The Regent Theatre of Arlington

Presents Gary Sohmers'

"BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA"

Two Nights Only!

Written and Produced by Gary Sohmers

Arranged and Orchestrated by Bill Holloman, Sr.

Music Director Bill Holloman, Jr. 

Cast Includes: Barrence Whitfield, Mach Bell, Liz Proteau, Jerry Bisantz

Performances:

October 10, 2024 and October 11, 2024

Both nights at 7:00pm

Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA. 02474

TICKETS:

Call 781-646-4849 or visit https://regenttheatre.com 

GET TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA! 

Join us for the world premiere of "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" that will blow your mind. 

Mark your calendars for October 10th & 11th, 2024 and immerse yourself in a theatrical experience unlike any other. 

This event promises to entertain, thrill, amuse and leave you wanting more. 

Don’t miss out on this epic adventure – secure your tickets now!

18 songs performed by an All-Star Cast telling the story of an epic alien encounter at a concert in Central Park to try to save Earth from climate destruction and corporate political corruption.

This is the premiere of the first stage of the development of a new form of live entertainment … a live, immersive, sci-fi graphic novel, a visual-storytelling, rockin’ rollin’ musical theatrical experience.

Written and produced by Boston based musician Gary Sohmers, with music, orchestration and arrangements by Bill Holloman, "BEASTIES" stars Barrence Whitfield, Mach Bell, Liz Proteau, Jerry Bisantz, Bill Holloman Jr. and Cliff Goodwin, plus a choral cast and a live band.   

"BEASTIES" is "a live, immersive, sci-fi graphic novel, a visual-storytelling, rockin' and rollin' musical theatrical experience all rolled into one,” said Gary Sohmers. “It is an epic adventure that will have the whole audience singing along. We hope that it will be an experience you won’t soon forget.”   

The show tells the story of Voice, the lead singer of a rock band and Grā, a retired singer. 

Grā lands the job of a lifetime working as stage manager for Voice ahead of his band’s monumental free concert in New York City’s Central Park. 

However, in a bizarre turn of events, Grā becomes inhabited by an alien, Impulse, as a corrupt politician attempts to take over the show. 

Surprises and chaos ensue, while Voice, Grā, Impulse, and the band rally humanity and their inner "BEASTIES" in order to save the planet. 

Gary Sohmers, known as the “King of Pop Culture” from his 13 seasons as an appraiser on the PBS TV program “Antiques Roadshow,” is a musician, producer, author, mentor, and entrepreneur. 

Throughout his career, Sohmers produced the first AIDS benefit concert with Cyndi Lauper and Dionne Warwick during his 9-year tenure as production manager at Metro on Lansdowne Street, along with over 1,000 other concerts with artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, B-52s, Allman Brothers, Van Morrison, and many others. 

Sohmers has also produced over 300 consumer shows and has been a collectibles dealer for almost 50 years. 

Barrence Whitfield is a world renowned vocalist and lead singer of the iconic Boston band, Barrence Whitfield and The Savages with a 40-year career of ripping up stages and blowing the roof off buildings with his dynamic vocal stylings and rock and roll energy.  

Whitfield performed the role of Voice on the "BEASTIES" record and reprises his character for this live show. 

Mach Bell has been part of the Boston music scene since the early 1970s performing with Thundertrain as part of the first punk rock movement, and later sang lead for the Joe Perry Project and his current band, the Mach Bell Experience, is recording new product and playing the local clubs. 

Liz Proteau is a New England based singer-songwriter, artist, and visionary. Earlier this year, Proteau released her sophomore album, “Sorrow’s Joy” under the artist name “Endelle” and is eager to compose her third. 

With her career continuing to bloom in many creative facets, Proteau is excited to bring Terra to life as she did on the "BEASTIES" record. 

Jerry Bisantz is an actor, singer, theatrical producer, and playwright and will be performing the role of Dick T. Raitor, an evil corporate politician attempting to usurp the audience by association and sway them to the dark side. 

Currently residing in Lowell, MA., Bisantz has been active in the New England theater scene for the past thirty years.  

His live theatrical performances have been seen in many of the area’s regional theaters, including Speakeasy Stage Company, The Publick Theater, Worcester Foothills Theatre, Stoneham Theatre, Centa-Stage, The Lyric West, The Regent Theater, Image Theater Company and The Greater Lowell Music Theatre. 

Cliff Goodwin performs the role of Vibe, Voice’s trusty friend and guitarist.  

Goodwin’s career has included long term stints with Robert Palmer and with Joe Cocker, along with playing with many great New England bands including American Standard, Rebel Montez with Christine Ohlmann and the James Montgomery band.   

Bill Holloman, Jr. the music director and vocalist, has worked with Sohmers on "BEASTIES" since its inception, doing the demo vocals in his father’s basement studio while the currently released recording was being written, arranged and orchestrated by his father Bill Holloman, Sr.  

Holloman, Jr. currently is a copyist and arranger for award-winning composer, Brian Keane.

For tickets or more information call the Regent Theatre at 781-646-4849 or visit www.regenttheatre.com 

GET TICKETS

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE REGENT THEATRE OF ARLINGTON, MA.

The historic REGENT THEATRE, “Arlington’s Show Place of Entertainment” since 1916, is located at 7 Medford Street in Arlington, Massachusetts—minutes from Cambridge and Boston. Through the decades, scores of entertainment luminaries have performed on its stage, with countless films presented on its big screen. REGENT THEATRE is handicap and MBTA accessible with ample parking just steps away. 

For a complete schedule, visit www.regenttheatre.com.