2012–2013 Season
Le Cabaret Grimm—A Punk Cabaret Fairy Tale {sans fairies}
The Brothers Grimm offer the perfect source material for Cabaret, especially the episodic structure of the Lark story from Household Tales. This Liars & Believers production from Boston features an earnest ensemble cast, beautiful choreography (Michelle Chassé), imaginative masks (Eric Bornstein) and inventive puppets (Tyler Brown & Alexandra Caporale). The sweet fairy tale of Princess Stephanie (Ashley Lanyon) and the Lion Prince (Bart Mather) enchants. But the edginess in this Cabaret comes less from political or social satire and more from the ‘grotesques’ that irritate rather than illuminate. Meryn Beckett plays Harold the Herald with brassy gusto in a couple of fantastic scenes. Haley Selmon stands out as Veronique the chanteuse as she serves up the gallows humor with relish and holds the show together with a fun and flirty command. Her Chanson becomes the comedic highlight of the show!
ZAPATA! The Musical
Ana and Peter Edwards have written a powerful and moving script that illustrates the savage realities of violent revolution through the tragic love story of Emiliano Zapata and his wife Josefa. Andrew Call plays passionate Tom, the angry young man from Occupy Wall Street seeking to avenge his father who was destroyed by the greed of Wall Street. In his dream of Zapata's life, he plays Eufemio, the general’s hot-head brother whose righteous zeal mutates into macho brutality after years of war. Enrique Acevado’s earnest performance evokes Zapata’s noble humanity as his quest for justice leads to pain and suffering for everything he loves. As Josefa, Maria Eberline’s lovely voice and grace make the outrages she experiences visceral and immediate. Natalie Toro sings with the strength of a thousand women—that profound strength only mothers possess—as she gives voice to Josefa’s mother, Señora Espejo. This is a spectacular and expertly crafted show that absolutely commanded my attention and my heart. The sublime music, rousing dance and ensemble cast all contribute to an inspiring and timely musical that reminds us why non-violent resistance to tyranny matters so much.
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