A Fire in Winter at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre

December 13, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by James Wilkinson

‘Winter People’ – Written by Laura Neill. Directed by Avital Shira. Scenic Design: Kayla Williams. Lighting Design: Mark Fortunato. Sound Design: Aubrey Dube. Costume Design: Chloe Chafetz. Fight Choreographer: Jessica Scout Malone. Dramaturg: Cayenne Douglass. Presented by Boston Playwrights’ Theatre at Boston Playwrights Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Ave. Boston through December 16

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre’s new production, Winter People by Laura Neill, creates a community by showing one in disintegration. It builds its narrative by pulling us, scene by scene, through the stories of five different families that make their home in the Hamptons. They’re not the upper of the upper class we usually associate with the Hamptons, the ones who summer in the McMansions. Rather, they’re the middle and lower-middle class Americans that make the area their home year-round, the ones who stay through the winter. A wide cast of characters from this community is allowed to interact in a way that might put you in mind of a Robert Altman film. Neil’s play has that kind of laid back approach to its storytelling. The play begins with a mystery, but that soon fades into the background. She’s more interested in showing how these five families intersect with each other until they form a much larger web and how their fates play into each other. That first mystery (and what it builds on) pulls you in and thanks to the skills of the actors, the play has a handful of arresting moments. But you might leave the theater (as I did) feeling as though the premise has been skimmed rather than dived into.

Avenue Stage’s “Addict Shunned” Provides Compelling, Intimate Look At Addiction

July 17, 2018December 27, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Mike Hoban

Addict Shunned – By Judith Austin; Directed by Michael O’Halloran; Cast: Geoffrey Pingree, Saloni Kumar, Eunice Simmons, Bridget Haberecht, Joel Derby, Megan Ward, Miss Mary Mac. Presented by Avenue Stage at the Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Ave., Boston through July 28

One of the few positives that has come out of the opioid crisis is that with the high incidence of fatal overdoses cutting across all segments of society, addiction is no longer being solely associated with those from the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. And while it is a lot easier to stay in denial about the effects of alcoholism and prescription pill addiction as long the people who are afflicted can appear to be “normal” on the surface – not sleeping on the Boston Common with a pint of vodka in a brown paper bag in hand or robbing a liquor store to support their habit – the effects of opiate addiction are significantly more jarring. It’s a little harder to deny that someone has a problem when the family sees their bank account cleaned out or an otherwise healthy-appearing person dies suddenly.

“She Did All That” a Glowing Tribute to Betty Ford

June 30, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

by Michele Markarian

“She Did All That”, a documentary play by Lisa Rafferty. Directed by Lisa Rafferty. Presented by Birch Tree Productions at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Avenue, through July 8.

Watching a play about the Ford Administration, which took place a mere forty-odd years ago, is like watching a future – only it’s in the past – where politicians had integrity and progress was the goal. Ford, who had to take over the Presidency in the wake of Nixon’s resignation, addressed the country with the following: “My fellow Americans, our long, national nightmare is over” (reader, there was an audible snort from the audience after he said it). He must be turning over in his grave at what his party has become. But that’s not the point of the piece, which is a loving tribute to a very remarkable First Lady, Betty Ford. Not exactly a play, “She Did All That” arranges actual letters, speeches, and quotes to form a portrait of a very positive, free-thinking, ground-breaking First Lady.

Boston Playwrights’ “Brawler” Comes Looking for a Fight

March 8, 2018March 8, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

‘Brawler’ – Written by Walt McGough. Produced by Boston Playwrights’ Theatre in collaboration with Kitchen Theatre Company. Directed by M. Bevin O’Gara. Scenic Design: Christina Todesco. Lighting Design: Evey Connerty-Marin. Sound Design: Andrew Duncan Will. Costume Design: Penney Pinette. Movement and Fight Choreographer: Misha Shields. Presented by and at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre 949 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, through March 18

It all comes back to the Greeks. The culture that gave us the theatrical art form is perhaps also the one that had the noblest intentions with how that art form could be wielded. For the ancient Greeks, theater was a method for examining the societal problems of the day. Audiences of those original tragedies watched the kings and queens on stage making terrible decisions and dealing with the havoc that was then wrecked upon the community. Presenting these issues in a public sphere allowed the audience to ask, “If this is what can happen, then what do we do about it?”

Fresh Ink Theatre Invites You to Meet the Echo Family

February 7, 2018February 7, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

Nomad Americana – Written by Kira Rockwell. Director: Damon Krometis. Assistant Director: Sloth Levine. Dramaturg: Sara Brookner. Scenic Design: Baron E. Pugh. Lighting Design: Jess Krometis. Costume Design: Chelsea Kerl. Prop Design: Elizabeth Cahill. Dialect Consultant: Elizabeth Milanovich. Fight Choreographer: Margaret Clark; Special Education Consultant: Erin Ronder Neves. Presented by Fresh Ink Theatre at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre 949 Commonwealth Ave, Boston through February 18, 2018.

All hail the family unit, that rich treasure box of theatrical possibilities playwrights have been mining material from since the days of Medea and Oedipus Rex. We’re a few thousand years removed from those theatrical mainstays, but playwrights up through Eugene O’Neil, Sam Shepard and Paula Vogel have continually found new ways to break apart and examine familial bonds and their effects. To what extent are we our parents? How do we become our own individuals without shattering our ties to our family? Is that even possible? These are some of the questions playwright Kira Rockwell is contending with in her new play Nomad Americana, now being presented by Fresh Ink Theatre at Boston Playwrights’ Theatre. The play is a loving look at a family as one woman begins to wonder what’s next for her.

“Nurse Play” is Strange, Surreal, and Satisfying

December 8, 2017December 12, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

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By Evan McKenna

“Nurse Play” – Created and Written by James Wilkinson; Directed by Joe Juknievich; Stage Management by Tori Skoniecki; Movement Director Kayleigh Kane. Presented by Exiled Theatre at Boston Playwright’s Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston through December 17

“Black Pawn to E four,” says Nurse, engaging in a verbal game of chess with her bed-bound, disabled patient, Joe. “White pawn to E five” Joe defiantly replies. Nurse sits alone at the only table in the small, poorly lit room, sunglasses over her hollowed-out eyes and a stack of Blondie records next to her record player, waiting to make her next move.

“Lost Tempo” Hits All the Right Notes

October 11, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Review by James Wilkinson

‘Lost Tempo’ – Written by Cliff Odle; Directed by Diego Arciniegas; Scenic Design by Jeffrey Petersen; Costume Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Lighting Design by Evey Connerty-Marin; Sound Design by J Jumbelic. Presented by Boston Playwrights’ Theatre at 949 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston through October 22.

I’m a sucker for a truly immersive theater set. There’s something about the way it envelops you, inviting you in. You’re allowed to let everything outside of the theater fade away. Forget about where you parked the car, what you had for dinner, the work at home you’ve been putting off. The curtain hasn’t even risen and already you’ve been dropped into the world of the play. Read more ““Lost Tempo” Hits All the Right Notes”