(Cover Photo: The CAST of the musical "CAN-CAN" by Abe Burrows and Cole Porter, presented by Sullivan Rep in Dedham, MA. until October 11, 2025. Photo Credit: Nora Sullivan)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724  

“ "Sin was not invented in Montmartre. It was only perfected here." 

                                                                      -  ("Pistache") / Abe Burrows and Cole Porter 

Sullivan Rep

Presents the Cole Porter Musical 

"CAN-CAN"

Book by Abe Burrows

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

Direction & Choreography by Dan Sullivan

Musical Direction by Hollis W. Sullivan

Cast Includes: Carly Evans* as “Pistache,” Anthony Rinaldi as “Aristide,” Bridget Sullivan as “Claudine,” A.J. Lyman as “Boris,” Kevin Hanley* as “Hilaire,” Andy Ross as “Theophile,” Ryan Pereira as “Hercule,” Dom Pappagallo as “Etienne,” Grace Etzkorn as “Marie,” Jessica Ober as “Ensemble/Dance Captain,” Caroline Granahan as “Gabrielle,” Melissa Paz as “Celestine,” Bill Campbell as “Paul," Hannah Shihdanian as “Model/Ensemble,” Sean Donnelly as “Bailiff/Ensemble,” Robert Orzalli as “Mr. President/Ensemble.”  

Ensemble: Britt Ambruson, Will Fafard, Jr., Caroline Hubbard, Denali Kikuchi, Mackenzie LeTorre, Alicia Love. 

Ensemble/Swing: Samir Bouchaiba, Holly Inman, Laura Headrick Sweder  

Additional Creative Team: 

Stage Management - Colleen Locke; Intimacy Direction - Kate Dugas; Costume Design - Dan Sullivan; Hair & Makeup Design - Bridget Sullivan; Technical Direction - John Sullivan; Lighting Design - Erik Fox; Sound Design - Andrew Mulholland; Properties Design - Rick Grenier; Wardrobe - Judi Olson; Dramaturgy - Camille Cuzzupoli; Production Management - Julianna Tusler.

*Indicates Sullivan Rep 2025 Company Member

Performances:

September 26, 2025 through October 11, 2025

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)

All Performances held at Motherbrook Arts & Community Center, 123 High Street, Dedham, MA. 02026

TICKETS:

For tickets and more information CLICK HERE!

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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

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

Sullivan Rep kicks up their heels (and occasionally lifts up their skirts) in Dedham with "CAN-CAN" - a musical which is a fun, frolicking October treat that deserves to be seen. 

The musical, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Abe Burrows, is shrewdly directed and choreographed in the round for Sullivan Rep by Dan Sullivan and it truly is the Sullivan Rep production's choreography that excels here as Burrows’ book is a bit trite and unsurprising. 

Let’s not forget the late Mr. Burrows was the writer responsible for giving the world “Guys and Dolls,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Silk Stockings” and more. 

Yet, while his book for "CAN-CAN"  is entertaining enough, even with Burrows’ skillful text propelled by the songs of Cole Porter, overall neither the story nor score is as memorable as from other musicals of this period. 

The original Broadway production of "CAN-CAN" did have a respectable run, though, lasting for two years from 1953 closing in 1955 after 892 performances and garnering Tony Awards for equally legendary actress Gwen Verdon and choreographer Michael Kidd. 

So, "CAN-CAN" is a good musical if not a great musical, but you know what? Sometimes a good musical can still be done really, really well and be just as entertaining…and it is here, thanks to the entire company at Sullivan Rep. 

(Photo: Carly Evans as “Pistache,” with Anthony Rinaldi as “Aristide” in a scene from of the musical "CAN-CAN" by Abe Burrows and Cole Porter, presented by Sullivan Rep in Dedham, MA. until October 11, 2025. Photo Credit: Doug Keane)

The cast and creative team for Sullivan Rep really have come through in style presenting the story of "CAN-CAN" - which takes place in Paris in 1893 and revolves around the “scandalous” antics of showgirls at a Montmartre dance-hall in Montmartre owned by La Môme Pistache (Carly Evans). 

Pistache is in danger of having her business shut down by a pious new judge, Aristide Forestier (Anthony Rinaldi). 

Evans is simply enchanting as the worldly, no-nonsense Pistache, who commands respect from her employees, her patrons, and also, surprisingly, Aristide, who learns quite quickly that Pistache is no ordinary woman. 

Rinaldi shows us both the judicial side of Aristide and the humane side of the judge, which throws him into a direct conflict of what ordinances dictate as to the supposed “offensive” risqué material performed at Pistache’s business (i.e. the "CAN-CAN" ). 

The chemistry is apparent from the moment the two meet but unfortunately the conflict putting them at odds seems a bit contrived and desperate, as we know full well they will (spoiler alert) “strive to overcome” any obstacles in order to be together. 

(Photo: A moment from the "Garden of Eden Ballet" from the musical "CAN-CAN" by Abe Burrows and Cole Porter, presented by Sullivan Rep in Dedham, MA. until October 11, 2025. Photo Credit: Doug Keane)

The vibrant dancers involved in Sullivan Rep's "CAN-CAN" choreography during the show are all truly put through their paces, performing in multiple grueling dances (and reprises) that require great stamina while wearing heavily layered costumes – and none fails to entertain. 

Speaking of costumes, which are gorgeous, the overall costuming for the Sullivan Rep staging was also very cleverly organized, saving the “expected” "CAN-CAN" attire for the finale and keeping the "CAN-CAN" dancers in garb more appropriate to the time and place of the show. 

Evans excels in Pistache’s solo moments with the Cole Porter tunes "Never Give Anything Away,” "Live and Let Live," "Allez-Vous-En,” "Every Man (Is a Stupid Man)" and "I Love Paris."  

Meanwhile, Rinaldi shows off his clearly substantial vocal prowess with his Porter numbers “I Am in Love” and “It's Alright with Me.”

(Photo: Kevin Hanley as “Hilaire with Bridget Sullivan as “Claudine” and A.J. Lyman as “Boris"  in a scene from of the musical "CAN-CAN" by Abe Burrows and Cole Porter, presented by Sullivan Rep in Dedham, MA. until October 11, 2025. Photo Credit: Doug Keane)

A “parallel storyline” apparently was needed by Burrows to fill this show out as referring to it as a “sub-plot” feels diminishing its importance and, quite honestly, ludicrous. 

One of Pistache’s dancers, a laundry girl (by day) named Claudine (Bridget Sullivan) is in love with struggling (broke) local sculptor, Boris (A.J. Lyman). 

Art critic Hilaire (Kevin Hanley) aggressively pursues Claudine and Boris uses this to his advantage, arranging for Hilaire to have dinner with Claudine in hopes that he might be persuaded to peruse Boris’ sculptures and subsequently give him a positive review. 

In probably one of the most uplifting numbers in Act Two, “Never, Never Be an Artist” Aristide is advised and encouraged by Boris and fellow artists Theophile (Andy Ross), Hercule (Ryan Pereira), Etienne (Dom Pappagallo) and their Model (Hannah Shihdanian) to look at things from a different perspective. 

The above helps to connect the otherwise unconnected plots and does so in an entertaining way.

Sullivan, Lyman and Hanley all give impressive performances, supported by a talented, lighthearted ensemble. 

The members of this Sullivan Rep ensemble portray multiple roles throughout the story and, more importantly, many are featured prominently in the dance numbers (whereas the show’s Pistache and Aristide surprisingly are not). 

The Sullivan Rep ensemble also assists in scene changes, all of which flowed seamlessly. 

Also, using minimal set pieces allowed for quicker scene changes which (given the show's three hour run time including intermission) maximized time and was an efficient use of space.

(Photo: The CAST of the musical "CAN-CAN" by Abe Burrows and Cole Porter, presented by Sullivan Rep in Dedham, MA. until October 11, 2025. Photo Credit: Brian Higgins)

Standout ensemble numbers include “Maidens Typical of France,” “Apache Dance” and the show’s title number "CAN-CAN."  

That said, there are two numbers that seem incredibly out of place in this show: the above “Apache Dance” and the Act One ballet, “The Garden of Eden.” 

Last weekend, I saw a concert featuring '70s band Foghat opening for '80s band Starship and the next night I saw "CAN-CAN" and found myself feeling the same way about the above two dance sequences as I did watching the odd rock and roll double-bill. 

Separately, each exists and is due well-earned high praise – in congress, though, they have little in common and one does not propel any interest in the other. 

However, as indicated, it does give members of the ensemble their moment in the limelight, and none wastes any opportunity to shine. 

(Photo: The CAST of the musical "CAN-CAN" by Abe Burrows and Cole Porter, presented by Sullivan Rep in Dedham, MA. until October 11, 2025. Photo Credit: Nora Sullivan)

As the subtext clearly examines what is moral and what is obscenity, that aside, there really is very little here audiences haven’t seen before in other musicals of the period which is probably a fundamental reason why many revivals have crashed and burned after the 1953 production. 

Running in Dedham until October 11^th, 2025, the Sullivan Rep musical "CAN-CAN" is fun and a must-see for the superb work by its cast and creative team.

Also, Sullivan Rep announced their upcoming 2026 season which includes:

• The musical "BANDSTAND" coming in February, 2026
• Stephen Sondheim's musical "MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG" in June, 2026
• Agatha Christie's "AND THEN THERE WERE NONE" in October, 2026, and
• "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" in December, 2026.

For tickets and more information CLICK HERE!

BUY TICKETS

Approximately three hours with one intermission.

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

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

Set in the year 1893, "CAN-CAN" tells the tale of Paris dance hall owner, La Mome Pistache, and her battle with a self-rightious judge, Aristide, who is determined to shut her business down. 

The sexy "CAN-CAN" dance has become popular and Judge Aristide is determined to stop it. 

When Judge Aristide investigates the Bal du Paradis, La Mome Pastache seduces him and the two eventually fall in love. 

By the time her case comes to trial, Aristide has had a change of heart and works to win her acquittal.” (STAGEAGENT)  

ABOUT SULLIVAN REP 

SULLIVAN REP aims to create a theatrical home to further support Boston-based theater artists. By adopting a repertory model where performers are contracted for multiple shows within the same season, SULLIVAN REP hopes to foster a deeper sense of community and familiarity between performers and audiences alike. This consistency also allows SULLIVAN REP to provide a space which supports artists who have pursued alternate career paths, limiting their ability to commit to productions with larger demands on their time.

SULLIVAN REP 

Phone # 774-270-6102

sullivanrep23@gmail.com