A COMEDY OF TENORS @ The Papermill Playhouse

In 2013 Paper Mill Playhouse produced Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor with director Don Stephenson at the healm. Now, over 3 years later, Stephenson and the original cast are back for its sequel, A Comedy of Tenors. This grand reunion paired with a hilarious script filled with hijinks makes for an evening filled with hysterics.

The title immediately gives you a clue as to what’s in store- borrowing its name from Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors, Ludwig’s sequel has all of the trademarks of an outrageous farce. From mistaken identities, to slamming doors, lots of sex, a little bit of opera, and of course a wedding to tie everything up, this 2-hour long show is a fast paced wild ride. Set 2 years after the events of the original, we find producer Saunders (Michael Kostroff) in a hotel room in Paris attempting to keep his opera performance together. Returning are Max (David Josefsberg) his son-in-law and aspiring opera performer, and world famous Tenor Tito (John Treacy Egan) along with his hot-headed wife Maria (Judy Blazer). Along for the ride is Tito and Maria’s daughter, aspiring actress Mimi (Jill Paice) with her boyfriend, the new opera star Carlo (Ryan Silverman), and Racón (Donna Englisch), a former fling of Tito’s. With Tito already feeling jealousy that his stardom is being outshone by bright Tenor Carlo, things escalate when he mistakenly believes his wife is having an affair with the young singer, not knowing he is actually the secret boyfriend of his beloved daughter. Shenanigans ensue, while Saunders tries to keep everyone from strangling each other and get them ready to sing for a soccer stadium full of fans.

Kostroff, Josefsberg, Egan, and Blazer all reprise their respective roles from Lend Me a Tenor, and they excel in them. Their familiarity with the characters allows for lots of nuances within the absurdity and a real sense of connection between one another. Egan particularly shines, tackling a duel role. Much like his portrayal of Franz Liebkind in Paper Mill’s recent production of The Producers, he is able to deftly navigate moments of over-the-top absurd anger and moments of pure joy and silliness; and here his voice is allowed to soar even more in the few operatic occasions featured. Egan is certainly the standout, commanding the stage for the majority of the evening. Also returning from The Producers are Kostroff and Josefsberg who had been Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom respectively. It is fun to see these two teamed up again and show off their deft comedy skills. The final returning cast member from the original Tenors is Judy Blazer as Maria, whose fierce hot-headed Italian attitude is especially delightful, and I only wish there had been even more of her throughout the show. The three new characters are all amusing, but it is Ryan Silverman as Carlo who really stands out. His voice is incredible, and he proves a skilled comedic actor as he serves as the catalyst for all the wacky goings-ons.

All of this crazy action takes place in a hotel room in Paris, with Michael Schweikardt’s scenic design setting a wonderful grand atmosphere, with luxurious adornments and a gorgeous terrace featuring the Parisian sky and a view of the Eiffel Tower. The lighting design by Stephen Terry was quite appropriately simple for the room, but its prowess was shown through the terrace. Subtly, throughout the progression of the play, the outside sky began to change color, effectively communicating the passage of time and providing an insight of urgency to the audience that time was running out for everything to come together for the fast approaching opera concert. Paper Mill favorite and returning director from Lend Me a Tenor, Stephenson navigates the ridiculous A Comedy of Tenors with skill, stretching out the wacky moments for an optimal amount of laughs, while still letting the heart of the characters come through.

With lots of slapstick, screaming, singing, scandal, and a stirring script, Paper Mill’s A Comedy of Tenors is a fun night of laughter and entertainment. If you were a fan of Ludwig’s original show and want to see how these zany characters end up, or if you’re a newcomer looking for a farce check out this uproarious comedy before it ends its limited run on Sunday, February 26.

Review By: April Sigler

Photos By: Jerry Dalia and Kevin Thomas Garcia

Be More Chill @ Two Rivers Theater Company

The World Premier of Be More Chill, opened at the Two River’s Theatre this June. An inventive musical with a fantastic cast of Broadway’s young finest, Be More Chill deserves to be seen and appreciated!

Young Jeremy is a loser, he’s barely able to get through high school, he doesn’t have a girlfriend, and his father wanders the house without his pants on. Enter in “The Squib,” a super computer that enters in your bloodstream and invades your consciousness to give you all the tools to succeed at life, but as we all know, there is always a price.

Will Connolly(Once) stars as Jeremy. With poignancy and teenage innocence, we see him transformed from the lovable nerd to the kid at the top of the food chain. Eric William Morris(Mamma Mia) plays his squib, bent on world domination. Oozing sex appeal, he commands the stage and is the epitome of chill. Stephanie Hsu(Girl Code) demonstrates the vivacity that high school drama geeks are known for with flair and kick-ass converse. Also starring: Jake Boyd, Gerard Canonico, Katlyn Carlson, Katie Ladner, Lauren Marcus, George Salazar, and Paul Whitty.

Be More Chill is full of choreography and music reminiscent of Green Day’s’ American Idiot, with just enough musical theatre to paint it’s tonality. But the one number that stood out was “Michael in the Bathroom,” performed by the incredibly talented George Salazar. If, and I hope this is the case, Be More Chill continues its climb to the Broadway stage, I hope they do not change one iota of this ballad. It was perfect.

Do yourself a favor and make your way down to the Jersey Shore for this piece of theatre conceived by Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz and directed by Stephen Brackett. It’s a misfist’s dream and captures high school, friendship, and what it means to be an individual with laser definition. Be More Chill runs until June 21st.

Review By: Aziza Seven
Photos By: T. Charles Erickson

The Hunchback of Notre Dame @ Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame: a truly stunning and emotion grabbing hit. Inspired by the classic Victor Hugo novel and the only stage collaboration between two giants of American musical theater. Music by Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors), lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin). An intimate retelling of the famous love story, with a lush, emotionally rich score and a production that will leave you inspired.

Leading the cast is the incredible Michael Arden. Arden is a force to be reckoned with, when he first walks out on stage, he grabs the audience in his fists and drags them along for a performance of a lifetime. Patrick Page portrays the Froillo, Quaz's guardian, Although in the disney movie and original story Froillo is presented as evil and unlikeable, this productions give his a back story that allows you to feel for him. Page's Hellfire was truly stunning to the point where the audience was brought to their feet in the middle of the act. Rounding out the cast is Ciara Renee as the sexy gypsy Esermelda. Renee is lovable and sexy, and her voice is just as electrifying as her dancing. 


The Hunchback of Notre Dame opened at Paper Mill Playhouse on March 4th 2015 and plays through April 5thth, 2015. If this production doesn't move to Broadway, then you will mess out on a truly remarkable production.

Review By: James Russo
Photos By: Kevin Berne

Can Can @ The Paper Mill Playhouse

An old Cole Porter classic finds it was over to Papermill this fall. Can-Can delivers thrilling combat, stunning talent and the highest kicks you have ever seen. Kate Baldwin leads this high flying cast in a production that would make Cole Porter proud. 

Set in the year 1893, Can-Can tells the tale of Paris dance hall owner, La Mome Pistache, and her battle with a self-rightious judge, Aristide, who is determined to shut her business down. The sexy Can-Can dance has become popular and Judge Aristide is determined to stop it. When Judge Aristide investigates the Bal du Paradis, La Mome Pastache seduces him and the two eventually fall in love. By the time her case comes to trial, Aristide has had a change of heart and works to win her acquittal.

Kate Baldwin leads the cast as Madame Pistache, the owner of the Paris dance hall.  Baldwin knocks this performance out of the park. She was sincere, strong and sexy, and has the vocal talent of a god. Jason Danieley played Aristide, the new judge in town the is trying to shut down Madame Pistache's night club. Daniely's performance started out rocky but as the show went on, he won the audience over with his smooth baritone vocals. Overall this cast was extremely well developed, each person had a equally memorable character, a truly strong performance by all.

The one person who truly deserves a bow every night would have to be Patti Colombo, choreographer. Colombo created an exciting display of organized chaos which left the audiences jaws on the floor.

Can-Can opened at Paper Mill Playhouse on October 5th, 2014 and plays through October 26th, 2014. Hurry up and get your tickets for this Broadway ready performance. 

Review By: James Russo
Photos By: Matthew Murphy