By JON POTTER / Reformer StaffPosted: 12/05/2013 03:00:00 AM EST
BRATTEBORO -- "Oliver!" is an uplifting and inspiring musical to be sure, but maybe it inspires people in the wrong ways.
"I saw this when I was younger, and I wanted to be a pickpocket," said Isaac Freitas-Eagan, who apparently has since abandoned those career aspirations.
Instead he’s an aspiring actor and part of the large New England Youth Theatre cast that’s been working on the beloved musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel "Oliver Twist" and set in a teeming London underworld full of rogues, pickpockets, bad characters, a few good souls and one very lovable orphan boy.
First performed at NEYT in 2006 -- the last show presented in its old storefront theater on Main Street -- "Oliver!" is being reprised, now in NEYT’s spacious Flat Street facility.
"Oliver!" opens tonight and runs through Dec. 15, with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
That a young child would want, at least temporarily, to grow up and become a pickpocket is testament to the power of Dickens’ writing and to the colorful, complex ways they are brought to life on stage.
Add to that, a raft of memorable tunes, including "Food Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two," "I’d Do Anything," "Oom Pah Pah" and "As Long As He Needs Me" -- and you’ve got the recipe for a smash hit, which "Oliver!" has been since its London premiere in 1960.
It also has the one ingredient director -- and NEYT Founder and Artistic Director -- Stephen Stearns requires of a holiday season show -- a miracle.
"I think the miracle of this show is that someone so destitute and so beaten and hurt by people and society can never lose a good heart, and that good heart can win the day," said Stearns, who directs a cast of more than 40 kids who range in age from 7-18.
A classic story of redemption, the show’s miraculous message shines through a setting filled with darkness, badness and characters who do what they have to do just to survive.
"It’s one of those shows that’s not all peaches and cream. It’s got that dark, Dickensian side," said Stearns. "Nobody wrote characters like Dickens wrote characters."
And that has the NEYT cast members excited.
"A lot of us are really rounded characters," said the show’s Fagin, Maia Struthers-Friedman, who explained that the actors spent a lot of time working on their characters, trying to bring the full richness of the show to life.
"It shows the humanity in all these characters. It shows they have emotions, and they have compassion," said Sophie Bady-Kaye, who plays Bet.
"This show has so much good and evil in each character," added Maia Gilmour, who plays Nancy. "I would want people to come out of this accepting who you really are."
Sure, this show has catchy dance numbers, highly hummable tunes and an optimistic message that goodness prevails, but ultimately it is about humanity.
After all, it does extend the invitation in song to "Consider yourself, one of the family."
"A lot of musicals really are show-tuney and all jazz hands, but this one has some feeling to it. It’s just a perfect mix of the good and the bad," said Gable Rak.
"It’s not really feel-good, but it makes you feel so good," summed up Ali Brodeur, the stage manager for the production.
"Overall, it’s an amazing show."
Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors.
Tickets are available at www.neyt.org or in person/by phone at the box office on Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m.
The New England Youth Theatre is located at 100 Flat St. Call 802-246-6398.
Sponsors include Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors and The Richards Group.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Please, Stearns, may we have some more...Oliver!
Musical is a sentimental journey for New England Youth Theatre
By Richard Henke/The Commons BRATTLEBORO
Celebrating the kickoff of the 15th year, the New England Youth Theatre’s artistic director, Stephen Stearns, will direct the return of “Oliver!” This musical, based on a novel by Charles Dickens, was the last show that NEYT performed seven years ago in its original space in the Latchis complex before the company moved from a former Chinese restaurant to its new theater on Flat Street.
Read the full article at thecommonsnews.org
By Richard Henke/The Commons BRATTLEBORO
Celebrating the kickoff of the 15th year, the New England Youth Theatre’s artistic director, Stephen Stearns, will direct the return of “Oliver!” This musical, based on a novel by Charles Dickens, was the last show that NEYT performed seven years ago in its original space in the Latchis complex before the company moved from a former Chinese restaurant to its new theater on Flat Street.
Read the full article at thecommonsnews.org
Friday, November 1, 2013
QTP's The Script: A Peasant of El Salvador
QTP's The Script: A Peasant of El Salvador: A PEASANT OF EL SALVADOR Written by Peter Gould & Stephen Stearns Directed by Q Performed by Meher Acharia-Dar ...
Friday, October 4, 2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
QTP’s ‘A Peasant Of El Salvador’ Tours Mumbai
Mumbai theatre company QTP is taking their new production, ‘A Peasant Of El Salvador’, off the stage and into alternative venues.
30 Sep, 2013
IndiecisionIndiecision
Staff Who says a play can only be staged in a theatre? All the world’s a stage, remember? With this in mind, the folks at theatre company QTP are taking their newest production, ‘A Peasant Of El Salvador’, on tour around Mumbai. Written by Peter Gould and Stephen Stearns, the play narrates the story of a Central American hill farmer and his family, set against the backdrop of the civil unrest of the late 1970s. The play has traveled to alternative venues in Worli (the Hall of Harmony at the Nehru Centre) and Santacruz (Ave 29), before heading to Bandra this weekend (Temperance on October 6 at 7.30pm) as part of the company’s efforts to discover and cultivate new performance spaces, as well as perform for new audiences.
‘A Peasant Of El Salvador’ uses just three narrators, with its central character Jesus played in turns by Meher Acharia-Dar, Pramod Pathak and Suhaas Ahuja, who also play other characters who pass through the narrative. The play uses a very small setting with minimal props, so it can easily be staged in any venue with ample space. It premiered at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai, earlier this month and received very appreciative reviews. “We’re looking at alternate venues for many reasons,” says Vivek Rao of QTP. “It’s rather tough to get dates at places like Prithvi Theatre, so other venues make sense. The play just uses three crates and a guitar as props, with a large cross in the background, so it’s a very minimal setup that can be taken around anywhere.” The group has chosen smaller, more intimate venues with a capacity of a little under 100 people. “We’re also hoping to reach out to a wider audience this way, where more and more people look at venues like Ave 29 (in Santa Cruz) and Temperance in Bandra as places where they can go watch plays. More places are now becoming open to the idea of hosting theatre too.”
The company is looking at more alternative spaces to host shows soon, thus making theatre a little more accessible. Check out some stills from the show below.
Photos by Ameet Mallapur
30 Sep, 2013
IndiecisionIndiecision
Staff Who says a play can only be staged in a theatre? All the world’s a stage, remember? With this in mind, the folks at theatre company QTP are taking their newest production, ‘A Peasant Of El Salvador’, on tour around Mumbai. Written by Peter Gould and Stephen Stearns, the play narrates the story of a Central American hill farmer and his family, set against the backdrop of the civil unrest of the late 1970s. The play has traveled to alternative venues in Worli (the Hall of Harmony at the Nehru Centre) and Santacruz (Ave 29), before heading to Bandra this weekend (Temperance on October 6 at 7.30pm) as part of the company’s efforts to discover and cultivate new performance spaces, as well as perform for new audiences.
‘A Peasant Of El Salvador’ uses just three narrators, with its central character Jesus played in turns by Meher Acharia-Dar, Pramod Pathak and Suhaas Ahuja, who also play other characters who pass through the narrative. The play uses a very small setting with minimal props, so it can easily be staged in any venue with ample space. It premiered at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai, earlier this month and received very appreciative reviews. “We’re looking at alternate venues for many reasons,” says Vivek Rao of QTP. “It’s rather tough to get dates at places like Prithvi Theatre, so other venues make sense. The play just uses three crates and a guitar as props, with a large cross in the background, so it’s a very minimal setup that can be taken around anywhere.” The group has chosen smaller, more intimate venues with a capacity of a little under 100 people. “We’re also hoping to reach out to a wider audience this way, where more and more people look at venues like Ave 29 (in Santa Cruz) and Temperance in Bandra as places where they can go watch plays. More places are now becoming open to the idea of hosting theatre too.”
The company is looking at more alternative spaces to host shows soon, thus making theatre a little more accessible. Check out some stills from the show below.
Photos by Ameet Mallapur
Monday, September 23, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Change is in the hair as NEYT presents hit musical ‘Hairspray’
By JON POTTER / Reformer Staff
Posted:
07/04/2013 03:00:00 AM EDT
Thursday July 4, 2013 BRATTLEBORO
-- Stephen Stearns wants you to get yourself a seat for the New England
Youth Theatre production of the hit musical "Hairspray."
Whether you actually sit in it or not is another story.
The senior company production of Tony Award-winning musical opens Friday and runs through July 13 ... and comes with a bit of a warning.
You may find yourself moved to leave your seat and dance in the aisles.
That’s what happened to Stearns when he went to see the show at the Weston Playhouse in 2007.
"I saw it in Weston, and I went back to see it a second time. We were all on our feet dancing to it. ... I came home and I said ‘We’re going to do it.’"
Then came the big job of making it happen. "Hairspray" requires a large cast, a big, rockin’ band, lots of singing and dancing and a number of roles requiring diversity in the cast.
The popularity of the show, combined with a two-month Facebook audition blitz gave Stearns all the people he needed -- 47 in the cast -- with a nice mix of NEYT veterans and newcomers.
Set in Baltimore in 1962, "Hairspray" features the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad who has only one desire -- to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her new-found power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do.
While an upbeat musical about hair and dancing, "Hairspray" also hits on some more serious subjects. The definition of beauty and body image issues are prominent, and it delves into the racial prejudices of the time.
One of two actors cast as Tracy, Christine Reilly, 17, of Wilmington, is a huge fan of the show -- she and her sister have watched the movie a bunch of times. When she heard NEYT was casting for the show, she knew she wanted to audition, but there was just one problem.
"I had to choose between going to France or doing this show," said Reilly.
The fact that that’s even a tough choice should tell you everything you need to know about the show.
When the trip to France fell through, Reilly jumped at the chance.
"There’s not a lot of Broadway roles for chubby women. It’s a lot about image," said Reilly. "It’s really cool to be someone that’s different. ... People say to her ‘You’re too chubby to be in a show.’ But she’s like, ‘Hey, I’m chubby but I’m awesome."
"Awesome" comes up a lot when people talk about "Hairspray." Stearns is directing a big, bold, beautiful cast, Allie Lubin leads a rocking eight-piece band and an eager grew of techies are all pouring every ounce of energy into delivering the show’s relevant messages and oh-so-catchy songs.
"It’s got these great, great songs which are so wonderful," said Stearns. "It’s really the best music that’s been written in the last 30 years. It’s sassy and very cute and very funny."
"Hairspray" features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.
Performances will be Fridays, July 5 and 12, Saturdays, July 6 and 13, Tuesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11, at 7 p.m. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, July 6 and 13, and Sunday, July 7. All performances are at NEYT, 100 Flat St.
Tickets for these performances are $11 for students, $13 for seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.NEYT.org, or at the NEYT Box Office in person, or by phone at 802-246-6398, from noon to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays.
New England Youth Theatre is an accessible theater, with accommodations for wheelchairs, and Assistive Listening Devices for patrons who are hard of hearing.
Sponsors include 1st Advantage Dental and Scissor Masters. New England Youth Theatre is also supported by Foard Panel, the Vermont Children’s Trust Fund, Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Whether you actually sit in it or not is another story.
The senior company production of Tony Award-winning musical opens Friday and runs through July 13 ... and comes with a bit of a warning.
You may find yourself moved to leave your seat and dance in the aisles.
That’s what happened to Stearns when he went to see the show at the Weston Playhouse in 2007.
"I saw it in Weston, and I went back to see it a second time. We were all on our feet dancing to it. ... I came home and I said ‘We’re going to do it.’"
Then came the big job of making it happen. "Hairspray" requires a large cast, a big, rockin’ band, lots of singing and dancing and a number of roles requiring diversity in the cast.
The popularity of the show, combined with a two-month Facebook audition blitz gave Stearns all the people he needed -- 47 in the cast -- with a nice mix of NEYT veterans and newcomers.
Set in Baltimore in 1962, "Hairspray" features the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad who has only one desire -- to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her new-found power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin and integrate a TV network, all without denting her ‘do.
While an upbeat musical about hair and dancing, "Hairspray" also hits on some more serious subjects. The definition of beauty and body image issues are prominent, and it delves into the racial prejudices of the time.
One of two actors cast as Tracy, Christine Reilly, 17, of Wilmington, is a huge fan of the show -- she and her sister have watched the movie a bunch of times. When she heard NEYT was casting for the show, she knew she wanted to audition, but there was just one problem.
"I had to choose between going to France or doing this show," said Reilly.
The fact that that’s even a tough choice should tell you everything you need to know about the show.
When the trip to France fell through, Reilly jumped at the chance.
"There’s not a lot of Broadway roles for chubby women. It’s a lot about image," said Reilly. "It’s really cool to be someone that’s different. ... People say to her ‘You’re too chubby to be in a show.’ But she’s like, ‘Hey, I’m chubby but I’m awesome."
"Awesome" comes up a lot when people talk about "Hairspray." Stearns is directing a big, bold, beautiful cast, Allie Lubin leads a rocking eight-piece band and an eager grew of techies are all pouring every ounce of energy into delivering the show’s relevant messages and oh-so-catchy songs.
"It’s got these great, great songs which are so wonderful," said Stearns. "It’s really the best music that’s been written in the last 30 years. It’s sassy and very cute and very funny."
"Hairspray" features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.
Performances will be Fridays, July 5 and 12, Saturdays, July 6 and 13, Tuesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11, at 7 p.m. Matinees will be at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, July 6 and 13, and Sunday, July 7. All performances are at NEYT, 100 Flat St.
Tickets for these performances are $11 for students, $13 for seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.NEYT.org, or at the NEYT Box Office in person, or by phone at 802-246-6398, from noon to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays.
New England Youth Theatre is an accessible theater, with accommodations for wheelchairs, and Assistive Listening Devices for patrons who are hard of hearing.
Sponsors include 1st Advantage Dental and Scissor Masters. New England Youth Theatre is also supported by Foard Panel, the Vermont Children’s Trust Fund, Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Peter Gould Directs NEYT's production of "Ferdinand the Bull"
Ferdinand the Bull
by Munro Leaf
Adapted & Directed by Peter Gould
With blessings from author Munro Leaf's estate, Peter Gould is creating a new adaptation of a favorite childhood tale, Ferdinand the Bull. This is the classic short story of the Spanish bull who refuses to fight and who just wants to sit quietly and smell the flowers. This adaptation will come to rollicking, dancing, singing new life with the energy of 25 NEYT junior company actors. Come and learn how to dance the paso doble!
Performances: Friday 2/15 at 7pm
Saturday 2/16 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday 2/17 at 2pm
Friday 2/22 at 4pm and 7pm
Saturday 2/23 at 2pm and 7pm
Tickets:$8 students
$10 seniors
$12 adults
by Munro Leaf
Adapted & Directed by Peter Gould
With blessings from author Munro Leaf's estate, Peter Gould is creating a new adaptation of a favorite childhood tale, Ferdinand the Bull. This is the classic short story of the Spanish bull who refuses to fight and who just wants to sit quietly and smell the flowers. This adaptation will come to rollicking, dancing, singing new life with the energy of 25 NEYT junior company actors. Come and learn how to dance the paso doble!
Performances: Friday 2/15 at 7pm
Saturday 2/16 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday 2/17 at 2pm
Friday 2/22 at 4pm and 7pm
Saturday 2/23 at 2pm and 7pm
Tickets:$8 students
$10 seniors
$12 adults
Monday, January 21, 2013
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