Month: May 2024

Huntington’s “Toni Stone” Tells the Story of One of the Best Baseball Players You Never Heard of

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The cast of Toni Stone at The Huntington Theatre. Photos by T. Charles Erickson.

‘Toni Stone’ — Written and Directed by Lydia R. Diamond. Inspired by “Curveball: The Remarkable True Story of Tony Stone” by Martha Ackmann. Presented by the Huntington, in an arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French. At the Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston, through June 16.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Toni Stone, the subject and title of playwright Lydia R. Diamond’s new drama, has one helluva story to tell. As played by the pitch-perfect Jennifer Mogbock, she is also one helluva terrific storyteller and more than up to the task of narrating the events of her remarkable life.

Which is a good thing, because “Toni Stone,” now at the Huntington, ran almost three hours (with a long intermission and delayed start) on opening night last Wednesday.

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‘Bluey’ Comes to Life in Boston

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Bluey’s Big Play at the Boch Wang Center. Photo Credit: Darren Thomas

“Bluey’s Big Play” — Story by Joe Brumm. Music by Joff Bush. Presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co. at the Boch Center Wang Theatre. Run has ended.

By Shelley A. Sackett

It’s true what they say about grandparenthood — there is nothing like it. There are so many things you didn’t even consider doing when childcare duties sucked your days dry of time and energy. But now that those children are grown and have children of their own (and are willing to drive them to meet you at the theater!), the opportunity to not just attend but actually enjoy such events as “Bluey’s Big Play” are the payoff.

Which I did last Saturday with my Bluey-obsessed three-year-old grandson. We had a blast.

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Addiction Recovery-Centered Theater Group 2nd Act to Feature Storytelling at the Annual Fundraiser at the Huntington Theatre this Tuesday

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2nd Act’s Annual Encore: Celebrate Artists in Recovery, our spring fundraiser, which will be held on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, at 7:00 pm at The Huntington Theatre (264 Huntington Avenue, Boston) in the Maso Studio. 

By Mike Hoban

Boston – 2nd Act, a collective of theater artists in recovery who use theatre, film, and drama therapy to address the impact of substance use, will hold its annual fundraiser, Encore: Celebrate Artists in Recovery, at the Huntington Theatre this Tuesday. The troupe’s motto, “We believe in a world where all stories are honored, recovery is celebrated, and everyone gets a second act,” clearly defines its mission, will feature monologues by troupe members on the impact that 2nd Act has had on their lives as performers and people in recovery. The evening will also include a video of 2nd Act’s Social Emotional Learning Theatre Curriculum at Ostiguy HIgh School, Boston’s recovery high school.

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Not Your Parents’ ‘Romeo & Juliet’ by Actors Shakespeare Project

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Evan Taylor and Chloe McFarlane in Actors Shakespeare Project’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’

Actors Shakespeare Project presents ROMEO & JULIET. Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Marianna Bassham. Movement Choreography by Ilya Vidrin. Lighting Design by Deb Sullivan. Costume Design by Lisa Coleman. Props Design by Grey Rung. Scenic Design by Saskia Martínez. Sound Design by Jesse Hinson. At the Roberts Studio Theater, Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, through June 2, 2024.

By Linda Chin

The works and words of William Shakespeare can be difficult to appreciate – and some may say, stay awake for – but after seeing their accessible production of Romeo and Juliet, I felt grateful that Actors Shakespeare Project chose to present this story this season (they last staged it a decade ago), and is part of the Boston arts and culture ecosystem in general. As seen in last year’s As You Like It, ASP intentionally blends stage (and Shakespearean) veterans with younger actors from local conservatories and communities, an ensemble of diverse storytellers playing diverse human characters – as I like it. 

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Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘Waitress’ is Love At First Taste

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Cast of ‘Waitress’ at Ogunquit Playhouse. Photos: Nile Scott Studios

‘Waitress’ – Book by Jessie Nelson. Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. Based on the motion picture by Adrienne Shelly. Direction by Abbey O’Brien. Choreography by Cost n’ Mayor. Music supervision by Ryan Cantwell. Music directed by Leigh Delano. Original scenic design by Scott Pask. Lighting design by Richard Latta. Original costume design by Suttirat Anne Larlarb. Sound design by Kevin Heard. Wig design by Roxanne De Luna. At Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main Street, Ogunquit, Maine, through June 8, 2024.

By Linda Chin

                                                                                                                                              

Whether you’ve seen the original movie version starring Keri Russell, the musical’s world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Broadway transfer, and/or national tour – or aren’t yet familiar with this story – Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Waitress, deftly directed by Abbey O’Brien and choreographed by Cost n’ Mayor, is a smart choice from the current menu of New England theater offerings.

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 ‘Dial M For Murder’ a Worthy Addition to GBSC’s Murder Mystery Canon

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Lily Kaufman, Robert Murphy, Kimberlee Connor and Michael Ryan Buckley in Greater Boston Stage’s “Dial M for Murder.” Photos: Maggie Hall Photography

‘Dial M For Murder’ – Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original play by Frederick Knott; Directed By Weylin Symes; Lighting Design by Jeff Adelberg; Scenic Design by Katy Monthei; Costume Design byDeirdre Gerrard; Sound Design by Andrew Duncan Will. Presented by the Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main St, Stoneham, through May 19

by Mike Hoban

The Greater Boston Stage Company has long been a go-to venue for musicals, including classics like 42nd Street, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and last year’s Eliot Norton Award winner, Ain’t Misbehavin’, with fan favorite Guys and Dolls set to go up in June. In recent years, though, they’ve delved into another niche genre: murder mysteries, including a pair of Miss Holmes productions (starring Marge Dunn as a kind of neurodivergent Sherlock Holmes) as well as a riotous version of The 39 Steps in 2021 (although it was far more comedic than mystery) and Clue, another murder mystery comedy.

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Apollinaire Theatre Company’s ‘Touching the Void’ Reaches for the Moon

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Cast of Apollinaire Theatre Company’s ‘Touching the Void’

‘Touching the Void’  — Based on the book by Joe Simpson. Adapted by David Greig. Directed by Danielle Fauteux Jacques. Scenic and Sound Design by Joseph Lark-Riley; Lighting Design by Danielle Fauteux Jacques; Movement Choreography by Audrey Johnson. Presented by Apollinaire Theatre Company at Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet St., Chelsea, through May 19.

By Shelley A. Sackett

Touching the Void is special on so many levels. Presented in the intimate Chelsea Theatre Works theater, director Danielle Fauteux Jacques has done a brilliant job of creating multiple settings (including the side of a mountain in the Peruvian Andes!) with minimal fuss and to maximum effect. The four actors (Patrick O’Konis as Joe, Kody Grassett as Simon, Zach Fuller as Richard, and Parker Jennings as Sarah) are equally stellar, and David Grieg’s script is meaty and engaging.

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Celebrity Series’ Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Celebrates Being Alive

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Boch Center Wang Theatre
Photos by Paul Kolnik

Celebrity Series of Boston presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Matthew Rushing, Interim Artistic Director. At the Boch Center Wang Theatre May 2-5, 2024.

By Linda Chin

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a cultural treasure celebrated for its founder Alvin Ailey’s choreographic genius, his passion for having all people represented and included, and for giving new voices to new choreographers, marks its 65th anniversary with a coast-to-coast tour in 2024. The Boston tour stop’s five-show run at the Boch Center Wang Theatre includes two premieres and a rare revival, and each performance closes with Ailey’s signature piece ‘Revelations.’ The repertory reflects dance diversity and showcases the dancers’ impeccable technique and ability to masterfully move from one dance genre to another.

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A Spectacular & Spellbinding ‘A Strange Loop’ by SpeakEasy & Front Porch

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Kai Clifton (center) and cast of ‘A Strange Loop’ in Speakeasy/Front Porch production

SpeakEasy Stage Company & Front Porch Arts Collective present ‘A Strange Loop’. Book, Music and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson. Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent. Music Direction by David Freeman Coleman. Choreographed by Taavon Gamble. Intimacy Direction by Greg Geffrard. Scenic Design by Jon Savage. Costume Design by Becca Jewett. Lighting Design by Brian J. Lilienthal. Sound Design by David Remedios. At the Wimberly Theater at the Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, through May 25th.

By Linda Chin

As if the powerfully personal storytelling and rapturous standing ovation weren’t emotionally overwhelming enough, being part of the moment when director Maurice Emmanuel Parent shared the news that a special guest was in the house – and A Strange Loop’s creator Michael R. Jackson strolled onstage – made my head spin. Watching the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright praise the production and being so genuinely gracious to the cast, creatives, co-producers, crew, everyone – including the opening night crowds who supported the show’s Boston premiere – gave me goosebumps.

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Rejoice! Alvin Ailey Is Back in Town!!!

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Boch Center Wang Theatre
Photos by Paul Kolnik

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Presented by Celebrity Series of Boston. At Boch Center Wang Theatre through May 5.

By Shelley A. Sackett

There is always a special buzz in the air before the curtain rises on an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance, but at Saturday’s matinee, the packed house was positively gaga with anticipation. They were not disappointed. For over two hours, the company thrilled its audience, leaving it enraptured and standing in a deafening ovation.

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