Displaying items by tag: Courtney Jones

If you haven’t already made plans to see 'Hello Again' at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, don’t wait another minute! Director/Choreographer Brenda Didlier’s reimagination of this 1993 off-Broadway musical.

The story is composed of 10 interwoven vignettes focusing on 10 love affairs portrayed in a frolicking, whimsical, lighthearted tone and yet layered in the heaviness of sadness, loneliness, and emotional emptiness.

Performed in the intimate cabaret setting where the cast and audience were close enough to touch added another layer of depth to the characters as they were able to perform in normal voice levels and eye level, making the connection between the characters and the audience members more real, intimate, and believable.

The love affairs take place throughout the 20th century, so the scenes and the musical numbers cover 100 year of musical styles, wardrobes and fashion, and historical events and lifestyles. Music Director/Conductor Jeremy Ramey and the orchestra produced the perfect mood as he helped us travel from New York City in 1900 to present with stop offs in a 1930’s movie house, a 1970’s disco, and even a stop on a luxury liner in 1912. The five-piece orchestra produced a full sound to fill the room when required but never drew us away from the characters. Costumes and sets were fast-changing and minimalist, but eye catching and definitely transformative with the changing timeline.

As for the stars of the show, I was delighted that the entire cast are the stars together. While each brought their strengths to their characters, they all complemented each other perfectly and each of the love affairs played an equally important part in the overarching story. Neala Barron’s (The Actress) and Christopher Ratiff’s (The Soldier), both Jeff Award nominees for 110 in the Shade (Boho), lend their strong vocals and acting skills to a very talented cast.

I certainly felt an emotional connection to several of the characters, specifically the Husband (Royen Kent), the Writer (Max J. Cervantes) and the Senator (Courtney Jones). All of the characters were very honest and relatable.

While all the scenes and numbers were exceptional as well, a couple of my favorites include the opening number “Hello Again” featuring the Whore (Megan Elk) and the Soldier (Ratliff), “The One I love” featuring the Young Thing (Marco Tzunux) and the Writer (Cervantes)and “The Bed Was Not My Own” featuring the Senator (Jones) and the Whore (Elk).

'Hello Again' continues at Theo Ubique through November 3, 2019. This is an excellent show which I highly recommend.

It’s the big day. The most celebrated parade in the country, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, is about to set sail down 34th Street, of course passing Macy’s flagship store along the way. When a man who just happens to be named Kris Kringle (Neil Friedman) notices that the hired Santa for Macy’s is intoxicated he brings the matter to the attention of event director Doris Walker (Courtney Jones). But Santa is the grand finale of the parade! What to do? Thanks to a bit of quick thinking, and the fact that the complainant bears a striking resemblance to Santa Claus, Doris convinces Mr. Kringle to handle the role for the day who does so well he is later persuaded to take on the seasonal position as the store’s holiday attraction. Kringle’s a bit quirky. He actually believes he’s Santa Claus. But since he does so well with the hoards of children that come see him each day, the store is willing to overlook the fact that he might have a screw loose. After all, he’s harmless and her really has a way with children. He even speaks Dutch to a girl who does not speak English. Sensational.

Sound familiar? It should. It’s the story of Miracle on 34th Street and Theater at the Center has brought the 1947 film classic to life for the holiday season. An Academy Award winning film and a hit on Broadway since 1963, Theater at the Center brilliantly tackles the classic story with well-rounded cast that boasts an immense amount of talent.

The story revolves around the question – is Santa Claus real. Doris Walker’s daughter Susan (Stella Rose Hoyt) sure seems to thinks so, despite the fact that her mother has raised her not to partake in such silly beliefs. Doris’ friend and soon to be love interest, Fred (Christopher Kale Jones), is no help. He helps perpetuate Susan’s belief in Santa asking in so many words, “Why couldn’t he be real?”

When a disgruntled Macy’s in-house Doctor of Psychology deems Mr. Kringle insane and asks for him to be institutionalized, people rally for the self-proclaimed Santa and the matter is taken to court. The case is extremely publicized. Is Kris Kringle Santa Claus or just a delusional elderly man? Fred, himself, volunteers to represent Santa as his legal counsel in what becomes a well-paced, climactic ending.

Neil Friedman is perfectly cast as Kris Kringle. He brings a warm charm and playfulness to the role to give us a convincing character that we can’t help but root for from his very first scene. Courtney Jones gives us a strong Doris who is believable as the no-nonsense, protective mother that is withholding of a heart that so desperately wants to believe in holiday magic. And while Stella Rose Hoyt does a superb job as Susan and Christopher Kale Jones delivers a bit more of an aggressive and cocky Fred than movie buffs might be used to, we also get an ensemble that holds up to the best of 'em. But when it comes to the show’s most humorous scenes, it’s Dan Klarer’s outstanding portrayal of store manager, Marvin Shellhammer, that really delivers the laugh out loud moments.

Written by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies, the 1947 film starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood has become a Christmas season tradition and the memorable music and lyrics by Meredith Wilson have given us the stage as yet another outlet to take in this charming and heartfelt holiday tale. Songs like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”, “Here’s Love” (the original name of the stage production), “The Man Over there is Santa Claus” and “Love Come Take Me” are as memorable as they are enjoyable to watch as they are performed.

The perfect extra touch for the Christmas season, Miracle on 34th Street the Musical is sure to inject holiday spirit into the hearts of your family and friends.

Miracle on 34th Street the Musical is playing at Theater at the Center in nearby Munster, Indiana through December 23rd. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.TheaterAtTheCenter.com.