Shows Archive
Season 25
2007–08 · 4 productions
Little Shop of Horrors
- Tina Brouillette-Smith · Audrey II / Audrey II (Puppeteer)
- Joe Casey · Mr. Mushnik
- Megan Gonsalves · Ronnette
- Ryan Hanley · Bernstein / Derelict / Luce / Orin Scrivello, DDS / Patrick Martin / Snip
- Frank O'Donnell · Audrey II (Voice)
- Jessica Roch · Crystal
- Marissa Silva · Chiffon
- Joshua Smith · Seymore Krelborn
- Meredyth Waterman · Audrey
Meredyth Waterman's wistful 'Somewhere That's Green' is the unexpected heart of this campy romp, while Frank O'Donnell's menacing plant voice makes 'Feed Me' a showstopper — and the three urchin girls' Brooklyn harmonies provide an irresistible Greek Chorus throughout.
"Little Shop of Horrors" opens Theatre Works' 25th season with a trip to Skid Row, New York, circa 1955 — based on the Roger Corman cult film. Meek florist Seymour Krelbourn discovers a strange plant with a taste for human blood, and a very hidden agenda, while trying to win the heart of Audrey. Director Connie Anderson and musical director Mary Jo Rett lead their talented cast through this campy, fun-filled comedy. Mark Anderson built the storybook set — including the enormous plant that eats people — and keeps scene changes running smoothly. Mary Jo plays keyboards while conducting her three-member orchestra. Stage manager Mary Concannon keeps things running all night. Costumes are by Sharon Charette, who hand-sewed many of the pieces as well as the different-sized plants throughout the show.
Meredyth Waterman is wonderful as the ditsy, blonde Audrey — her powerful voice soars in the wistful "Somewhere That's Green," and her duet "Suddenly Seymour" is a genuine show highlight. The three urchin girls — Marissa Silva, Jessica Roch, and Megan Gonsolves — serve as a Brooklyn Greek Chorus, delivering powerful three-part harmonies through "Little Shop," "Skid Row," "Da-Doo," and "The Meek Shall Inherit" with equal parts vocal power and comic flair. Frank O'Donnell provides the splendid, menacing voice of the plant, turning "Feed Me" and "Suppertime" into showstoppers of their own. Tina Brouillette operates the plant — a formidable physical performance in its own right. Joe Casey is excellent as Mushnik, the flower shop owner, showing off a powerful baritone in "Mushnik and Son." Ryan Hanley is a hoot as the sadistic dentist, doing an Elvis-style number with the urchins as backup and a classic death scene involving a stuck laughing gas mask. So for a fun trip back to the 1950s, be sure to catch this show before the plant devours the world.
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The Sunshine Boys
Al Lewis and Willie Clark were one of the best comedy teams in vaudeville for forty three years. Over time, they grew to hate each other and stayed separated for the last eleven years. CBS is now producing a special on the History of Comedy and, of course, Al and Willie have been asked to be part of the show. Their grouchy reunion is even funnier than their vaudeville act.
Cast- Connie Anderson · Jen Silverman
- Mark Anderson · Al Lewis
- Tina Brouillette-Smith · Nursey
- Bert Cayer Jr. · Willie Clark
- Mary Concannon · Edie
- Lisa Forsgard · Nurse
- Christopher Kibbe · Patient
Bert Cayer holds the stage as Willie Clark for almost the entire show — his Jewish accent, corned-beef obsessions, and split-second comic timing make the vaudeville Doctor sketch a masterclass in farce, and Sharon Charette proves as natural behind the director's chair as she is at the sewing machine.
Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys" closes Theatre Works' 25th season with a masterclass in comic timing. The year is 1972. Willie Clark and Al Lewis — vaudevillians known as The Sunshine Boys — are asked to reunite for a CBS comedy special after eleven years apart. Their Doctor sketch is a perfect example of split-second delivery; their bickering is hilarious at every turn. Director Sharon Charette — making her directorial debut — casts the two leads perfectly and extracts comic moments from the full cast. Mark Anderson designed and built the main set of Willie's tacky NYC hotel apartment, plus the storyboard TV studio for the vaudeville sketch. Mary Concannon plays Edie, the stage manager character within the sketch, and serves as stage manager for the actual production.
Bert Cayer is magnificent as Willie Clark — onstage for almost the entire show, delivering scads of humorous one-liners with a Jewish accent and topnotch facial expressions. His love of corned beef sandwiches and cigars leads into a funny heart attack segment, and the vaudeville Doctor sketch is his finest hour. Mark Anderson plays Al Lewis, garnering many laughs while poking Willie in the chest and spraying him with spit on every word with a T in it. Connie Anderson plays Willie's long-suffering niece Jen with excellent comic timing, including a very funny Willie imitation. Tina Brouillette-Smith is a hoot as the big-boobed nurse in the vaudeville sketch; Lisa Forsgard is hilarious as the strong-willed nurse who keeps biting the candy in the Whitman Sampler and throwing it back. Lisa's real-life husband Chris Kibbe rounds out the sketch as the doctor's patient. So for a very funny Neil Simon comedy, be sure to catch "The Sunshine Boys" before time runs out.
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Never Get Smart With an Angel
Salvatore lives over his shoe repair shop with his Son, Paolo, who's going to be a doctor. Sal's best friend is Carmine, and they also hate one another. Into this Italian ethnic world Paolo brings Dorothy, of "WASP" descent, whose banker type father Sal detests. World War II arrives Paolo's drafted and secretly marries Dorothy. It so happens Sal and Carmine are rich, through judicious investments, and even own Dorothy's father's bank building. Dorothy, now pregnant, moves in with Sal who now defends her against all comers. There are problems there's tears and there's laughter and then there's Carmine's illness. And then there's Lucia, Sal's wife, dead for seven years who comes to him in times of stress. She's far from angelic angel who's knitting wings for Sal's arrival upstairs. And with Carmine being ill, she's knitting another pair (publisher's description).
Cast- Moe Cournoyer · Carmine Sostenuto
- Ron Martin · John Boothe
- Amy Silva · Dorothy Boothe
- Camille Terrilli · Lucia Bustebrizzio
- Nicholas Thibeault · Paolo Bustebrizzio
- Shelly Whittle · Salvatore Bustebrizzio
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25th Anniversary Celebration
Songs, Scenes, Slide Shows & Stories from Theatre Works' past 25 years!
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of quality community theater - Hosted by local Comedian Frank O'Donnell with special guest Evelyn Zifcak, founder of Theatre Works.
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