Sean Fallon - Page 5

I had the pleasure of seeing CABARET as put on by Fairfield Center Stage, at the Trevi Lounge in Fairfield, CT.  Fairfield Center Stage has yet again put on a well known production in a brilliantly unique way that audiences would not get to experience anywhere else.  Fairfield Center Stage gets the perfect cast for the roles, and furthermore finds the perfect venue for each production, to provide the ambiance appropriate to the show.  The Trevi Lounge creates a wonderful intimate atmosphere for the cabaret show within the CABARET show. 

On Friday, September 6, I had the pleasure of seeing Neil Simon's comedy LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT.  This amazing cast, under director Michael Ferrara manages to successfully maximize every line and motion.  Whether the line or movement needs to be emphasized or whether it is more comedic if delivered casually, everything they do works!

On Friday, August 30, 2019, I had the pleasure of seeing the musical comedy NUNSENSE at the Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT.  With book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin, this show provides entertainment enjoyed by the audience from start to finish.  Director and choreographer Teri Gibson brings out the best in this talented cast of five actresses.

On Friday, August 23, I had the pleasure of seeing the A.R. Gurney comedy SYLVIA at the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin, CT.  Director Kris McMurray has yet again found an excellent play to produce, and the perfect cast to perform the characters.   The highly entertained packed house at this opening night of Connecticut Cabaret Theatre's first show of its 22nd year reflects the consistency of first rate shows that audiences have come to expect at the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre.  

On Saturday, August 10, I had the pleasure of seeing JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT spectacularly performed by a talented cast at the Sharon Playhouse, in Sharon, CT.  Marking the fiftieth anniversary of this very first musical collaboration between songwriter Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, this show remains entertaining to audiences across multiple generations.

On Friday, August 9, I had the pleasure of seeing the inaugural production of Downtown Cabaret Theatre's Decades in Concert series, which is THE SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES. This approximate two hour performance includes nearly fifty different songs, performed by four extremely talented cast members. Mikayla Petrilla, Saige Bryan, Robert Peterpaul, and Everton Ricketts all have incredible voices, strong stage presences, tremendous acting skills, tight stage chemistry with each other, and a positive attitude of genuinely enjoying their performance, radiating positive energy all throughout this packed house! The choreography by Jennifer Kaye helps highlight the excellent dancing and synchronization skills from this first rate cast.

On Saturday, July 27, I had the pleasure of seeing the Castle Craig Players production of the musical GYPSY at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT.  This tale, based on a true story, has book written by Arthur Laurents, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.  Ian Galligan provides spectacular direction to this phenomenal cast, with the help of Chris Coffey as musical director and conductor of the talented live six piece band, and Erin Coffey as choreographer.

On Friday, July 26, I had the pleasure of seeing the musical comedy SHREK, THE MUSICAL, as put on by Musicals at Richter in Danbury, CT.  Directed by Lindsay O'Neil, this talented cast brings these characters to life! The outdoor venue on the grounds of the Richter House Arts Center is perfect for this show. I highly recommend this show!

I witnessed the best stage effects I have ever seen anywhere (including Broadway), when  on Saturday, July 20, I had the pleasure of seeing BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Sharon Playhouse, in Sharon, CT!   While this story is likely familiar to most people, the Sharon Playhouse grips the audience right from the start, not merely by elevating the Enchantress into the air, but by having the Young Prince transformed into the Beast, on stage, in front of the whole audience, in a manner of seconds, with effective use of strobe lights, a successful undertaking of a greater magnitude than what people can expect in a typical magic show, much less a musical!  Without providing any spoilers, for those of you familiar with how the story ends, that happens on stage too, right before our eyes, with effective use of strobe lights.  Lighting Designer Jamie Roderick deserves a lot of credit for working what appears like magic, on the stage.  Every show I have seen at Sharon Playhouse has been wonderful, but this is the best!

On Thursday, July 18, I had the pleasure of seeing America's East Coast Premiere of BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, as put on by Thrown Stone, at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, in Ridgefield, CT.  This play, written by Anna Moench, is yet another brilliant selection by Thrown Stone, bringing a meaningful show to a new audience.   Under the phenomenal direction of Jason Peck, this highly talented two person cast of J.R. Sullivan and Melisa Breiner-Sanders who portray father and daughter, respectively, have such an excellent stage chemistry with each other that, combined with the intimate setting of the venue makes it easy for the audience to forget that we are watching a show, and not eye-witnessing a real father and daughter interacting.  

On Thursday, July 11, I had the pleasure of seeing the Connecticut debut of Molly Smith Metzler's emotionally intense dark comedy CRY IT OUT, as put on by Thrown Stone at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance in Ridgefield, CT.  Thrown Stone is yet again masterfully performing a production that immediately grips the attention of the audience, stimulates the mind, touches the emotions, and captivates us with the story line, drawing us right in, in such an intimate setting that it makes us feel as if we are eyewitnesses to actual events. 

On Saturday, June 29, I had the pleasure of seeing another first-rate production at the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin, CT, CALENDAR GIRLS. Based on a true story, this comedy is written by Tim Firth. As director, Kris McMurray continues to bring out the best in this stellar cast that includes many familiar faces within Connecticut Cabaret Theatre.

On Friday, June 28, I had the pleasure of seeing the farcical Monty Python musical SPAMALOT performed outdoors by Musicals at Richter, on the grounds of the Richter House, next to the Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, CT. I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience with Musicals at Richter. I am very impressed at the high level of talent that they have assembled together to perform what is truly a wonderful production for all in attendance, and all on stage. The show is brilliantly directed by Shannon Courtney Denihan with musical direction by Tracey Marble and Claire Simard.

On Thursday, June 27, I had the pleasure of seeing another Fairfield Center Stage masterpiece, BARNUM in a spectacular manner that I have never seen it before, outdoors, outside the Fairfield Museum and History Center. The performers are so talented that the show comes across as a brilliant combination between a theatrical stage production and a circus. This is consistent with Fairfield Center Stage's innovative ventures of bringing special uniqueness to each show, in this case, presenting the dramatized life of P.T. Barnum (with much poetic license) in a way that makes the audience feel as if they are at 'the greatest show on Earth.'

On Saturday, June 22, I had the pleasure of seeing a phenomenal performance of CRAZY FOR YOU, the musical, at the Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT. With book by Ken Ludwig, music by George Gershwin, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin this musical romantic comedy kept the audience entertained from start to finish1 With amazing acting, singing, dancing, musicianship, and a detailed mobile set, who could ask for anything more?

On Friday, June 7, I had the pleasure of seeing ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT.  This brilliantly written and phenomenally performed dark drama is based on the novel by Ken Kesey and adapted for the stage by Dale Wasserman.  Director Kevin Sosbe brings the best out in this strong cast of actors and actresses whose talents blend together well, creating a show that excels in generating intense feeling and emotion from the captivated audience. 

With an excellent cast, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is highly entertaining, at ACT of Connecticut, in Ridgefield, CT. This show has the audience laughing throughout, while finding ways to inject strong messages of truth among the musical comedy. If you want to spell a wonderful time, come see the show!

I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE is an excellent show that takes a comedic look at male/female dynamics among singles and among married people. The stellar cast of Jon Escobar, Nick D'Angelo, Kristin Iovene, and Cristin Marshall all play multiple roles, all in which all four of them excel. I highly recommend this show for single and married adults. The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in BErlin, CT has yet again presented a first-rate show.

LEND ME A TENOR is brilliantly performed by The Castle Craig Players! I highly recommend this comedy that features a very talented cast!

I believe that I can say with confidence that Fairfield Center Stage puts THE SECRET GARDEN on in such a manner that Broadway would never be able to compete with!  This show is a brilliant continuation of Fairfield Center Stage's consistent remarkable ability to bring familiar things to an audience in the best way we have ever seen!  Fairfield Center Stage goes that extra mile to bring fantasy production undertakings to reality that they successfully pull off.  On Friday, May 10, I had the pleasure of seeing the opening night performance at the Pequot Library in Fairfield, CT.