“A Chorus Line” explores the trials and tribulations encountered by professional dancers aiming for Broadway. After securing their coveted roles, the Cape Playhouse’s professional cast had some added hardships with this production—two days without power due to the tornado; an unexpected change in musical directors; and a blackout during their rehearsal time in NYC. In the end, the ensemble demonstrated grit, resi...

It's the time of year to get out and enjoy the natural world. We're fortunate here on Cape Cod that a significant amount of unspoiled open space has been preserved. Many of these conservation parcels, both privately and publicly owned, have walking and hiking trails that are open to the public. We asked a few local conservationists and outdoors enthusiasts to tell us their favorites. It is not so easy to say...

It is hard to describe the universal power of the musical “Once.” The fact that it is the only show to have ever won an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award and Tony Award only confirms its uniqueness. Halfway through their 93 rd season, the Cape Playhouse’s production is hauntingly beautiful, emotionally charged, and selling out fast. The 2012 Broadway musical won eight Tony Awar...

It’s about lunacy, a Midsummer Night’s Dream of sorts. And it’s not the Addams Family you might remember from the TV show, odd but really gentle and sweet in their own weird way. No, this is The Addams Family musical, presented through Aug. 4 by the Chatham Drama Guild. Wednesday has grown up enough to fall in love and want to get married—and Morticia, angry that Wednesday now has a life of her own, is fixing ...

The satirical murder mystery “Murder for Two,” fittingly performed by two actors, is a feat of dancing, singing, piano playing, and comedic prowess few actors could master. Sam Krivda and Matthew McGloin seem born for their roles in the hilarious and zany romp, so much that I was shocked to learn this is not only the first time each has been in this musical, but also the first time they worked together. Kri...

After closing their doors due to financial issues in January, the Academy of Performing Arts is banking on “Disney’s Frozen Jr.” to help get them back in the black, and based on the sold-out opening weekend, they are off to a great start. Disney’s movie “Frozen” was an unprecedented hit in 2013, earning the title of highest-grossing animated film ever, with total worldwide sales surpassing well over a billion ...

If you spend any time with small children, you know they love to play the copycat game. They will repeat everything you say and mimic every action you make. Their eager joy in the game will easily outlast that of any grownup, sometimes to the point of annoyance. Older brothers and sisters are the usual targets of this game and it doesn’t always end well. Copying is a natural way of learning, not just for o...

Unusually Large Numbers Gather East Of Chatham It's not unusual to see whales in the waters east of Chatham. For the past several weeks, however, there has been an unusual number of whales off the town's coast, dozens of them feeding on a heavy concentration of their favorite meal, sand lance. “Probably the biggest whale show on earth is east of Chatham,” said pilot Norman St. Pierre, who sees the whales wh...

Between her mean TV-obsessed parents and a cruel school headmistress (“You Maggots!”), Matilda Wormwood has it pretty tough. What’s a five year old child to do? Why, read books of course! You see Matilda is smart, really smart, and has a powerful mind in more ways than one (think telekinetic!). Her teacher, Miss Honey, sees it and nurtures her student. But both she and Matilda have the awful Mrs. Trunchbull to co...

Zany! Crazy! Hilarious! Amazing! “The Unauthorized Musical Parody of Summer Blockbusters” opened at Cape Rep last week for its East Coast premiere, where it’s sure to get the same raves the parodies experienced in Los Angeles. The creator of the show, Kate Pazakis, is no doubt thrilled to be here as she’s very familiar with this stage. She performed on it over 25 years ago. A huge TV screen with a Simpsons-...

Parents and children alike can struggle with conforming to society’s demands while still maintaining their individuality. In his latest musical “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience,” popular children’s book author Mo Willems explores this idea of fitting in while still being true to oneself. The entertainingly silly story is set underground in Grandpah’s tunnel, where every naked mole rat is proud...

CHATHAM — If you were in Chatham in the summertime in the ‘90s, you might remember the antics of Otis Russell and Tim Wood in the annual Art of Charity pro-am charity art auction. Backed by a team of volunteers, they raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children’s charities, producing an evening filled with surprises, fine art, community spirit and frequently off-color humor. “We used to be funny,” Ru...