Lyric’s ‘Working’ doesn’t work most of the time
BOSTON — We all do it — working, that is — but that doesn’t mean it will make for a great musical. Studs Terkel’s epic 1974 work that compiled oral histories of the… Continue reading
Author Archive
Huntington’s ‘Venus in Fur’ is smart, sexy fun
BOSTON — There’s a storm a-brewin’ outside, and soon there’ll be a storm brewing inside in the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of David Ives’ “Venus in Fur” at the BU Theatre. A New… Continue reading
New Rep’s ‘Madoff’ examines who more than why
WATERTOWN — There are villains, and there are villains. Bernard Madoff became an almost imcomprehensible $20 billion villain when his elaborate Ponzi scheme defrauded individuals and institutions alike for decades. But was Madoff… Continue reading
‘Henry VIII’ isn’t Bard’s best, but it is well done
BOSTON — I have been a fan of famed Shakespeare interpreter/actor/director Tina Packer since I first stumbled onto Shakespeare & Company in Lenox while vacationing in the Berkshires years ago. She has often… Continue reading
ART offers fresh, funny ‘Heart of Robin Hood’
CAMBRIDGE — The legend of Robin Hood has been told so many different times in so many different ways — even Mel Brooks took a whack at it — that you would be… Continue reading
WFT’s ‘Life’ is a skilled retake of a cultural icon
BOSTON — Yes, Virginia, I am old enough to remember when there were actual radio dramas, soap operas, and serials. It was what was often called “the theater of the mind.” You… Continue reading
NSMT’s Coffee still gold standard for Scrooges
BEVERLY –– When Bill Hanney bought the North Shore Music Theatre out of bankruptcy in 2010, among the things he purchased were the building, other physical assets, the theater’s name and reputation. It… Continue reading
Oliva, Coen will have you rooting for ‘Becky’
BOSTON — Director Larry Coen and actress Celeste Oliva both scored in last season’s hit “Chinglish” at the Lyric Stage Company. Why break up a strong team? They have teamed up again, and… Continue reading
‘Lucy’ is a pleasant walk down Memory Lane
BOSTON — At least for one night, I was again part of a show’s target demographic. “I Love Lucy Live on Stage” at the Citi Emerson Colonial Theatre through Dec. 22 is right… Continue reading
Like Santa Claus, ‘Miracle’ won’t let you down
STONEHAM — The major problem with doing a stage adaptation of an iconic 1947 movie — or in this case an iconic 1947 movie that was remade in 1973 and 1994, not to… Continue reading