Author Archives: Eleanor Ramsay

SF Sorrow

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A Rock Opera by The Pretty Things
Presented November 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 1999

SF Sorrow tells the cautionary tale of Sebastian F Sorrow; a nobody. With fatalistic resign he navigates through his life working in the “factories of misery” of an industrialized and unforgiving world where rain falls relentlessly and life is squeezed out drop by drop. We follow Sorrow from birth though adolescence; witness his early stirrings of love; the horror of war; the tragedy of loss; and the madness which eventually engulfs him after his fateful exchange with the sinister Baron Saturday.

The first true full-length rock opera, released in 1968, SF SORROW features a surprisingly relevant rock score brought to life by a cast of 14, a 6 piece rock band and a multi-image light show. The Production featured standout performances by Peter Moore as SF Sorrow, Linda Bean as Sally, the girl next door, Gene Dante as the Narrator and Mick Maldonado as Baron Saturday.

The Pretty Things, rock and roll’s unrepentant original bad boys, have a long and illustrative career. Breaking onto the scene during the first “British Invasion” of the mid-sixties the Pretties, like the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and Kinks, demonstrated loudly that not all British bands were lovable mop-tops. The rawness of their sound and their off-stage antics foreshadowed what would become the de-rigure “bad” attitude for alternative rock groups to this day. They also managed to record a lot of great records along the way including SF Sorrow and Parachute, both recently re-released on Snapper Music, and they managed to stay alive. The Pretty Things themselves performed SF Sorrow live in concert for the first time in 1998 at Abbey Road Studios (with a live webcast and special guest David Gilmour), released a new CD Rage Before Beauty and completed a US tour (their first in almost twenty-five years!)

In BRO’s hands… the cold, brutal fatalism of the narrative… was infused with poignant drama, and the sense that at the story’s center beats a still-striving human heart.
— Jonathan Perry, Boston Phoenix

S. F. Sorrow is a dramatic, entertaining night of theater that should not be missed.
— digitalcity Boston

For the Benefit of Mr Dee

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Being for the Benefit of Mr. Dee
An Evening of Rock & Roll Storytelling and Song Honoring Mikey Dee
Presented Wednesday, May 3, 2000,
AXIS 13 LANSDOWNE STREET, BOSTON

Featued Gary Cherone, Kay Hanley, Peter Moore, Mick Maldonado, David Minehan, Linda Viens, Gene Dante, John Surette, Brian Gottesman, Lynette Estes, T Max, Holly Sugar and many others performing excerpts from BRO’s rock opera repertory, including The Who’s mini-opera A Quick One While He’s Away, excerpts from Jesus Christ Superstar, Preservation, Tommy and SF Sorrow and songs chosen for their significance to Mikey.

BRO’s presentation was the opening night event of a 5 night music series featuring some of the biggest names in the Boston rock scene. All proceeds supported the Mikey Dee Musician’s Benefit Trust established to assist with medical and living expenses while Mikey recovers from a devastating brainstem stroke suffered on Feb 7, 2000. The entire event raised $eleanor,000. The Trust’s long-term goal is to provide fund assistance for other musicians who suffer catastrophic events.

Show Highlights | More details/full schedule | Benefit Press Release | Review from Boston Soundcheck | Review from the Noise

The Festival: "FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. DEE" MAY 3 – 7, 2000 — 5 Nights of Music and Love — FEATURED 26 SHOWS FEATURED 90+, BANDS INCLUDING: LETTERS TO CLEO, ANGRY SALAD, THE PUSH STARS, THE SHEILA DEVINE, BABALOO, ORBIT, SUPERHONEY, THE GRAVEL PIT, QUINTAINE AMERICANA, VOODOO DOLLS, SLIDE, THE STRANGEMEN, MERRIE AMSTERBURG, SEKS BOMBA, BABY RAY, THE OUTLETS, MARY LOU LORD AND MANY MORE! DETAILS AT: WWW.MIKEYDEE.COM

The Point!

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First Night 2003 BRO performed Harry Nisson’s classic album The Point! – in concert for Boston’s First Night Festival (December 31st at the Park Plaza Castle). The homage to the classic 1971 album featured vocalists, a seven piece band, dancers and puppetry and was a tribute to Nilsson’s fable of a round headed boy born into a pointed world. Also at the Castle that night Peter Moore solo piano and former Bostonians, indie darlings The Gigolo Aunts.

Nilsson’s beloved fable tells the story of Oblio, his dog Arrow, and their adventures in the Pointless Forest. Born without a point in a land where “everything and everyone must have one,” Oblio is banished for being different. During his banishment, little Oblio realizes that since everything in the Pointless Forest, no matter how odd it might be, has a point — a reason for being — then he must have one too.

First Night Presentation: Featuring:

In The Ensemble: Mr. Curt, Ramona Silver, John Surette, Valerie Forgione, Lisa McColgan, John Whiteside, George Bonin, Stan LeRoy, C. Moon Mullins, Sally Tetzlaff and Wendi Whitsett.

The Dancers: Kristen Kissik – choreographer, Tanina Carrabotta, Rosemary Candelairo,
Jenna Hussey, Michelle Braden and Susan Fetter.

The Band: Joel Simches – keyboards, music director, Jeffrey Simmons – keyboards,
Mick Maldonado- keyboards, Joe Turner- guitar and banjo, Nate Hagee – bass,
Wright Maney – drums, percussion, Carolyn Corella – flutes, percussion and saxophone.

Costumes by Penney Pinette, Puppets by Laura McPherson
Directed by Eleanor Ramsay and John Whiteside

Galleries:
Dress Rehearsal
Photos by Claudia DeHaven Biddle

The Point! (outside link)
by Andy Alpern

Ten Years: Anniversary Show

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Boston Rock Opera’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
Presented at the Middle East, Saturday, June 7th, 2003

“Featuring music from Preservation, Jesus Christ Superstar, SF Sorrow, Abbey Road, Sgt Pepper, Rocky Horror,
Happiness Stan, Aqualung, Billion Dollar Babies, old and new friends and a few surprises!”

Complete List of Songs and Performers

8:30
The Point! – in Concert
Music and story by Harry Nilsson

Directed by Eleanor Ramsay
Music Direction by Joel Simches
Choreography by Kristen Kissik

The Ensemble:
Mr. Curt as the Storyteller
Ramona Silver as Oblio
John Surette as The Pointless Man
Linda Viens as Oblio’s Mother
John Whiteside as The Count
Lisa McColgan as The Count’s Kid
George Bonin as The King
Stan LeRoy as the Rock Man
C. Moon Mullins as The Leaf Man
With Sally Tetzlaff and Wendi Whitsett

The Dancers:
Kristen Kissik, Rosemary Candelairo,
Jenna Hussey, Michelle Braden, Susan Fetter
With Tanina Carrabotta as Arrow

The Band:
Joel Simches – keyboards, vocals
Jeffrey Simmons – keyboards, vocals
Mick Maldonado – keyboards, vocals
Joe Turner – guitar and banjo, vocals
Nate Hagee – bass
Wright Maney – drums, percussion
Carolyn Corella – flutes, percussion and saxophone

Costumes by Penney Pinette
Set pieces by Laura McPherson
Lighting by Harry Melanson

10th Anniversary All Star Band
Music directed by Mick Maldonado
MC: Pat McGrath

The BRO 10th Anniversary Chorus: Front Row (l-to-r) John Powhida, T Max, Mick Maldonado, Eleanor Ramsay, Joe Turner. Second Row: John Surette, Judy Dombrowski, C. Moon Mullins. 3rd Row: Chris Mascara, Christine Zuffery, Holly Sugar, Linda Viens, Mark Cherone, Wendi Whitsett, Lisa McColgan, Susan Barnaby Travis, Gary Cherone

Vocalists:
Gary Cherone, Mick Maldonado, Chris Mascara, Kay Hanley, Peter Moore, T Max, John Surette, Linda Viens, Mark Cherone, Christine Zuffery, John Powhida, Izzy Maxwell, Judy Dombrowski, Holly Sugar, Susan Barnaby, Joe Turner, Joel Simches, C. Moon Mullins, Wendi Whitsett

Musicians:
Guitars: Bill Bracken, Cathy Capozzi, Mick Maldonado, Mike Loce, Chris Mascara
Bass: Ethan Mackler, Nate Hagee, Corin Ashley, John Rapoza, Izzy Maxwell
Keys: Carol Namkoong, Joel Simches, Suzi Lee
Drums: Malcolm Travis, Larry Dersch, Wright Maney, Steve Whitcomb
Carolyn Corella (piccolo, sax, percussion)
Melissa Welles (flute)

SkyPaint: A Popopera
words and music by Russell Chudnofsky

Russell Chudnofsky as Skypaint — vocals and guitars
Sarah Borges as Laila — vocals and guitars
Tom (Tao Jones) Sturm as Dr Riley J. Jones
Binky Rice as Hank
Eric Schmider as R. J. Jones II
Rob Dulaney — drums
Phil Magnifico — bass

Animation and lighting design by Larry Sampson

Jesus Christ Superstar – 1996

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Jesus Christ Superstar
Boston Rock Opera’s presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar , which had become a cult favorite, packed the Lansdowne Street Playhouse in Boston, MA for three weeks during April 1996. The show starred Gary Cherone (Extreme/Van Halen) as mysterious Jesus and Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo brought an intensity and sensuality to the part of Mary Magdalene. The cast of thirty performers also included outstanding performances by Doug Thoms as Judas, Peter Moore as Pontius Pilate, Mick Maldonado as Ciaphas, Pat McGrath as Herod and Lynette Estes as Simon Zealotes.

1996 Show Credits | A Preview from the Boston Globe | Globe Review | Scrapbook of Images

Some Press Excerpts from the 1996 and 1994 Productions:

“A delight! Hard-hitting and somber at times, a hilarious hoot at others.”
–Jim Sullivan, Boston Globe

“A radically stripped-down version of the megamusical in terms of costumes and set design, which is part of what makes it so refreshingly contemporary …the leads are solid, dynamic and, well, more than charismatic enough to make JC Superstar shine even in the absence of glitzy pyrotechnics.”
–Matt Ashare, Boston Phoenix

“Hits the hot button on acting… Everyone in BRO approached Jesus Christ Superstar with just the right, slightly irreverent attitude.”
–Terry Byrne, Boston Herald

“The production, now in its fifth season, has grown into a musical of real power and style.”
–Tristram Lozaw, Boston Herald

“Real rock stars sing the songs with the kind of honesty and humility that breaks your heart.”
–Patti Hartigan, Boston Globe

“This was a rock musical with the accent on rock, using powerful voices, a crack band, and over-the-top acting to put it across. And it worked …a thoroughly enjoyable production.”
–Andy Smith, Providence Journal

“Truly inspired, sensationally performed, one can see this production over and over, year after year, and want to give BRO a standing ovation each
and every time.”
— Teresa Meninno, Haverhill Gazette

“Gary Cherone is a powerful and poignant “Jesus Christ Superstar” and Kay Hanley brings her sultry vocals to a funky Mary Magdalene.”
–Joyce Kulhawik, WBZ-TV News 4

“…Might as well say it: This was the role Cherone was born to play.”
–Jim Sullivan, Boston Globe

Winter is coming in…

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Boston Rock Opera Recommends
December Music Events:

URBAN CARAVAN
T Max’s Christmas show at the Cantab (12/20)
special guests include RANDY BLACK , PREACHER JACK , FIRE-DEAN (from NYC) and LIZ BORDEN.

GOLD DUST ORPHANS
Ryan Landry’s Gold Dust Orphans remain committed to presenting “the very best in holiday entertainment.”
“All About Christmas Eve” at the Machine Theater from Dec. 5th through Jan. 3rd
See Their Website for more info.

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
The TSO’s Christmas rock shows are over-the-top.
DCU Center in Worcester, December 11