation and it’s gorgeous. It’s small, which is nice because there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. We bought our Saturday night tickets on Friday afternoon and were in the balcony for about $30 a ticket.

The cast is young and most are still in college. I’ve seen the professional traveling show of Footloose a few times, so know the music and know that it’s obviously very dance-heavy. I think considering the cast is so young, they did a nice job. Can you tell that they aren’t all dance majors? Yes. But does it still work? Yes.

Standouts in the cast include the star, Evan Beggs, who plays Ren McCormack. His dancing comes off as very natural. (Side note, Nathan and I have been taking dance lessons so we both have such an appreciation now for how complex dance is.) Evan’s dancing reminded me of a 90’s boy band, in a good way, which is funny because in his bio, he thanks *NSYNC, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. The two cast members who, in my opinion, really stole the show were Tasia Jewel and Austin Bender. Tasia, who played Rusty, is going into her junior year at TCU and this girl is awesome. She’s a natural dancer and moves with such ease and rhythm. Her voice is really strong and was such a pleasure to listen to. Never did she appear to be ‘acting’, rather, she came off as confident and natural. I’m looking forward to seeing other shows that she’s in. Austin, who played the hillbilly goober Willard, seems to be a great character actor. He was sweet, endearing and funny. I was apprehensive at first, hearing his redneck accent was over the top in the beginning, but it worked. By the end of the show, I was rooting for him and excited to see his character develop throughout the show.

Overall, I’d recommend you taking a night, having dinner on the square, (we tried Christina’s Bistro and really liked it), and enjoying the show. If you are a huge theatre buff, just know it’s regional theatre – it’s local, it’s endearing and it’s fun to see these young actors who are in the midst of fine tuning their craft.

Check out the Granbury cast on WFAA performing the finale here.

Just Because / Fun Facts

Because everyone loves a big finale for movie musicals, here’s the final dance in the original 1984 movie Footloose starring Kevin Bacon.

Budget: $8,200,000
Opening Weekend (Feb 19, 1984): $8,556,935
Gross: $80,035,402

The dancing feet in the opening credit sequence contained many of the cast and crew. Over 150 different pairs of feet were shot. The dancer with the gold shoes was actually Kenny Loggins.

Loosely based on events that took place in the small, rural, and extremely religious farming town of Elmore City, Oklahoma in 1978. Dancing had been banned for nearly ninety years, until a group of high school teenagers challenged it.