NEW ENGLAND THEATER’S 2019 SEASON OF LOVE

February 5, 2020 michaelhobanLeave a comment

*Cast of Ogunquit’s ‘Cabaret’ Photo-by Gary Ng*

How do you measure the year’s best moments?

by Linda Chin

The divisiveness that has defined American politics since 2016 (and hasn’t let up in 2020) has left me (and others) feeling anxious, depleted, fearful and hopeless. Theater has provided welcome (albeit temporary) respites from a pounding media headache as well as the longer-acting benefits of keeping empathy and understanding in our narratives and creativity and human connection in our lives. I was particularly grateful for last year’s abundance of productions with music and for the range of musical styles – 90s R&B, 60s psychedelic surf rock, gospel, classic show tunes – and for the musicians (in the orchestra pit or on stage) playing live, and for music’s healing qualities. And watching an ensemble erupt into dance – whether Fosse or gumboot, ballet, Asian-influenced or 21 pairs of tapping feet – can make my mood lighter and gray moments brighter for days.

Theater Mirror Editors Favorite Theatrical Experiences of 2019

January 1, 2020January 10, 2020 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Michele Markarian and Mike Hoban

2019 was another banner year for theater in Boston, with the widest range of themes and offerings we’ve seen in a while. Fresh new theater companies and faces surprised us this year, so it’s energizing to see so much burgeoning talent bursting out in one small city. Theater Mirror Co-Editors Michele Markarian and Mike Hoban had a hard time pulling their respective lists of favorites from 2019, as there were so many deserving theatrical events, but here goes:

2019 – A Year in Boston Theatre

December 30, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

(Ireon Roach, Crystin Gilmore, Veronica Byrd in School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play – Photos by Maggie Hall Photography)

by James Wilkinson

What a time to be alive, huh? Now at the end of 2019, I’m recalling a moment way back in the early months when I was speaking with an Artistic Director about reviewing theater. “Really?” She inquired, “You enjoy seeing all of those shows?” As she asked the question, she had the furrowed brow of someone deeply concerned for my mental state. The word “enjoy” received an extra note of emphasis that signaled she wasn’t prepared to believe me if I answered in the affirmative, (which I did). I’ve counted it up. In 2019 I saw 56 plays in the Greater Boston area; I reviewed 46. With figures like those, perhaps we should be concerned for my mental state. But I figure that until I’m discovered crouched in a dark corner, eating my own hair, I haven’t cracked yet. I’ve been covering Boston theater for a little over two years and I’m happy to report back that I still think it’s the most exciting thing in the world when the house lights go down, the stage lights come up and anything at all might happen on that spot in front of you. Go figure.