SHINE!
THE HORATIO ALGER MUSICAL
October 7 – 17, 2010
The New York Musical Theatre Festival
Theater at St. Clements
Book: Richard Seff
Music: Roger Anderson
Lyrics: Lee Goldsmith
Director: Peter Flynn
Cast: Melissa Rain Anderson, Jimmy Ray Bennett, Cheo Bourne, Meggie Cansler, Philip Chaffin, Rachel Coloff, Michael Halling, Joy Hermalyn, Todd Horman, Dan Lawler, Katherine McGrath, Tyler Merna, Andy Mientus, Jason Mills, Robert Mintz, Stanton Nash, Evan Jay Newman, William Ryall, Jessica Vosk
Music Supervision/Orchestrations: Greg Anthony
Choreographer: Devanand Janki
Music Director: Annbritt duChateau
Music Arrangements: Greg Anthony & Roger Anderson
Stage Manager: Kerri J. Lynch
Assistant Director: Stephen Amato
Assistant Stage Manager: Kimberly Maida
Assistant Music Director: Danny Percefull
Set & Costume Design: Michael Bottari & Ronald Case
Sound Design: Carl Casella
Publicity: KPM Associates
Casting: Laura Stanczyk
Production Supervisor: Joshua Scherr
Company Manager: Dhyana Colony
General Manager: Brierpatch Productions
Musicans: Annbritt duChateau, Danny Percefull, Sylvia D’Avanzo, Summer Boggess, Sue Anschutz
Script available at:
Samuel French | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Shine is one of those wonderful musicals where an audience cares deeply for the hero. Richard Seff's book and Lee Goldsmith's lyrics perfectly capture the Horatio Alger spirit. They make theatergoers wince at each bad break that unkind fates throw our hero's way -- all before the plot allows them to revel in his deserved success. Composer Roger Anderson's ballads are strikingly beautiful. As for his up-tempo songs, to call each a toe-tapper would only be 10% accurate: every one is a TOES-tapper that will keep theatergoers' feet busy all night.
The Golden Age of Musicals is back with Shine.
Plays like a Golden Age traditional musical.
If there were a cast album, I'd buy it.
A charming, feel-good musical.
The work's tremendous heart and unabashed celebration of Alger's popular stories are in ample evidence in this appealing musical about the rise from rags to riches.
There was a stampede for Shine!
It’s got dozens of pleasant numbers, dapperly produced, as polished as director Peter Flynn and his talented, eager cast can deliver, loads of energy.
There are splendid voices aplenty amid the vigorous performances.
One of the most ambitious...and elaborate of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Shine! has a lot going for it.
Andy Mientus shines in Shine!
Delicious devilishness and expert comic timing by Jimmy Ray Bennett.
Philip Chaffin has a stirring, virile singing voice made for musical theatre.
Captivating to hear and watch, musical director Annbritt duChateeau crisply leads a four-person on-stage band with inventive arrangements by the composer and orchestrator/music supervisor Greg Anthony.
Peter Flynn directs with particular skill in making key points and underlining moods and is adept at the flow of crowd scenes for this 19-member cast.
Choreographer Devanand Janki uses the ensemble well and movement is character-specific without feeling too “dancey” and showy.