Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Seussical is one musical not to be missed
Written by Linnea Donnelly
November 26, 2010
BHS production is clever and colorful
Barnstable High School’s Seussical the Musical brings life and color to the Cape Cod theatre scene. Director John Sullivan never ceases to amaze his audiences.
The storyline tells of two very unusual thinkers, Horton the Elephant and the young JoJo. Both find themselves listening to their thinks, which gets them into a bit of a pickle.
Horton, so pure of heart, finds it impossible to say no when Mayzie La Bird asks him to sit on her egg while she takes a break. Sadly, he is blind-sighted to the bird that is right in front of his eyes the entire time, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, the bird with the one-feathered tail. While keeping Mayzie’s egg safe, Horton discovers the “tiniest planet in the sky,” otherwise known as Who. The planet of Who is suffering due to its size. Horton is just “an elephant trying to save a small world.”
This production features other famous Dr. Seuss stories and characters introduced by the narrator, the famous Cat in the Hat. The Barnstable High School Drama Club represents the works of the unforgettable author in an energetic and colorful depiction.
As the play opens, the curious JoJo, played by Bobby Fitzgerald, whose singing voice makes the audience feel that they are sitting in a Broadway theater as opposed to a high school auditorium, is introduced to the Cat in the Hat, played by Jeremy Peacock. Peacock is meant to play the Cat in the Hat. His agility and comedic timing allow him to portray the many masquerades the Cat puts on as the story proceeds. Peacock is unforgettable in his role.
Horton the Elephant is played by Tommy Myers. Myers’ deep voice helps him portray the empathy of the elephant with his beautiful ballads and duets, such as “Alone in the Universe” and “Solla Sollew.”
The birds of this show each have extremely different personalities. Mayzie La Bird, played by Sara Cannistraro, is a sassy girl who just wants to have some fun. Cannistraro brings a vivacious spunk to the stage in her songs and dance numbers. Gertrude McFuzz, played by Catherine Macallister, is the shy little girl-next-door who gains a good dose of gumption by the end of the play. Macallister develops the character perfectly; her beautiful and versatile voice makes Gertrude truly loveable.
Other principal characters include the Sour Kangaroo, played by Ali Rockwell, who doubts Horton’s sanity with her feisty attitude. The Mayor of Whoville (Travis Manni) and His Wife (played by Kara Felegian) are nervous parents wanting only the best for their son JoJo, and not always sure how to get it. When performing musical numbers together they emulate their characters to a tee, decked out all in yellow and nervously clinging to each other.
The chorus of Bird Girls acts as the background vocals and storytellers of the play along with the Cat in the Hat. All of the girls dazzle onstage as they help to seamlessly intertwine the story lines. The Wickersham Brothers fill up the stage with energy and acrobatics when they “monkey around.”
With musical direction by Michael Gross and the accompaniment of Carolyn Kunze on piano and the orchestra pit, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s collaboration resounds throughout the 1,460-seat auditorium.
All costumes were designed under the direction of the creative Karen Mannal. Mannal and her crew planned out ever stitch, detail, and choice of fabric to help the audience escape into a completely different land.
John Sullivan’s design helps bring every story within the play to life. The rolling sets are so intricate and detailed that the audience practically feels as if they were in a Dr. Seuss book.
Seussical the Musical can be seen Nov. 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Barnstable High School Performing Arts Center at 744 West Main St., Hyannis. General admission is $10. Call 508-771-6246 for reservations or further information.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Thank You Siobhan!
Thank you Siobhan for sharing your talent with the world. We all knew someday people would "discover" the talents we always saw in you while you were here. Best of luck and I hope the world beats a path to your door! You certainly deserve it.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Send Siobhan letters and cards of support!
American Idol
attn: Siobhan Magnus
CBS Studios, stage 36, 3rd floor
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Suite 251
Los Angeles, CA 90036
attn: Siobhan Magnus
CBS Studios, stage 36, 3rd floor
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Suite 251
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Friday, March 26, 2010
REVIEW: Fall in love with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Fall in love with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Written by Kathleen Szmit
Barnstable Drama Club delights with spring show
Once upon a time there was a handsome, but spoiled young prince who was put under a spell by an enchantress looking to teach the lad a lesson.
Because she felt he had no love in his heart, she turned him into a hideous beast, giving him until his 24th birthday to find someone to love who would also love him back. Should he not, he would remain a beast forever. To symbolize his fate he was given a magic rose that would bloom until that time, at which point the last petal would fall.
So begins the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, in which a cursed Beast finds true love with the bookish young maiden named Belle.
Made popular by a 1990s Disney movie, the story has again come to life in magical splendor on the stage of the Performing Arts Center at Barnstable High School.
Rumored to be BHS Drama Club director John Sullivan’s last “big show,” Beauty spares no detail in this lively retelling, complete with dancing dishware, marvelous melodies, and a wonderfully happy ending.
Once again Sullivan has divvied up the roles between numerous actors and actresses, with Kat Lovett and Seth Garcia stepping impressively into the title roles on opening night (March 19).
Lovett brings a refreshing believability to the part of Belle, a young woman more interested in the books she pores over obsessively than in life in her provincial European town, while Garcia is splendid as the Beast, nicely conveying the struggle of a once-human prince now trapped, perhaps forever, in an unrecognizable form.
Will Belle save him, or will she fall prey to the overconfident, overblown Gaston, well played by Tom Myers, who is obviously enjoying a role in which he gets to ham it up greatly.
Not if those also under the enchantress’s spell have anything to do with it, particularly Cogsworth (a talking clock) and Lumiere (an animated candlestick). As Cogsworth Travis Manni is quite funny, while Sean Potter seems destined for the part of the ebullient Lumiere, playing it up masterfully.
Andrew Harmon is the perfect comic foil for Gaston, taking more than a few lumps while literally falling all over the stage, and Derek Rockwell is absolutely adorable as Chip, a little boy transformed into a teacup.
Perhaps the most surprising star turn, though, comes from Matheus Fiuza, who plays Maurice. With fantastic makeup and an engaging air, Fiuza fully embodies the part of Belle’s well meaning but befuddled father. His makeup is so well done, as is his acting, that one might not realize it’s a high school student on the stage.
Look for Johanna Regan and Danielle Parkka to take over the role of Belle during other performances, while Jeremy Peacock will become the Beast. Rumor also has it that Charlie Ferguson turns out a most hilarious Cogsworth, snooty British accent included.
It wouldn’t be a BHSDC production if there weren’t stunning visual effects, and in this case the show does not disappoint. The sets, built by a host of talented club members, are spectacular, complete with rustic castle walls, balconies, and twinkling stars, all of which is greatly enhanced by nicely done lighting.
Also deserving highest praise are those who created the myriad costumes in the show. From the furry Beast, to the dancing dinnerware that takes the stage during the sensational “Be Our Guest” performance, the costumes are fantastic and quite creative.
While there were a few sound glitches on opening night, they weren’t enough to overshadow what was, ultimately, a hugely entertaining experience.
It is clear from the passion and intensity that the students involved in the show take their work seriously, making this show a must-see.
After all, who doesn’t love a happy ending? Just make sure to get there before the last petal falls.
Written by Kathleen Szmit
Barnstable Drama Club delights with spring show
Once upon a time there was a handsome, but spoiled young prince who was put under a spell by an enchantress looking to teach the lad a lesson.
Because she felt he had no love in his heart, she turned him into a hideous beast, giving him until his 24th birthday to find someone to love who would also love him back. Should he not, he would remain a beast forever. To symbolize his fate he was given a magic rose that would bloom until that time, at which point the last petal would fall.
So begins the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, in which a cursed Beast finds true love with the bookish young maiden named Belle.
Made popular by a 1990s Disney movie, the story has again come to life in magical splendor on the stage of the Performing Arts Center at Barnstable High School.
Rumored to be BHS Drama Club director John Sullivan’s last “big show,” Beauty spares no detail in this lively retelling, complete with dancing dishware, marvelous melodies, and a wonderfully happy ending.
Once again Sullivan has divvied up the roles between numerous actors and actresses, with Kat Lovett and Seth Garcia stepping impressively into the title roles on opening night (March 19).
Lovett brings a refreshing believability to the part of Belle, a young woman more interested in the books she pores over obsessively than in life in her provincial European town, while Garcia is splendid as the Beast, nicely conveying the struggle of a once-human prince now trapped, perhaps forever, in an unrecognizable form.
Will Belle save him, or will she fall prey to the overconfident, overblown Gaston, well played by Tom Myers, who is obviously enjoying a role in which he gets to ham it up greatly.
Not if those also under the enchantress’s spell have anything to do with it, particularly Cogsworth (a talking clock) and Lumiere (an animated candlestick). As Cogsworth Travis Manni is quite funny, while Sean Potter seems destined for the part of the ebullient Lumiere, playing it up masterfully.
Andrew Harmon is the perfect comic foil for Gaston, taking more than a few lumps while literally falling all over the stage, and Derek Rockwell is absolutely adorable as Chip, a little boy transformed into a teacup.
Perhaps the most surprising star turn, though, comes from Matheus Fiuza, who plays Maurice. With fantastic makeup and an engaging air, Fiuza fully embodies the part of Belle’s well meaning but befuddled father. His makeup is so well done, as is his acting, that one might not realize it’s a high school student on the stage.
Look for Johanna Regan and Danielle Parkka to take over the role of Belle during other performances, while Jeremy Peacock will become the Beast. Rumor also has it that Charlie Ferguson turns out a most hilarious Cogsworth, snooty British accent included.
It wouldn’t be a BHSDC production if there weren’t stunning visual effects, and in this case the show does not disappoint. The sets, built by a host of talented club members, are spectacular, complete with rustic castle walls, balconies, and twinkling stars, all of which is greatly enhanced by nicely done lighting.
Also deserving highest praise are those who created the myriad costumes in the show. From the furry Beast, to the dancing dinnerware that takes the stage during the sensational “Be Our Guest” performance, the costumes are fantastic and quite creative.
While there were a few sound glitches on opening night, they weren’t enough to overshadow what was, ultimately, a hugely entertaining experience.
It is clear from the passion and intensity that the students involved in the show take their work seriously, making this show a must-see.
After all, who doesn’t love a happy ending? Just make sure to get there before the last petal falls.
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