Tag: UM School of Theatre and Dance

Categories
Reviews Theatre

‘Noises Off’ brings laughter and mayhem to UM’s Montana Theatre

The final production of the 2016-2017 school year for the University of Montana’s College of Visual Arts and School of Theatre & Dance opened on campus on April 19, and it was the perfect closing number for a season of great works.

The play, written by Michael Frayn, has always been a favorite of theatre geeks and participants, and this production pulled out all the stops to make it especially meaningful.  Director Pamyla Stiehl, with help from Scenic Designer Alessia Carpoca, Costume Designer Linda Guilis, Lighting Director Mark Dean, and Audio Designer Cole Milligan, perfectly capture the spirit and intent of the playwright’s vision, while the stage managing job of Sophia Holter brought it all together on stage, all to the delight of the packed house.

The chemistry between the nine members of the cast was truly evident in this magical farce, which depends on that chemistry in order to pull off the multitude of pratfalls and physical comedy that make Noises Off the penultimate homage to the theatre.  Putting on a great show while looking totally inept takes a great deal of talent and skill, and this cast excelled in both.  Christina Heagney as Dotty Otley, Ryson Sparacino as Lloyd Dallace, Dillon Westhoff as Garry Lejeune, Christina Tripp as Poppy Norton-Taylor and Natalie Johnson as Brooke Ashton were all hilarious in their featured roles, especially the slapstick antics of Johnson, who had to be spot perfect In her ability to look inept.  They were truly complemented by Tyson Gerhardt Hirsch as Frederick Fellowes Genevieve Barlow as Belinda Blair, David Mills-Low as Selsdon Mowbray and Curen Feliciani as Tim Allgood in their supporting roles.  Feliciani truly stood out as the bumbling stage hand and understudy for the hapless production, the play within the play, Nothing On.

If you need a good physical release from your stress, combined with side-splitting laughter, then Noises Off is the perfect place for you.  The production will continue at 7:30 p.m. on April 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. on April 23 and 30.  Tickets are available at the UMArts Box Office or online at umt.edu/theatredance.  We highly recommend this production and can hardly wait to see what’s in store for the next season.

Categories
Reviews Theatre

‘The Madwoman of Chaillot’ offers perfect combination of humor and moral

The students of the University of Montana’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and School of Theatre & Dance provide the perfect combination of humor and moral with their latest production, The Madwoman of Chaillot. 

The play was written by Jean Giraudoux, adapted by Maurice Valency and perfectly directed by Randy Bolton.  It is being presented in the limitless black box at the Masquer Theatre in the University’s PAR/TV center.  Bolton’s direction was complemented by the wonderful work of Assistant Director Henry Maher, and Lighting Coordinator Mark Andrews and carried out to perfection by Stage Manager Cheyanne Chadwick and her Assistant Stage Manager Mikaila Stinar.

The play was written as an allegory during the Nazi occupation of France, but the undertones and story are just as relevant in today’s political climate.  Kudos to Dramaturge Joshua Kelly for his assistance in keeping the story ‘on point.”

The performance is a true ensemble piece, and the pacing of the show is like Speedy Gonzales on crack.  It is extremely fast paced, never drags, and keeps the audience on their toes as the dialogue moves between serious and hilarious, often in the same sentence.

Massive kudos to Natasha Conti, who brings the title character to life with an outstanding performance worthy of a Tony Award.   She is supported by the likewise amazing performances of Zach French as the Ragpicker, Hamilton Clement as Pierre and her three-woman morality council of Jenna Lockman as Constance, Annie Sacry as Gabrielle and Jasmine Sherman as Josephine.

Although the remainder of the cast turned in worthy performances, the other stand-out in this truly remarkable cast was the one who spoke the least, the Deaf-Mute played by Kira Mills.  She conveyed so much in her portrayal that went beyond words and made her performance truly memorable.

Madwoman is a true work of art and should be experienced by everyone.  Remaining performances are set for Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 9 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available online at umt.edu/theatredance or at the UM Arts Box Office.

 

Categories
Reviews Theatre

UM’s production of ‘Thinner Than Water’ blasts preconceived notions of family dynamics

The latest black box production of the University of Montana’s School of Theatre & Dance and College of Visual and Performing Arts is Melissa Ross’ stirring drama Thinner Than Water, currently being staged in the Masquer Theatre at UM’s PAR/TV building.

We attended the opening night sold out production, and judging from the audience’s reactions, the performance was a smashing success.

One of the beauties of black box theatre is that there is no pre-constructed set on stage, which alleviates the audience building up any pre-conceived notions about the performance.  It was the perfect showcase for this production about family dynamics, since the material presented was not in keeping with the popular notion that “blood is thicker than water.”

Skillfully directed by John Kenneth DeBoer, with technical assistance from Scenic Designer Mike Monsos, Costume Designer Lynn Martyn, Lighting Designer Timothy McHenry and Audio Designer Caitlin Larson, the production was perfected staged managed by Sadie Framness.

Annika Hanson was perfectly cast as elder sister Renee, with much support from Matt McDaniel as Gary and Danielle N. Sather as Cassie, her siblings, and Megan Merhar as Gwen, who portrayed their father’s girlfriend.  Further support was provided by the amazing ensemble cast of Anna Evans as Angela, Jake Bender as Henry, Joshua Pitt as Benjy and Aaron Williams as Mark.

This was a true ensemble production, as each cast member contributed equally to the story line.  Even so, Hanson and Merhar were so relatable to the audience at large through their larger than life portrayals, while Pitt’s Benjy provided some much needed laughs and surprises.

This is a production that will definitely leave the audience questioning some of their long-held beliefs about family, while providing a story line that just about everyone can relate to.  We highly recommend this production, which is part of one of the best seasons of shows we have ever seen at the University.

Thinner Than Water can be see today and next Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., as well as 7:30 p.m. performances on March 1, 2 and 3.  Tickets are available at the UMArts Box Office or online at umt.edu/theatredance.

Categories
Reviews Theatre

UM’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical is the perfect treat for Thanksgiving

Once a year the College of Visual and Performing Arts joins with the Schools of Music and Theatre & Dance to present a musical in the University of Montana’s Montana Theatre.  This year’s offering is the delightful Legally Blonde the Musical, based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie Legally Blonde.

Sometime in the 19th Century the phrase “The show must go on,” originated, and nowhere was it more evident than in last night’s opening night performance.  Several of the cast members had been sick for the past two weeks, including the lead actress, Whitney Blair Miller, who despite her sickness, delivered a believable portrayal of Elle Woods.

Skillfully directed by Teresa Waldorf, with assistance from music director Roxanna Jackson, choreographer Pamyla Stiehl and stage manager Jason McDaniel, the performance was enhanced by the scenic design of Mike Fink, costume design of Bayne Tilton, lighting design of Zach Hamersley and audio design of Timothy McHenry.

From the pink halls of the Delta Nu Sorority to the hallowed halls of Harvard Law, the cast turned in a worthy performance that captured the magic of the original movie, and allowed several cast members to truly shine.  Besides the stellar performance of Miller, other cast members who delivered in their roles were Eric Wills as Emmett, Taylor Caprara as Brooke, Royce McIntosh as Callahan, Saige Perchy as Paulette and Natalie Johnston as Serena.  Johnston totally stole the show with every on-stage appearance.  Other notable performances were made by Erynn O’Brien as Enid, Curen Feliciani as Warner and Kady Nordstrom as Vivienne, while Carissa Lund turned in the most outstanding ensemble performance, consistently amazing the packed house with her incredible dance moves and abilities.  Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the two canine members of the cast, who stole the hearts of cast and audience alike with their portrayals of Bruiser and Rufus.

By all means, you should definitely head out for a great night of theater and catch this show.  Tickets are available at the UMArts box office and online at GrizTix.  Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on November 25, 26 & 30 and December 3, as well as at 2 p.m. on November 26 & 27 and December 4.  There is a talk back with the cast following the November 25 performance.

 

Categories
Reviews

‘Hot ‘n’ Throbbing’ brings much needed message to Missoula

Domestic violence is an epidemic that has impacted our country in many ways.  According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.  Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.  In particular, 72% of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner, and 92% of the time, the victim is female.

Playwright Paula Vogel has written a very powerful and moving play, Hot ‘n’ Throbbing, to bring these numbers to life.  Skillfully directed by Jillian Campana, and produced by the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance in the Masquer Theatre, the show pulls out all the stops and presents these facts in an undeniable and unforgettable way that makes a lasting impression on the   Feataudience.

Working with Scenic Designer Mike Monsos, Costume Designer Bayne Tilton, Lighting Designer Megan Nishida and Audio Designer Cole Milligan, Campana has directed a masterpiece of theater that does what theater and art in general should do – shed light on a social issue.

The amazing cast features Jourdan Nokleby in the lead role of Charlene, living with her kids Calvin (Treyson Sherk) and Leslie Ann (Jenna Lockman), after leaving her husband Clyde (Kurtis Hassinger).  Charlene is a screenwriter of adult entertainment catered to women, and her screenplays are visualized and acted out in the form of two actors – Voice-Over (Alyssa Berdahl) and The Voice (Jake Bender).  This is a true ensemble cast, and every performer is worthy of recognition.

Without giving away the story, Charlene works hard to make a living for her family, while discovering the painful truth of trying to be an effective single parent to teenagers.  Her fateful mistake is allowing her drunken husband inside the house “to talk.”

Regardless of your stance on the issue of domestic violence, this play will give you something to think about, and this reviewer highly recommends it for its sheer power in storytelling.

The show continues at the University March 1-4 at 7:30 p.m. and on March 5 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available at the UMArts Box Office or online at umt.edu/theatredance.

Categories
Reviews

A Chorus Line gets a new life at the University of Montana

I had just completed my sophomore year in high school when A Chorus Line first opened on Broadway in 1975, and truly fell in love with this Marvin Hamlisch/Michael Bennett classic when our glee club did a pair of its best songs, “One” and “What I did for Love.”  I could totally relate to the character of Diana, a Puerto Rican actress who, like many of us, just didn’t get improv.

When my daughter Grace was just two days old (in 1982), we took her with us for the touring company presentation of the musical in San Diego.  Although I have thought about the musical a few times over the years, I had all but forgotten its power until I attended the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance and College of Visual Arts and Performing Arts production over the weekend.  It all came rushing back as my wife and I basked in the glory of this timeless musical.

Perfectly directed by John Kenneth DeBoer, who also plays the character Zach, with musical direction by UM alum John Knispel, UM’s A Chorus Line captured the essence and heart of the original production.  The show was wonderfully cast with a group of students that understood the story and presented it to the packed auditorium with all the wonder and pizzazz of the original Broadway cast.

With superb choreography by Nicole Bradley Browning and Heidi Jones Eggers, the simplistic but effective scenic and lighting design of Zack Aschim, Mike Monsos and Brian Gregoire, and the historically perfect costume design of Kersti Pearson, this show brought back all the positive memories of my earlier exposure and prompted me to sing along to every song.

Written before Hamlisch became a household name with his Oscar winning score for The Sting, the music of A Chorus Line set the bar for future Broadway shows, and propelled many of the songs, including “One” and “What I did for Love” into the pop music scene.

Even though A Chorus Line is a true ensemble piece, it still leaves room for some outstanding individual performances.  Among those in this production were Maria Miller’s portrayal of Diana, Carissa Marie Lund’s as Connie, Jourdan Nokleby’s as Sheila and the show-stopping performance of Colleen Reed Rosbarsky as Cassie.

Others who turned in memorable performances include DeBoer as Zach and Matt McDaniel as Paul.

The cast is so good they should consider taking the show on the road.  Everyone in Missoula should endeavor to catch one of this week’s closing performances on October 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31, all at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available online through GrizTix or at the UMArts box office.  Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the most powerful musical productions ever written.