Monday, November 4, 2024

Chapel Street Players Celebrate New Show & New Home

By Mike Logothetis
Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.


After signing a deal to depart its cramped quarters on North Chapel Street in early 2019, the Chapel Street Players have new digs for their 90th season! The recently completed building features 210 seats – an increase from the former 155 – as well as a large lobby, box office, bar area, and green room. The new theater also has a stage curtain, a modern sound system, more comfortable seats, bigger dressing rooms, and wings for actors to gather while waiting for their cues to go on stage. A 24-foot ceiling allows volunteers to build complex two-story sets. Most importantly, the new location offers plenty of free parking.

While a bit boxy, the new theater is quite beautiful and a deserved home for the long-time community theater. Congratulations to the leadership for all its work in securing the funding, real estate, and partnerships to pull off this monumental move. The capital campaign raised $700,000 over four years to make this all possible. Kudos!

According to CSP President Scott F. Mason: “Due to the rush to get to opening there are more amenities to come such as chandeliers in the lobby, our logo, outdoor signage, an art gallery area, and more. Every show this season will see more and more added to the space.”

(L-R): Michael Anderson, Joel Richard Watson, Connie Regan,
Leslie Green Shapiro, and Nicholas Savino star in CSP's
Footlight Frenzy. Photo provided by Chapel Street Players.
Oh, right…there was a show to put on…a very funny show. Footlight Frenzy is a fast-paced modern farce written by Ron House, Alan Shearman, Bud Slocumb, and Diz White. In a desperate attempt to save their bankrupt “School for Unusual Children,” an inexperienced local group valiantly mounts an ambitious benefit play written by a wanna-be Broadway director. His questionable direction and the group’s dubious talent turn the production into a shambles. 

The wacky story shifts from the dramatic (and at times over-dramatic) tribulations of the performers’ real lives to the play they are performing. The audience sees this entire chaotic story from the best seat in the house – the back of the stage.

The run-up to curtain becomes a disaster as the poorly-conceived play Tarnished Silver is set for its world premiere. Several unseen cast members have quit the production late-on and the shaken director Tony Langdon (Joel Richard Watson) turns to the janitor Benny Dibble (Michael Anderson) to fill in the crucial role of a notorious gangster. (To boot, one of the missing actors is replaced by a telephone!) 

As a young man with no stage experience, Benny hams it up but also comes down with paralyzing stage fright. The ex-actress/singer Laura Becker (Connie Regan) hasn’t trodden the boards in a long time. Laura becomes neurotic as young Debbie Turner (Leslie Green Shapiro) lustily pursues her husband Paul (Tom Hartzell) — a teacher at the school who is always playing catch-up. To add another layer, Debbie’s unrequited lover is the oft-inept janitor Benny.

Meanwhile, Laura’s old flame Alex Malone (Nicholas Savino) is also in the production of Tarnished Silver. His addition just adds froth to the madcap antics. To cope, Laura tries to self-medicate with all sorts of drugs to calm her jangled nerves. You can imagine that doesn’t turn out as expected. 

The jokes come quickly and furiously — both spoken and in the form of physical humor. Highlights include a “toy” dog, a rollicking fight scene, an out-of-place polo match, and the poor (detachable) head of baby Anne. Also, try to keep track of how many gunshots are fired by Debbie — AKA Gwen in Tarnished Silver — to “kill” her fellow actors. Some just won’t die!

Director Brian M. Touchette delivers the action at a rapid clip; although there were times when brief lulls would slow the pace. The cast did a worthy job of acting to the house as well as to the back – where the audience for Tarnished Silver sits. The intertwining plots were sometimes hard to follow, but the jokes never stopped coming.

Performances of Footloose Frenzy run the first two weekends of November. Evening shows on November 8 and 9 are at 8:00pm. A matinee show on November 9 begin at 2:00pm. Tickets are $22 for adults. Students, seniors, and military tickets are $20. Tickes for children under 12 are $12. Purchases may be made at https://chapelstreetplayers.org/footlight-frenzy/ or at the box office, subject to availability. The run time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes which includes a 15-minute intermission. 

The new theater is located at 643 Creek View Road in Newark. Free parking can be easily located all around the building. A selection of wine, beer, and cocktails are now available before the show and at intermission from the new concessions booth. Water, soda, and snacks are also offered. Cash or credit cards are accepted. 

Chapel Street Players’ 90th season will continue with performances of Times Square Angel in December, The Foxy Mrs. Bumstead Leigh in February, Steel Magnolias in April and the annual Renee G. O’Leary fundraiser in the spring. A season package costs $70.

Dr. Renee G. O'Leary is the only living person and CSP Board Member who has worked in all five CSP locations! She started as an actress in Mitchell Hall. She is a true legend and made a significant donation to have the hearing assistance system installed in the new space. 

CSP is a 501c3 non-profit all-volunteer organization.

Monday, September 30, 2024

High Heels and High Notes: Kinky Boots at DTC

By Jeff Gudzune
Jeff writes book reviews for a variety of publishers and is active in community theater. Since 2013, Jeff has owned and operated Matrix Notary Service.


With equal parts sass and sizzle, Delaware Theater Company’s production of Kinky Boots took the stage Saturday night. It was a sold-out crowd for the most anticipated musical of the season. Based on the 2005 film, Kinky Boots is a musical comedy centered on the unlikely pairing of boot-maker Charlie and drag queen Lola. The premise alone is unique enough to tantalize this theatergoer. I was already clutching my pearls. 

Kinky Boots playing now at DTC. Photo by Matt Urban, NĂ¼POINT Marketing
What happened on the stage Saturday evening was nothing short of magical. Kinky Boots is more than a show, it’s an experience. It’s something that speaks to the dreamer within us all. It’s a challenge to live one’s truth.

With a short expository song introducing the characters as young men, the show quickly escalates into a fast-paced riotous explosion of emotions. When Charlie is forced to take over the family business, he is unprepared for the rocky road ahead of him. The factory that has been in his family for four generations is in danger of closure due to shaky economic times. Realizing his family firm will not survive, Charlie informs his employees that he must let them all go. In a shocking and hilarious reversal, each employee gives Charlie a microeconomics lesson that motivates him to find a new way of doing business. A chance encounter with Lola outside a drag club in London creates a partnership that rocks the industry.

The Delaware Theater Company partnered with New Light Theater to bring about this amazing production. Every aspect of this production was carefully managed to provide an awe-inspiring theatrical experience. The stage itself was its own character, contributing to the mood of the performance. 

 A two-story rendering of the factory floor with movable equipment pieces and a second-story office provide a bold visual. The use of a long slanting staircase allowed for emotional moments during solo numbers, juxtaposing a physical descent with an emotional revelation. The stage is a prime example of a great use of space and brought an added undercurrent to the production.

There are no stars in this production. By that I mean everyone stands out in their own way. There are main characters, tertiary figures, and ensemble members — all of whom are amazing in their contributions. Adam Hoyak (Charlie) transforms from reserved and uncertain to passionate and determined. Rachel Maselek (Lauren) is not only hilarious in her role but manages to bring an equal amount of comedy and longing to her numbers as she gradually falls for Charlie. Cookie Diorio (Lola) has a stage presence that can be felt in the dark and a voice that resonates to the back of the house. The Angels were more than backup dancers, they were a show of their own. The ensemble factory members each brought character traits to their silent yet vital roles.

Kinky Boots was a wonderful and unique breath of fresh air in a world where entertainment consists of zombies, viral pandemics, dystopias, and other apocalyptic ephemera. 

Additional performances of Kinky Boots are:
  • Wednesday, October 2, @ 2:00pm
  • Thursday, October 3 @ 7:00pm
  • Friday, October 4 @ 7:00pm
  • Saturday, October 5 @ 2:00pm
  • Saturday, October 5 @ 7:30pm
  • Sunday, October 6 @ 2:00pm
  • Wednesday, October 9 @ 2:00pm
  • Thursday, October 10 @ 7:00pm
  • Friday, October 11 @ 7:00pm
  • Saturday, October 12 @ 2:00pm
  • Saturday, October 12 @ 7:30pm
  • Sunday, October 13 @ 2:00pm
Ticket prices range from $32-$90. Visit DelawareTheatre.org to purchase!

Saturday, September 28, 2024

We're Head Over Heels for Bootless' Final Season Kickoff

By Mike Logothetis
Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.

Bootless Stageworks kicks off its twenty-second and final [sniffle...] season with a lively production of Head Over Heels, a jukebox musical that fuses the plot of The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia – a 16th Century work by Sir Philip Sidney – and the music of The Go-Go’s.

The multi-faceted love story features the all-female group’s hit songs “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Vacation” plus Belinda Carlisle’s solo efforts “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You.” Many people in the seats sang along to the tunes they loved as radio staples in the 1980s.

A mash-up of posh and punk, Head Over Heels is an unpredictable romp about what happens when the court of Arcadia is threatened by the mystical Oracle with the loss of its “Beat,” the divine power that ensures the kingdom’s prosperity. In order to save their beloved realm, the royal family embarks on an extravagant journey wrought with mistaken identities, jealous lovers, sexual awakening, scandal, and self-discovery. Not everything and everyone are what they seem.

Diving into the intricacies of the plot would be foolhardy and though some subtle wordplay got lost in the theater space, the audience joyously followed the broad antics of the company.

Will Rotsch was a standout player as the kindhearted shepherd Musidorus. A highlight of the show was a disguised Musidorus tempting both King Basilius (John Jerbasi) and Queen Gynecia (Tara Herweg) simultaneously during the lovely duet “This Old Feeling.” Rotsch’s physical humor – wielding his crook, acting as an Amazon warrior, etc. – and his warm yet powerful vocals made his character one to root for.

Princesses Pamela (Samantha McNerney) and Philoclea (Maria Leonetti) were strong individually and as sisters encouraging each other in their quests for true love. Kudos to Director Andrew Dean Laino for his use of a faux mirror during “Beautiful” when Pamela sings of her beauty while Philoclea is supporting her in their chambers. Leonetti and McNerney have big voices, but use them differently – McNerney tended to be more rock-heavy (“How Much More”) while Leonetti vocalized more gently throughout. Both styles were appropriate for the characters they portrayed.

The Oracle Pythio (Nathan Hale) was a commanding presence with a booming voice while donning Costume Designer Rosanne DellAversano’s extravagant outfits. “Vision of Nowness” was a fun ensemble number led by Pythio as was “Heaven is a Place on Earth” – where a projected screen insinuated some amorous activities afoot.

The cast was rounded out by Aubrey Murphy (Mopsa), Sedric Willis (Dametus), Rosanne DellAversano (Ensemble), Genevieve Francis (Ensemble), Abbey Ketterling (Ensemble), and Jen Rotsch (Ensemble).

Musical standouts included “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Head Over Heels” but the highpoint was “Mad About You.” Shepherd Musidorus proclaims his unconditional love for Philoclea in a field…with sheep…singing the backup chorus, “Maaaaaad about you,” like baa-ing sheep would sing. The audience ate it up.

Music Director James W. Fuerst led a talented band who both played behind the actors and let those great Go-Go’s riffs break through. There was a lot of foot-tapping going on.

Head Over Heels preaches unconditional love and acceptance of yourself and everyone you know, no matter their gender or sexual identity. And there’s a happy ending. And it has a rockin’ soundtrack.

The performance schedule of Head Over Heels, The Musical is:

  • Saturday, September 28 @ 8:00pm
  • Sunday, September 29 @ 3:00pm
  • Friday, October 3 @ 7:30pm
  • Saturday, October 4 @ 8:00pm
  • Sunday, October 5 @ 8:00pm

Tickets start at $31 and tickets can be purchased via website (https://www.bootless.org/hoh/) or by calling Bootless Stageworks at 302.887.9300. Tickets are also available at the door, subject to availability. The run time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes which includes one 15-minute intermission. Bootless Stageworks offers a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus some snacks at its concessions stand. The theater space is in the basement of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church at 1301 N. Broom Street in Wilmington.

I encourage you to “celebrate the [final] season” of theater at Bootless Stageworks filled with the “Beat.”