Friday, December 22, 2023

"Something Rotten" @ Marshall Civic Players - 3/10/23 - 3/19/23

Playwrights Nick 'n' Nigel, the Bottom Brothers, need to upstage their far more successful rival William Shakespeare if they want to retain their financial backing from Lord Clapham. They think their new play Richard II is their ticket, but when Shakespeare does the unthinkable and follows up his Richard III with a prequel -- his own version of Richard II -- a brand new show is demanded by Clapham by the next day. What could go wrong if Nick just secretly grabbed the only savings he and his wife Bea have and give it to the nephew of Nostradamus (Thomas Nostradamus) to find out for sure what the next huge script will be? Supposedly it's a show called "Omelette" that has some curious fractured and foodie parallels to Shakespeare's future play "Hamlet." And, like all the big shows in the future, it'll be a new thing called a "musical." The rest is, or isn't, history.

History or not, it's definitely a fun time with the historic Marshall Civic Players entering their 74th season. Max Brundage is entertaining as a frustrated Nick Bottom so desperate for a win he may blow it all. High school senior Paul Butterfield is extremely likeable and engaging as his more quiet and less jaded younger brother who gains strength through his budding new relationship with the young Puritan Portia. Riley Wilson is an effervescent Portia, both her sweet and hilarious sides, as well as nailing the vocals. While Kyra Hill is an indomitable force as Nick's "Right Hand Man" Bea Bottom trying to prop up her husband Nick while also employing various disguises to find various employments. 

Isaiah Potter as William Shakespeare shows off some serious rock star "Will Power" and leads a great "Hard to be the Bard." Tyler Grossman offers us a most amusing amateur astrologer as Nostradamus, with other highlights including Brian Traynor as self-righteous firebrand Puritan preacher Brother Jeremiah (Portia's papa) barely repressing an awful lot of un-pure longings bubbling just below (maybe sometimes just above) the surface, and Nathanael Kurtz kicking each act off by leading the vibrant, comedic ensemble in a warm "Welcome to the Renaissance." 

Director and Choreographer Sarah Stiner and team put together a production that feels like a great party from beginning to end, and you definitely want to party with this talented cast who seem to be having as much fun as the audience.  

Rob Hopper, Marshall Arts

Photos by Jeff Wilson, Marshall Event Photography

Minstrel - Nathanael Kurtz
Nick Bottom - Max Brundage
Nigel Bottom - Paul Butterfield
William Shakespeare - Isaiah Potter
Bea Bottom - Kyra Hill
Portia - Riley Wilson
Nostradamus - Tyler Grossman
Brother Jeremiah - Brian Traynor
Shylock - Larry Todak
Lord Clapham - Jeremy Young
Tom Snout - Chris Fullbright (Male swing)
Robin - Elliott Behrendt (Nigel Bottom u/s)
Peter Quince -Case Miller (William Shakespeare u/s)
Snug/Helena - Kayla Langford
Francis Flute - Nathanael Kurtz
Miranda/Waitress - Alaina Stafford (Portia u/s)
Rosalind - Maddy Moore
Astrologer - Linda Young
Psychic Woman - Mary Weeks
Eyepatch Man - Ciara Funk
Bard Dancers:
Noelia Barroso
Nathanael Kurtz
Kayla Langford
Case Miller
Alaina Stafford
Leia Young
Ensemble: 
Noelia Barroso
Susan Driscoll
Ciara Funk
Kristin Holbrook
Cassandra Lucus-Moore
Maddy Moore
Sarah Noah (Bea Bottom u/s)
Alaina Stafford
Laura Young
Linda Young
Angel Warner
Meghan Warner
Mary Weeks

Producer: Jennifer Butterfield
Musical Director: Brian Ketner
Director/Choreographer: Sarah Stiner
Costumer: Carole Bolthouse
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Morgyyn Putman 
Assistant Producer: Sheila Stafford


























Tuesday, December 19, 2023

"Newsies" @ The Franke Center Youth Theater & Marshall High School - 2/16/23 - 2/19/23


When Joseph Pulitzer decides to increase the bottom line of his New York World newspapers on the backs of the young newsies hawking his papers on the street by jacking up the costs to said newsies, they respond with some jacking of their own via Jack Kelly. He leads them on a strike. Or as supportive journalist Katherine Plumber puts it, "Newsies Stop the World."

The Franke Center Youth Theater & Marshall High School collaborate on this big production, and the cast sells it with high energy and talent. Ryan Murphy leads the fight as Jack Kelly with charisma and, when things seem bleak, a heartfelt Santa Fe. Elliana Ebner is sharp and fun as Katherine Plumber, delivering as she inspires with Watch What HappensNatalie Traynor as Medda Larkin brings down her vaudeville house with charming personality and terrific vocals in That's RichPaul Butterfield makes for a sincere, pragmatic-to-a-point-but-idealistic-in-the-end Davey who has to earn money to help his family, joined by the bright-eyed and plucky Alaina Dysinger as little brother Les. Determined to take the upstarts down is Andrew Root with a no-nonsense, no-compassion Joseph Pulitzer along with the amusing secretary Caetlin Finegan and the rest of his happily conspiring corporate advisers of Brady Anthony, Makayla Bailey and Jack Marsh. 

And, of course, there are all the newsies led by the likes of the cool and confident cigar-smoking Remee Morse as Race, Spencer Oswald as a determined Crutchie, and dynamo Ciara Funk as Spot Conlon. The strong ensemble are always into their roles and dancing up a storm to the terrific choreography by Tricia Hilton, making the most of group numbers like Seize the Day, The World Will Know, and especially King of New York

Costume Designers Jennifer Butterfield and Shelia Stafford put together great period costumes with special mention for Medda's wardrobe. The show also features an impressive live orchestra. Director Jennifer Conley Darling along with her team and cast have combined for a rousing and uplifting production demanding everyone watch what happens with the new generation.

Rob Hopper, Marshall Arts

Photos by Jeff Wilson, Marshall Event Photography

Jack Kelly: Ryan Murphy
Crutchie: Spencer Oswald
Les: Alaina Dysinger
Katherine Plumber: Elliana Ebner
Medda Larkin: Natalie Traynor
Joseph Pulitzer: Andrew Root
Race: Remee Morse
Albert: Whitney Ivey
Henry: Hallie Machalka
Finch: Lucy Gensch
Specs: Audrey Amting
Romeo: Frank Giesen
Elmer: Eliza MacQuaig
Mush: Mollie Weaver
Tommy Boy: Alaina Stafford
Jo Jo: Kaya Oswald
Buttons: Luke Bierbaum
Ike: Anna Vincent
Mike: Alivia Parham
Spot Conlon/Newsie: Ciara Funk
Splasher/Scab 3: Julian Fowler
Scab 1: Violet Holbrook
Scab 2: Ollie Bladen
Newsies Dancers: Audrey Amting, Adrienne Dysinger, Aubrey Dysinger, Addyson Groeneveld, Annabelle Davis, Mary Claire Davis, Hallie Machalka, Brooklyn Schoch, Aubrey Tarkiewicz, Angelina Warner
Wiesel/Stage Manager: Jack Tekiele
Oscar Delancey: Chance Hamilton
Morris Delancey: Shane Klepper
Jacobi/Mayor: Hannah Eggleton
Snyder: Lilly Bladen
Seitz: Brady Anthony
Bunsen: Makayla Bailey
Nunzio/Roosevelt: Jack Marsh
Nuns: Ollie Bladen, Caetlin Finegan, Evelyn Fowler, Lucy Giesen, Hayden Heikkila, Elizabeth London, Margaret Rodgers, Leia Young
Bowery Beauties: Hayden Heikkila, Elizabeth London, Margaret Rodgers, Leia Young
Customers: Cristian Brown, Evelyn Fowler, Hayden Heikkila
Darcy: Charlie West
Bill: Christian Brown
Guards: Betty Giesen, DeDe Weaver
Goons: Cristian Brown, Faye Grupke, Jack Marsh, June Tarmnel
Policemen: Betty Giesen, James Muir, DeDe Weaver, Charlie West, Ava Wirth
Newsies Ensemble: Lilly Bladen, Charlotte Bowman, Christian Brown, Ava Buczynski, Hannah Eggleton, Nery Figuerredo, Ashlyn Finegan, Evelyn Fowler, Betty Giesen, Violet Groenveld, Faye Grupke, Chance Hamilton, Dean Haroff, Lillia Huggett, Leah Kendall, Monika Kirby, Ian Klepper, Shane Klepper, Cora Lazarus, Amelia Lighthall, Elizabeth London, Destiny Mains, Jack Marsh, James Muir, Ellie Pfiester, Elena Reed, Cecilia Rodgers, Margaret Rodgers, Elliott Root, Braden Russcher, Maeve Shockey, Claire Swender, June Tarmnel, Jack Tekiele, Kaylin Wagaman, DeDe Weaver, Charlie West, Jaxon Whitmore, Ava Wirth, Leia Young, Cooper Zirkel

Director: Jennifer Conley Darling
Music Directors: Meagan Ransom, Jeremy Root, Stacy Root
Choreographer: Tricia Hilton
Producer: Allison Ebner
Orchestra Director & Production Coordinator: Meagan Ransom
Costume Designers: Jennifer Butterfield, Shelia Stafford
Light Design: Bethany Wendt
Sound Engineer: Steve Serra
Props Master: Wendy Gensch
Stage Manager: Kristin Holbrook


































"Spamalot" @ Marshall Civic Players - 11/1/24 - 11/10/24

It ain't always easy to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life , but Spamalot at Marshall Civic Players can sure help as their Knights o...