Review: 'Showstoppers Blockbusters and Broadway' at Seven Angels

Pictured above: Marcia Maslo and Jimmy Donohue performing "Anything You Can Do" from ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Photo courtesy of Seven Angels Theatre

Waterbury, CT - Showstoppers:Blockbusters and Broadway is a grand collection of fabulous show tunes, with songs from Broadway and film. The non-Equity show runs this weekend only on the stage of Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury. This show that was written and directed by WATR 1320’s Tom Chute is a mix of music, comedy, dance and lots of fun. Some of the songs chosen by Mr. Chute are very familiar to most audience members, but there are also a few “special gems” that are probably new for at least some of the patrons. While the patter that strings them all together may be low key, all of the musical numbers are professionally staged with a cast of magnificent singers and dancers that are a treat for the eyes and ears.

Besides Mr. Chute dressed in his dapper tuxedo, the guest performers include a strong mix of very talented local performers that have been assembled by the director himself.

Leah Juliett got to take on the fabulous song “Jenny’s Blues” from IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU and, of course, nailed it. Stephanie Varanelli Miles opened the evening with the classic “Gimme, Gimme” from THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. The fabulous stage presence of Carletha Hawley came out for “The Man I Love” from LADY BE GOOD and as Mama Morton in CHICAGO for “When You’re Good to Mama.”

The ever present Jimmy Donohue did a duet with Marcia Maslo on “Anything You Can Do” from ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and soloed on two pieces from THE MUSIC MAN. However, he made my night when he reprised his outstanding rendition of “Alone in the Universe” with the young Colton Zawisza as Jojo from this summer’s SEUSSICAL at 7A. As much as I enjoyed it, it brought back the longing that I could experience that memorable production just one more time.

Priscilla Squiers reminded me of just how wonderfully she played Miss Hannigan at Richter when she sang “Little Girls” from ANNIE; in the second act she performed “Hello Young Lovers” from THE KING AND I. Marcia Maslo has a voice that does not quit and she sang “S’Wonderful” with Mr. Chute as well as “Cockeyed Optimist” from SOUTH PACIFIC. Don Leona returned to this stage with “If I Were a Rich Man” from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and “I Really Like Him” from MAN OF LA MANCHA.

The smooth voice of Justin Henry was on display for “This is the Moment” from JEKYLL AND HYDE and “I’m Here” from THE COLOR PURPLE. Mr. Henry served as music director for the stellar production at The Connecticut Theatre Company. Dawn Maiorano, a new face for me, entered from the back of the house to close the first act with “This is Me” from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN with the help of the cast.

Chuck Stango made me smile as he always does as part of the trio on “Fugue for Tinhorns” from GUYS AND DOLLS and “Mr. Cellophane” from CHICAGO. He also had the funniest recovery when he messed up his introduction of upcoming numbers. Kadie Lee Toderland sang “Pulled” as the dark Wednesday Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY and paired with Ms. Maiorano for “Defying Gravity” from WICKED. Michelle Quadrato danced with Ms. Miles, the choreographer Nefra Sullivan Wihbey and her daughter Brayden Wihbey for “Go Into Your Dance” from 42ND STREET.

And Mr. Chute? He worked in a classy solo on “Luck Be A Lady” from GUYS AND DOLLS and reprised his Billy Flynn for “All I Care About is Love” from CHICAGO. Other big numbers included “The Joint is Jumpin!’ from AIN’T MISBEHAVIN and “Last Dance” from SUMMER.

The young ladies that got to sing “It’s A Hard Knock Life” from ANNIE included Savannah Sullivan, Thea Miles, Abby Diamante, Lily Kiernan, Emily Delgado, Emily Fine, Ashlyn Pierce, Samantha Boggs, Bria Grisner and Megan McKenny. These young performers brought out a strong fan base to the Saturday performance and did very well playing the orphans of ANNIE.

Given the title of the show and the question asked in the promotional material, I probably should share my pick for the performer who stopped the show. That honor would probably have to go to the wonderfully talented Justin Henry; even Chuck Stango acknowledged onstage how difficult it was to try to follow Mr. Henry’s COLOR PURPLE piece and the crowd loved it. To my mind, the SEUSSICAL duet was a brilliant addition to the second act.

Nefra Sullivan Wihbey was the choreographer of the handful of dance numbers and TJ Thompson serves as music director. Mr. Thompson played piano as only he can, Dan Kraszewski covered the bass line and Mark Ryan and Kert Berglund shared the drum sheet music.

Who do you think will ‘stop the show’? Come find out at Seven Angels Theater. Media Sponsor for Showstoppers is WATR 1320. The final performance is Sunday at 2 PM. Call, stop in, or go online for tickets and mention WATR for tickets for only $20.

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417