ArtsEmerson’s ‘It’s A Motherf$%*ing Pleasure’ Comically Disarms ‘Ableist Anxiety’

FlawBored’s Aarian Mehrabani, Samuel Brewer, and Chloe Palmer. Photo Credits: Alex Brenner

‘It’s A Motherf**king Pleasure’ – Written by Samuel Brewer, Aarian Mehrabani and Chloe Palmer. Directed by Josh Roche. Presented by ArtsEmerson at the Emerson Paramount Center, Jackie Liebergott Black Box, 559 Washington Street, Boston, through April 13, 2025

By Mike Hoban

ArtsEmerson’s latest offering, the incongruously-named It’s A Motherf$%*ing Pleasure by disability-led theatre company FlawBored, is a riotous, blistering indictment of identity politics that pushes audiences to look at their own discomfort when interacting with differently-abled or marginalized groups. The production uses ableism (defining people by their disabilities) as a springboard for the absurd lengths people sometimes go to attempt to make “others” feel comfortable – while it’s clear they’re grossly uncomfortable themselves. And although ableism is the focus of this show, it could easily be a stand-in for excessive white guilt or other well-intentioned but ultimately disingenuous gestures.

Read more “ArtsEmerson’s ‘It’s A Motherf$%*ing Pleasure’ Comically Disarms ‘Ableist Anxiety’”

GBSC’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ Pays Hilarious Homage to Community Theater

Cast of GBSC’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘. Photos by Maggie Hall Photography

The Play That Goes Wrong’ – Conceived and written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. Directed by Tyler Rosati; Original Scenic Design by Peter Colao; Scenic Design by Danielle Ibrahim; Lighting Design by Katie Whittemore; Costume Design by E. Rosser; Sound Design by James Cannon. Presented by Greater Boston Stage Company at 395 Main Street, Stoneham through April 19th

By Mike Hoban

One of the beautiful things about live theater, in addition to the communal experience, is that literally anything can happen onstage. Dropped lines, missing props, doors that won’t open, and, sadly, even accidents that injure the actors (as happened with “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark” in New York). All of these mishaps and more – way more – occur in rapid-fire succession during Greater Boston Stage Company’s (GBSC) riotous production of The Play That Goes Wrong, which also serves as an homage to the “show must go on!” determination of community and fringe theater troupes.

Read more “GBSC’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ Pays Hilarious Homage to Community Theater”