‘The World Goes ‘Round’ Delights On Eventide Stage

          November brings six reasons to be truly grateful, as a knockout cast lights up the Gertrude Lawrence Stage at Dennis Union Church with Eventide Theatre Company’s delightful musical “The World Goes ‘Round.”
          The six-member cast, made up of Holly Hansen, Lynne Ruberti Johnson, Zack Johnson, Kathleen Larson Day, Madison Mayer and Rebecca Riley had the audience on their feet with their spirited renditions of 20 Tony Award-winning songs by an unforgettable American songwriting duo, composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb. With musicals to choose from like “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and “New York, New York,” every single song was a stunner, and the talented cast’s standing ovation was well-deserved. 
           There were many standout moments throughout the evening when the entire cast brought their best to the stage, belting out such favorites as the titular tune from the 1977 musical film “New York, New York,” “Coffee in a Cardboard Cup” from the 1970 musical “70 Girls, 70,” “Me and my Baby” from the iconic “Chicago,” and “Money” from the unforgettable “Cabaret.” 
           Each cast member had ample time to shine in the spotlight, as well. Holly Hansen’s “Colored Lights” was heartfelt and enchanting, and Rebecca Riley captured the audience’s hearts with both her voice and her comic timing in "Arthur in the Afternoon” and “All that Jazz.” Zack Johnson is a standout not only because he is the only male performer in this cast, but because his voice and presence are stellar. When he joined forces with Hansen for “I Don’t Remember You/Sometimes a Day Goes By” (from 1968’s “The Happy Time” and 1981’s “Woman of the Year,” respectively), the pair held the audience spellbound. Lynne Ruberti Johnson and Kathleen Larson Day had the crowd in stitches with their comedic rendition of “Class” from “Chicago” and Madison Mayer was wonderful, along with the rest of the cast, in “Ring Them Bells” from 1965’s “Flora, the Red Menace” as well as in a poignant polyphonic approach to “We Can Make It/Maybe This Time/Isn’t It Better” with Zack Johnson and Kathleen Larson Day (from 1984’s “The Rink,” “Cabaret” and 1975’s “Funny Lady,” respectively). 
 Eventide Theatre Company’s executive artistic director Donna Wresinski explains in a program note that “The World Goes ‘Round” was produced in fall of 2022 at Cotuit Center for the Arts as a tribute to her late husband, R. Michael Wresinski. The original cast is now back for this special production. The accompanying emotion was palpable, along with the undeniable chemistry and talent onstage. 
           Don’t miss “The World Goes ‘Round,” with music by Misao Koyama on piano, Michael Dunford on percussion and Rich Hill on bass, directed and produced by Donna Wresinski, with musical direction by Pam Wannie, choreography by Teri Shea, technical direction by George Quinn, production manager Masa Quinn, stage manager Beth Henderson, lighting design by Caitlin Nicholson, sound engineer Adam Wannie, props designer Bonnie Corliss, painting by Priscilla Hurley, spotlight operator Hannah McLaughlin, and house managers Liz Argo, Morgan Dexter, Sue Martin, Frank Scanzillo and Doug Sivco. 

 DETAILS:
 “The World Goes ‘Round”
 At Eventide Theater Company
 Gertrude Lawrence Stage, Dennis Union Church, Route 6A, Dennis
 Nov. 15, 16, and 17
Information and reservations: 508-233-2148, eventidearts.com.