Tag: MCT

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Reviews Theatre

Laughter flows abundantly ‘Over the River & Through the Woods’

Plays do not seem to have the same drawing power for MCT as musicals, but if the crowd present on opening night last Friday are any indication, the current production of Over the River & Through the Woods should change that perception.

The production was perfectly directed by Teresa Waldorf, University of Montana adjunct instructor and Educational Outreach Coordinator for Montana Rep., with assistance from Scenic Designer Spencer Perry, Properties Designer Lesley Washburn, Costume Designer Kara Chandler, Sound Designer Gregory Boris and Hair & Make-up Designer Maeve Ball.  The set was breathtakingly beautiful, and one of the most elaborate this reviewer has ever seen at MCT.  Megan Wittshire provided the final piece of the production puzzle with a truly amazing job of stage management.

With a core cast of just five actors plus one amazing supporting member, the ensemble cast turned in a fine performance that kept the audience in stitches.  At times we laughed so hard we were on the verge of crying.  Throughout the memorable show, this cast taught us the value of having family close at hand, and left the audience not only entertained but educated on this fact.

While the story revolves around grandson Nick, played admirably by Ian Tooley, it was a true ensemble effort, with Mike Verdon (Frank), Anne-Marie Williams (Aida), Paul Ronaldo (Nunzio) and Salina Chatlain (Emma) each turning award-winning performances as Nick’s grandparents.  Brit Garner was perfectly cast in the supporting role of Caitlin,  niece of Emma’s Canasta partner brought in to help the grandparents keep Nick close to home.

This is definitely a play that needs to be seen, if not just for the humor provided by the amazing playwright Joe DiPietro.  You will leave the theater entertained and energized, and we highly recommend you bring your friends and family to this outstanding show.

Tickets are still available at the MCT Box Office or online at MCTinc.org.  Remaining performances are scheduled for 2 pm. on March 12, 18 and 19, 6:30 p.m. on March 12 and 19, and 7:30 p.m. on March 15, 16, 17 and 18.

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Reviews Theatre

MCT rises to new heights with its production of Urinetown the Musical

Community theatre, when it’s done well, can be a true blessing, and the community of Missoula is very fortunate to have MCT in its midst for the past 29 years since it opened its doors in 1988.

We have been lucky to have witnessed the past four seasons of MCT productions, and we can truly say that the work done on the 2016-2017 season is some of the best we have ever witnessed.  Case in point – the current production of Urinetown: the Musical is easily the best show to come out of MCT during its tenure.  We were so glad to be there on opening night on Friday to witness its greatness.

What sets this show apart is the fact that it does not take itself seriously, but from start to finish takes a tongue-in-check approach that truly endears the show to participants and audiences alike.

Reid Reimers as Officer Lockstock is the consummate narrator and a damn fine actor.  His portrayal is spot-on, and his interactions with Haley Court as Little Sally are among the many bright spots of this production.  Speaking of Court, and having performed with her in her first show (Spamalot) four years ago, her growth as an actress has been nothing short of remarkable.

But they were not the only stars of this remarkable show, which was brilliantly directed by Joseph Martinez, with choreography by Megan Wittshire, music direction by Scott Koljonen, Scenic Design by Theresa K. Jenson and J. Scott Reilly, Lighting Design by Daniel Norton, Props Design by Lesley Washburn, Costume Design by Linda Muth and Sound Design by Gregory Boris, all perfectly carried out by stage director Kera Rivera.

Rachel Shull, who recently returned to Missoula from Utah, is pivotal as Penelope Pennywise, the administrator of Public Amenity #9.  Her voice took her solos to new heights and her comedic timing was perfect as she brought this very interesting character to life.  Equally as compelling was the return of Tim Shonkwiler as Bobby Strong, who provided the perfect nemesis for Shull’s character and ultimately led to her redemption, and Taylor Caprara as Hope Cladwell, the naïve daughter of villain Caldwell B. Cladwell, owner of UGC, played by Kelly Cutler.  Caprara was perfectly cast in this role, and demonstrated immense talent in her portrayal of her character’s eye-opening experience and eventual rise to power.  On the other hand, Cutler’s performance brought forth the perfect villain in Cladwell, and gave the audience a character truly worthy of its animosity.

Of the remaining cast members, all 17 turned in outstanding performances, but one truly shone in her role as one of Bobby Strong’s followers.  Carlyn Runnels, who portrayed Tiny Tom in the cop ensemble, was a singing and dancing machine, and stole the scene with her brilliance and award-worthy skills.

If you are a true musical theatre nerd, MCT is having a contest to see how many of the many musical references contained in this production can be identified by the audience.   Some of them are quite obvious to even the casual theater lover, while others will only be apparent to the true connoisseur of musical theater.   Regardless of which category you fit, it is fun to try and find them, sort of like the theatre’s version of Pokémon Go!

You should definitely make plans to attend this show, which continues today with performances at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., followed by 7:30 p.m. performances on January 25-28, 6:30 p.m. performance on January 29, and 2 p.m. matinees on January 28 and 29.  Call the box office at 728-7529 to inquire about the availability of tickets.   Friday’s opening night was sold out.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Theatre Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 3

Happy Monday.  So good of you to join us again, just a few hours before the winners of the LA Music Critic Awards are announced.

There’s been a lot happening to indie artists lately.  Among the latest is Jerad Finck continuing to move up on the Billboard Top 40 charts with the stripped down acoustic version of his mega-hit “Criminal.”  Congrats to Finck and to his promotional team at Ue3 Promotions.  Keep up the great work.

KELLY McGRATH DEBUTS NEW VIDEO ON CMT

Back in October we told you about the new video by indie country star Kelly McGrath of her song “You and Me Today.”  Well, it finally premiered on CMT on January 10, and the fan response was intense.  In fact, it became the #1 video on their 12-pack Countdown of the week’s hottest videos.  The video airs every day at 10:38 am, 5:37 pm and 10:37 pm (all times ET).  If you like it, you can vote for it multiple times by clicking on this link.   Simply put a mark in the box by Kelly’s name, click on vote, refresh your page and do it again to your heart’s content.  Congrats Kelly!

NEW VIDEO RELEASES

Speaking of video releases, check out these new ones by indie artists:


We love this new video, especially the incredible violin work by Annette Homann.  Thanks to Rachel Sage for this great way to kick off 2017.

Although this was technically uploaded in December, we just discovered it and think you will be amazed at the amazing lyrics and the simple arrangement of this beautiful tribute to a fallen friend.  Thanks Elyse Haren for sharing from your heart and for the work you do with the West Coast Songwriters showcase in LA.

THEATRE IN MISSOULA

It’s a great week for theatre in Missoula, MT, with the opening of two new shows this week.  MCT will open their production of Urinetown:  The Musical on Thursday, January 19 (which we will review on January 20), while the Montana Rep will debut their 2017 touring show of the classic Neil Simon comedy Barefoot in the Park on January 20 (and we’ll review it on January 21).  Watch for these reviews next week on Indie Voice Blog.

LA MUSIC CRITIC AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

The list of winners will be published at 6 a.m. MST TOMORROW.  Don’t miss it!

See you all next week.

Categories
Reviews Theatre

MCT brings the beloved movie ‘A Christmas Story’ to life

Missoula Community Theatre (“MCT”) has been bringing quality theater to the Missoula community for quite a few years.  Every year we wait in anticipation for the announcement of the five shows that will comprise their season, and the 2016-2017 is one of their strongest to date.  The season kicked off with Disney’s Tarzan the Stage Musical, which we reviewed back in October.  Their second production, which ran December 1-18, was A Christmas Story, the Musical, and it played to mostly sold-out houses its entire run.

We had the opportunity to review the play on December 16, and we were not disappointed in the least.

Directed by MCT’s Executive Director, Michael McGill, and wonderfully choreographed by Christine Pepin, who had previously choreographed both Willy Wonka and Shrek the Musical, the show was musically directed by McGill and Eric Houchert, with scenic design by McGill, lighting design by Spencer Perry, Properties design by Lesley Washburn, costume design by Linda Muth and sound design by Gregory Boris.  Hannah Ettema also brilliantly stage managed the production.

There are very few among us who haven’t marveled at the wonder of this annual movie treat, or secretly wished they could help poor Ralphie get his Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun.  Those of us who are parents can probably understand why Mother and Dad were worried he’d “shoot his eye out.”  All of this drama is why A Christmas Story has become such a classic holiday favorite.  This musical captures the best of the movie and tells the story in such a way that it compels the audience to become an active part of the story.

The true stars of this production were the children, from the outstanding portrayals of Ralphie and his brother Randy by Scott Larson and Finn Goss to the absolute cuteness of their friends, especially Emily Fortune as Mary Beth, Olivia Farnes as Esther Jane and Alexa McLean and Harley Pohl Smith, who stole the show with their amazing dancing.  Quinn Wyland as Flick also had his moments, especially the hilarious “tongue stuck to the flagpole” portion.

On the adult side of the story, the spotlight shone brightest on Mother, played by Colleen Rosbarsky; Miss Shields, played by Dara Wilson and The Old Man, played by Alex Kowalchik.  Scoob Decker was also instrumental in the production with his stellar portrayal of grown-up Ralphie, aka radio personality Jean Shepherd, while Casey Chaloupek, Ellen Taylor, Erik Heuchert, Heidi Sedivy, Jessica Ballard, Kelly Wilson, Mandy Elgin and Scott Ranf contributed to the adult ensemble, ably performing their roles.  We also thoroughly loved the Miss Shields dream sequence and the lamp dance, featuring Mother and the other ladies dressed as the lamp.

Big thanks to MCT for bringing this Christmas classic to our community.  We can all hardly wait for the next production, Urinetown, the Musical, which debuts on January 19, 2017.