(Cover Photo: The CAST and BAND for the rock opera "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr. at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. through October 11, 2024. Photo Credit: Tiffany Hulse)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

"Time doesn't stop...but that doesn't mean anything is clearer."

         - ("BEASTIES") / Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr.

The Regent Theatre of Arlington

Presents Gary Sohmers'

"BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA"

Two Nights Only!

Lyrics by Gary Sohmers

Music by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr.

Based on the book series "Beasties: A Sci-Fi Rock Opera" by Gary Sohmers; "Book of Grā," "Book of Impulse" and "Book of Voice"

Arranged and Orchestrated by Bill Holloman, Sr.

Music Director Bill Holloman, Jr. 

Cast Includes: Barrence Whitfield as "Voice," Mach Bell as "Grā," Liz Proteau as "Terra," Jerry Bisantz as "Dick T. Raitor," Gary Sohmers as "Punkhead," Nadia Gemma as "RastaMom," Cliff Goodwin as "Vibe" on Guitar, Dan Drohan as "Sid" on Drums, Robb Simring as "Radar" on Bass, Kerry Zulus as "T.Raitor Goon," Tom Fagnant as "T.Raitor Goon."

Additional Creative Team:

Producers - Gary Sohmers and Tiffany Hulse; Associate Producer - Darren Lussier; Sound Design - Darren Lussier; Lighting Design - Brad Steele; Technical Services - Image Production Services; Technical Design - Frank Coleman, Brad Steele, Jules Jenssen, Darren Lussier; Art Design - Kathy Wade, Tiffany Hulse, Bob Eggleton, Philo Barnhart; Animated Characters Design - Philo Barnhart, Peter Bernard; Backing Tracks  Featuring Bill Holloman, Sr. and Tom Majesky.

Performances:

October 10, 2024 and October 11, 2024

Both nights at 7:00pm

The Regent Theatre of Arlington, 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. 

(Editor's Note: This review is for an event that has already passed.)

For an evening of unbridled enthusiasm and some terrific music, head over to Arlington to the Regent Theatre for the rock opera "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr. 

This is an inventive, multi-media two hours of non-stop music that will either confound or amuse or both but you will definitely have a good time trying to figure out just what the hell this is.

While there is a premise to the rock opera, trying to hold onto that premise will damn near cause a migraine headache for some.

I say that because, within less than five minutes after the show's opening number, you will only be focused on the fantastic tight-knit band, the fabulous singers on stage and an endless supply of word balloons projected along the back wall.

The word balloons don't tell any linear story - instead they convey messages. 

Some messages are of hope.

Some are of concern.

Some messages are humorous while others are deadly serious.

Some are lessons of how we need to treat the planet.

Some are lessons of how we should be treating one another.

Regardless of the message or lesson, the level of fun being had by the cast and band on stage translates to an equal amount of fun being had by its audience.* 

(*Editor's note: This was just how I interpreted it. Your mileage may vary.)

(Photo: The CAST and BAND for the rock opera "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr. now playing at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. through October 11, 2024. Photo Credit: Tiffany Hulse)

As indicated in the company's press release, the features 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.

The kaleidoscopic projections also immerses us with endless images of lovers, families, nature, and all things that make up that hyphen between a date of birth and a date of death. All those things that make a life a life.

In the press release for the show, it is mentioned of how 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."

For this first stage - Mission accomplished.

While I personally cannot see this being developed into a full on stage musical, a la Pete Townsend's "Tommy" there is still a lot of material here that could eventually be developed into a theatrical experience. 

But the author and collaborators will need to yield to the need for more linear storyline content in order to broaden its current audience.

(Photo: The CAST and BAND for the rock opera "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr. now playing at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. through October 11, 2024. Photo Credit: Tiffany Hulse)

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 its creator, 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.”  

Unless people go into the performance already knowing the tunes, though, any "singalong" may prove problematic but not impossible, thanks to its adherence to operatic structure (more on that in a bit).

The show tells the story of Voice (Barren Whitfield), the lead singer of a rock band and Grā (Mach Bell), 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, Dick T.Raitor (Jerry Bisantz) attempts to take over the show. 

(Photo: Gary Sohmers and BAND for the rock opera "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr. now playing at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. through October 11, 2024. Photo Credit: Tiffany Hulse)

Sohmers is a longtime local legend and beloved by most who have had the pleasure to have met him. 

Full disclosure, this reviewer has known Gary for almost 40 years.

"BEASTIES" is obviously a project near and dear to his heart.

During the October 10th performance at the Regent Theatre, his enthusiasm and gratitude toward his cast, band and an audience full of supporters (new and old) was not able to be restrained.

As indicated, there is a lot to love here in "BEASTIES" but the music itself may not appeal to everyone. 

There are elements of Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa and other luminaries of rock who dared to be different.

There are moments where, in the middle of a perfectly good "groove" a song my take a sudden detour or complete departure, moving into a distinctly opposing melody or lyrical content.

(Photo: Gary Sohmers and BAND for the rock opera "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" by Gary Sohmers and Bill Holloman, Sr. now playing at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA. through October 11, 2024. Photo Credit: Tiffany Hulse)

However, as mentioned, the literal structure of an "opera" appears to be maintained. 

There are many moments of repetitive lyrics and repeated melodies usually applicable to recitatives, arias and leitmotifs: 

Overall, with "BEASTIES," there is an overwhelming reciprocal feeling, like being at a unique "Zen revival meeting" (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course). 

For when any intense feeling of optimism or concern is conveyed by the show's dynamic performers, it is an immensely powerful emotion and we, in turn, also feel it.

If you can accept a lack of traditional storytelling, then  "BEASTIES - A SCI-FI ROCK OPERA" is well worth experiencing.

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

GET TICKETS

Approximately two hours with one intermission.

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

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

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!

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.

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.