ArtsEmerson’s ’Breath’ is passionate, powerful
BOSTON — Roland Hayes was not your typical concert singer. Even if it were only the fact that he was an African-American, the son of a slave, who grew up in the segregated… Continue reading
Author Archive
Parks’ ‘Father’: Greek poetry meets the Civil War
CAMBRIDGE — I knew the time I spent translating Homer’s “The Odyssey” and “The Iliad” from the ancient Greek into English at B.C. High decades ago would come in handy someday. It has… Continue reading
Michael, Marvin, and Diana return in ‘Motown’
BOSTON — If you were moved by Michael, dazzled by Diana, and were smitten with Smokey, “Motown: The Musical” is your cup of tea. The national touring production of “Motown: The Musical”… Continue reading
There’s not enough there there in ‘Middletown’
PROVIDENCE — Will Eno’s “Middletown” is a place with quirky and interesting characters, but in the production directed by Curt Columbus at the Trinity Repertory Theatre, it’s hard to find a there there. … Continue reading
There’s plenty of fun in funky ‘Measure for Measure’
CAMBRIDGE — Actors Shakespeare Project fears no piece in The Bard‘s canon, even works not often performed because they have been designated one of Shakespeare‘s “problem plays.” That would include “Measure for Measure,”… Continue reading
‘Bedlam’s Saint Joan’: An army of four shines
CAMBRIDGE — “Bedlam’s Saint Joan” is a very appropriate name for the production now being presented at the Central Square Theatre under the sponsorship of the Underground Railway Theatre. When you think of… Continue reading
‘Muckrakers’: Can transparency be taken too far?
WATERTOWN — The idea of what constitutes a journalist continues to be a moving target, as does the idea of what constitutes journalistic ethics, if indeed there should even be such a thing.… Continue reading
Small pleasures abound in ‘The Best Brothers’
LOWELL — The Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Nancy Donahue Theatre is a warm, intimate space, and smaller shows or solo performances don’t get lost there. It’s the ideal space for something such as Canadian… Continue reading
‘A Future Perfect’: 30-somethings at the crossroads
BOSTON — Is it possible to have both a thriving career and family? What does the decision to have or not have a child say about your values? Is the worth of a… Continue reading
MacDonald brings Lone Star legend to life at Lyric
BOSTON — The American Repertory Theatre used to hog the talents of actress Karen MacDonald, but when the ART took a new direction under Diane Paulus, the actors in the resident troupe went… Continue reading