{"id":24047,"date":"2019-04-13T08:14:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T12:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=24047"},"modified":"2019-04-13T08:14:43","modified_gmt":"2019-04-13T12:14:43","slug":"on-stage-anastasia-comes-to-academy-of-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=24047","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Anastasia comes to Academy of Music"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <\/span>Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Anastasia<\/p><\/div>\n

Springtime is a great time to start enjoying outdoor activities. But, with the vagaries of spring weather in this region, it\u2019s a good idea to have backup plans for your weekend activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spending time indoors watching a theatrical production is a great backup plan and this is a great time for theater options in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the top of the list is \u201cAnastasia,\u201d a hit Broadway musical that has brought its National Tour to the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/a>). The show, which is part of the Kimmel Center\u2019s Broadway Philadelphia Series, is running now through April 14.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnastasia\u201d is a musical with music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and a book by Terrence McNally. Based on the 1997 film of the same name, the musical adapts the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who might have escaped the execution of her family. Years later, an amnesiac orphan named Anya hopes to find some trace of her family by siding with two con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the Tony Award\u00ae-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this show transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnastasia\u201d ended its Broadway on March 31 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The musical opened at the Broadhurst in April 2017 and was nominated for the Drama Desk award for Best Musical, among other award nominations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Broadway production played 34 previews and 808 regular performances. A U.S. national tour launched last fall, and international productions are currently underway in Stuttgart, Germany and Madrid, Spain.<\/span><\/p>\n

With its opulent settings, dazzling costumes, and a soaring score including the song favorites from the hit animated film, \u201cJourney to the Past\u201d and \u201cOnce Upon a December,\u201d \u201cAnastasia\u201d is a spectacular musical about discovering who you are and defining who you\u2019re meant to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two of the production\u2019s major highlights are the vocal prowess of Lila Coogan, who plays Anya, and the breathtaking sets which employ innovative technology to create brilliant scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cAnastasia\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/VDDzk5mQ-64<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Academy of Music is running now through April 14. Ticket prices range from $25-$149.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Another show playing now that is somewhat unfamiliar to area audiences is \u201cCurtains,\u201d which is running now through April 20 at The Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) .<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCurtains\u201d is a comedy musical murder mystery in two acts with book by Rupert Holmes, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The original book and concept were by Peter Stone. The show features additional lyrics by John Kander and Rupert Holmes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCurtains<\/a>\u201d opened on Broadway in March 2007 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre<\/a> and closed in June 2008 after a run of 511 performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the key performers in the show at the candlelight is Donna Dougherty, who plays the role of Carmen Bernstein.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had performed the same role at The Players Club two years ago,\u201d said Dougherty, during a recent phone interview from her home in Bryn Mawr.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost people do not know this show. They do know Kander and Ebb from \u2018Chicago\u2019 and \u2018Cabaret.\u2019 I saw \u2018Curtains\u2019 on Broadway in 2007. I didn\u2019t know anything about it. I just wanted to see it because it was a new Kander and Ebb show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The musical <\/span>is a parody of 1950s \u201cWhodunnit\u201d theater mysteries, where a lone detective, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, investigates a series of murders that take place behind the scenes of a fictional \u201950s cowboy musical, \u201cRobbin\u2019 Hood of the Old West.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRobbin\u2019 Hood of the Old West,\u201d a bad Western adaptation of the Robin Hood story, is reaching its conclusion. The untalented leading lady, Jessica Cranshaw, is amess. She can\u2019t sing, act, or dance — or remember when to say her lines. To the relief of everyone, she is murdered during her opening night curtain call.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire company comes under suspicion, and Lt. Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police Department is called in to solve the homicide. Believing that the perpetrator is still in the building, he sequesters it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The suspects include the hard-bitten lady producer, Carmen Bernstein; her husband, Sidney Bernstein; the show\u2019s flamboyant director Christopher Belling; divorced songwriting team Aaron Fox and Georgia Hendricks; Stage Manager Johnny Harmon; choreographer\/leading man Bobby Pepper, ing\u00e9nue Niki Harris, and ambitious chorine Bambi Bern\u00e9t.<\/span><\/p>\n

The company utilizes its spare time while holed up in the theater to attempt to fix the show\u2019s problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Niki, Ms. Cranshaw\u2019s understudy, is passed up for the leading role in favor of Georgia, who is encouraged to take the role despite the protests of Aaron, who has fallen in love with her again. Cioffi, a theatre fan and amateur actor, becomes more involved with saving the show than solving the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cioffi finds himself falling for Niki, and she seems to return his affection, so he hopes she\u2019s not the murderer. Meanwhile, secrets are surfacing, the production numbers in \u201cRobbin\u2019 Hood\u201d are rewritten, rehearsed and rewritten again, and the body count is rising. <\/span><\/p>\n

Carmen Bernstein\u2019s role is described as \u201cBrassy Broadway producer and terrific comedic actress who sings well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dougherty plays the role to perfection as she exhibits her character\u2019s ribald language and politically incorrect attitudes \u2013 attributes that Dougherty could not do in her real life career as a suburban Philadelphia lawyer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love Kander and Ebb\u2019s style of music,\u201d said Dougherty, a Temple Law School graduate who git her undergraduate degree from Villanova University. \u201cIt\u2019s clever. This is a show-within-a-show \u2013 and a murder mystery. I liked the structure of \u2018Chicago\u2019 and the structure of \u2018Curtains.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI especially like the character I play. She has great numbers and great lines. She\u2019s got heart. She\u2019s got soul. I can relate. It\u2019s a fun role to play.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s curious why audiences like it. It demands attention from the audience. There is a lot going on all the time. You have to pay attention. It really is a well-written and well-structured show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCurtains\u201d is running now through April 20. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.) with an added matinee show on April 17. Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $63 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/span><\/p>\n

Another top-flight theater production that is running now through April 14 is taking place in downtown West Chester.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels<\/p><\/div>\n

The Resident Theatre Company is presenting \u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.rtcwc.org<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our big spring musical,\u201d said Resident Theatre Company\u2019s Marketing Director Rachel Lutcher. \u201cThe production features a mix of Broadway talent like choreographer Dann Dunn along with Philadelphia area actors.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RTC has welcomed back two of the lead actors from the blockbuster hit that opened the company in 2017, \u201cMonty Python\u2019s Spamalot.\u201d Mark Woodard, who played King Arthur, returns as the suave ladies\u2019 man, Lawrence Jameson. Lukas Poost, Sir Robin in \u201cSpamalot,\u201d plays the part of Freddy Benson, who more humbly swindles women by exploiting their compassionate side.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bailey Seeker, who plays the role of Christine Colgate, is an RTC alumna \u201cBullets Over Broadway\u201d last spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cast also features Lawrence\u2019s quirky French assistant Andre Thibault\u00a0played by Jonathan Hadley who appeared on Broadway in Jersey Boys. Sarah Solie, who plays the role of Muriel Eubanks, an attractive American socialite, has performed on Broadway in \u201cSouth Pacific,\u201d \u201cMary Poppins,\u201d \u201cCats,\u201d \u201cBeauty and the Beast\u201d and \u201cAnnie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jolene Oakes, an overbearing heiress from Oklahoma, is played by Australia native, Philippa Lynas, whose credits include Carnegie Hall and the UK National Symphony. The cast is completed by an ensemble of professional actors — Dana Orange, Nick Abbott, Dorian O’Brien, Josh Schwartz, Lily Myers, Alyssa Arcangeli, and Michelle Lemon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kristin McLaughlin Mitchell, RTC\u2019s Founding Artistic Director, is the director; Dunn, who was last seen at RTC creating the choreography for \u201cEvita\u201d and \u201cBullets Over Broadway,\u201d is the choreographer and Mike Pacifico is the Music Director.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to McLaughlin Mitchell, \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to be working with this talented cast and bringing one of my favorite movies to life on the stage. The music for this show adds so much, and I think RTC audiences will be excited to see all the surprises we have in store for the big finale of our second season.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When audiences watch \u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels,\u201d they fall into three categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are those who have seen the film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, those who have never seen the film and are unfamiliar with the story, and those who have seen the musical (which isn\u2019t very likely because it only went out once on a brief national tour).<\/span><\/p>\n

One thing is common to all three groups watching the musical comedy — they will laugh\u2026actually, they will laugh a lot. The show is funny, and the humorous activity never stops.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d is a 2004 comedy musical, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane. It is based on the 1988 film of the same name. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005<\/span><\/p>\n

It is the story of two men competing to swindle an American heiress out of $50,000. Caine plays the educated and suave British con man Lawrence Jameson, who stages elaborate ruses to acquire the wealth of rich women, so he can spend it on culture and a lavish lifestyle. Martin plays his less-refined American rival, Freddy Benson, a small-time trickster on the hunt for free meals and twenty-dollar bills. It takes place in the French Riviera.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our last show of the 2018-2019 season,\u201d said Lutcher. \u201cWe kick off the session in October. I\u2019m proud that we\u2019re entering our third season. We\u2019re going full speed into it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDirty Rotten Scoundrels\u201d is running now through April 14 at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester. Ticket prices range from $25-$56.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Now through April 14, \u201cHow To Catch Creation\u201d will be performed by Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, philadelphiatheatrecompany.org<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

From the acclaimed \u201cKilroy\u2019s List,\u201d a gender parity initiative to increase representation for women and trans playwrights, \u201cHow to Catch Creation\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0Christina Anderson\u2019s stunning play that takes place in San Francisco and follows four artists and who are struggling to nurture creative impulses and establish a legacy in both their professional and personal lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

When one discovers the works of a black queer feminist writer from a bygone era,\u00a0their lives\u00a0begin to intersect in unexpected ways.\u00a0In this bold, imaginative play, Anderson dissects the universal act of creation\u2014creation of life, of family, of art\u2014to inspire the dreamers and idealists in us all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started working on the play in 2014,\u201d said Anderson, during a recent phone interview from Providence where she is the interim Head of Playwriting at Brown University.
\n\u201cIt started out as a commission for ACT at the Strand on Market Street in San Francisco. A couple doors down, there was an empty spot with sign \u2013 \u2018high rise coming.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the early stages when the tech companies were pushing brown people out of San Francisco and Oakland. It was around the first time I met a black man who identified as a feminist.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the play, a\u00a0man who was wrongly incarcerated for 25 years is unable to go to his mother\u2019s funeral and now has trouble adapting.\u00a0 He is forced to engage with the same system that put him in prison when he tries to get approved to adopt a child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another character is ambivalent about her relationship, even while subsuming her own needs to try and make it work…another is in a relationship with a writer, and we see what happens when that person feels she takes second place to her partner\u2019s work. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to Anderson, \u201cI had a year-long residency at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. It was my first time living on the West Coast. I met so many wonderful and progressive black folks living beautiful and dynamic lives, so I knew I wanted to capture a similar energy in a theatre piece someday. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmerican Conservatory Theatre gave me a commission to write a play about the Civic Center neighborhood surrounding their secondary theater space. This commission sparked the idea that would become \u2018How to Catch Creation.\u2019 The vibe and essence I experienced in The Bay inspired this piece, but ultimately the geography is unique to this story.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started with a character named Griffin. He is a man who was recently exonerated after serving 25 years of a 75-yer sentence. We meet him a year after he was released.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cParenting and fatherhood were some of the things taken away from him in prison. After he gets out, he wants to be a father and continue his legacy. Griffin is the character who opens the play.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The show is directed by Nataki Garrett and the cast features Tiffani Barbour, Jonathan Bangs, Shauna Miles, Shayna Small, Lindsay Smiling, and Stephanie Weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow to Catch Creation\u201d is running now through April 14 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Ticket prices range from $10-$69.<\/span><\/p>\n

On April 14, there will be another show in the area that is not a musical but has some of the elements of a hit musical \u2013 great music and strong storytelling.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show is a concert by Livingston Taylor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Livingston Taylor<\/p><\/div>\n

On Sunday night, Taylor will make an infrequent area appearance with a concert at Delaware Valley University (Life Sciences Building, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/an-evening-with-livingston-taylor-tickets-57722214698<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn my live shows, I do speak about the songs \u2013 who wrote them\u2026why they wrote them,\u201d said Taylor, during a phone interview Thursday morning from his home in Watertown, Massachusetts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always about the idea of making a song \u2013 making an experience. I speak about myself \u2013 but only in reference to the music not me. A life well-lived is boring.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of 13, which began a 50-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting, and teaching. Born in Boston and raised in North Carolina, Livingston is the fourth child in a very musical family that includes Alex, James, Kate, and Hugh. Livingston recorded his first record at the age of 18 and has continued to create well crafted, introspective, and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really like to play and see my music brought to people,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cIt\u2019s my 50th anniversary of making a living by playing music. There is a very big difference between being a good professional and an amateur.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy first show when I knew my music worked was when I was opening for Joni Mitchell at Boston University in 1969. I was third on the bill behind Joni and Jaime Brockett. Jaime had played and the audience was anxious to hear Joni. In my 20 minutes, I was able to win the audience over. The only thing in my mind was that this works. This was before I started recording. I was writing a lot of songs and testing them to see if it works.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A half-century later, it\u2019s obvious that it has worked.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Top 40 hits \u201cI Will Be in Love with You\u201d and \u201cI\u2019ll Come Running,\u201d to \u201cI Can Dream of You\u201d and \u201cBoatman,\u201d the last two recorded by his brother James, Taylor\u2019s creative output has continued unabated. His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres — folk, pop, gospel, jazz — and from upbeat storytelling and <\/span>touching ballads to full orchestra performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taylor is a natural performer, peppering his shows with personal stories, anecdotes and ineffable warmth that connect him to his fans. His relaxed on-stage presence belies the depth of his musical knowledge, and fans might just as often be treated to a classic Gershwin or something from the best of Broadway.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taylor is a full professor at Berklee College of Music, where he has taught a Stage Performance course since 1989. He teaches young artists invaluable lessons learned over the course of an extensive career on the road. His high-selling book, \u201cStage Performance,\u201d which was released in 2011, offers those lessons to anyone who is interested in elevating their presentation standards to professional standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still teach at Berklee one day a week,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cAnd, I\u2019m still playing a lot. I do 60-70 shows a year. Usually, it\u2019s just myself on guitar and piano. Occasionally, I\u2019ll bring students on stage with me like John Myer or Liz Longley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Longley is a highly-successful Nashville-based singer\/songwriter\/performer who graduated from Downingtown High and Berklee College of Music.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taylor has stayed busy with music all these \u2013 performing a fair amount but not recording much.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t been in the studio for about a year,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cI don\u2019t think that much about recording until all of a sudden it\u2019s the only thing I think about. It\u2019s like giving birth to a child. I generally wait for the muse to come for my songwriting. But, I always have a pencil and paper with me in case I get inspiration from something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Livingston Taylor \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/HKlam3eXSSY<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Delaware Valley University will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$45.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Springtime is a great time to start enjoying outdoor activities. But, with the vagaries of spring weather in this region, it\u2019s a good idea to have backup plans for your weekend activity. Spending time indoors watching a theatrical production is a great backup plan and this is a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5166],"tags":[8762,8763,7505,3912,8764,6360],"class_list":["post-24047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-anastasia","tag-curtains","tag-dirty-rotten-scoundrels","tag-featured","tag-how-to-catch-creation","tag-livingston-taylor"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24047"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24048,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24047\/revisions\/24048"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}