The evening seared my soul: Langston Hughes' poem THE BLACK CLOWN made its world premiere at the American Repertory Theater this week, awesome, painful, and inspiring word made flesh. The piece adapted by performer Davone Tines (who first wowed me in CROSSING) and composer Michael Schachter is a brilliant collage of word, music, and movement, [...]
I left the show trailing streamers, confetti and what was left of my breath. The world premiere, Broadway-bound musical MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL has just reopened America's oldest and most beautiful theatre, Boston's Emerson Colonial -- and what a rebirth! The show is a no holds barred, dazzling live theatrical reinvention of Baz Luhrman's Oscar-nominated [...]
It's almost ready: BORN FOR THIS/A NEW MUSICAL has just premiered to a standing ovation at The Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, and brought me to my feet with its vitality, soul-searing vocals, and dynamic cast and performances. All it needs is a good kick in the book-- and it's on its way. Center: Loren [...]
If you're in town this weekend, take the kids and catch the hit musical strutting its stuff at LYRIC STAGE which has extended its run of "THE WIZ" til July 1! The 1975 classic which added soul to "The Wizard of Oz" and walked away with seven Tony Awards, is now easin' on down the [...]
Alanis Morissette These days are a jagged pill to swallow--which makes the world premiere musical JAGGED LITTLE PILL inspired by Alanis Morissette's landmark 90's primal scream of an album more relevant than ever. Artistic director Diane Paulus has once again looked back to look forward, putting her finger on the pulse of the [...]
It has stayed with me all week: ZEITGEIST Stage Company's production of LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! A line of men in white tulle; they are performing "Swan Lake" in drag. It's a scream--and heartrending. They are like angels appearing and disappearing, AIDS waiting in the wings, hovering over their lives, in the shadows of one summer [...]
I've been running all over town to catch what's onstage and there's a stockpile of fantastic shows waiting to be seen--beginning with what I just saw at the Ramrod Center for The Performing Arts! I nearly laughed myself into insanity at what Ryan Landry and his GOLD DUST ORPHANS have rustled up: BROKELAHOMO! It's "Brokeback [...]
The rhythm IS going to get you, whether you like it or not. So strap yourself in if you don't want to be seen in a conga line up the aisles of the Opera House! ON YOUR FEET:THE EMILIO & GLORIA ESTEFAN BROADWAY MUSICAL has just hit Boston with a dynamite cast, and [...]
As president of The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) I am pleased to report MORE GOOD NEWS: the one and only Randy Rainbow, comedian, actor, and internet sensation will be our Guest of Honor at the 36th Annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday, May 21, 2018 at 7 PM, at the Huntington Avenue Theatre!! [...]
THE NORTIE NOMINATIONS ARE IN!! CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL!! As president of The Boston Theater Critics Association (BTCA) I am happy to announce two dozen nominations of outstanding productions, actors, directors, designers and ensembles, with winners to be revealed at the 36th Annual Elliot Norton Awards on Monday, May 21, 2018 at 7 PM, at the [...]
