The overwhelming scent of assorted perfumes and folks in their Sunday best filled the St. Lawrence for Good Theater's annual production of "Broadway at Good Theater." The sold-out crowd proved lively for a matinee. Two-plus hours of Christmas carols and show tunes were received with tear-filled eyes, whistles, robust applause, and the occasional whooping and hollering.
Director Brian Allen's introduction and interjections were as entertaining as the songs — so much so we hope he considers extending his humor to a stand-up gig at the Comedy Connection.
The chiseled Broadway draw, Sean Palmer, who played Prince Eric in the Great White Way's production of The Little Mermaid, was supported by a solid ensemble of 10 local and out-of-town special guests. Every vocalist in the cast was strong in their own right and impeccably matched to the song selections.
The juxtaposition of song choice and variations of voice were so intentional that the builds and falls were undeniable. In reference to USM School of Music teacher David Goulet's soulful tenor version of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," a neighboring audience member claimed, "Only he could sing that song." The Phoenix's own Deirdre Fulton broke the ice with a playful rendition of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" that enticed Allen out of his seat to join her for a dance interlude. Particularly riveting were Ragtime's "Make Them Hear You" sung by Kelly Caufield and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" sung by Marva Pittman, back to back.
Related:
Trinity's rollicking Absurd Person Singular, Portland broadens its cuisines in 2010, Review: Good Theater's solid Moonlight and Magnolias, More 
- Trinity's rollicking Absurd Person Singular
Very strange. It's as though British playwright Alan Ayckbourn had come to Trinity Rep, studied its veteran acting company, laughed heartily at the amusing talent on display, then went home and wrote Absurd Person Singular for six of the actors.
- Portland broadens its cuisines in 2010
Portland's year in food in 2010 was marked by new ventures on the part of established players on the food scene.
- Review: Good Theater's solid Moonlight and Magnolias
A lot of folks still consider the 1939 film Gone With the Wind to be the best loved and most iconic American movie of all time — and that's the primary concern of Ron Hutchinson's Moonlight and Magnolias , a comedic romp about the monumental difficulties of making Margaret Mitchell's humongous best-seller into a decent film.
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You can tell a lot about a couple by their bedroom, says proper English matron Delia (Cathy Counts) to her husband Ernest (Bob McCormack).
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The news story of the week, of the year, of the decade — the military taking out Osama bin Laden — will lead, I predict, to a classic example of what I like to call Moon Landing Syndrome.
- Review: The Gamm's Child's Christmas in Wales
The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre is presenting Dylan Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales , always a good idea at this time of year. This expanded version of the 2003 adaptation by artistic director Tony Estrella incorporates fragments of other works by the Welsh poet, even a complete short story, and continues in a short run through December 26.
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The Providence Phoenix gives out the Best Awards at the Met on April 20, 2011. Check out the winners here .
- Bob's Karma: A little more red meat
What has befallen Republican State Representative Bob Watson — arrested for driving under the influence and caught with marijuana in his car — is not all that surprising to me.
- Stocking stuffers
So, this does, indeed, come a week after the whole "gifts" issue, but this is traditionally the week for local music suggestions.
- Ho-ho-hops!
Beer is the world's most popular alcoholic drink. Living during this current renaissance of craft beer has allowed a wide spectrum of styles and flavors to become available, making the beverage even more accessible than ever.
- Good Theater's marathon production, and other theatre highlights of 2010
In my local orbits among both actors and theater-goers, one play of 2010 continues to be regularly hailed in conversation: GOOD THEATER 's momentous production of August: Osage County , a profane and exceptionally funny foray into Middle American generational pathos.
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Topics:
New England Music News
, Holidays, Brian Allen, USM School of Music, More
, Holidays, Brian Allen, USM School of Music, Kelly Caufield, comedy Connection, Christmas songs, Christmas music, St. Lawrence Arts Center, St. Lawrence Arts Center, holiday music, Less
