Sean Fallon - Page 3

On Friday, April 1, I had the pleasure of seeing the ACT of CT’s unique adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.  This 1971 musical that is primarily told through music with lyrics by Tim Rice has been redesigned and reinterpreted by the director, Daniel C. Levine who has incorporated elements of The Handmaid’s Tale into this adaptation. 

Every year, one of my favorite annual theater traditions is seeing the evening of one acts at the Ridgefield Theater Barn, in Ridgefield, CT.  I had the pleasure of continuing that wonderful tradition on Friday, March 18, with AN EVENING OF ONE ACTS 2022 which continues with the consistent first-rate shows and performances I have come to expect and enjoy every year.  This show contains seven one acts, mostly with a comedic tone.

On Saturday, February 12, I had the pleasure of seeing THE DIVAS at the Ridgefield Theater Barn, in Ridgefield, CT.  This story, written by Jack Neary, is a comedic series of seven different one act plays that depict the lives of fictional divas Bethel and Clarice, two middle-aged stage actresses whose dynamics with each other define the term “frenemies,” as they are constantly competing for the same roles, in auditions, yet continue to interact with each other.  Directed by Michael Ferrara and Paulette Layton, this talented cast features Nancy Sinacori as Bethel and Deborah Connelly as Clarice, both of whom truly bring their characters to life!

On Saturday, February 12, at noon, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another Phill Hill masterpiece, at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, in Bridgeport, CT, a musical adaptation of the classic story of RAPUNZEL.  This is the story of a princess who is trapped by an enchantress, high up in a castle, waiting for her unknown male hero to rescue her.  This adaptation also contains elements of another legendary story involving a sword and a stone.   Phill Hill writes in a comedic manner that simultaneously entertains adults and children, while giving the entire cast fun roles to portray.

On Thursday, January 20, I had the pleasure of seeing a phenomenal show that I have been waiting to see for about two years!   It was well worth the wait!  The ACT of Connecticut has struck gold with NICKEL MINES, an emotionally intense musical based on the true story of an Amish school shooting, perpetrated by an outsider, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on October 2, 2006.  The use of song, interpretive dance, and dialogue are all combined to tell the story.  It is not presented in a strict linear time sequence, yet it somehow brilliantly flows together in an ideal way, parts of the story taking place in 2011.   With book by Shannon Stoeke and Andrew Palermo, and music & lyrics by Dan Dyer, this show which is also directed and choreographed by Andrew Palermo stars an extremely talented ensemble cast, backed by an amazing live band.  The depth, power, messages, and entertainment value of this production are all so strong that it is difficult to put them into words.  Not only was I highly entertained, but by God’s grace, I feel like I left the show a better person than who I was when I entered, more focused on my own need to forgive others.

On Wednesday, December 15, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my absolute favorite annual shows, A CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPERIENCE, as put on by Fairfield Center Stage.  This annual production is easily the show that I talk up the most frequently during the year, every year.  While in the past, it has been at the Burr Mansion, and was virtually performed last year, this year, it is at a new venue, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which Fairfield Center Stage has also made perfectly fit this show!  Fairfield Center Stage has successfully repeated the groundbreaking excellence that I experienced for the first time back on December 22 of 2018, and have subsequently enjoyed every year since then! 

Two weeks before Christmas my wife and I’d go To Meriden to see a phenomenal show The Castle Craig Players have done it again At the Memorial Playhouse of Almira F. Stephan A first rate performance we highly enjoyed With Dr. Seuss characters this show has toyed

On Saturday, December 4th, at 12:00 P.M., I had the pleasure of seeing yet another Phill Hill written masterpiece, THE SANTA STORY, at Downtown Cabaret Theatre, in Bridgeport, CT.   Phill Hill has incredible writing talent in putting new spins on traditional children’s tales, while his creative genius particularly shines on shows like this that contain original storylines.  Directed by Frank Root and choreographed by Cassie Carroll, this talented cast of five performs a comedy with a family friendly vibe for the younger audience members, while simultaneously keeping an adult audience entertained through one-liners, familiar cultural references, and clean double entendres. 

On Saturday, October 16, I had the pleasure of returning to the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT, to see the Castle Craig Players’ performance of STEEL MAGNOLIAS by Robert Harling.  Under the superb direction of Pam Amodio, this stellar cast provides what is both a humorous and emotionally moving experience for the audience.  Yet again, the Castle Craig Players have performed a phenomenal show!

On Friday, October 15, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another phenomenal production by Fairfield Center Stage, an innovative theatre company that continues to go that extra mile to bring the audience fresh new experiences with familiar shows that Fairfield Center Stage brings to life in positive ways that the audience has never seen before.  Here we go, again, with MAMMA MIA!, which is written by Catherine Johnson, based on the Swedish group Abba’s songs that were written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.  Performed outdoors on the back lawn of the Scandinavian Club, in Fairfield, CT, the venue fits the show perfectly!  With the help of the strong skills of choreographer Kelsey Kaminski, executive producer Eli Newsom and artistic director Christy McIntosh-Newsom bring out the best in this outstanding cast of talented actors and actresses who have tremendous stage chemistry with each other.  The cast members all shine forth with positive energy that radiates outwards through the audience, creating a positive vibe that enhances the audience’s enjoyment of this production, seeing how much the performers are clearly enjoying their roles.

On Friday, October 1, 2021, I had the pleasure of returning to the ACT of CT in Ridgefield, CT, to see yet another amazing performance, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, a phenomenal show featuring the legendary music of songwriting team Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who were the writers of many of the greatest rock n’ roll songs of the 1950s, songs that to this day remain among the greatest of all-time.  The excellent direction and choreography of Stephanie Pope Lofgren enhances the quality of this production starring an extremely talented cast the includes Albert Guerzon, Arnold Harper II, Avionce Hoyles, Jordan Fife Hunt, Keyonna Knight, Courtney Long, Kelly MacMillan, and Juson Williams.  Whether collaborating in full ensemble numbers, harmonizing in smaller groups, or performing solo, every cast member truly shines in this production, through singing and dancing.  They furthermore have excellent stage chemistry with each other, both in terms of their synchronized dancing and harmonized singing.

On Friday, September 10, I had the pleasure of seeing THE SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES, reprised at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. This approximate two hour performance includes nearly fifty different songs, performed by the extremely talented four original 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 the audience!

On Saturday, August 28, 2021, I saw THE SUBURBS, a three segment show, each segment written by a different writer, including Catherine Yu, Tony Meneses, and Phanésia Pharel, respectively. All three stories are directed by Kholoud Sawaf.  With THE SUBURBS, Thrown Stone has presented a world premiere, which furthermore is a roving production set in three different venues, which in sequence include Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, and West Lane Inn. 

On Saturday, July 24th, I had the pleasure of returning to Musicals at Richter, in Danbury, to see the absolute greatest performance of GODSPELL that I have ever seen! This musical allows creativity and originality to every theater group that performs it.  Musicals at Richter maximizes this freedom with numerous comedic references to a myriad of musicals, movies, television shows, and songs!

On Friday, July 23rd, I had the pleasure of seeing live theatre from the Castle Craig Players, again, their first live show since March of 2020!  Performing outdoors at the Hubbard Park Bandshell, in Meriden, CT, the Castle Craig Players return to live performances, right where they left off, with yet another phenomenal first-rate production, the family friendly 1967 classic musical, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. After seeing this show as presented live by the Castle Craig Players, it has now become one of my absolute favorite musicals!

On Thursday, June 24, I thoroughly enjoyed Rogers and Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC, performed by Fairfield Center Stage, under the open summer skies on a beautiful Fairfield evening, at Fairfield Museum Commons.  I always look forward to Fairfield Center Stage productions, because they take innovative and creative risks that always manage to pay off for them!  They consistently provide a unique set that is perfectly suited to whatever show they are performing, giving the audience a true experience that goes beyond merely showing us the setting; it draws us right into it, as if we are there!  In this case, the hills are truly alive, because we, as the audience, sit on the outdoor land upon which Maria sings “The Sound of Music,” while making her entrance, through the audience.  Betzabeth Castro is phenomenal in the role of Maria, right from the start, showing true enjoyment in her singing, truly selling every note, and every line, with a powerful singing voice and stage presence. 

JUST DESSERTS brings top talent to the Legacy Theatre, giving people yet another reason to visit the lovely town of Stony Creek, CT. This original musical keeps the audience entertained from start to finish with intrigue and suspense as to who will win a baking contest and whether it will be won with integrity. Will the characters get their just desserts? Come to the show to find out!

One of my favorite annual theater traditions is attending AN EVENING OF ONE ACTS at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield, CT, always an amazing time with great comedy!  It was such a pleasure experiencing the 2021 AN EVENING OF ONE ACTS, on Friday, June 18.  I greatly enjoy the consistent high quality entertainment that the Ridgefield Theater Barn brings with these unique original one act stories!

During the pandemic, I have greatly missed the consistent high quality live performances from the Castle Craig Players.  I am looking forward to when they will be able to perform live, again, which I hope will be very soon.  In the meantime, I am happy to say that now, online, the Castle Craig Players have performed, recorded, and edited a production for viewing on YouTube.  IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde is a British comedy, excellently performed by a talented cast of actors and actresses who are very consistent with their believable British accents.

In FUNNY HOW IT HAPPENS, Jarrod and Kelli skillfully selected the songs they performed to incorporate songs meaningful to their relationship, songs significant to their careers, and songs that have traditionally been audience favorites.  Every song was an excellent choice, whether they performed them solo or as a duet.  Their harmony and stage chemistry resonate the deep connection of two performers who are deeply in love with each other and want to communicate that love to their audiences.  I enjoyed every song whether it was a song I was familiar with or not.  Among the songs were “Close to You,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Be My Baby,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Cabaret,” “I Got You, Babe,”  “New York State of Mind,” and even a lounge act arrangement of “You Give Love a Bad Name.”  The instrumentation, during this time of social distancing, was a solo piano, brilliantly played by Adam Ben David.